Agenda Item No. Z 11
CITY OF YUCAIPA
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Fermin Preciado, Director of Development Services/City EngineerrV `1 I
Benjamin J. Matlock, Deputy Director of Community Development/City Planner%!,- ` FOR: City Council Meeting of September 23, 2024
SUBJECT: Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Update (Case No. 24-044/GPA/SPA) & Pacific Oaks Commerce Center (21-196/CUP/ARC/TPM):
The existing Freeway Corridor Specific Plan (FCSP), adopted in November 2008, allows for development of up to 2,447 residential units on 424.7 acres and up to 4,585,779 square feet of nonresidential uses on 242.7 acres within the 1,242-acre plan area. The proposed update to the FCSP (Case No. 24-044/GPA/SPA) would result in a total of 2,472 residential units and 5,093,265 square feet of nonresidential uses. As a result, the proposed Project would result in an increase of 25 residential units, 2,786,461 square feet of Business Park (BP), and a reduction of 2,278,976 square feet of Regional Commercial (RC) compared to the existing FCSP. The Proposed Project also includes development of the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center (21- 196/CUP/ARC/TPM), which consists of the development of two (2) buildings with warehouse and office spaces, totaling 2,054,000 square feet of building space, as well as truck parking and docking bays, consistent with the provisions included in the FCSP Update. (Continued from August 26, 2024)
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council conduct a public hearing regarding the Freeway Corridor Specific Plan (FCSP) and the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (SEIR), as well as Case No. 21-196 for the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center. The Planning Commission has previously reviewed the FCSP and did not offer a recommendation for approval.
Depending on the City Council's review, several potential motions can be made and are as follows:
Motion in support of the FCSP Update:
If the City Council is in support of the FCSP, the following recommendation is provided:
1) Adopt Resolution No. 2024-19, approving the Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Update with the items listed in the errata; certifying that the Final Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) has been completed in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); accepting the mitigation measures identified in the Final SEIR; adopting Findings of Fact; and adopting a Statement of Overriding Considerations; and
2) Approve first reading, by title only, as read by staff, of Ordinance No. 448, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Yucaipa, California, amending Ordinance No. 343, amending of the official land use plan and zoning ordinance of the City of Yucaipa; and 3) Approve the Conditional Use Permit (Case No. 21-196), subject to the Conditions of Approval as contained in the Agenda Report, and if acceptable, approve the Architectural Design and preliminary landscaping, for the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center Project (POCC); and
4) Adopt the Findings as contained in the Agenda Report; and 5) Approve the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program; and direct Staff to file a Notice of Determination.
Motion against the FCSP Update:
If the City Council is not in support of the FCSP, the following motion is provided:
1) Direct Staff to prepare a Resolution to deny the approval of the Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Update; and
2) Direct Staff to prepare Findings for denial, based on the City Council's consideration of the Project with respect to Section 83.020310 of the Yucaipa Development Code; and 3) Deny Conditional Use Permit (Case No. 21-196), as it is inconsistent with the land use designations of the existing Freeway Corridor Specific Plan; and 4) Determine that the Project is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15270 of the CEQA Guidelines, which states that CEQA does not apply to projects which a public agency rejects or disapproves.
AlternativPc-
The City Council can make any additional recommendations to modify the FCSP Update that are deemed necessary to meet the Findings specified by Section 83.020310 of the Yucaipa Development Code, or that would better meet the Goals, Policies, and/or Objectives of the General Plan.
Draft Findings of Approval, as well as the Draft Resolution and Ordinance are provided for the City Council's reference and review. Modifications can also be made based on the deliberations of the item. No formal findings for denial were provided by the Planning Commission, and therefore are not available. However, Commissioners noted a desire for additional commercial activity and to ensure that the property owner's interests were protected. Council may also deny the Specific Plan Update as proposed but certify the SEIR by amending Resolution No. 2024-19. In this scenario, adopting Ordinance No. 448 may also be prudent as a clean-up item to the General Plan map.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
What is a Specific Plan?
A Specific Plan provides policymakers with the ability to prepare and adopt development and/or design standards and guidelines within a targeted area of the City. Although it is not a part of the General Plan, a Specific Plan must adhere to, and be consistent with, the City's land use policies that are established in the General Plan. Ideally, a Specific Plan provides guidance to landowners or developers without stifling opportunities or imposing inflexible regulations that preclude creative development responses. With its tailored standards and general direction for future development within a specific area of a community, Specific Plans work to leverage the opportunities of the area beyond what could otherwise be achieved through a city-wide zoning ordinance.
This before (left) and after (right) photos show how the City's specific plan for the Uptown led to positive and transformative growth of a key area
Policy Determination:
A Specific Plan itself does not directly relate to a specific project application, but instead reflects a more global policy change for an area, which in turn will govern future projects that come forward.
The findings specific to the adoption of a Specific Plan within the City of Yucaipa are listed under Section 83.020310 of the Yucaipa Development Code and are listed below. It should be noted that the proposed Project includes both the policy determination related directly towards the Specific Plan update, as well as a land use entitlement for a specific project within the Specific Plan area that is discussed further.
Findings:
"Prior to taking an action to adopt or amend a Specific Plan, the Planning Agency shall find that the proposed Specific Plan or amendment satisfies all of the following conditions. a) Is consistent with the General Plan
b) Specifies through text and/or diagrams the distribution, location, and extent of the uses of land, including open space, within the area covered by the plan c) Specifies through text and/or diagrams the proposed distribution, location, and extent and intensity of major components of public and private transportation, sewage, water, drainage, solid waste disposal, energy, and other essential facilities proposed to be located within the area covered by the plan and needed to support the land uses described in the plan
d) Specifies through text and/or diagrams the standards and criteria by which development will proceed and standards for the conservation, development, and utilization of natural
resources, where applicable
e) Specifies a program of implementation measures including regulations, programs, public works project, and financing measures necessary to carry out Findings (b), (c) and (d) above
f) Includes a statement of the relationship of the Specific Plan to the General Plan, Development Code, and any applicable plan
g) Addresses any other subjects which are necessary for implementation of the General Plan"
Decision makers need to identify the elements for the Findings and confirm that any such Specific Plan meets these requirements to formally approve the policy.
Location:
The 1,242-acre FCSP area is in the City of Yucaipa in San Bernardino County. The FCSP is bisected by Interstate 10 (1-10) and abuts the Riverside County boundary to the south. Regional access to the Project is provided by I-10 from the east and west. Local access is provided by Live Oak Canyon Road, County Line Road, Oak Glen Road, Wildwood Canyon Road, Colorado Street and Calimesa Boulevard. Land uses in the FCSP consist primarily of agricultural land (ranching and farming), a limited number of residences, a wastewater treatment plant, and miscellaneous commercial uses such as an outdoor pottery store and storage. The Live Oak Canyon Pumpkin Factory operates seasonally, with its peak season in the fall. Their farm also operates a corn maze (fall only), carnival -type rides and games, tractor/hay rides, pony rides, petting zoo, Christmas Tree sales (winter only), U-pick pumpkin patch, and concessions (fall only) during the fall and winter seasons. The Henry N.
Wochholz Regional Water Recycling Facility (WRF) is owned and operated by the Yucaipa Valley Water District (YV WD). This land use is isolated from the other areas in the FCSP and can only be accessed via a secondary road from County Line Road. The FCSP Update identifies these parcels as "not a part" (N.A.P.) of the Proposed Project because it is solely owned by the YVWD. •L•-� �'ra3a
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Map of the FCSP Area
Current Freeway Corridor Specific Plan:
In January of 2005, the City Council directed staff to proceed with the issuance of a Request for Proposal for consultant services to prepare a Freeway Corridor Specific Plan (FCSP) and Program Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for 1,242 acres of (mostly) undeveloped properties along the I-
10 Freeway corridor. Prior to this effort, the area was designated as Planned Development, which was to facilitate a variety of potential uses. During the initial development of the FCSP framework was the establishment of the primary "Planning Objectives" that would guide the overall preparation of the FCSP:
1. Maintain the impression of Yucaipa as a quality rural community.
2. Ensure that resultant development both meets the needs of City residents and brings in tax revenues.
3. Provide appropriate land use intensity and density that leads to economically viable development opportunities for the affected property owners.
In February and March of 2006, different potential land use plans were presented to the Planning Commission and the City Council to find the "Preferred Alternative." On November 7, 2007, the Planning Commission held a public hearing to consider the final draft of the FCSP, the final draft of the Design Guidelines, the Final EIR, a Statement of Overriding Considerations, and the Mitigation Monitoring Plan. At the conclusion of this hearing, a majority of the Commission supported a recommendation to the City Council for the approval of the Specific Plan and its related documents.
However, at about this same time, the City Council was beginning to evaluate various options in its then update for the General Plan Housing Element, and one of the major issues involved meeting the allocation of "adequate sites" to accommodate the City's "fair share" of the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) from the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG). The Preferred Alternative was then amended to include areas for affordable housing, and the overall updated plan was then adopted On November 24, 2008. Since its adoption in 2008, the only changes in development that has occurred are the approvals of a 366,423-square-foot speculative industrial warehouse building located on five parcels totaling 19.32 gross acres at the northwest corner of 7th Place and County Line Lane within the Regional Commercial district, as well as a Conditional Use Permit associated with the continued use of the Pumpkin Factory. It should be noted that warehousing uses are already allowed in the FCSP but may occupy prime and highly -visible areas that were intended for retail spaces.
Existing FCSP Land Use Map
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Update Intent:
The FCSP area includes the largest undeveloped area in Yucaipa, comprised of 1,238 acres of land, and is poised to capture a portion of the regional demand for commercial and residential uses. Its original intent was to provide job growth opportunities for the community and was one of the key strategies for providing housing opportunities that could meet the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) during prior housing cycles. The existing FCSP was originally developed in 2007/8, right before the great recession that resulted in dramatic changes to the retail and commercial industry. Since the adoption of the FCSP, the City has also completed a comprehensive General Plan update that was adopted in 2016. In total, these changes, along with feedback from property owners within the FCSP, indicate that the current FCSP is deficient in a variety of areas that effectively hinder the ultimate development and potential community benefits of the site to meet the goals of the General Plan.
To help address the development potential and viability of the FCSP area, the City applied for and was awarded several grants from Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) that have been combined to complete an update to the FCSP. Among the key objectives for the update is to address the significant market changes in the development industry that have occurred since its adoption to ensure its viability; one of the core elements of the original Planning Objectives.
Per the General Plan, the FCSP objective is to provide for a complete community and is situated in an ideal location to integrate with local and regional transportation systems, and the refined community objectives from the General Plan will help guide the Project. One final component was ensuring that the proposed housing capacity would effectively meet market demands and that the buildout of the FCSP would allow the City to meet its RHNA requirements in current and subsequent Housing Element cycles. Without changes to the plan, the existing "R-24" designated sites would become ineligible as housing sites used in the City's future planning efforts related to meeting the RHNA.
Key Design Direction for Update:
Through a series of study sessions, the City Council provided direction on key elements that should be incorporated into the plan. As noted previously, the fundamental economic benefits of the area were one element that was prioritized to ensure that the FCSP met the expectations and policies that are listed in the General Plan. To maintain a more rural environment, Council prioritized viewsheds that are to be protected and/or enhanced with the development of the area. As part of this consideration, less attractive buildings such as warehouses should be obscured from visible line of sights from the I-10 Freeway. The City Council also identified key opportunity areas that should be used for open space, recreational areas, and connectivity; and further provided requirements for the Open Space areas to achieve those goals. This included removal of any required total acreage of open space, and instead provided a deliberate prioritization of using open space to preserve key viewsheds, as well as the use of open space as a buffer between different uses and planning areas within the Plan, and allowing these areas to provide increased recreational opportunities, such as multi -use trails, to provide a greater community benefit relative to the existing plan. Further, landscaped slopes used for site grading or agricultural activities, such as pumpkin or vineyard plantings, would also be permitted in these areas.
Concurrent with the City Council study sessions, a series of stakeholder interviews were conducted with property owners, developers, and other community members to better understand the challenges and needs of the market to guide necessary updates that would support the future development that had been planned. The feedback from these discussions were then incorporated into the Update and balanced between the community's desire to preserve key viewsheds and to protect the natural environment.
Lastly, the Update focused on elements that could reduce the cost of infrastructure to better make future projects financially viable. Significant work within drainage channels that provide a marginal increase of land area were avoided to reduce the net cost of development in the millions of dollars, and to reduce the City's long-term financial commitment to maintain such infrastructure.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan:
Specific Plan Format. -
The FCSP is comprised of seven (7) sections that cover the following topics:
I — Introduction: Includes a brief introduction to the purpose of the FCSP and the organizational layout of the document. The section also includes the Project Vision as well as the Planning Objectives, which are carried over from the existing FCSP with only minor modifications to better fit market demands.
II — Baseline Conditions: Includes a detailed summary of the existing conditions of the Project area as they existed at the initiation of the FCSP, including pertinent physical details of the area as well as notable projects along the I-10 corridor. The market conditions related to the proposed development are also identified for a high-level understanding of the plan, as well as the market shifts since the original FCSP was adopted.
III — Project Description: Includes a detailed outline of the development proposed for the FCSP boundaries, including key concepts that shall drive the ultimate development of the area, as well as the approach for utility and infrastructure development for the area.
IV — Development Standards: Includes a detailed outline of the development proposed for the FCSP boundaries, including the development standards that would apply for the land use designations that are proposed onsite, as well as grading standards, sign regulations, and a list of the permissible uses.
V — Design Guidelines: Includes a general description of the City's expectations regarding the final design of the built environment to be implemented by the FCSP, and compliance with the Guidelines would ensure the development features high -quality landscape and architectural design. Consistent with other development projects, the architecture of the future development would be subject to review by the City's Planning Commission. The section also integrates with the City's adopted Citywide Design Guidelines, which include details for commercial development along this key gateway, as well as objective standards for multiple family housing.
VI — Implementation: Includes the administrative processes, review and enforcement of the FCSP, as well as phasing and funding approaches to best ensure the orderly development of the FCSP area.
VII — Appendix A: Includes the definitions used in the plan.
Land Use Plan/Districts:
The development of the FCSP results in detailed development standards and implementation measures to which future projects located within the specified area must adhere, and in effect creates new zoning to achieve the intended goals for that area. The proposed Project is an update to the FCSP to guide development within the 1,242-acre plan area.
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An Updated Land Use Map that addresses Pumpkin Factory operations within OS -designated areas, and Robinson commercial areas
Proposed Proiect Buildout Statistical Summary
Designation
Acres
Dwelling Units
Population'
Non-residential SFz
Employees'
Residential
225.8
2,472
6,823
NA
NA
Regional Commercial (RC)3
72.2 NA
NA
1,100,761
791
Business Park (BP)4
223.1
NA
NA
3,992,503
1,891
Agro-Commercial Tourism (AT)4
48.8 NA
NA
NA
NA
Open Space (OS)5
338.5
NA
NA
NA
NA
Open Space — Conservation (OS-C)5
159.5
NA
NA
NA
NA
Existing ROW
15.1 NA
NA
NA
NA
Not a Part (N.A.P)6
154.6
NA
NA
NA
NA
Total
1,2387
2,472
6,823
5,093,265
2,682
Notes: Totals may not add to 100 percent due to rounding. SF = square feet; ROW = right-of-way. ' Based on 2.76 people per unit (DOF 2022).
2 Acres to square feet based on the maximum FAR allowed in the proposed FCSP of 0.35 for RC. Planning areas BP 2, BP 3, and 19.32 acres of BP 6 are based on the project -level data for the Pacific Oak Commerce Center project (2,054,000 square feet) and the County Line Warehouse project (366,423 square feet). The remaining acreage for planning area BP 6 (9.68 acres) and planning areas BP 1 and BP 4 is based on a maximum FAR of 0.5. It should be noted that planning area BP 4 is the Caltrans rest stop and would remain a rest stop at buildout, as Caltrans currently owns this property. However, there is an agreement that should Caltrans close the rest stop, this property would revert to the Robinson Properties ownership. As a result, square footage associated with this acreage is accounted for to provide a conservative estimate of the potential BP land uses at buildout. 3 Based on 1,392 square feet per employee for RC uses and 2,111 square feet per employee for BP uses (SCAG 2001). n The Live Oak Canyon Pumpkin Factory has associated employment, but there are no changes to this land use between existing conditions and the Proposed Project scenarios.
5 Open Space (OS) and Open Space -Conservation (OS-C) acreage is estimated based on the conceptual grading plan. 6 The WRF is identified as Not a Part in the FCSP Update because it is solely owned by the YVWD.
Acreage for the FCSP Update based on GIS. This four -acre difference between the 2008 Specific Plan acreage (1,242 acres) and the Specific Plan Update acreage (1,238 acres) is based on minor differences in how the boundary was mapped in 2008 and attributed to existing ROW.
As shown in this table, the proposed Project would result in a total of 2,472 residential units and 5,093,265 square feet of nonresidential uses. The acreages shown provide for the anticipated development area, but may adjust based on the ultimate site design of individual projects, provided the total development capacity remains within scope of development assessed in the environmental review process. The FCSP includes a list of permitted, conditionally permitted, and prohibited land uses and development standards associated with the following land use designations:
Residential:
The FCSP allows for the following residential densities and product types:
■ Residential (R-2/11-4). Allows for 2 to 4 dwelling units per acre (du/acre). Accommodates single-family residential uses that serve as a transition to existing low -density development adjoining the FCSP area. R-2 refers to 2 du/ac, and R-4 refers to 4 du/ac. ■ Residential (R-6). Allows for 4.1 to 6 du/acre. Accommodates detached single-family residential uses.
■ Residential (R-8). Allows for 6.1 to 8 du/acre. Accommodates a range of attached and detached single-family residential uses, including small -lot single-family and cluster housing.
Also allows for low -scale multifamily product types.
■ Residential (R-12). Allows for 8.1 to 12 du/acre. Provides for a range of attached and detached single-family residential uses, including small -lot single-family and cluster housing. Also allows for multifamily product types up to 12 du/acre.
■ Residential (R-24). Allows for 12.1 to 24 du/acre. Provides higher density, small -lot, single- family detached housing; attached housing such as duplexes and walk-up townhomes; and multifamily residential including courtyard housing and stacked flats. Pursuant to the Open Space Standards of the Specific Plan (see Section 4.7 of the FCSP), single-family residential
development with lot sizes less than 10,000 square feet are required to provide one pocket park of at least 10,000 square feet for each 50 dwelling units.
The residential densities remain within the existing maximum range of the existing FCSP; however, a greater number of units are placed within the mid -density range to better accommodate attainable housing options for Yucaipa residents. In addition, the R-12 is a newly established classification, which aligns with the market demand related to first time homebuyers.
Regional Commercial (RC)
Intended to accommodate commercial retail and services, lodging, office uses, recreation and entertainment uses, and similar compatible uses that support the local and regional economy. Pursuant to the Open Space Standards of the Specific Plan (FCSP Section 4.7), Commercial uses are required to provide development area for common open space in the form of plazas, landscaped courtyards, and/or squares, as indicated in the Specific Plan Design Guidelines.
Business Park (BP)
Provides for light industrial and office uses, including light manufacturing; wholesale/warehouse uses, including high cube warehousing; logistics/distribution centers; contract/construction services; transportation services; agriculture support services; incidental services; and similar uses. Pursuant to the Open Space Standards of the Specific Plan (FCSP Section 4.7), Business Park land uses are required to provide development area for common open space in the form of plazas, landscaped courtyards, and/or squares, as indicated in the Specific Plan Design Guidelines.
It should be noted that the existing FCSP has the same list of allowed/conditionally permitted uses for both the RC and BP, which meant that areas intended for industrial or those meant for commercial would not necessarily be implemented. As a result, a greater distinction was made between the two (2) different land use classifications so that key areas that are more highly visible from I-10 would support the regional commercial activities, and areas that are intended for industrial and warehousing uses could be situated in more discrete areas of the FCSP area.
Agro-Commercial Tourism
Provides for agricultural-themed commercial uses, including sales of produce, pumpkins, and agriculture -related goods, along with supporting businesses such as restaurants and overnight accommodations that cater to the agricultural tourism industry and can enhance the commercial benefit of the facility. This designation is intended to support the ongoing operations of the existing Pumpkin Factory and allow for the continued viability of this regional amenity.
Open Space (OS)
Approximately 338.5 acres, 27 percent of the FCSP, allows for agriculture -related activities where appropriate and for buffering and transitions between different land uses. Grading activities may be permitted in the Open Space designation provided that vegetated slopes that feature contour grading are implemented to maintain a naturalistic appearance.
As part of the existing FCSP, areas that were designated as Open Space were identified to be "natural open space," however, agricultural, and grazing operations have historically occurred on site, and in other areas, site grading or trenching had also already occurred in these areas, meaning that "natural" areas were not actually in a natural condition. As a result, the update prioritizes the use of open space as functional open space that can best support the necessary transitions between uses, and areas that
are meant to be natural and that should be protected for biological resources are now included in a An illustrative plan that shows the future areas of key land use types within the FCSP without the functional open space areas shown Open Space — Conservation (OS-C)
Approximately 159.5 acres, 13 percent of the FCSP, is to be dedicated to Open Space -Conservation that includes ridgelines, hillsides, natural drainage courses, natural vegetation, and sensitive habitat areas and prominent views and that would be preserved.
Comparison:
The proposed Project would result in increases of 25 dwelling units and 69 people, a reduction of approximately 2.28 million square feet of Regional Commercial (RC), an increase of approximately
2.79 million square feet of Business Park (BP), and a reduction of 317 employees. As noted previously, the Planning Objectives from the existing FCSP were upheld with the proposed Project.
Further, the lack of distinction between allowable uses within the Regional Commercial and Business Park were clarified with the FCSP update to create a more deliberate development pattern. nuilaoui tom arlson or ine rro osea
rro ect to in
Approvea rro ect
Dwelling Units
Population
Regional
Commercial
RC SF
Business Park
BP SF
Total Non -
residential SF
Employees
Approved Project
2,447
6,754
3,379,737
1,206,042
4,585,779
2,999
Proposed Project
2,472
6,823
1,100,761
3,992,503
1 5,093,265
2,682
Net Change
25 69-2,278,976
2,786,461
507,486
-317
Notes: SF = square feet; RC = Regional Commercial; BP = Business Park. There is no change associated with the existing pumpkin farm.
Infrastructure:
Cir(nilntinn-
The internal circulation system for the FCSP would consist of a hierarchy of roads and trails to accommodate vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, and equestrian circulation. The circulation system has been designed to enhance visual and physical connectivity between neighborhoods, open space, and other uses in the area. The Project provides new collector streets, local streets, and trails in the FCSP.
The FCSP would provide a vehicular circulation system south of I-10 that provides a physical connection between Live Oak Canyon Road and County Line Road. This vehicular connection would be circuitous to discourage high-speed, cut -through traffic yet accommodate convenient access for residents. An additional connection is also planned as part of the proposed Wildwood Canyon Road at Interstate 10 Freeway Interchange, which is under review through the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).
In tandem with the traffic -calming vehicular circulation system, enhanced bicycle and pedestrian trail networks would provide connectivity within and between the neighborhoods in the FCSP. A multimodal trail is also planned through the connection of Live Oak Canyon Road to County Line Road, with a refined design that would place access within the open space -designated areas, rather than the proposed Business Park, to allow for a more scenic pathway for residents. Another key feature is relocating the primary internal roadway network away from the Pumpkin Factory location, as the existing FCSP would require that site to be bisected to provide circulation to the rest of the FCSP south of Interstate 10.
Specfic Plan Boundary ' Commercial Collector Street a ResiCential Collector Street 0 1.4,50
ScaleI
Conceptual layout of roadway infrastructure for the FCSP Water:
Connections to existing water lines in the adjacent neighborhoods would be necessary to provide water service to the new neighborhoods in the FCSP. Water pipelines must be sized to adequately service the plan area's water demands, as required by the serving agency- water service is provided by YV WD, Western Heights Water Company, and South Mesa Water Company. Two (2) different types of pipelines are used to convey water to the plan area —transmission pipelines and distribution pipelines. Transmission pipelines transport water from offsite and on -site reservoirs to the FCSP, and distribution pipelines transport water from the backbone system to individual users. The YVWD requires a minimum size of eight (8) inches for distribution piping, but the FCSP shows that 16-inch-
diameter potable -water pipelines and 12-inch-diameter non -potable -water pipelines are proposed to ensure adequate hydraulic flow and pressure and would generally parallel potable water pipelines.
These 8-inch and 16- inch diameter sizes are preliminary, and the water pipeline network would meet all development guidelines once the development plan and street layout are finalized.
Sewer:
Currently, five (5) main wastewater trunk lines traverse the FCSP: 1) along Calimesa Boulevard, 2) along Colorado Street, 3) along Florida Street west of Live Oak Canyon Road, 4) extending north - south from and along Cienega Drive ROW and across the I-10 to the existing WRF in the southwest area of the FCSP, and 5) extending east -west just north of the County Line Road. The area also contains an existing wastewater pump station south of the freeway and east of Live Oak Canyon Road. New neighborhoods in the plan area would receive sewer service by connecting to existing facilities. The sanitary sewer system would be designed and constructed consistent with YVWD standards and maintained by YV WD.
Other:
The development within the FCSP Update would be subject to a Community Facilities District to offset the associated costs for emergency services for the entire plan area. In addition, taller projects, such as the R-24 and BP areas, would be subject to a fair share cost reimbursement for the City's purchase and use of an aerial fire apparatus.
The FCSP leverages projects that would appropriately pay for and use an aerial "hook and ladder " truck Plan Modifications:
Following the development of the public review version of the FCSP, additional areas have been identified to be modified in the Specific Plan to help add additional clarity or correct minor issues that were discovered. These proposed changes are attached as an excerpt (errata sheet) for the FCSP document for consideration by the City Council. If the City Council ultimately approves of the FCSP Update, all the elements identified in the errata sheet along with any other proposed changes would then be finalized and incorporated into the official and bound version of the Specific Plan. As noted in the recommendation section of the Agenda Report, modifications to the FCSP can also be made to better meet the Findings for approval if they do not increase the development capacity proposed from what was assessed as part of the environmental review process.
General Plan Amendment:
When the FCSP was first adopted, the City approved a General Plan Amendment to change the original land use designation of the site, which was Planned Development (PD), to those specified in the plan. However, the City has not had a consistent practice when it comes to incorporating Specific Plans into the General Plan Map because of our "one -map" system. As a result, only the FCSP has specifically included its adopted land use designations into the General Plan Map; other specific plans have kept the underlying districts that were in place before those plans were adopted (although text in the General Plan incorrectly states that the approved Uptown districts were also included in the General Plan map). General Plan Figure CDL-2, Land Use Plan, currently references the existing FCSP districts, and an update to the figure is required if the proposed Project is approved. Ordinance No. 448 is proposed as part of the FCSP update to redesignate the planning area as PD, as this designation best meets the location criteria shown in Table CDL-1 of the General Plan, with the not - a -part YVWD facility proposed to revert to Institutional (IN). Future amendments to the General Plan are also planned to create a consistent approach for all the City's specific plans with respect to CDL-
2. Pacific Oafs Commerce Center:
Concurrent with the City's development of the FCSP Update, a project application was received for the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center (POCC). As the City was already exploring the best approaches for the update, and conversely, a Specific Plan Amendment would have been otherwise necessary to address the proposed land use configuration of the POCC and to also deal with residential no -net -loss provisions, the policy -level document of the FCSP and the project -level review of the POCC are being proposed together in order to best assess and analyze the two (2) different efforts. The applicant for the POCC, Pacific Industrial, is therefore requesting the approval of the Conditional Use Permit for the development of two tilt -up concrete buildings for warehouse uses, which are conditionally permitted within the FCSP BP Land Use Designation. The following sections highlight the POCC.
POCC Details:
The POCC is proposed within planning areas BP 2 and BP 3, and consists of two (2) warehouse buildings, additional truck parking, and open space. Building 1 would have 1,032,500 square feet of warehouse and 20,000 square feet of office use, for a total of 1,052,500 square feet of building space.
Building 2 would have 981,500 square feet of warehouse and 20,000 square feet of office use, for a total of 1,001,500 square feet of building space. Each building also would allow up to 25 percent of the building square -footage for cold -storage uses. As a result, the POCC would result in development of up to 2,054,000 square feet, with the following details noted in the table below:
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center Buildout
Land Use
Acres
Building SF
Docking Bays
Trailer Stalls
Auto Stalls
Parcel 1 — Residential Pad'. 2
29.53 —
—
—
—
Parcel 2 — Residential Pad', 2
32.04 —
—
—
—
Parcel 3 — Building 1
60.27 1,052,500
178
410
515
Parcel 4 — Open Space
65.82 —
—
—
—
Parcel 5 — Open Space
30.04 —
—
—
—
Parcel 6 — Trailer Parking3
29.68 —
—
322
—
Parcel 7 — Building 23
65.53 1,001,500
178
! 326
471
Total
312.91
2,054,000
356
1,058
986
Notes: SF = square feet.
The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project does not include development of residential land uses. The acreages for Parcel 1 and Parcel 3 are included because of the need to grade these parcels during construction of the southern portion of Wildwood Canyon Road and the parcels associated with the warehouse buildings and trailer parking. These sites are designated for future residential uses pursuant to the Specific Plan.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center Buildout
Land Use I Acres Building SF Docking Bays Trailer Stalls Auto Stalls 2 The FCSP identifies PA 12 as 35.2 acres whereas Parcel 1 and Parcel 2 of the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project total 61.57 acres. This is because the Specific Plan excludes manufactured slope in the land use density and intensity calculations. For Parcel 1 and Parcel 2, there are 26.37 acres of manufactured slope (43 percent of the total acreage of Parcel 1 and Parcel 2), which is included in the 553 acres of open space. 3 The FCSP identifies BP 3 as 71.3 acres whereas Parcel 6 and Parcel 7 of the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project total 95.2 acres. This is because the Specific Plan excludes manufactured slope in the land use density and intensity calculations. For Parcel 6 and Parcel 7, there are 23.9 acres of manufactured slope (25 percent of the total acreage of Parcel 6 and Parcel 7), which is included in the 553 acres of open space.
POCC Site Layout
Parkin:
Each warehouse building would provide 178 truck docking bays for a total of 356 truck docking bays in the POCC Project area. Building 1 would provide 410 truck parking stalls and 515 auto parking spaces. Building 2 would provide 326 truck parking stalls and 475 auto parking spaces. Building 2 can also be connected to an additional parking lot that would accommodate 322 truck parking stalls.
This parking lot would be on a separate parcel and would be used either for overflow parking or as standalone use. As a result, the POCC would provide for a total of 1,058 truck parking stalls and 986 auto parking spaces on -site. Pursuant to Sections 5.106.5.2 and 5.106.5.3.2 of the 2022 California Green Building Standards Code, 32 of the parking spaces would be designated for low -emitting, fuel efficient, and carpool/vanpool vehicles, and an additional 99 spaces would be designated for electric vehicles (California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 11).
Access:
Access to the POCC site would be from a newly constructed public roadway (i.e., southern extension of Wildwood Canyon Road) that would connect to Live Oak Canyon Road. Since the Wildwood Canyon Interchange Project would not be constructed until after buildout of the Pacific Oak Commerce Center project, the newly constructed roadway would terminate just north of Building 2.
Building 1 would be accessible via two (2) 50-foot-wide driveways. Both driveways would give full access to both trucks and passenger vehicles. Building 2 would be accessible via three (3) driveways —two (2) would be 50 feet wide for full access for trucks and passenger vehicles, and one (1) would be 30 feet wide to provide additional access only for passenger vehicles to the parking lot.
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POCC Site plan and grading limits
Site Grading:
One of the key driving factors for the POCC site design is to 1) leverage the hillside adjacent to I-10 to effectively screen the buildings from public view, particularly viewsheds for those traveling along I-10, and 2) allow for the site to balance all of the earthwork needed to from the pads onsite, meaning that there should be no import or export needed of dirt to the site.
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The following renderings provide a street -oriented view of where the project is located. These renderings are not meant to be a marketing -type of exhibit, and therefore no trees or landscaping are shown. However, the areas depicted in green represent the property itself, and the building locations are shown in grey. In the key community viewpoint areas, the buildings would not be visible. The origin of the renderings is from the following video: Video Line of Sight Rendering - POCC
The site grading within the new road to the warehouses limits visibility until one approaches the entrances.
No portion of the building is visible from this view along I-]0.
No portion of the building is visible from the EB I-10 offramp at Live Oak Canyon.
Infrastructure Enhancements:
One of the more notable infrastructure improvements that would occur is the construction of approximately 20,690 linear feet of off -site domestic public water lines to the POCC. The new connection would begin at Avenue D and Oak Glen Road to the north and run south under the I-10 within Live Oak Canyon and then easterly in the new proposed road leading to the POCC project.
This water infrastructure would provide a direct benefit to other projects within the FCSP area and would also tie in roadway pavement improvements to Oak Glen Road.
Another key improvement would be along the Live Oak Canyon roadway segment. As part of the analysis of the POCC, traffic counts were collected in October to best incorporate the roadway demands that would occur during the peak Pumpkin Factory season. Roadway improvements have been conditioned that would improve the Level of Service from both the demands of the FCSP development, including the POCC, but also for those that are associated with the seasonal attraction that brings visitors throughout the region to the City of Yucaipa.
Parcel Map:
As part of the site configuration of the POCC project, Parcel Map 20533 is proposed which would consolidate the different parcels to the layout of the POCC buildings and residential areas. The final configuration of the map may adjust as needed to ensure that future lot boundaries align with the different elements of the POCC development.
Architectural Review:
POCC Architectural Rendering
The applicant has submitted an architectural design package for the proposed warehouse and the preliminary landscape plan design for the overall site (attached) and requests approval as required in the Conditions of Approval. The proposed concrete tilt -up building includes a craftsman -inspired architectural style that provides building finish colors and materials, along with architectural detailing that ties in with the intended style, while recognizing the form and building mass requirements for the proposed use and the associated method of building construction. The main entrance to the buildings, located along the comers of the structure, have been designed within a decorative tower element that includes a gable roof design with standing seam metal, and a vertical standing seam along the walls of the tower to provide a farmhouse -inspired design. This tower element is replicated along different sections of the building to further integrate the design. Outside of elevations that feature the truck dock doors, projecting elements are included that feature decorative parapet caps and clerestory windows. Additional efforts have been made to provide variable massing along the building to increase architectural interest, including variable building heights. While the architectural influence is the same, unique color palettes have been provided for each building to add a degree of distinction.
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Additional POCC Architectural Rendering
The preliminary landscaping plan has been designed to complement the building design and provide a visual screen along the perimeter of the site. The proposed Project includes drought tolerant ornamental landscaping that includes 24-inch box trees, with evergreens such as live oak trees, Mondell pines, and bottle trees, as well as deciduous trees such as sycamores. The design includes a shrub palette for background areas and foreground areas, and additional ground covers to screen the proposed building, infiltration/detention basin, and parking and loading areas. A separate natural planting palette is proposed for open space slopes. As noted in the site grading discussion, specific care was taken to ensure that the structure is not visible from the public right of way for I-10 or Live Oak Canyon Road. The landscaping has been conditioned to meet the City's Water Conservation Ordinance and will be subject to review by the City's contract Landscape Architect.
Project Related Revenue Projections:
The following list provides a simplified breakdown of the revenue associated with the POCC project.
However, this list does not include permitting fees, the ongoing CFD revenue, a fair -share payment for a ladder fire truck, or sales tax that would be associated with some sort of point -of -sale tenant. As a result, the one-time and ongoing revenues would be higher. Other investments also will include the necessary infrastructure upgrades to serve the plan area, including roadway improvements and the water line improvements noted previously.
:One rime Fees i
School Fees —Cali mesa Joint Unified School District $1,519,960 City of Yucaipa Development Impact Fees
Drainage Facilities Fees $1,835,462
Traffic Facilities Fees $8,877,388
Public Facilities Fees $1,195,428
Fire Facilities Fees $706,576
Total School and DIF Fees $14,134,814
Recurring Fees
Property Taxes - $2,225,328
City of Yucaipa allocation @ .24517699 $545,599
Property Tax in Lieu of Vehicle License Fee $244,018
Total Recurring Fees
June 5, 2024, Planning Commission Hearing:
$789,617
The update to the FCSP was reviewed by the Planning Commission at their regularly scheduled meeting of June 5, 2024. As part of the discussion, the Commission noted support for the ability of the FCSP to provide opportunities for commercial activity that can help serve Yucaipa residents and provide opportunities to increase the City's sales tax base. In addition, the Commission recognized the approach to the proposed POCC project's design, which satisfies the demand for warehouse/business park uses while limiting the visibility of such uses.
However, much of the discussion focused on the existing Pumpkin Factory site and the proposed Agricultural Tourism land use district. The Commission recognized the value of the existing use and the significance of their role in the community, and identified concerns that the proposed land use plan would create impediments to their operations into the future. As a result of these concerns, the Planning Commission voted to continue the FCSP Update to July 17, 2024, to allow time for staff and the Pumpkin Factory site to further refine the applicable provisions of the FCSP to best meet their needs.
July 17, 2024, Planning Commission Hearing:
Following the June 5, 2024, Planning Commission hearing, staff and the owner of the Pumpkin Factory discussed potential changes to the FCSP that would best meet their long-term goals for the site, as well as address the comments and concerns provided by the Commission.
As a result of these discussions, two potential directions were determined as feasible solutions. One option is to omit the Pumpkin Factory from the FCSP. Their previously approved Conditional Use Permit would continue to remain in effect and the current uses would remain as an allowable activity under the underlying Planned Development land use district. Alternatively, additional modifications to the FCSP could also be made. This includes the renaming of the "Agricultural Tourism" land use district to "Agro-Commercial Tourism," which would better highlight the commercial nature of the site while respecting the unique elements of the existing operations. In addition, other modifications that were supported by the owner are also included with the updated Errata sheet, which documents proposed changes to the FCSP that occurred after the public draft was circulated. The property owner included support for remaining within the plan, provided the errata was adopted to reflect the proposed changes and clarifying elements.
The Project was then presented to the Planning Commission at their July 17, 2024, hearing. The property owner for the Pumpkin Factory reiterated their support for the update. Members of the Planning Commission made a motion to recommend approval of the plan; however, the motion did not achieve a majority consensus, resulting in a denial of the recommendation. Feedback by a Commissioner noted that a greater emphasis on commercial land area was needed, and that additional time would have been helpful to suggest revisions that would address that concern; however, no formal findings for a denial were provided.
August 26, 2024, City Council Hearing:
At the beginning of the August 26, 2024, meeting, the City Council voted to continue the FCSP to the September 23, 2024, City Council meeting. No deliberation on the item occurred at that meeting.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
In conformance with CEQA, the State CEQA Guidelines, and the City of Yucaipa CEQA Guidelines, the City of Yucaipa serving as the Lead Agency has conducted an extensive environmental review of the proposed Project through the preparation of a Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (SEIR), which compares the implementation of the FCSP update relative to the existing FCSP and the analysis that had been previously completed. As a result, the City has met all of the review requirements and procedural requirements of State Law, which are outlined below.
Analysis:
Through the Initial Study preparation and scoping meeting discussion, an SEIR was prepared addressing the following issues:
• Aesthetics
• Air Quality
• Biological Resources
• Cultural Resources
• Geology and Soils
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions
• Hazards and Hazardous Materials
• Hydrology and Water Quality
• Land Use and Planning
• Noise
• Population and Housing
• Public Services
• Recreation
• Transportation/Traffic
• Tribal Resources
• Utilities and Service Systems
• Wildfire
A variety of technical studies, which are provided as appendices to the SEIR, provide substantiation to the environmental analysis for the Project. The analysis considered the "whole of an action," and assessed the construction -related impacts, as well as the operational impacts, including traffic impacts from the proposed changes from the existing FCSP.
The fundamental purpose of CEQA is to "inform decision makers and the public about the potential, significant environmental effects of proposed activities" and "disclose to the public the reasons why a governmental agency approved the project in the manner the agency chose." Pursuant to Section 15043 of the CEQA Guidelines, a "public agency may approve a project even though the project would cause a significant effect on the environment if the agency makes a fully informed and publicly disclosed decision."
The Draft SEIR was made available for a 45-day public review period from February 8, 2024, to March 25, 2024. Several public and agency comments were received, and the responses to those comments and any necessary changes to the Draft SEIR are included as part of the Final SEIR.
Based upon the analysis that was conducted, the Project would continue to result in a significant and unavoidable environmental impact for Air Quality, Greenhouse Gases, and Noise. As a result, Findings of Overriding Considerations are required for the City Council to approve the Project.
Mitigation Measures:
The analysis within SEIR identified a number of feasible mitigation measures that would reduce most of potential environmental impacts to below a level of significance. Mitigation measures are provided for the following topics: Aesthetics, Air Quality, Biological Resources, Cultural Resources, Geology and Soils, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Hydrology & Water Quality, Tribal Cultural Resources, and Wildfire. As required by State Law, the Project includes the adoption of a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, which has been prepared in conformance with Section 21081.6 of the CEQA Guidelines. The measures would be implemented throughout the development of the Project, as identified in the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program.
CONCLUSION:
The FCSP is a policy decision that requires the City Council's consideration and formal action following its review by the Planning Commission. The FCSP has historically represented a key development area of the City, that included a substantial amount of commercial and residential development. The proposed update is an evolution of that plan, and generally retains the overall number of permitted housing units, and transfers some of the commercial development area, which had diminished because of e-commerce activity, for warehouse uses that would not be visible along the I-10 and other view corridors. The resulting changes would substantially increase the overall economic output of the FCSP, provide housing for current and future housing cycles, meanwhile reducing the overall number of vehicular trips (81,073 trips during the weekday) compared to the existing FCSP. Draft Findings of Approval are provided if there is interest in the plan; the City Council can modify the Findings based on the majority consensus, as well as make any revisions to the FCSP that are deemed necessary to better meet the necessary Findings.
Attachments:
1. Draft Specific Plan Findings
2. Draft Conditional Use Permit and Parcel Map Findings for Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
3. Draft Resolution No. 2024-19
4. Draft Ordinance No. 448
5. Economic Impact Analysis
6. Draft Freeway Corridor Specific Plan
7. Draft Errata Sheet for the Freeway Corridor Specific Plan
8. Public Comment Letters
9. June 5, 2024, Planning Commission minutes
10. Draft July 17, 2024, Planning Commission minutes
11. Draft Environmental Impact Report (under separate cover)
12. Final Environmental Impact Report (under separate cover)
13. Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (under separate cover)
14. Project Plans & Conditions for Pacific Oaks Commerce Center The Specific Plan, Draft EIR, Final EIR, and Project -related environmental documents are available for the public at City Hall or via the following links: https://yucaipa.gov/w content/uploads/dev svcs/EIR/FCSP/Yucaipa FreewayCorridor SpecificPlan Jan2024.pdf? t= 1706659526 & https://yucaipa.gov/environmental-review/ .
Approved by:
ATTACHMENT 1
The following are draft Findings of Approval for the Specific Plan. The Planning Commission shall review these findings and make any modifications deemed necessary. If the Planning Commission does not recommend approval of the Specific Plan, guidance shall be provided that identifies where these Findings are not met, which will then be updated accordingly.
FINDINGS: SPECIFIC PLAN NO.24-044
1. The Final Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (SCH# 2006041096) prepared for this Project adequately discusses the potential impacts of the Specific Plan Update and disclosed to decision makers and the public that there are significant and unavoidable environmental impacts related to Air Quality, Greenhouse Gases, and Noise. As a result, a Statement of Overriding Considerations is being adopted pursuant to the provisions of CEQA. The Freeway Corridor Specific Plan (FCSP) SEIR was completed in compliance with CEQA and the Guidelines promulgated thereunder; and the FCSP SEIR reflects the independent judgment of the City.
2. The Specific Plan Update is consistent with the General Plan, because it implements the City's adopted goals and policies from the 2016 General Plan policies, as well as the 6t' Cycle Housing Element. The initial policies of the General Plan are found under Community Design and Land Use (CDL), under Goal CDL-1, Land Use Mix, that states "A community with adequate sites for housing, parks, business, and institutional uses that meet local need for housing, employment, recreation, and services." The policies promote "for a range of housing types, locations, and densities in a variety of neighborhood settings" (CDL-1.1) and encourages the City to also provide "sites for a range of commercial uses, including shopping, dining, entertainment, and offices that provide a strong employment base and offer local services" (CDL-1.2) and "improve industrial uses that provide manufacturing employment opportunities" (CDL1.3). The FCSP update provides for a greater range of housing opportunities that align with market demand and provides opportunities for commercial and industrial uses along I-10 to create a new employment base for the community. However, key elements of the FCSP are included specifically under CDL-7, with a goal to provide a "complete community that offers an array of exceptional housing, parks and open space, and commerce and industrial uses while respecting the environmental features of Live Oak Canyon." With an effort to maintaining the original Planning Objectives, the update to the FCSP meets the policies listed under CDL-7 for the Freeway Corridor but providing the necessary infrastructure to support the planned growth and leverages a variety of land uses to create a complete community with access to jobs, retail, open space and agriculture, and housing. The land use plan has also been configured to preserve key hillsides and scenic areas, including those along I-10 or Oak Glen Road, to maintain a rural atmosphere, and higher visibility and intensity uses such as industrial are hidden from those viewsheds. Areas of biological sensitivity are to be within the Open Space — Conservation district. Similar to the CDL section of the General Plan, the chapter for Economic Development also includes its own associated goals and policies for the Freeway Corridor area. Goal ED-3 states that the City should prioritize a "fully developed Freeway Corridor that provides office -based employment, accommodates large -format retailers, and attracts consumer spending from the region while maintaining and enhancing a unique sense of place in Yucaipa." The design standards, infrastructure layout, and implementation of the FCSP, along with supportive elements such as Enhanced infrastructure Financing Districts, will help to meet the General Plan policies. An analysis of applicable policies is further elaborated as part of Exhibit A of the Specific Plan Findings
3. The Specific Plan Update specifies through text and/or diagrams the distribution, location, and extent of the uses of land, including open space, within the area covered by the plan. The existing Freeway Corridor Specific Plan (FCSP), adopted in November 2008, allows for development of
up to 2,447 residential units on 424.7 acres and up to 4,585,779 square feet of nonresidential uses on 242.7 acres within the 1,242-acre plan area. The proposed update to the FCSP (Case No. 24- 044/GPA/SPA) would result in a total of 2,472 residential units and 5,093,265 square feet of nonresidential uses. Updated figures and exhibits are included to reflect the changes to the plan.
4. The Specific Plan Update specifies through text and/or diagrams the proposed distribution, location, extent, and intensity of major components of public and private transportation, sewage, water, drainage, solid waste disposal, energy, and other essential facilities proposed to be located within the area covered by the plan and needed to support the land uses described in the plan.
5. The Specific Plan Update specifies through text and/or diagrams the standards and criteria by which development will proceed and the standards for the conservation, development, and utilization of natural resources, where applicable. Tailored development standards are included to provide high -quality residential development, as well as commercial and industrial development.
Further, provisions are included to facilitate the orderly operation of the existing Pumpkin Factory and help sustain the historic agrarian roots of the area.
6. The Specific Plan Update specifies a program of implementation measures including regulations, programs, public works projects, and financing measures necessary to carry out Findings 3, 4 and
5. 7. The Specific Plan includes a statement of the relationship of the Specific Plan to the General Plan, Development Code, and any applicable plan. The statement listed under Section 1.6 of the FCSP is as follows:
"The General Plan for the City of Yucaipa identifies major goals that are intended to preserve the community's "rural atmosphere" and are relevant to the Specific Plan area. The City uses various growth management measures to achieve these goals and to mitigate any adverse impacts associated with the projected growth in population." Section 1.8 further states:
This specific plan is enacted pursuant to Section 65450 et seq. of the California Government Code. A specific plan is a regulatory tool that local governments use to guide development in a local area consistent with the general plan. While the general plan is the primary guide for growth and development in a community, a specific plan is able to focus on the unique characteristics of a special area by customizing the planning process and land use regulations to that area. In accordance with state law, a specific plan shall include text and diagrams that specify:
• The distribution, location, and extent of the uses of land, including open space, within the area covered by the plan.
• The proposed distribution, location, and extent and intensity of major components of public and private transportation, sewage, water, drainage, and other essential facilities proposed in the area covered by the plan and needed to support the land uses described in the plan.
• Standards and criteria by which development will proceed, and standards for the conservation, development, and utilization of natural resources, where applicable. • A program of implementation measures, including regulations, programs, public works projects, and financing measures necessary for implementation.
In the Specific Plan area, no building or structure shall be erected, constructed, or structurally altered, nor shall any building, structure, or land be used, except as authorized by the Specific Plan and by relevant provisions of the Yucaipa Municipal Code (YMC). The Specific Plan is intended to replace City zoning regulations except where noted. Where the Specific Plan is silent, the YMC shall apply."
8. The Specific Plan addresses any other subjects that are necessary for implementation of the General Plan.
Exhibit A — General Plan Consistency Analysis
Applicable City of Yucaipa.
FCSP Consistency
GoalsGeneral Plan
GOAL CDL-1: LAND USE MIX
Policy CDL-1.1. Places to Live. Provide sites for a range of housing types, Consistent. The FCSP includes a wide range of housing product types from 2 locations, and densities in a variety of neighborhood settings equipped with du/ac to 24 du acre. As part of the update, additional classifications within the amenities that support a high quality of life.
density ranges were included, including R-12, along with modified development standards to allow for attached, detached, and clustered style housing products, with the average proposed density range intended to meet first time and move -up home buyers.
Policy CDL-1.2. Places for Commerce. Provide sites for a range of Consistent. The FCSP includes both Regional Commercial and Agricultural commercial uses, including shopping, dining, entertainment, and offices that Tourism land use districts that are meant to serve as a regional hub for retail, provide a strong employment base and offer local services; improve restaurants, services, and events. With the proposed update, Regional commercial properties along I-10 through infrastructure, aesthetics, and Commercial areas that are located along a right -turn from Interstate 10 development strategies.
offramps have been increased in size to better accommodate a mix of successful commercial users.
Policy CDL-1.3. Places for Industry. Preserve and improve industrial uses Consistent. The FCSP includes the Business Park land designation that that provide manufacturing employment opportunities, specifically industrial provides areas for industrial, and business uses. The update expands the areas properties along 110, through infrastructure upgrades, enhanced aesthetics, for business park uses to better align with the current and planned commercial and new business development strategies.
real estate market demands, but in a way that helps to minimize the view of the larger sized structures associated with such industrial uses.
Policy CDL-1.4. Places for Recreation and Conservation. Provide parks, Consistent. The FCSP update includes standards and roues for multipurpose recreational facilities, and multi -functional open spaces in sufficient quantities trails and road standards for multimodal accessibility. The FCSP update uses and in a manner that is consistent with the Emerald Collar articulated in the the Open Space district to serve as a greenbelt between various uses and also Parks, Recreation, Trails, and Open Space Element.
introduces the Open Space - Conservation district to help preserve sensitive environments.
Policy CDL-1.5. Transportation System. Develop and maintain a Consistent. The FCSP creates a functional transportation system within the transportation system that is closely coordinated with land use planning project area that adheres to the Circulation Plan of the General Plan. The decisions, moves people and goods efficiently and safely, and is designed to FCSP includes roadway improvements to all existing and proposed roads accommodate and promote scenic viewsheds.
throughout the plan area that will effectively facilitate the movement of vehicles and pedestrians. Furthermore, the FCSP is designed to integrate with the long -planned Wildwood Canyon Interchange, and impact fees collected by the proposed development will help provide funding for the construction of that specific project.
Policy CDL-1.7. Centers of Activity. Promote the development of distinct, Consistent. The FCSP includes a wide range of residential, commercial, well -designed focus areas that are served by transit, contain a mix of industrial, and agricultural uses to serve the community and beyond. Public commercial or civic activities, are supported by adjacent residential areas, and uses will also be permissible within the plan area to address the future needs of serve as focal points in the community.
the community.
Policy CDL-1.8. Overlay Districts. Require that development projects comply Consistent. The FCSP is currently listed as part of the City's overlay districts. The with applicable regulations in the municipal code when the underlying parcels update provides modified standards that help to address significant changes to are located within a designated overlay district.
the commercial and residential development markets that occurred after its initial adoption in 2008.
GOAL CDL-2: HILLSIDES AND RIDGELINES
Policy CDL-2.2. Viewshed. Preserve views to and from hillsides and Consistent. The views to the hillsides and ridgelines are an important asset ridgelines to maintain the image and quality of Yucaipa where overlay districts identified in the FCSP. Following City Council direction, key views and apply. Preserve canyons, ridgelines, and rock outcrops through regulation of ridgelines are identified and left as open space greenbelts that would help development as appropriate.
preserve the views from roadways such as Interstate 10.
Policy CDL-2.4. Grading. Encourage natural grading techniques that blend Consistent. The updated development requirements of the FCSP included with existing topography; grading should use rounded contours on slopes to specific provisions on contour grading and the creation of undulating slopes minimize disturbance. Encourage the preservation of the physical shape of the that will provide a naturalistic appearance as landscape matures. hillside and views where feasible.
Policy CDL-2.7. Site Planning. Promote land use patterns that are consistent Consistent. Refer to Policy CDL-2.2.
with the slopes, landform, vegetation, and scenic quality of hillsides. Ensure projects fit the natural site topography rather than altering natural topography or features to accommodate a stock pad.
GOAL CDL-4: CORRIDORS AND VIEWSHEDS
Policy CDL-4.4. Scenic Corridors. Protect designated scenic corridors Consistent. Live Oak Canyon Road is a designated scenic corridor that runs (Yucaipa Boulevard, Live Oak Canyon Road, Oak Glen Road, Wildwood through the Plan Area. The FCSP includes updated standards for the roadway Canyon Road, and Bryant Street) by adhering to development requirements in to maintain the view of the corridor, and works to preserve the Pumpkin the municipal code and policies in the General Plan.
Factory, a long-established agrarian use that serves the greater region, along with the preservation of key hillsides as referenced by the consistency analysis of CDL-2.2.
GOAL CDL-5: COMMUNITY IMAGE
Policy CDL-5.2. Districts. Recognize the strong identities of individual Consistent. The FCSP has been established by the City as a future hub of new districts —North Bench, Wildwood Canyon, Central Core, Dunlap Acres, housing and commercial activities. The update maintains these elements, but Chapman Heights, and the Freeway Corridor —with entry monuments, street makes necessary modifications to best meet market demands, add flexibility signs, and/or landscaping and lighting.
where necessary, and provides more deliberate attention to which uses are built in specific areas of the plan to best ensure that the General Plan policies and goals, as well as the existing FCSP objectives, can be met.
Policy CDL-5.3. Gateways. Highlight major arrival and departure points Consistent. See response to CDL-5.2.
along the community's edge by requiring distinctive building design elements, streetscapes, decorative signage, landscaping, and/or other enhancements at strategic gateway locations.
GOAL CDL-7: FREEWAY CORRIDOR -
Policy CDL-7.1. Complete Community. Design an integrated addition to Yucaipa containing housing, employment opportunities, retail/commercial areas, parks, and other facilities essential to the daily lives of residents.
Consistent. The FCSP includes both Regional Commercial and Agricultural Tourism land use districts that are meant to serve as a regional hub for retail, restaurants, services, and events. With the proposed update, Regional Commercial areas that are located along a right -turn from Interstate 10 offramps have been increased in size to better accommodate a mix of successful commercial users. To support the City's economic growth, the Business Park standards have been updated to best capture the market demands for industrial space, while minimizing its view to the community.
Open space, and a wide range of housing opportunities are also provided.
Policy CDL-7.2. Housing. Expand the range of housing opportunities (single, multiple -family, and/or mixed -use housing) to meet the needs of a variety of household types, sizes, and income levels.
Policy CDL-7.3. Recreational Amenities. Provide an abundance and variety of interconnected open space, parks, and trails throughout the specific plan area that offer residents high quality recreational opportunities.
Policy CDL-7.4. Safe and Efficient Circulation. Ensure a safe and efficient circulation system that adequately supports the anticipated level of traffic in and around the specific plan area.
Policy CDL-7.5. Financing and Infrastructure. Explore and consider a financing and phasing plan that provides for the efficient and timely provision of infrastructure and services as development occurs.
Consistent. The FCSP includes a wide range of housing product types from 2 du/ac to 24 du acre. As part of the update, additional classifications within the density ranges were included, including R-12, along with modified development standards to allow for attached, detached, and clustered style housing products, with the average proposed density range intended to meet first time and move -up home buyers.
Consistent. The FCSP update includes standards and roues for multipurpose trails and road standards for multimodal accessibility. The FCSP update uses the Open Space district to serve as a greenbelt between various uses and also introduces the Open Space - Conservation district to help preserve sensitive environments.
Consistent. The FCSP creates a functional transportation system within the project area that adheres to the Circulation Plan of the General Plan. The FCSP includes roadway improvements to all existing and proposed roads throughout the plan area that will effectively facilitate the movement of vehicles and pedestrians. Furthermore, the FCSP is designed to integrate with the long -planned Wildwood Canyon Interchange, and impact fees collected by the proposed development will help provide funding for the construction of that specific project. As part of the project analysis, traffic counts were conducted during the peak Pumpkin Factory seasonal traffic period to provide design recommendations under a worse -case scenario. Along with such improvements, the improve mix of uses will also reduce the Vehicles Miles Traveled (VMT) of users relative to the existing FCSP standards.
The City has recently adopted an Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD) that includes the FCSP area to help provide funding for future infrastructure needs of the community. In addition, the FCSP includes provisions for the funding of Community Facilities Districts or some other approved method to help fund infrastructure and public safety needs. A fair share agreement will also be required for taller and wider structures to offset the costs of an aerial ladder fire truck, along with funding by a Community
Facilities District to maintain that specific infrastructure. And lastly, the FCSP update works to remove potential land use away from blue line stream areas, which will help reduce the cost of infrastructure upgrades while allowing for increased economic benefits to the City.
Policy CDL-7.6. Adjacent Development. Comprehensively plan the area with Consistent. The FCSP provides for transitions for all the surrounding uses, consideration of other contiguous areas to ensure compatible and including those within the City of Redlands along the northwest portion of the complementary development, circulation patterns, infrastructure, and Plan, those planned (under the adopted and the newly proposed update) Mesa services. Verde Specific Plan within the City of Calimesa, and the existing uses found north of the plan area within the City of Yucaipa.
Policy CDL-7.7. Rural Character. Comprehensively plan the area so that the important rural community character and sense of place is retained, as reinforced by significant views to open space and hillsides.
Policy CDL-7.8. Hillside Development. Ensure that the plan and subsequent development complies with the City's development code related to hillside development; protect ridgelines and scenic views.
Policy CDL-7.9. Area Resources. Protect and preserve sensitive wildlife habitat, waterways, wildlife corridors, cultural and paleontological resources, and other assets in accordance with state and federal law.
GOAL CDL-10: DESIGN QUALITY
Policy CDL-10.1. Development Review. Implement and adhere to Consistent. The views to the hillsides and ridgelines are an important asset identified in the FCSP. Following City Council direction, key views and ridgelines are identified and left as open space greenbelts that would help preserve the views from roadways such as Interstate 10. The FCSP includes updated standards for the roadway to maintain the view of the corridor, and works to preserve the Pumpkin Factory, a long-established agrarian use that serves the greater region.
Consistent. The views to the hillsides and ridgelines are an important asset identified in the FCSP. The FCSP omits the generic mathematical calculation for open space preservation, and instead deliberately focuses on key viewsheds, including those along Interstate 10 and Oak Glen Road, to establish areas that are to be preserved.
Consistent. The FCSP update uses the Open Space district to serve as a greenbelt between various uses and also introduces the Open Space - Conservation district to help preserve sensitive environments.
Consistent. The FCSP includes design and development standards, as well as development review procedures and design guidelines in the City of Yucaipa leverages the Citywide Design Guidelines (which includes Section 2.4.3 Municipal Code that advance the visual quality of the community.
Freeway/Gateway Guidelines that provides additional specificity for the area) to create quality design.
Policy CDL-10.3. Site Planning. Identify and preserve the positive Consistent. The FCSP maintains a balance of uses and areas for greenbelts and characteristics and features of a site, such as viewsheds, heritage trees, and natural open space to best accommodate the already -planned growth while rock outcroppings, during the design and development of new projects. leveraging resources wherever possible.
Policy CDL-10.4. Design Variation. Encourage identifiable architectural Consistent. The FCSP includes design and development standards, as well as designs, design variations, and well -planned projects that are visually leverages the Citywide Design Guidelines (which includes Section 2.4.3 interesting, neighborhood or district oriented, and well -integrated with the Freeway/Gateway Guidelines that provides additional specificity for the area) surroundings.
to create quality design. In addition, the wider range of housing densities allows for a wider variety of building types and forms to increase the variation within the plan area.
Policy CDL-10.8. Safe Community Design. Require the use of CPTED Consistent. The FCSP includes provisions for the use of CPTED principles. principles (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design), including creating opportunities for "eyes on the street" and clearly distinguishing between public and private spaces to enhance community safety.
GOAL HN-1: HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOODS
Policy HN 1.6. Neighborhood Identity. Recognize, preserve, and enhance Consistent. The FCSP has long been planned as a key housing area for the city, neighborhood character through adherence to design, development, and other which can leverage its proximity to Interstate 10 and other resources to serve standards in the municipal code, overlay districts, and specific plans. future residents. The update maintains the housing capacity but integrates more standards and a wider range of housing types to serve the community.
Policy HN 1.7. Resident Involvement. Encourage active and informed Consistent. Interviews were conducted with property owners to find potential participation by residents from each neighborhood to identify local needs and I issues with the existing FCSP that hindered the ability to meet its original implement programs that beautify, preserve, and improve their objectives. neighborhoods.
GOAL HN-2: HOUSING SITES
Policy HN-2.1. Balanced Housing Stock. Designate adequate land for a range Consistent. Refer to Policy CDL-1.1.
of housing, including single-family attached and detached, multiple -family housing, and mixed uses, including allowances for flexibility in development standards and lot designs.
Policy HN-2.6. Multiple -Family Housing. Encourage development of higher Consistent. Refer to Policy CDL-1.1.
density housing in the Freeway Corridor, commercial corridors, and other sites where infrastructure, circulation, and service facilities capable of handling such housing is located or planned.
GOAL HN-3: HOUSING DESIGN
Policy HN-3.1. Design Features. Require new and rehabilitated residential Consistent. Refer to Policy CDL-10.4.
units to be well designed, with appropriate attention to site planning, materials and colors, building treatments, landscaping, open space, parking, and environmentally sustainable practices.
Policy HN-3.2. Entitlement Process. Offer flexible and streamlined Consistent. The update to the FCSP further streamlines the review of housing entitlement processes that facilitate innovative and imaginative housing projects, leveraging objective design criteria, to best meet Program 11 of the solutions yet balance the developer's need for predictability in the approval certified Housing Element.
process, governmental regulation, and oversight.
Policy HN-3.3 Housing Incentives. Facilitate development of market -rate and Consistent. The update maintains the overall density ranges, but offers far affordable housing through regulatory incentives (e.g., density bonus), permit greater flexibility for housing product types (such s small lot development) processing (e.g., planned or small lot development) and other means where that can effectively cater to resident needs.
feasible and appropriate.
Policy HN-3.4. Natural Environment. Require appropriate measures to Consistent. Refer to Policy CDL-7.9.
protect hillsides, viewsheds, sensitive habitat, oak trees, and other environmental resources in the review of applications for the development, expansion, and improvement of housing.
Policy HN-3.8. Supportive Infrastructure. Facilitate the provision of Consistent. In support of new residential land uses, the FCSP identified the infrastructure and services necessary to encourage new residential infrastructure systems that would be needed to meet the expectations for
development commensurate with community goals and expectations for quality of life. The infrastructure would be phased in and will be bought out quality of life. with implementation of the FCSP.
Applicable City of Yucaipa 2016
General Plan Goals and Policies
GOAL PRA : PARK FACILITIES
Policy PR-1.2. Park Design. Provide a variety of park types (e.g., local, Consistent. Development standards for new projects allow for project -specific community, special use) and mix of amenities that are tailored to meet the recreational amenities, as well as connectivity to other resources outside of the active and passive recreational needs of Yucaipa residents of all ages and plan area. The future development would also be subject to the City's Park abilities.
Development Impact Fees, which also provide funding to the variety of park resources.
GOAL PR-3: MULTIPURPOSE TRAILS
Policy PR-3.1. Trail Development. Develop a multipurpose trail system for Consistent. Refer to Policy CDL-1.4. Connectivity is provided throughout the hiking, biking, and equestrians throughout Yucaipa, focusing on drainage Specific Plan, leveraging the proposed roadways and the Open Space channels, hillsides, parks, and other public use areas. designated areas to provide connectivity for Yucaipa residents.
Policy PR-3.3. Environmental Protection. Locate, design, and regulate the use Consistent. Refer to Policy CDL-1.4.
of multipurpose trails so that they do not have a significant negative impact on natural habitat, wildlife, landforms, and cultural resources.
Policy PR-3.6. Regional Connectivity. Coordinate with adjacent cities to Consistent. Connectivity is provided throughout the Specific Plan, leveraging connect Yucaipa's trail network to the trails of neighboring cities to form a the proposed roadways and the Open Space designated areas to provide multi -jurisdictional system that extends to the forest, badlands, and other connectivity for Yucaipa residents.
areas.
GOAL PR-4: NATURAL OPEN SPACES
Policy PR-4.4. Oak Tree Preservation. Preserve the City's heritage oak trees Consistent. Mitigation Measures are included within the Project area that through adherence to the Oak Tree Conservation regulations in the Yucaipa specific that an Oak tree report is required as part of a project -specific review, Municipal Code, proper tree care and maintenance, and other efforts.
and any impacts to Oak Trees are mitigated pursuant to the City's adopted requirements.
Policy PR-4.5. Creek Preservation and Restoration. Protect the integrity of Consistent. The FCSP update includes a new land use district, Open Space - natural drainage channels; secure grants and support to restore and preserve Conservation, that is meant to best protect sensitive habitats, including Yucaipa's creeks in a naturalized state for aesthetic, recreational, and wildlife drainage channels. The proposed land use arrangements have been developed value to the extent practical.
to avoid key areas to the extent feasible, which better protects the environment and helps to reduce infrastructure and development costs.
Policy PR-4.7. Scenic Resources. Protect Yucaipa's scenic resources, including Consistent. Refer to Policy CDL-2.2.
scenic corridors along roads and views of the hillsides, prominent ridgelines, canyons, and other significant natural features, to the extent practical.
GOAL PR-5: BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
Policy PR-5.1. Resource Protection. Protect and conserve Yucaipa's biological Consistent. Refer to Policy PR- 5.1.
resources, with a special focus on sensitive, rare, or endangered plant and wildlife species in accordance with state and federal resource agency requirements.
Policy PR-5.3. Wildlife Corridors. Participate in the planning of drainage Consistent. Refer to Policy PR-5.1.
channels, ridgelines, and other areas that provide potential wildlife linkages between open space areas in the community and the vicinity.
Policy PR-5.4. Biotic Resources Overlay. Require proposed land uses and Consistent. Refer to Policy PR- 5.1.
development projects to conduct appropriate biological resource studies and propose mitigations where needed to address potential resource impacts.
GOAL ED-1: THE LOCAL ECONOMY
Policy ED-1.1 Employment and Revenue Focus. Invest public resources and Consistent. The FCSP has long been established as a planned economic hub exercise discretionary land -use authority to support the retention, expansion, for the City, leveraging freeway access and exposure. The update maintains the and attraction of businesses that generate a higher number of jobs per acre overall approach but has been updated to meet market demands. and higher net municipal revenues per acre.
Policy ED-1.6. Integrity of Industrial Areas. Maintain the long-term viability Consistent. The FCSP update provides greater clarity on the Business Park of areas designated for industrial use by prohibiting non -industrial uses and regulations to provide areas for industrial uses.
collaborating with property owners to fund the upgrade and maintenance of roads and other infrastructure.
Policy ED-1.7. Manufacturing. Maintain contacts with manufacturing trade Consistent. The FCSP update provides greater clarity on the Business Park organizations, industrial real estate brokers, and developers to build a regulations to provide areas for manufacturing uses.
knowledge base upon which to review availability of sites and facilities, planning and zoning requirements, and infrastructure to ensure Yucaipa supports manufacturing businesses.
GOAL ED-2: RETAIL, ENTERTAINMENT, TOURISM
Policy ED-2.1. Retail Sales Growth. Invest in the retention, expansion, and Consistent. See response to Policy ED-1.1 The proposed Regional Commercial attraction of retail businesses (including dining, shopping, and entertainment) areas have expanded along areas that are a right turn from Interstate 10 in economic sectors that are underrepresented in Yucaipa. offramps, which provide greater visibility and marketability of the land for retail -based tenants.
Policy ED-2.2. Experience -Oriented Shopping. Prioritize initiatives, Consistent. The FCSP includes design and development standards, as well as investments, and development projects that create or improve amenity -rich, leverages the Citywide Design Guidelines (which includes Section 2.4.3 pedestrian -friendly, experience -oriented commercial districts while Freeway/Gateway Guidelines that provides additional specificity for the area) encouraging such districts to be distinct from one another. to create quality design.
Policy ED-2.5. Tourism. Promote tourism to provide market support for Consistent. The update to the FCSP continues the operation of the Live Oak shopping, dining, and entertainment in Yucaipa. Working with business and Pumpkin Factory, which is a notable regional attraction in fall and winter. In civic groups, develop a complete tourism infrastructure, including marketing, addition, because of the federal recognition of the Yucaipa Valley American public relations, wayfinding, and an array of lodging.
Viticultural Area, agricultural and agricultural tourism uses are specifically included to create a tourism destination.
Policy ED-2.7. Fulfillment Centers. Monitor trends in e-commerce's retail Consistent. Refer to Policy ED-1.6. As demand for fulfillment centers have sales and the development of fulfillment centers to determine if and when the grown, including the development of such a facility in the FCSP, updated General Plan should be re-evaluated to promote development of fulfillment development standards are proposed to located warehouse structures away centers to bolster the City's sales tax revenues.
from key view corridors, as well as protect areas meant for more retail and
"Experience -Oriented Shopping" opportunities, while meeting market demands.
GOAL ED-3: FREEWAY CORRIDOR
Policy ED-3.1. Vision and Branding. Collaborate with property owners and Consistent. Refer to Policy CDL-10.1, CDL-10.3, and CDL-10.4. other stakeholder in the Freeway Corridor District to formulate a contemporary vision and branding to support the development of the area.
Policy ED-3.2. Image from I-10 Freeway. Work collaboratively with the Consistent. Refer to Policy ED-3.1, as well as CDL-2.2, and CDL-5.2. business community and property owners to improve the appearance and image in a consistent manner for the developed portion of the City along the I-10 freeway.
Policy ED-3.3. Western Gateway. Establish and strengthen a western gateway Consistent. Refer to Policy ED-3.1, as well as CDL-2.2, and CDL-5.2. to Yucaipa that balances convenient access from the I-10 freeway and conveys the image of Yucaipa that residents desire for their community.
Policy ED-3.4. Infrastructure. Invest in public infrastructure to correct Consistent. Refer to Policy CDL-7.5.
deficiencies that restrict economic development, as appropriate. When needed to fully fund infrastructure, condition public investments on property owner participation in funding mechanisms.
GOAL T-1: A COMPREHENSIVE STREET NETWORK
Policy T-1.1. Roadway Buildout. Complete the circulation system by Consistent. Refer to Policy CDL-1.5. Specific roadway standards are included constructing or improving roadways consistent with Figure T-1; allow that offer a hierarchy of traffic volumes for both vehicles and pedestrians. modified standards where appropriate to allow for transit, bicycle facilities, sidewalks, and on -street parking to be sensitive to adjacent land uses, districts, and roadway users.
Policy T-1.4. Truck Routes. Designate truck routes to allow the safe and Consistent. Refer to Policy CDL-1.5. Truck traffic is limited to key arterial efficient movement of goods for commerce and industry, minimize conflicts roadways where road width, stacking capacity, and roadway flow can with auto traffic, and minimize incompatibility with other land uses. accommodate the necessary volumes. The traffic analysis was completed during the fall season to capture the peak pumpkin patch traffic.
Policy T-1.5. Multimodal Access. Assess roadway operations for new Consistent: The roadway design of the FCSP includes access for vehicles, development and infrastructure projects so that roadways can accommodate bikes, and pedestrians.
safe and convenient access and travel for all users, including motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians, and transit users.
GOAL T-2: TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM OPERATION
Policy T-2.1. Level of Service. To promote the safe and efficient movement of Consistent. The traffic analysis was completed during the fall season to vehicular traffic, maintain a minimum level of service (LOS) C on all capture the peak pumpkin patch traffic and infrastructure recommendations intersections and road segments except for two conditions:
have been incorporated into the design to address LOS requirements. In • At roadway intersections where traffic movements are controlled by addition, the planned Wildwood Canyon Road interchange project, which is roundabouts, LOS D shall be acceptable (e.g., average control delay of in the environmental review process with CALTRANS, would further improve 30 seconds per vehicle or better).
the flow of traffic. Based on the land use changes, the peak traffic volume would decrease by over 80,000 trips a day.
• On roadway segments where a roundabout controls at least one of the intersections at the ends of the segment, the lower half of LOS D shall be acceptable (e.g., V/C ratio of 0.849 or better).
On -street parking, improvement levels, roundabouts, and infrastructure may be considered in furthering acceptable levels of service, safety, and other priorities.
Policy T-2.2. Multimodal Network. Assess roadway operations for new Consistent. Refer to Policy T-1.5. The VMT analysis found that the update to development and infrastructure projects with a balance between vehicle the FCSP would the VMT relative to the existing 2008 plan. capacity, vehicle miles traveled, and multimodal transportation modes.
GOAL T-3: SAFE, CONNECTED, AND ACCESSIBLE BIKEWAY
AND PEDESTRIAN NETWORK
Policy T-3.2. Bicycle and Pedestrian Connectivity. Identify redesign Consistent. Refer to Policy T-1.5.
opportunities to create dedicated bicycle lanes and pedestrian sidewalks that connect neighborhoods and commercial areas to community services.
GOAL PSF-7: INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING
Policy PSF-7.3. Fair Share Funding. Ensure that new development pays its fair Consistent. Refer to Policy CDL-7.5.
share of the cost of providing/financing new public facilities and services and/or the costs of expanding/upgrading existing facilities and services impacted by new development.
GOAL PSF-8: ENERGY AND CONSERVATION
Policy PSF-8.2. Renewable Energy. Encourage the use of renewable energy Consistent. Future projects would be required to meet or exceed Title 24 sources (e.g., solar and other technologies) through demonstration projects at standards. In addition, mitigation measures are included that further specify public facilities and development or financial incentives, where feasible. the use of renewable energy sources, as well as equipment that can be directly powered through renewable energy sources.
Policy PSF-8.3. Undergrounding Utilities. Require all new utility lines built as Consistent. The City's Development Code provides underground utility part of new development projects to be installed underground or, in the case requirements that would apply to the entire FCSP.
of transformers, pad mounted consistent with City specifications.
ATTACHMENT 2
FINDINGS: CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO.21-196
1. The Final Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (SCH# 2006041096) prepared for this Project adequately discusses the potential impacts of the proposed Specific Plan and disclosed to decision makers and the public that there are significant and unavoidable environmental impacts related to Air Quality, Greenhouse Gases, and Noise. As a result, a Statement of Overriding Considerations is being adopted pursuant to the provisions of CEQA. The Freeway Corridor Specific Plan (FCSP) SEIR was completed in compliance with CEQA and the Guidelines promulgated thereunder; and the FCSP SEIR reflects the independent judgment of the City. As part of the analysis, a project -level review was included for the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project within the greater FCSP.
2. The site for the proposed use is adequate in size and shape to accommodate the proposed use and all yards, open spaces, setbacks, walls and fences, parking areas, landscaping, and other features pertaining to the application, because the site is large enough and the design is configured to accommodate the proposed POCC Project and accompanying features. The proposed POCC Project meets all of the required development standards listed for the BP Land Use District, including complying with the Building/Lot Coverage requirements and the Floor Area Ratio requirements. In addition, based on the configuration of the development, over 95 acres of the site will remain as open space.
3. The site for the proposed use has adequate access, meaning that the site design incorporates street and highway limitations. The site has access via the public right of way of Live Oak Canyon, and the project would result in the construction of a new public road that would provide all of the access drives and an appropriate internal driveway circulation within each pad to serve the Project.
This new roadway has also been designed to connect to future roadways of the FCSP area, including the future Wildwood Canyon Interchange, as well as the east -west roadway to County Line Road. As an interim measure, connectivity is also provided through the adjacent YVWD facility. Additionally, the overall trips generated by the project are less than initially anticipated by the existing FCSP; however, a Level of Service analysis was prepared to address any project - related improvements that may be required. These have been incorporated into the POCC Project's Conditions of Approval to ensure that the transportation system operates within the requirements of the City's General Plan.
4. The proposed use will not have a substantial adverse effect on abutting property or the permitted use thereof, meaning that the use will not generate excessive noise, vibration, traffic, or other disturbances, because: 1) The POCC Project design complies with the Development Standards listed within the City's BP Land Use District of the FCSP, and as a result provides for adequate building setbacks and buffering from other uses, and based on the environmental analysis conducted for the POCC Project, was analyzed with the FCSP Update; 2) The FCSP SEIR identifies areas that have significant and unavoidable impacts, along with Findings of Overriding Considerations; however, the direct impacts occurring for the project would not create acute issues that would substantially impact abutting properties, and the layout of the buildings, along with the site grading and use of berms, landscaping, and setbacks, help to isolate the proposed use from adjoining sites; 3) The proposed parking and use complies with City development standards and encourages the use of pedestrian access to the site; 4) Improvements have been conditioned to occur prior to occupancy of the building, which also includes key infrastructure improvements that will benefit the entire community, including the funding for a new fire truck, as well as roadway and water line improvements; 4) Future access will be provided along a newly - constructed public road from Live Oak Canyon, and; 5) Adequate on -site landscaping is proposed
along the site's street frontages, along all property lines, and on -site, with a particular focus of landscaping along slopes and the publicly viewable areas that exceeds the minimum requirements listed in the City's Administrative Design Guidelines, and based on the site grading proposal, the structures would not be visible from I-10. In addition, the use will not substantially interfere with the present or future ability to use solar energy systems because the height of the proposed buildings will not substantially hinder the use of such devices on surrounding properties.
5. The proposed use is consistent with the goals, policies, standards, and maps of the General Plan and any applicable plan, because the proposed use is permitted in the BP Land Use District of the FCSP, subject to the provisions of this Conditional Use Permit. The site is located within the FCSP, which encourages a mix of new development, including residential, commercial and industrial warehouse uses, and its direct freeway access supports the overall goods movement within the greater Yucaipa Valley area, is similar to other commercial and industrial warehouse uses that are found along the Interstate 10 corridor, but is screened in a method to limit the prominence of such uses along the City's gateway, while also including a farmhouse inspired design.
6. The lawful conditions stated in the approval are deemed necessary to protect the public health, safety, and general welfare, because they ensure adequate circulation, drainage, and compatibility with surrounding land uses.
7. The design of the site has considered the potential for the use of solar energy systems and passive or natural heating and cooling opportunities, because there are no obstructions to the collection of solar energy or the natural movement of wind toward or around surrounding properties.
FINDINGS: TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP No. 20533
The proposed subdivision, together with the provisions for its design and improvements, is consistent with the General Plan and any applicable specific plan, because the proposed use and overall density is permitted in the Freeway Corridor Specific Plan (FCSP), and would align the various parcels to reflect the development of the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center (POCC), the land use districts of the FCSP, and utility access, the Conditions of Approval address the provision of public services and improvements.
2. The site is physically suitable for the proposed type and density of development, because the physical constraints that may exist on site have been recognized and mitigated through the Conditions of Approval including access, circulation, drainage, and grading.
3. The design of the subdivision and the proposed improvements are not likely to cause substantial environmental damage and substantially or avoidably injure fish or wildlife or their habitat, because the Final Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (SCH# 2006041096) prepared for the FCSP adequately discusses the potential impacts of the proposed Specific Plan, and included a project -level analysis for the POCC.
4. The design of the proposed subdivision and any related types or proposed improvements are not likely to cause serious public safety and health problems because conditions are included to assure compliance with all City health and safety standards.
5. The design of the proposed subdivision or the type of improvements will not conflict with public easements within or through the site because conditions have been included to ensure non-interference with any existing public easements.
6. The design of the subdivision provides for the extent feasible, passive or natural heating and cooling opportunities, because the project provides an opportunity for the use of solar energy.
7. The proposed subdivision, its design, density, and type of development and improvements conforms to the regulations of the Development Code and the regulations of any public agency having jurisdiction by law, because all development standards meet or exceed those that are specified in City Development Code, and all public agencies that may be affected by this development have had their concerns addressed by the Conditions of Approval.
8. The proposed subdivision is not deemed to be a land project as defined by the Yucaipa Development Code, Section 812.12030.
ATTACHMENT 3
RESOLUTION NO.2024-19
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YUCAIPA
ADOPTING THE FREEWAY CORRIDOR SPECIFIC PLAN UPDATE
AND ADOPTING THE ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS PURSUANT TO
THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA),
CERTIFYING THE FINAL SUBSEQUENT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
REPORT FOR CASE NO. 24-044/SP, ADOPTING A MITIGATION
MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM AND STATEMENT OF
OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE FREEWAY CORRIDOR
SPECIFIC PLAN PROJECT, AND AMENDING GENERAL PLAN
FIGURE CDL-2, LAND USE DISTRICTS TO PLANNED DEVELOPMENT WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Yucaipa ("City Council") has long considered the Freeway Corridor area as an opportunity for commercial, residential, and industrial development due to its proximity to Interstate 10, freeway interchanges, and its higher level of regional visibility; and
WHEREAS, the City Council approved Resolution 2007-09 on November 24, 2008, formally adopting the Freeway Corridor Specific Plan, which set forth new land use districts and standards that would allow for substantial residential and nonresidential development; and WHEREAS, the Freeway Corridor Specific Plan is specifically highlighted within a variety of polices and goals of the General Plan, including the Community Design and Land Use Element, the Housing Element, and the Economic Development Element, to ensure that the area can be developed successfully for the future benefit of the community at large; and WHEREAS, due to changes in market conditions, consumer preferences, and the overall cost of development, found that updates were necessary to the adopted plan to best ensure that development can occur and meet the original expectations set forth by prior City Council's and community engagement efforts; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has before it a request for approval of the Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Update 24-044 (the "Project"); and
WHEREAS, the City has undertaken a comprehensive process for the development the Project to implement the long-range vision for the City; and WHEREAS, the City has encouraged public participation in the development of the Project, which included conducting Study Sessions, workshops, stakeholder meetings and hearings, while also leveraging core elements from the existing Freeway Corridor Specific Plan; and
WHEREAS, the proposed "Project" consists of a Specific Plan Update. The existing Freeway Corridor Specific Plan (FCSP), adopted in November 2008, allows for development of up to 2,447 residential units on 424.7 acres and up to 4,585,779 square feet of nonresidential uses on 242.7 acres within the 1,242-acre plan area. The proposed update to the FCSP (Case No. 24-
044/GPA/SPA) would result in a total of 2,472 residential units and 5,093,265 square feet of nonresidential uses. As a result, the Proposed Project would result in an increase of 25 residential units, 2,786,461 square feet of Business Park (BP), and a reduction of 2,278,976 square feet of Regional Commercial (RC) compared to the existing FCSP. The Proposed Project also includes development of the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center (21-196/CUP/ARC/TPM), which consists of the development of two buildings with warehouse and office spaces, totaling 2,054,000 square feet of building space, as well as truck parking and docking bays, consistent with the provisions included in the FCSP Update; and
WHEREAS, the Project has been environmentally reviewed pursuant to the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code Sections 21000, et seq.) ("CEQA"), the State CEQA Guidelines (California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Sections 15000, et seq.), and the City's Local CEQA Guidelines; and
WHEREAS, on November 11, 2022, a Notice of Preparation ("NOP") was distributed to the State Office of Planning and Research, responsible agencies, and published in the Yucaipa News Mirror. The NOP was circulated from November 15, 2022, to December 15, 2022, to receive input from interested public agencies and private parties on issues to be addressed in the Supplemental Environmental Impact Report ("SEIR"); and
WHEREAS, a scoping meeting was held on November 30, 2022, to present the Project and the SEIR process and to provide an opportunity for agency representatives and the public to assist the lead agency in determining the scope and content of the environmental analysis for the SEIR; and
WHEREAS, on February 7, 2024, a Draft Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (the "DSEIR") was completed for the Project and a Notice of Availability ("NOA") was issued. In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") (Cal. Pub. Res. Code §21000 et seq.) and the State Guidelines (the "Guidelines") (14 Cal. Code Regs. § 15000 et seq.) promulgated with respect thereto, the City analyzed the Project's potential impacts on the environment; and
WHEREAS, the City circulated the DSEIR and the Appendices for the Project to the public and other interested parties for a 45-day comment period, in accordance with Guidelines Section 15105, from February 8, 2024, through March 25, 2024; and WHEREAS, the City prepared written responses to all comments received on the DSEIR and those responses to comments are incorporated into the Final Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (the "Final SEIR"). The Responses to Comments were distributed to all public agencies that submitted comments on the DSEIR at least 10 days prior to certification of the Final SEIR by the City Council; and
WHEREAS, the Final SEIR is comprised of the DSEIR dated February 2024 and all appendices thereto; the Comments and Response to Comments on the DSEIR; the clarifications, revisions, and corrections to the DSEIR; and the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program; and
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WHEREAS, on May 24, 2024, a notice of a Planning Commission public hearing on the Specific Plan and its environmental review was published in the Yucaipa News Mirror and mailed to all property owners within and 300 feet around the plan area; and WHEREAS, after notice issued pursuant to the requirements of the Yucaipa Municipal Code, the Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on June 5, 2024, at which time all interested parties were given an opportunity to be heard and present evidence regarding the Specific Plan Update, as set forth in the Planning Commission Agenda Report of that date; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission continued the item to their July 17, 2024 meeting to allow for additional discussion between the City and the Pumpkin Factory, and then the Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on July 17, 2024, at which time all interested parties were given an opportunity to be heard and present evidence regarding the Specific Plan Update, as set forth in the Planning Commission Agenda Report of that date; and WHEREAS, following consideration of the entire record before it at the public hearing and upon due consideration of the proposed Specific Plan Update, the Planning Commission did not provide a recommendation for the City Council regarding the adoption of environmental findings pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") (Public Resources Code § 21000 et seq.), certifying the Final Environmental Impact Report, nor adopting a Statement of Overriding Considerations, and adopt a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program; and WHEREAS, at the conclusion of the Planning Commission hearing and after due consideration of the entire record before the Planning Commission and the testimony provided during the hearing, the Planning Commission did not provide a recommendation to the City Council to approve the Specific Plan according to the Findings required pursuant to Section
83.020310 of the Yucaipa Development Code; and
WHEREAS, on August 15, 2024, a notice of a City Council public hearing on the Specific Plan and its environmental review was published in the Yucaipa News Mirror and mailed to all property owners within and 1,300 feet around the plan area; and WHEREAS, after notice issued pursuant to the requirements of the Yucaipa Municipal Code, the City Council continued the item from their August 26, 2024 meeting, and then held a duly noticed public hearing on September 23, 2024, at which time all interested parties were given an opportunity to be heard and present evidence; and
WHEREAS, the update is included as part of the City's General Plan Amendment for the third quarter of 2024; and
WHEREAS, the findings made in this Resolution are based upon the information and evidence set forth in the Final SEIR and upon other substantial evidence that has been presented at the hearings and in the record of the proceedings. The documents, staff reports, technical studies, appendices, plans, specifications, and other materials that constitute the record of proceedings on which this Resolution is based are on file for public examination during normal business hours at the Development Services Department, City of Yucaipa, 34272 Yucaipa Boulevard, Yucaipa, CA -3-
92399. The custodian of records is Benjamin Matlock with the City of Yucaipa Community Development Department. Each of those documents is incorporated herein by reference; and WHEREAS, Section 15091 of the State CEQA Guidelines requires that the City, before approving the Project, make one or more of the following written finding(s) for each significant effect identified in the Final EIR accompanied by a brief explanation of the rationale for each finding:
(a) Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the project which avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effects as identified in the Final EIR; or,
(b) Such changes or alterations are within the responsibility and jurisdiction of another public agency and not the agency making the finding. Such changes have been adopted by such other agency or can and should be adopted by such other agency; or, (c) Specific economic, legal, social, technological, or other considerations, including provision of employment opportunities for highly trained workers, make infeasible the mitigation measures or project alternatives identified in the final EIR.
These required findings are set forth in the attached Exhibit A.
WHEREAS, environmental impacts found to be less than significant and not requiring mitigation are discussed in Exhibit A, Chapter III, Section B & C. Environmental impacts, or specific aspects of those impacts, found to potentially significant, but less than significant after mitigation, are discussed in Exhibit A, Chapter III, Section C. Environmental impacts found be potentially significant and unavoidable are discussed in Exhibit A, Chapter III, Section D.
Alternatives to the General Plan Update that might reduce significant environmental impacts are discussed in Exhibit A, Section V; and
WHEREAS, CEQA Section 21081.6 requires adoption of a mitigation monitoring and reporting program for any project with environmental impacts made less than significant or reduced in significance through mitigation. The Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program is attached as Exhibit B and incorporated into this Resolution by reference; and WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed and considered the FSEIR, all of the information and evidence in the administrative record, and all oral and written testimony presented during public meetings and hearings. In exercise of its independent judgment, the City Council finds that the FSEIR is adequate and was prepared in full compliance with CEQA. No comments or any additional information submitted to the City produced any substantial new information that would require additional recirculation or additional environmental review of the Project under CEQA.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YUCAIPA HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City Council has reviewed and considered the information for the Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Update.
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Section 2. The City Council finds that the above recitals are true.
Section 3. The City Council approves and adopts the Freeway Corridor Specific Plan, and that it meets Findings required pursuant to Section 83.020310 of the Yucaipa Development Code.
Section 4. The City Council certifies the Final Subsequent Environmental Impact Report, adopts findings pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act as set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference, and makes the findings and adopts the Statement of Overriding Considerations, and adopts the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program attached hereto as Exhibit B and incorporated herein by reference. The mitigation measures set forth in the Final EIR and the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program are hereby incorporated into the Project and will be made conditions of the Project.
Section 5. The City Council approves the modification to General Plan Figure CDL-2, Land Use Plan, to include the updated Freeway Corridor Specific Plan boundary as Planned Development (PD) and the not -a -part area to Institutional.
Section 6. The City Clerk of the City of Yucaipa shall certify as to the adoption of this Resolution.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution be noted in the Minutes of this City Council meeting and a "Notice of Determination" be filed within five (5) days of this action by the City Clerk.
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED this 23rd day of September, 2024.
ATTEST:
Ana V. Sauseda, MMC
Director of General Services/City Clerk
Justin Beaver, Mayor
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EXHIBIT A
Findings of Fact in Support of Findings
CEQA FINDINGS OF FACT
AND STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS
REGARDING THE
FINAL SUBSEQUENT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
FOR THE
FREEWAY CORRIDOR SPECIFIC PLAN PROJECT
STATE CLEARINGHOUSE NO. 2006041096
Exhibit A
INTRODUCTION
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires that a number of written findings be made by the lead agency in connection with certification of an environmental impact report (EIR) prior to approval of the project pursuant to Sections 15091 and 15093 of the CEQA Guidelines and Section 21081 of the Public Resources Code. This document provides the findings required by CEQA. The potential environmental effects of the proposed Freeway Corridor Specific Plan project (Proposed Project) have been analyzed in a Draft Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (Draft SEIR) (State Clearinghouse [SCH] 2006041096) dated February 2024. A Final SEIR has also been prepared that incorporates the Draft SEIR and contains comments received on the Draft SEIR, responses to the individual comments, revisions to the Draft SEIR, and the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for the Proposed Project (MMRP). This document provides the findings required by CEQA for approval of the Proposed Project.
A. STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS FOR FINDINGS
The CEQA (Pub. Res. Code §§ 21000, et seq.) and the State CEQA Guidelines (Guidelines) (14 Ca.
Code Regs §§ 15000, et seq.) promulgated thereunder, require the environmental impacts of a project be examined before a project is approved. Specifically, regarding findings, Guidelines Section 15091 provides:
(a) No public agency shall approve or carry out a project for which an EIR has been certified which identifies one or more significant environmental effects of the project unless the public agency makes one or more written findings for each of those significant effects, accompanied by a brief explanation of the rationale for each finding. The possible findings are:
Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the project which avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect as identified in the final EIR.
2. Such changes or alterations are within the responsibility and jurisdiction of another public agency and not the agency making the finding. Such changes have been adopted by such other agency or can and should be adopted by such other agency.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 1 -
3. Specific economic, legal, social, technological, or other considerations, including provision of employment opportunities for highly trained workers, make infeasible the mitigation measures or project alternatives identified in the final EIR.
(b) The findings required by subsection (a) shall be supported by substantial evidence in the record.
(c) The finding in subdivision (a)(2) shall not be made if the agency making the finding has concurrent jurisdiction with another agency to deal with identified feasible mitigation measures or alternatives. The finding in subsection (a)(3) shall describe the specific reasons for rejecting identified mitigation measures and project alternatives.
(d) When making the findings required in subdivision (a)(1), the agency shall also adopt a program for reporting on or monitoring the changes which it has either required in the project or made a condition of approval to avoid or substantially lessen significant environmental effects. These measures must be fully enforceable through permit conditions, agreements, or other measures.
(e) The public agency shall specify the location and custodian of the documents or other material which constitute the record of the proceedings upon which its decision is based.
(� A statement made pursuant to Section 15093 does not substitute for the findings required by this section.
The "changes or alterations" referred to in Section 15091(a)(1) above, that are required in, or incorporated into, the project which mitigate or avoid the significant environmental effects of the project, may include a wide variety of measures or actions as set forth in Guidelines Section 15370, including:
(a) Avoiding the impact altogether by not taking a certain action or parts of an action.
(b) Minimizing impacts by limiting the degree or magnitude of the action and its implementation.
(c) Rectifying the impact by repairing, rehabilitating, or restoring the impacted environment.
(d) Reducing or eliminating the impact over time by preservation and maintenance operations during the life of the action.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 2 -
(e) Compensating for the impact by replacing or providing substitute resources or environments, including through permanent protection of such resources in the form of conservation easements.
Regarding a Statement of Overriding Considerations, Guidelines Section 15093 provides:
(a) CEQA requires the decision -making agency to balance, as applicable, the economic, legal, social, technological, or other benefits, including region -wide or statewide environmental benefits, of a proposed project against its unavoidable environmental risks when determining whether to approve the project. If the specific economic, legal, social, technological, or other benefits, including region -wide or statewide environmental benefits, of a proposed project outweigh the unavoidable adverse environmental effects, the adverse environmental effects may be considered "acceptable." (b) When the lead agency approves a project which will result in the occurrence of significant effects which are identified in the final EIR but are not substantially lessened, the agency shall state in writing the specific reasons to support its action based on the final EIR and/or other information in the record. The statement of overriding considerations shall be supported by substantial evidence in the record.
(c) If an agency makes a statement of overriding considerations, the statement should be included in the record of the project approval and should be mentioned in the notice of determination. This statement does not substitute for, and shall be in addition to, findings required pursuant to Section 15091.
B. CERTIFICATION
Having received, reviewed, and considered the SEIR for the Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project State Clearinghouse No. 2006041096, as well as other information in the record of proceedings on this matter, the City of Yucaipa City Council adopts the following Findings (Findings) and Statement of Overriding Considerations, in its capacity as the legislative body for the City of Yucaipa (City), which is the CEQA Lead Agency. The Findings and Statements of Overriding Considerations set forth the environmental and other bases for current and subsequent discretionary actions to be undertaken by the City and responsible agencies for the implementation of the Proposed Project.
In addition, the City of Yucaipa City Council (City Council) hereby make findings pursuant to and in accordance with Section 21081 of the California Public Resources Code and State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15090 and 15091 and hereby certifies that:
(1) Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the project which mitigate or avoid the significant environmental effect as identified in the final EIR.
(2) Such changes or alterations are within the responsibility and jurisdiction of another public agency and not the agency making the finding. Such changes Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 3 -
have been adopted by such other agency or can and should be adopted by such other agency.
(3) Specific economic, legal, social, technological, or other considerations, including provision of employment opportunities for highly trained workers, make infeasible the mitigation measures or project alternatives identified in the final EIR.
C. PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT AND DISCRETIONARY ACTIONS The Final SEIR addresses the direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental effects of construction and operation activities associated with the Proposed Project. The Final SEIR provides the environmental information necessary for the City to make a final decision on the requested discretionary actions for all phases of this project. The Final SEIR was also intended to support discretionary reviews and decisions by other responsible agencies. Discretionary actions to be considered by the City may include, but are not limited to, the following:
■ Certify that the Final SEIR for the Proposed Project has been completed in compliance with CEQA, and reflects the independent judgement and analysis of the City; find that the City Council has reviewed and considered the information contained in the Final SEIR prior to approving the project; adopt the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, finding that the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program is adequately designed to ensure compliance with the mitigation measures during project implementation; and determine that the significant adverse effects of the project either have been reduced to an acceptable level, or are outweighed by the specific overriding considerations of the project as outlined in the CEQA Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations, as set forth herein. m Approve the Proposed Project and related discretionary actions needed for project construction and operation.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 4 -
II. PROCEDURAL COMPLIANCE WITH CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY ACT
The City published a Draft SEIR on February 8, 2024. A Final SEIR was prepared in May 2024 in compliance with CEQA requirements. The Final SEIR has been prepared in accordance with CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines, as amended. As authorized in State CEQA Guidelines Section 15084(d)(2), the City retained a consultant to assist with the preparation of the environmental documents. City staff from multiple departments, representing the Lead Agency, have directed, reviewed, and modified where appropriate all material prepared by the consultant. The Final SEIR reflects the City's independent analysis and judgement. The key milestones associated with the preparation of the SEIR are summarized below. As presented below, an extensive public involvement and agency notification effort was conducted to solicit input on the scope and content of the SEIR and to solicit comments on the results of the environmental analysis presented in the Draft SEIR.
A. PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND OUTREACH
In conformance with CEQA, the State CEQA Guidelines, and the City of Yucaipa CEQA Guidelines, the City of Yucaipa conducted an extensive environmental review of the Proposed Project.
Completion of a Notice of Preparation (NOP) on November 14, 2022. The public review period extended from November 15, 2022, to December 15, 2022. The NOP was published in the Ne2ps Mirror on Novembre 11, 2022. The NOP was posted at the San Bernardino County Clerk's office on November 14, 2022. Copies of the NOP were made available for public review at the City of Yucaipa, the City's website, and at the Yucaipa Branch Library.
Completion of the scoping process where the public was invited by the City to participate in a scoping meeting held Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at 5:00 PM at Yucaipa City Hall. The notice of a public scoping meeting was included in the NOR.
■ Preparation of a Draft SEIR, which was made available for a 45-day public review period beginning February 8, 2024, and ending March 25, 2024. The scope of the Draft SEIR was determined based on the CEQA Guidelines Appendix G Checklist and comments received in response to the NOR Section 2.2 of the Draft SEIR describes the issues identified for analysis in the Draft SEIR. The Notice of Availability (NOA) for the Draft SEIR was sent to interested persons and organizations, sent to the State Clearinghouse in Sacramento for distribution to public agencies, posted at the City of Yucaipa, and published in the Nevs Mirror. The NOA was posted at the San Bernardino County Clerk's office on February 7, 2024. The Notice of Availability of the Draft SEIR was published in the Nevs Mirror on February 2, 2024.
Preparation of a Final SEIR, including revisions to the Draft SEIR based on changes to the Proposed Project and responses to comments to the Draft SEIR. The Final SEIR was released for agency review prior to certification of the Final SEIR..
Public hearings on the Proposed Project, including a Planning Commission hearing and a City Council hearing.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 5 -
In summary, the City conducted all required noticing and scoping for the Proposed Project in accordance with Section 15083 of the CEQA Guidelines, and conducted the public review for the SEIR, which exceeded the requirements of Section 15087 of the CEQA Guidelines.
B. FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT AND CITY COUNCIL
PROCEEDINGS
The City prepared a Final SEIR, including Responses to Comments to the Draft SEIR. The Final SEIR/Response to Comments contains comments on the Draft SEIR, responses to those comments, and revisions to the Draft SEIR. A total of nine comment letters were received from public agencies and organizations.
The most prevalent concerns raised in these comment letters included pertained to air quality, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, hydrology and water quality, and transportation.
The Final SEIR found that prior to mitigation, implementation of the Proposed Project will result in potentially significant impacts to Aesthetics, Air Quality, Biological Resources, Cultural Resources, Geology and Soils, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Hydrology and Water Quality, Noise, and Tribal Cultural Resources. However, mitigation measures (MMs) have been developed to avoid or reduce all of these impacts to levels considered less than significant, with the exception of Air Quality, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and Noise. The City prepared a Statement of Overriding Considerations for the impacts found to be significant and unavoidable:
Air Quality
Impact 5.3-1: Specific Plan. Operation of the Proposed Project would exceed the South Coast AQMD regional significance thresholds and have the potential to conflict with the South Coast AQMD's AQMP. Mitigation Measures for construction (see Impact 5.3-2) and operation (see Impact 5.3-3) would reduce emissions to the extent feasible. However, Impact 5.3-1 would be significant and unavoidable for the Proposed Project.
Impact 5.3-1: Pacific Oaks Commerce Center. Operation of the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center would exceed the South Coast AQMD regional significance thresholds and have the potential to conflict with the South Coast AQMD's AQMP. Mitigation Measures for construction (see Impact 5.3-2) and operation (see Impact 5.3-3) would reduce emissions to the extent feasible.
However, Impact 5.3-1 would be significant and unavoidable for the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center.
■ Impact 5.3-2: Specific Plan. Construction of the Proposed Project, like the Approved Project, would exceed the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) regional significance thresholds. While mitigation would substantially reduce construction -related volatile organic compounds (VOC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions, the regional significance thresholds for these criteria air pollutants would still be exceeded for Phase
1. Implementation of mitigation would reduce the maximum daily emissions of VOC for Phases 2 through 7 to below the regional significance threshold. However, due to the remaining Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 6 -
exceedances for Phase 1, Impact 5.3-2 would be significant and unavoidable for the Proposed Project.
■ Impact 5.3-2: Pacific Oaks Commerce Center. Construction of the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center would exceed the South Coast AQMD regional significance thresholds. Mitigation Measure AQ-6 would reduce VOC emissions to below the regional significance threshold. However, construction activities associated with the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center would continue to generate NOx and CO emissions that exceed the respective South Coast AQMD regional significance thresholds. Therefore, Impact 5.3-2 as it pertains to the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would be significant and unavoidable.
■ Impact 5.3-3: Specific Plan. Long-term operation of the Proposed Project, like the Approved Project, would exceed the South Coast AQMD regional significance thresholds. While mitigation would reduce emissions, the regional significance thresholds for these criteria air pollutants would still be exceeded. Impact 5.3-3 would be significant and unavoidable for the Proposed Project. ■ Impact 5.3-3: Pacific Oaks Commerce Center. Long-term operation of the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would exceed the South Coast AQMD regional significance thresholds.
While mitigation would reduce emissions, the regional significance thresholds for these criteria air pollutants would still be exceeded. Impact 5.3-3 would be significant and unavoidable for the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project.
■ Impact 5.3-4: Specific Plan. Localized construction emissions associated with buildout of the Proposed Project have the potential to exceed the South Coast AQMD's cancer risk threshold.
Implementation of Mitigation Measure AQ-6 would require future projects accommodated under the Freeway Corridor Specific Plan (FCSP) to use off -road equipment fitted with engines that meet the USEPA Tier 4 Final standards for emissions. This measure would reduce toxic air contaminant (TAC) emissions from off -road construction equipment. Due to the scale and construction intensity of the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project, it is assumed to represent the worst -case project accommodated under the Specific Plan in terms of construction impacts. Thus, it is anticipated that individual future development projects accommodated under the Proposed Project would have similar health risk levels and would have less than significant health risk impacts. However, while individual future projects might have less than significant health risk impacts, the combined construction activities associated with development of all the land uses accommodated under the Proposed Project could contribute to elevated levels in the area.
Therefore, out of an abundance of caution, Impact 5.3-4 is conservatively identified as significant and unavoidable.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
■ Impact 5.8-1: Specific Plan. The Proposed Project, like the Approved Project, would generate GHG emissions that exceed the conservative no net increase threshold. Implementation of Mitigation Measures AQ-2 through AQ-5 and Mitigation Measures GHG-1 and GHG-2 would reduce emissions to the extent feasible. However, Impact 5.8-1 would be significant and unavoidable.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 7 -
Impact 5.8-1: Pacific Oaks Commerce Center. The Proposed Project, like the Approved Project, would generate GHG emissions that exceed the conservative no net increase threshold.
Implementation of Mitigation Measures AQ-2 and AQ-4, .and Mitigation Measures GHG-1 and GHG-2 would reduce emissions to the extent feasible. However, Impact 5.8-1 as it pertains to the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would be significant and unavoidable.
Noise
Impact 5.13-2: Specific Plan. Implementation of the Proposed Project would result in a substantial long-term operation -related noise that could exceed the City's noise standards. The City requires applicants for new development projects to submit a noise study to mitigate operational noise impacts in accordance with the standard COAs. At the plan level, Impact 5.13-2, is considered significant and unavoidable.
■ Impact 5.13-3: Specific Plan. Implementation of the Proposed Project would result in a substantial increase in long-term traffic -related noise levels that exceed local standards. The Certified EIR identified that it is not considered practical or feasible to mitigate traffic noise impacts, as it would require making alterations to private off -site properties over which applicants of future development projects would have no control. Impact 5.13-3, plan -level and cumulative traffic noise impacts are considered significant and unavoidable.
Impact 5.13-3: Pacific Oaks Commerce Center Plan. Implementation of the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would result in a substantial increase in long-term traffic -related noise levels that exceed local standards. The Certified EIR identified that it is not considered practical or feasible to mitigate traffic noise impacts, as it would require making alterations to private off - site properties over which applicants of future development projects would have no control.
Impact 5.13-3 traffic noise impacts are considered significant and unavoidable for the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project.
Members of the public can view searchable agendas for scheduled City Council meetings and access agenda -related City information and services directly on the following website:
https://yucaipa.gov/agendas-niinutes/ .
The Final SEIR document will be posted for viewing and download, which includes the revisions to the Draft SEIR, and Responses to Comments. The Final SEIR will be posted prior to the City's consideration of the Final SEIR and project recommendations on the City's website.
A date for consideration of the Final SEIR and project recommendations at the City Council was set for the Proposed Project and notice of the meeting was provided consistent with the Brown Act (Government Code Sections 54950 et seq.). The City Council will take testimony on the Proposed Project and may continue on its calendar to a subsequent meeting date in its discretion.
C. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
For purposes of CEQA and these Findings, the Record of Proceedings for the Proposed Project consists of the following documents and other evidence, at a minimum:
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 8 -
■ The NOP, NOA, and all other public notices issued by the City in conjunction with the Proposed Project.
■ The Draft SEIR and Final SEIR for the Proposed Project. ■ All written comments submitted by agencies or members of the public during the public review comment period on the Draft SEIR.
■ All responses to written comments submitted by agencies or members of the public during the public review comment period on the Draft SEIR.
■ All written and verbal public testimony presented during a noticed public hearing for the Proposed Project.
■ The Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program.
■ The reports and technical memoranda included or referenced in the Final SEIR. ■ All documents, studies, EIRs, or other materials incorporated by reference in the Draft SEIR and Final SEIR.
■ The Resolutions adopted by the City in connection with the Proposed Project, and all documents incorporated by reference therein, including comments received after the close of the comment period and responses thereto.
■ Matters of common knowledge to the City, including but not limited to federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
■ Any documents expressly cited in these Findings.
■ Any other relevant materials required to be in the record of proceedings by Public Resources Code Section 21167.6(e).
D. CUSTODIAN AND LOCATION OF RECORDS
The documents and other materials that constitute the administrative record for the City's actions related to the Proposed Project are at the City of Yucaipa — Planning Division, 34272 Yucaipa Boulevard, City of Yucaipa. The City Planning Division is the custodian of the administrative record for the Proposed Project. Copies of these documents, which constitute the record of proceedings, are and at all relevant times have been and will be available upon request at the offices of the Planning Division. This information is provided in compliance with Public Resources Code Section 21081.6(a)(2) and Guidelines Section 15091(e).
E. PROJECT LOCATION
The 1,238-acre Freeway Corridor Specific Plan (FCSP) area is in the City of Yucaipa in San Bernardino County. The plan area is bisected by Interstate 10 (I-10) and abuts the Riverside County boundary to Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 9 -
the south. Regional access to the plan area is provided by I-10 from the east and west. Local access is provided by Live Oak Canyon Road, County Line Road, Oak Glen Road, Wildwood Canyon Road, and Calimesa Boulevard.
Land uses in the FCSP consist primarily of agricultural land (ranching and farming), a limited number of residences, a wastewater treatment plant, and miscellaneous commercial uses such as an outdoor pottery store and storage. The Live Oak Canyon Pumpkin Farm operates seasonally, with its peak season in the fall. The pumpkin farm operates a corn maze (fall only), carnival -type rides and games, tractor/hay rides, pony rides, petting zoo, Christmas Tree sales (winter only), U-pick pumpkin patch, and concessions (fall only) during the fall and winter seasons.' The Henry N. Wochholz Regional Water Recycling Facility (WRF) is owned and operated by the Yucaipa Valley Water District (YVWD). This land use is isolated from the other areas in the FCSP and can only be accessed via a secondary road from County Line Road. The FCSP Update identifies these parcels as "not a part" (N.A.P.) of the Proposed Project because it is solely owned by the YVWD.
F. PROJECT OBJECTIVES
The following objectives have been established for the Proposed Project and will aid decision makers in their review of the Proposed Project and associated environmental impacts.
1. Create a place that reflects the unique character of Yucaipa and ultimately supports the community's needs into the future.
2. Allow a degree of flexibility for development that can provide a standard of quality without stifling opportunities or imposing inflexible regulations that would preclude creative development response.
3. Offer a mixture of residential, commercial, and business park development that reflects the changing conditions in Yucaipa brought about by decline in demand for brick -and -mortar stores and increase in demand for logistics/distribution.
4. Support and facilitate opportunities to meet the City's housing requirements as reflected by the Regional Housing Needs Assessment for current and future housing cycles, as well as comply with SB330 regarding "no net loss" of residential zoned capacity.
5. Provide community amenities such as trails and permanent open space areas that will preserve major ridgelines and drainage corridors.
The Yucaipa City Council had typically authorized a special event permit (SEP) annually to the Pumpkin Factory to operate the Live Oak Canyon Pumpkin Patch and Christmas Tree Farm. Live Oak Canyon Farm has operated the pumpkin patch and Christmas tree farm for over 30 years prior to the incorporation of the City of Yucaipa, and the City has authorized a SEP for the pumpkin patch and Christmas tree farm every year since 2017, which has since been memorialized with the approval of a conditional use permit. The farm has 900 parking spaces onsite and addition 300 parking spaces on Live Oak Canyon Road. Special events at the farm run from mid -September to the end of December and may generate up to 100,000 visitors over the course of the special event. The Live Oak Canyon Pumpkin Patch and Christmas Tree Farm will continue to operate with implementation of the Proposed Project.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 10 -
6. Provide employment as well as retail and entertainment opportunities for those living in the community.
7. Take advantage of the freeway visibility and access to serve both local and regional needs.
8. Support the existing agricultural operations at the Live Oak Canyon Pumpkin Farm.
9. Design a safe and efficient circulation system that adequately supports the anticipated level of vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle traffic in and around the project.
10. Comprehensively plan the FCSP area with consideration of other contiguous areas to ensure compatible and complementary development, circulation patterns, infrastructure, and services.
G. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan (Approved Project)
The FCSP provides the planning tools necessary to guide development in the plan area. The Specific Plan includes proposed land uses, development regulations and design standards. In addition, the FCSP provides for a multimodal trail and circulation system, infrastructure facilities required to support implementation of the plan, and a plan for managing natural resources. 2008 Certified EIR
The Proposed Project in an update to the FCSP; therefore, this SEIR relies on the findings of the 2008 EIR and the 2022 Addendum and, per CEQA Guidelines Section 15162, contains all the information necessary to ensure that the certified FCSP EIR fully evaluates the Proposed Project. The 2008 EIR and addendum, though discussed separately here, are collectively referred to in this SEIR as the 2008 Certified EIR. In accordance with CEQA Guidelines Sections 15148 and 15150, this SEIR incorporates the 2008 Certified EIR (and its constituent parts) by reference. A summary of the 2008 Certified EIR follows.
2008 Final EIR
The FCSP Environmental Impact Report (State Clearinghouse No. 2004041096) was certified in November 2008. The Final EIR consists of the 2007 Draft EIR and the 2008 Recirculated Draft EIR, response to comments, revisions to the EIR based on comments, and the mitigation monitoring and reporting program. The Final EIR evaluated impacts associated with 424.7 acres for residential development, with a maximum of 2,767 dwelling units, 242.5 acres of nonresidential development,
25.3 acres of right-of-way (ROW), and 549.0 acres of open space. The Certified EIR identified significant and unavoidable impacts associated with the FCSP for the following topical areas:
Aesthetics, Agriculture, Air Quality, Biological Resource, Land Use and Planning, and Noise. 2022 County Line Road Warehouse Addendum
The Approved Project includes project updates to the Specific Plan since certification of the 2008 EIR.
On July 21, 2022, the City of Yucaipa approved an Addendum to the 2008 Certified EIR for development of the Countyline Road Warehouse project a 366,423-square-foot speculative industrial Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
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warehouse building on five parcels totaling 19.32 gross acres at the northwest corner of 7th Place and County Line Lane in the southwestern corner of Yucaipa.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Update (Proposed Proiect) The Proposed Project is an update to the FCSP to guide development within the 1,238-acre plan area.
The Proposed Project would result in a total of 2,472 residential units .and 5,093,265 square feet of nonresidential uses. The Specific Plan includes a list of permitted, conditionally permitted, and prohibited land uses and development standards associated with the land use designations.
Buildout Comparison to the Approved Project
The Proposed Project would result in increases of 25 dwelling units and 69 people, a reduction of approximately 2.28 million square feet of Regional Commercial (RC), an increase of approximately
2.79 million square feet of Business Park (BP), and a reduction of 317 employees.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
The Proposed Project includes a project -level analysis for buildout of the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center in planning areas BP 2 and BP 3 ("project area'. Building 1 would have 1,032,500 square feet of warehouse and 20,000 square feet of office use, for a total of 1,052,500 square feet of building space.
Building 2 would have 981,500 square feet of warehouse and 20,000 square feet of office use, for a total of 1,001,500 square feet of building space. Each building also would allow up to 25 percent of the building square footage for cold -storage uses. As a result, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center would result in development of up to 2,054,000 square feet. Additional truck parking spaces are also provided as part of the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations
III. CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT FINDINGS
A. FORMAT
Section 15091 of the CEQA Guidelines requires that a Lead Agency make a finding for each significant effect for the project. This section summarizes the significant environmental impacts of the project, describes how these impacts are to be mitigated, and discusses various alternatives to the proposed project, which were developed in an effort to reduce the remaining significant environmental impacts. All impacts are considered potentially significant prior to mitigation unless otherwise stated in the findings.
This remainder of this section is divided into the following subsections:
■ Section B, Findings on "No Impact" and "Less Than Significant Impacts," presents environmental issues, as identified in Chapter 5 of the SEIR, which would result in no impact or less than significant impacts.
■ Section C, Findings on Impacts Mitigated to Less Than Significant, presents significant impacts of the Proposed Project that were identified in the Final SEIR, the mitigation measures identified in the Mitigation Monitoring Program, and the rationales for the findings. ■ Section D, Significant and Unavoidable Impacts that Cannot be Mitigated to Below the Level of Significance, presents significant impacts of the Proposed Project that were identified in the Final SEIR, the mitigation measures identified in the Mitigation Monitoring Program, the findings for significant impacts, and the rationales for the findings. ■ Section IV, Findings on Responses to Comments and Revisions to the Draft SEIR, presents the City's findings on the response to comments and revisions to Draft SEIR, and decision on whether a recirculated Draft SEIR is necessary or not.
■ Section V, Alternatives to the Proposed Project, presents alternatives to the project and evaluates them in relation to the findings set forth in Section 15091(a)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, which allows a public agency to approve a project that would result in one or more significant environmental effects if the project alternatives are found to be infeasible because of specific economic, social, or other considerations.
■ Section VI, Statement of Overriding Considerations, presents a description of the Proposed Project's the significant and unavoidable adverse impacts and the justification for adopting a statement of overriding considerations.
B. FINDINGS ON "NO IMPACT" AND "LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS" Based on the environmental issue area assessment in the Final SEIR, the City determined that the Proposed Project would have no impact or less than significant impacts, including direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts, for the environmental issues summarized below. The rationale for the conclusion that no significant impact would occur in each of the issue areas is based on the environmental Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
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evaluation in the listed topical SEIR sections in Section 5 of the SEIR, which include Environmental Setting, Environmental Impacts, Cumulative Impacts, and Mitigation Measures.
Plans, programs, and policies (PPP) are listed and numbered in the SEIR, and include applicable development standards and design guidelines, and conditions of approval.
The SEIR concluded that all or some of the impacts of the proposed project with respect to the following issues either will not be significant or will be reduced to below a level of significance by implementing conditions of approval, and/or the Specific Plan's development standards and design guidelines as detailed in Chapter 5 of the SEIR. Those issues include the following topical areas in their entirety or portions thereof: Aesthetics, Agriculture and Forestry Resources, Air Quality, Biological Resources, Cultural Resources, Energy, Geology and Soils, Hazards and Hazardous Materials, Hydrology and Water Quality, Land Use and Planning, Mineral Resources, Noise, Population and Housing, Public Services, Recreation, Transportation, Utilities and Service Systems, and Wildfire.
CEQA Guidelines Section 15901 requires that an EIR may not be certified for a project which has one or more significant environmental effects unless one of three possible findings is made for each significance effect. Since the following environmental issue areas were determined to have no impact or a less than significant impact, no findings for these issues are required.
1. Aesthetics
Specific Plan PPPs
The following are plans, programs, and policies (PPPs) that would reduce the Proposed Project's potential aesthetics impacts:
Development Standards
Chapter 4, Development Standards, of the FCSP regulates the planning and development of all properties in the plan area. The FCSP identifies general provisions; permitted land uses; development standards; landscape standards; sign regulations; common open space, parks, trails, and hillside preservation; and infrastructure for residential and nonresidential uses. For example:
■ Landscaping Standards:
• Strategically place large specimen (48-inch box) to assist new development in looking "established" as quickly as possible. Parkways shall be planted with shade trees and shrubs to provide a pleasant pedestrian environment and contribute to streetscape continuity. • Landscaping shall be used to provide screening for unattractive and/or unsightly service areas, and serve as buffers between neighboring uses.
■ Master Sign Program:
The Master Sign Program shall ensure that commercial center and business park signage is harmonious, integrates appropriately with the architecture of the center, and provides for adequate exposure of all tenants.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
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Design Guidelines
Chapter 5, Design Guidelines, of the FCSP provides direction concerning the site planning, landscaping, building design, and site features for residential and nonresidential uses that promote the aesthetics appropriate for this area in order to maintain the rural character of Yucaipa. For example:
■ Development should incorporate existing natural features into the overall site design, including rock outcroppings, major landforms, ridgelines, significant trees and vegetation, streams, and drainage areas.
■ Service, utility, and loading areas should be carefully designed, located, and integrated into the site plan for convenient access by service vehicles and tenants while minimizing visibility. ■ Where commercial uses are adjacent to noncommercial uses, appropriate buffering techniques, such as increased minimum setbacks, screening, and landscaping, should be provided to mitigate any negative effects of the commercial operations. Any noise -generating uses should be located away from adjacent residential uses.
■ Lighting should be used to provide illumination for the security and safety of onsite areas such as parking, loading, and pathways.
■ Outdoor light fixtures that provide nighttime safety and security should be selected to conserve energy, protect the night sky, and minimize glare and light trespass within and beyond the project site.
■ Roof forms should be designed to completely screen roof -mounted equipment from public view.
Impact 5.1-1: Development pursuant to the Proposed Project would not impact scenic vistas. [Threshold AE-11
Scenic Vistas
FCSP Buildout
Since adoption of the 2008 FCSP, the City of Yucaipa has adopted an update to its General Plan. The General Plan identifies that scenic features include gently sloping alluvial fans, rugged mountains and steep slopes, mountain peaks and ridges, rounded hills, and open space. Scenic vistas are views of these features from public spaces such as the Oak Glen Preserve, Wildwood Canyon State Park, Crafton Hills, and El Dorado Ranch Park.
General Plan Figure CDL-4, Hillside Overlay District, shows that there are "Other Ridgelines" in the southwestern portion of the plan area and a Hillside Overlay District along the northern boundary but no "Prominent Ridgelines" in the plan area. The General Plan identified the plan area as providing a panoramic vista into Live Oak Canyon.
Because there are no scenic vistas in the plan area and lands are privately owned, impacts to scenic vistas that are visible from the plan area would be less than significant —impacts to private views are Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
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not considered a significant impact under CEQA. Public views of the scenic vistas surrounding the plan area, such as Live Oak Canyon, would continue to be visible from public vantage points (roadways, lookout points, etc.) as development would not occur in such areas. Furthermore, per the Citywide Design Guidelines, Oak Glen Road would include ground cover, shrubs, trees, and signage to display a rustic theme while serving as the gateway to the apple orchards in Oak Glen and preserving the scenic views. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.
Therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard when compared to the 2008 Certified EIR.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center is within the FCSP, and because there are no scenic vistas in the plan area, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would also not result in impacts to scenic vistas.
While public views of scenic vistas, such as Live Oak Canyon, surround the FCSP, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project site is located in the central portion of the plan area, and would not result in impacts to scenic vistas. Therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard compared to the 2008 Certified EIR.
Finding. Compliance with existing PPPs would minimize adverse impacts of aesthetics to less than significant levels. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts relating to scenic vistas. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
Impact 5.1-2: The Proposed Project would not alter scenic resources within a state scenic highway. [Threshold AE-2]
State Scenic Highway
FCSP Buildout
Since the 2008 EIR was certified, the Yucaipa General Plan now designates Oak Glen Road, Wildwood Canyon Road, Live Oak Canyon, and future spine roads in the Freeway Corridor Specific Plan area as scenic corridors. The nearest State -eligible scenic highway is SR-38, which is over 3.7 miles north of the plan area; the nearest officially designated scenic highway is the portion of SR-38 near Sugarloaf Mountain, which is over 8 miles northeast of the plan area.
The areas of the FCSP adjacent to Oak Glen Road, Wildwood Canyon Road, and Live Oak Canyon are designated open space, agro-commercial tourism, business park, commercial, and residential uses.
The lower density, agricultural, and open space land uses would not alter views of scenic resources that could be viewed from the surrounding roadways. Chapter 4, Development Standards, and Chapter 5, Design Guidelines, of the FCSP provide provisions that guide development in the plan area, such as incorporating natural features (e.g., rock outcroppings), into the overall site design. All development in the plan area would be required to adhere to the development standards and design guidelines of the FCSP to ensure proposed structures do not alter views from such roadways. Additionally, given Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
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the distance, varying topography, and structures between the plan area and SR-38, impacts to designated and eligible state scenic highways would not occur. Furthermore, per the Citywide Design Guidelines, Oak Glen Road would include ground cover, shrubs, trees, and signage to display a rustic theme while serving as the gateway to the apple orchards in Oak Glen and preserving the scenic views from this locally designated scenic corridor. As with the 2008 Certified EIR, the FCSP would not result in impacts to scenic resources along a state scenic highway.
Therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard compared to the 2008 Certified EIR.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project is in the interior of the site with access from Oak Glen Road, which was designated as a local scenic corridor in the 2016 General Plan. No State -designated scenic highways are visible from the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center site. Similar to the impacts identified for the proposed FCSP, no impacts to designated and eligible state scenic highways would result from implementation of the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project. Therefore, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard compared to the 2008 Certified EIR.
Finding. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts relating to scenic resources within a state scenic highway. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
Impact 5.1-3: Development pursuant to the Proposed Project would change the visual character of the Specific Plan site but would not conflict with applicable zoning and other regulations governing scenic quality compared to the land uses approved in the 2008 Certified EIR. [Threshold AE-3] Visual Character
FCSP Buildout
The Approved Project represents the CEQA baseline. Though impacts associated with the Approved Project were identified as significant and unavoidable in the 2008 Certified EIR, the impacts of the Proposed Project are not based on existing conditions but assume conditions of the built -out Approved Project (i.e., the developed condition). Land uses associated with the Proposed Project would generally be in the same area as the Approved Project. However, under the Proposed Project there are three major differences: (1) under the Proposed Project, the planning area known as the Pumpkin Patch would remain designated Agro-Commercial Tourism, which would preserve the existing landforms and agricultural areas adjacent to Live Oak Canyon Road and I-10 compared to development of a focused retail area under the Approved Project; (2) the introduction of the Business Park designation in the interior of the site (i.e., Pacific Oaks Commerce Center) would require substantially more landform modification compared to the residential areas previously designated under the Approved Project; and (3) the Proposed Project would result in a reduction in natural open Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
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space (Open Space Conservation [OS-C] and Open Space [OS]) compared to the Approved Project because the wastewater treatment plant (which previously included open space) is now considered "not -a -part," and the OS designation now allows for agricultural uses (however, agricultural uses and grazing have continued on OS -designated areas).
The elevation change over the entire plan area is approximately 450 feet. Approximately 19 percent of the site has slopes over 40 percent (steep terrain). Development of slopes that are 15 percent and above are subject to Hillside Development Review. Grading applied to the plan area for this Amendment achieves a 2:1 ratio (height over distance), which would increase with the slope. The objectives of the FCSP include complying with applicable development standards to preserve key ridgelines and regulating hillside and ridgeline development to maintain a rural atmosphere consistent with the City's identity. The FCSP is designed to vary the slope ratio from 2:1 to 5:1 (horizontal to vertical). Where proposed grades meet existing topography, the grades would be rounded to blend and provide a natural effect.
The Grading Plan is based on the several main principles, such as preserving land designated as Open Space which includes the major significant ridgelines in the plan area, situating the finished elevation of building pads so they complement the character of adjacent natural topography, designing new roads to follow the existing topography to minimize grading, contour grading all new roads to minimize grading, and performing grading techniques consistent with the required grading permits and geotechnical reports.
Even though the development code generally prohibits development on slopes of 41 percent or greater, this is primarily meant to concentrate or intensify development on less environmentally sensitive terrain, not to prohibit development or reduce permitted density. Enforcement of ridgeline preservation is based on the significance of individual projects at the discretion of the Planning Commission.
However, the Proposed Project and Approved Project would essentially result in a similar pattern of undeveloped and developed areas. The OS-C and AT designations would preserve views of natural features in the surrounding areas. Chapter 4, Development Standards, and Chapter 5, Design Guidelines, of the FSCP include standards and guidelines for development in the plan area, such as height and placement of buildings and structures, setback requirements, and architectural design parameters. Compliance with the development standards and design guidelines would ensure that development of the residential and nonresidential areas would be compatible with the surrounding land uses and ensure that the Proposed Project would not have a substantial impact on scenic resources.
As with the Approved Project, the Proposed Project would result in substantial changes in the visual character of the plan area, with conversion of open space and animal grazing areas to urban/suburban land use. However, when compared to the Approved Project, the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard. Therefore, impacts of the Proposed Project are less than significant.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
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Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
In the 2008 Certified EM the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project area was proposed to be primarily a residential area. Under the Proposed Project, business park uses would be constructed in this area. The development of the business park land uses would require substantial landform modification to create flat pads for the warehouse buildings, which would impact some of the major ridgelines. However, to protect the viewshed of travelers on eastbound I-10 and Live Oak Canyon Road, key ridgelines would still be avoided.
The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would adhere to the development standards and design guidelines in the Specific Plan. The proposed buildings would be 60 feet tall; according to the FCSP,. the maximum height for structures in the Business Park land use is 80 feet. The design guidelines of the FCSP also state that buildings should include 360-degree architecture, blank walls should be softened through the use of doors and windows, and roof forms should be designed to completely screen roof -mounted equipment from public views. Additionally, the proposed buildings would include architectural design features from all directions, windows, various material and color types, varying rooflines and roof styles, other architectural features, and parapets that would comply with the design guidelines of the FCSP.
Therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard when compared to the 2008 Certified EIR.
Finding. Compliance with existing PPPs would minimize adverse impacts of aesthetics to less than significant levels. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts relating to visual character. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
Impact 5.1-4: For Impact 5.1-4, refer to Section C, Findings on Significant Environmental Impacts that can be Reduced to a Less than Significant Level.
2. Agriculture and Forestry Resources
Specific Plan PPPs
The following are plans, programs, and policies (PPPs) that would reduce the Proposed Project's potential impacts to agriculture resources:
Development Standards
Chapter 4, Development Standards, of the FCSP regulates the planning and development of all properties in the plan area. The FCSP identifies general provisions; permitted land uses; development standards; landscape standards; sign regulations; common open space, parks, trails, and hillside preservation; and infrastructure for residential and nonresidential uses. For example:
■ Landscape Standards
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 19 -
The introduction of vineyards to support the Yucaipa Valley American Viticultural Area is allowed on disturbed slopes or agricultural areas.
Impact 5.2-1: The proposed project would not convert Prime Farmland or Unique Farmland to nonagricultural uses. [Thresholds AG-1, AG-5 (part)].
Conversion of Agricultural Uses to Non -Agricultural Uses 17�y0.11M 7•1►fi
Implementation of the Proposed Project would result in a new Agro-Commercial Tourism land use designation that would make up approximately 48.8 acres of the plan area. Additionally, the Open Space designation of the Proposed Project would allow agricultural uses.
The areas designated Prime Farmland and Unique Farmland would be designated Agro-Commercial Tourism under the Proposed Project, whereas the Approved Project designated these lands Regional Commercial. The agricultural operations associated with the Live Oak Pumpkin Patch and Christmas Tree Farm would continue to operate. The Proposed Project would not convert the Prime Farmland and Unique Farmland in the plan area to nonagricultural uses, and no impact would occur. In addition, existing grazing areas and other opportunities for agriculture would be allowed with the Proposed Project.
Therefore, the Proposed Project would have a beneficial impact to agricultural resources and would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard when compared to the Approved Project.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project site is designated Grazing Land. CEQA does not consider impacts to Grazing Land. Therefore, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not result in the loss or conversion of agricultural land to nonagricultural uses. No impacts would occur. Therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard when compared to the Approved Project.
Finding. Compliance with existing PPPs would minimize adverse impacts of agriculture and forestry resources to less than significant levels. The Proposed Project would have no significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts relating to the conversion of agricultural land to non-agricultural land.
Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 20 -
Impact 5.2-2: The proposed project would not conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use or a Williamson Act contract. [Threshold AG-21.
Existing Agricultural Zoning/Williamson Act Contracts
FCSP Buildout
There are no Williamson Act lands in the plan area. Under the Proposed Project, the plan area would consist of residential, commercial, business park, open space, and agro-commercial tourism zoning/land use designations. As with the Approved Project, the FCSP would not conflict with zoning for agricultural uses or Williamson Act contracts. No impact would occur. Therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard when compared to Approved Project.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
There are no Williamson Act lands in the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project area.
In the Approved Project, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project area was proposed to be all residential, and under the Proposed Project the project area would be business park uses. Therefore, The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project area would not conflict with zoning for agricultural uses or Williamson Act contracts. No impact would occur. Therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard when compared to the Approved Project.
Finding. Compliance with existing PPPs would minimize adverse impacts of agriculture and forestry resources to less than significant levels. The Proposed Project would have no significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts relating to conflicting with agricultural zoning or a Williamson Act contract.
Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
Impact 5.2-3: The proposed project would not conflict with existing zoning for forestland, nor would the proposed project result in the loss of forest land on -site. [Thresholds AG-3, AG-4, and AG-5 (part)].
Forestland
FCSP Buildout
There is no forest land in the plan area. Land uses within the FCSP consist primarily of agricultural land (ranching and farming), a limited number of residences, a wastewater treatment plant, and miscellaneous commercial uses such as an outdoor pottery store and storage. The Proposed Project would not conflict with zoning for forest land or result in the loss of forest land. No impact would occur.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 21 -
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
There is no forest land in the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project area. Land uses in the project area consist of agricultural land (ranching and farming). The Proposed Project would not conflict with zoning for forest land or result in the loss of forest land. No impact would occur.
Finding. Compliance with existing PPPs would minimize adverse impacts of agriculture and forestry resources to less than significant levels. The Proposed Project would have no significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts relating to conflicting with forestland zoning or a loss in forestland.
Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
3. Air Quality
Specific Plan PPPs
The FCSP Update does not include specific goals, design standards, or design guidelines related to air quality.
Impact 5.3-1: For Impact 5.3-1, refer to Section D, Significant and Unavoidable Impacts that Cannot be Mitigated to Below the Level of Significance.
Impact 5.3-2: For Impact 5.3-2, refer to Section D, Significant and Unavoidable Impacts that Cannot be Mitigated to Below the Level of Significance.
Impact 5.3-3: For Impact 5.3-3, refer to Section D, Significant and Unavoidable Impacts that Cannot be Mitigated to Below the Level of Significance.
Impact 5.3-4: Construction of the Proposed Project could expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations of toxic air contaminants [Threshold AQ-31.
Construction -Phase LSTs and TACs
FCSP Buildout
Refer to Section D, Si
gnifzcant and Unavoidable Impacts that Cannot be Mitigated to Below the Level of Significance.
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Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
Construction -Phase Localized Significance Thresholds
Screening -level Localized Significance Thresholds (LSTs) (pounds per day) are the amount of project - related mass emissions at which localized concentrations (ppm or µg/m3) could exceed the Ambient Air Quality Standards (AAQS) for criteria air pollutants for which the South Coast Air Basin (SoCAB) is designated nonattainment. They are based on the acreage disturbed and distance to the nearest sensitive receptor. Screening -level LSTs are based on a proposed project site size and distance to the nearest sensitive receptor. Thresholds are based on the California AAQS, which are the most stringent, established to provide a margin of safety in the protection of the public's 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. Table 5.3-16, Pa6fir Oaks Commerce Center Maximum Daily On -Site Locali.Zed Construction Emissions, of the Draft SEIR, shows the maximum daily construction emissions (pounds per day) generated during on -site construction activities compared with the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD)'s screening -level LSTs.
The on -site PMIo and PM2.5 emissions shown represent the total on -site particulate matter emissions from vehicle exhaust and fugitive dust. On -site NOx and CO emissions are from off -road equipment exhaust. As shown in Table 5.3-16, maximum daily construction emissions would not exceed the South Coast AQMD screening -level LSTs for CO. However, construction activities would exceed the screening -level LSTs for NOx, PMio, and PM2.5•
In accordance with South Coast AQMD methodology, because the Proposed Project would result in construction activities that generate on -site emissions exceeding the NOx, PMIo, and PM2.5 screening - level LSTs, dispersion modeling was conducted using AERMOD (v. 11.2) air dispersion modeling program. The calculated concentration levels associated with the construction activities that would not generate on -site emissions exceeding the screening -level LSTs are shown in Table 5.3-17, Pacific Oaks Commerce Center Construction LSTs, of the Draft SEIR.
As shown in Table 5.3-17, project -related construction activities would not generate emissions that would exceed the South Coast AQMD LSTs. Thus, construction activities associated with the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not generate emissions that expose receptors to substantial concentrations of criteria air pollutants, and impacts are considered less than significant. Therefore, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center would not result in new significant impacts or a substantial increase in significant impacts compared to the Approved Project.
Construction Phase Toxic Air Contaminants
The Proposed Project would elevate concentrations of Toxic Air Contaminants (TACs) (i.e., Diesel Particulate Matter [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. A site -specific construction Health Risk Assessment (HRA) of TACs was prepared to quantify potential health risk emissions during construction (see Appendix D of the Draft SEIR). The results of the analysis are shown in Table 5.3-18, Pae fic Oaks Commerce Center Construction Risk Summary, of the Draft SEIR, and demonstrate that there would be no exceedance of identified thresholds.
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CEQA Findings of Fact and
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The results of the HRA are based on the maximum receptor concentration over the entire construction exposure duration for receptors:
■ Cancer risk for the Maximum Exposed Individual Resident (MEIR) from construction activities would be 9.4 in a million, which would not exceed the 10 in a million significance threshold. ■ For noncarcinogenic effects, the chronic hazard index identified for each toxicological endpoint totaled less than one for all the sensitive receptors. Therefore, chronic noncarcinogenic hazards are less than significant.
Because cancer risks for the MEIR would not exceed South Coast AQMD significance threshold, construction activities associated with the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center are less than significant.
Therefore, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center would not result in new significant impacts or a substantial increase in significant impacts compared to the Approved Project.
Finding. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact associated with construction -phase LSTs and TACs for the Pacific Oak Commerce Center project. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
Impact 5.3-5: For Impact 5.3-5, refer to Section C, Findings on Significant Environmental Impacts that can be Reduced to a Less than Significant Level.
Impact 5.3-6: The proposed project would not result in other emissions that would adversely affect a substantial number of people [Threshold AQ-4]
Other Emissions/Odors
The threshold for odor is if a project creates an odor nuisance pursuant to South Coast AQMD Rule 402, Nuisance, which states:
A person shall not discharge from any source whatsoever such quantities of air contaminants or other material which cause injury, detriment, nuisance, or annoyance to any considerable number of persons or to the public, or which endanger the comfort, repose, health or safety of any such persons or the public, or which cause, or have a natural tendency to cause, injury or damage to business or property. The provisions of this rule shall not apply to odors emanating from agricultural operations necessary for the growing of crops or the raising of fowl or animals.
FCSP Buildout
Construction
During construction activities, construction equipment exhaust and application of asphalt and architectural coatings would generate odors. Any construction -related odor emissions would be Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
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Statement of Overriding Considerations - 24 -
temporary and intermittent. Additionally, noxious odors would be confined to the immediate vicinity of the construction equipment. By the time such emissions reached any sensitive receptor sites, they would be diluted to well below any level of air quality concern. Furthermore, short-term construction - related odors are expected to cease upon the drying or hardening of odor -producing materials.
Therefore, impacts associated with construction -generated odors are considered less than significant.
Operation
The type of facilities that are considered to have objectionable odors include wastewater treatment plants, compost facilities, landfills, solid waste transfer stations, fiberglass manufacturing facilities, paint/coating operations (e.g., auto body shops), dairy farms, petroleum refineries, asphalt batch plants, chemical manufacturing, and food manufacturing facilities. The Proposed Project includes residential and business park land uses and would not include these types of land uses. Additionally, agricultural land uses associated with the Live Oak Canyon Pumpkin Patch would be similar to existing conditions.
Additionally, the Proposed Project would be required to comply with South Coast AQMD Rule 402.
The Proposed Project would not result in a new impact or a substantial increase in the magnitude of impacts compared to the Approved Project. Therefore, like the Approved Project, the Proposed Project would not generate potentially significant odor impacts affecting a substantial number of people.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
The odor impacts of the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center are the same as for the Proposed Project.
Therefore, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not result in new impacts or a substantial increase in the magnitude of impacts compared to the Approved Project.
Finding. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact associated with the creation of other emissions/odors that would adversely affect'people.
Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
4. Biological Resources
Specific Plan PPPs
The following are plans, programs, and policies (PPPs) that would reduce the Proposed Project's potential biological resources impacts:
Development Standards
Chapter 4, Development Standards, of the FCSP regulates the planning and development of all properties in the plan area. The FCSP identifies general provisions; permitted land uses; development standards; landscape standards; sign regulations; common open space, parks, trails, and hillside preservation; and infrastructure for residential and nonresidential uses. For example, the Open Space — Conservation (OS-C) designation will preserve lands as open space in perpetuity.
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Design Guidelines
Chapter 5, Design Guidelines, of the FCSP provides direction concerning the site planning, landscaping, building design, and site features for residential and nonresidential uses. For example:
Outdoor light fixtures that provide nighttime safety and security should be selected to conserve energy, protect the night sky, and minimize glare and light trespass within and beyond the project site.
Impact 5.4-1: For Impact 5.4-1, refer to Section C, Findings on Significant Environmental Impacts that can be Reduced to a Less than Significan t Level.
Impact 5.4-2: Future development within the plan area could result in the loss of sensitive natural communities, including riparian habitat.
[Threshold B-21
Sensitive Natural Communities
FCSP Buildout
Refer to Section C, Findings on Significant Environmental Impacts that can be Reduced to a Less Than Significant Level.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
Future development on the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project site would not result in impacts to sensitive vegetation communities, as none exist in the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project site.
Therefore, no impacts would occur. Therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard compared to the Approved Project.
Finding. The Proposed Project would have no significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact on sensitive natural communities. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
Impact 5.4-3: For Impact 5.4-3, refer to Section C, Findings on Significant Environmental Impacts that can be Reduced to a Less than Significant Level.
Impact 5.4-4: For Impact 5.4-4, refer to Section C, Findings on Significant Environmental Impacts that can be Reduced to a Less than Significant Level.
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Impact 5.4-5: For Impact 5.4-5, refer to Section C, Findings on Significant Environmental Impacts that can be Reduced to a Less than Significant Level.
5. Cultural Resources
Specific Plan PPPs
There are no policies pertaining to cultural resources in the Freeway Corridor Specific Plan.
Impact 5.5-1: Development of the project could impact an identified historical resource. [Threshold C-11
Historical Resources
FCSP Buildout
Refer to Section C, Findings on Significant Environmental Impacts that can be Reduced to a Less Than Significant Level.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center Project
The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not result in any impacts to historic resources as there are no historic resources in the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project site. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.
Finding. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact on historic resources. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
Impact 5.5-2: For Impact 5.5-2, refer to Section C, Findings on Significant Environmental Impacts that can be Reduced to a Less than Significant Level.
Impact 5.5-3: Grading activities could potentially disturb human remains. [Threshold C-31 Human Remains
FCSP Buildout
As with the Approved Project, the Proposed Project would result in ground clearing, excavation, grading, and other construction activities. California Health and Safety Code Section 7050.5, CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.5, and PRC Section 5097.98 mandate the process to be followed in the event of an accidental discovery of any human remains in a location other than a dedicated cemetery.
Specifically, California Health and Safety Code, Section 7050.5, requires that if human remains are discovered on a project area, disturbance of the site shall remain halted until the coroner has conducted Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
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an investigation into the circumstances, manner, and cause of any death, and the recommendations concerning the treatment and disposition of the human remains have been made to the person responsible for the excavation, or to his or her authorized representative, in the manner provided in Section 5097.98 of the PRC. If the coroner determines that the remains are not subject to his or her authority and if the coroner recognizes or has reason to believe the human remains to be those of a Native American, he or she shall contact, by telephone within 24 hours, the Native American Heritage Commission. In the event soil -disturbing activities associated with the Proposed Project would result in the discovery of human remains, compliance with existing law would ensure that significant impacts to human remains would not occur.
Therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard compared to the Approved Project.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would result in the same impacts to human remains as identified for the Specific Plan. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.
Finding. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact on discovery of human remains. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
6. Energy
Specific Plan PPPs
The following are plans, programs, and policies (PPPs) that would reduce the Proposed Project's potential energy impacts:
Design Guidelines
The FCSP Update includes the following design guidelines:
■ Site Planning: Single -Family
Climatic factors, such as prevailing winds, solar orientation, shade trees, window and door orientation, and the positioning of buildings on the site, should be coordinated to maximize energy conservation.
■ Residential Outdoor Lighting
Outdoor light fixtures, including streetlights and lamps (light bulbs) that provide nighttime safety and security while conserving energy, protecting the night sky, and minimizing glare and light trespass within and beyond the project site, shall be chosen. ■ Non-residential Outdoor Lighting
Outdoor light fixtures that provide nighttime safety and security should be selected to conserve energy, protect the night sky, and minimize glare and light trespass within and beyond the project site.
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Impact 5.6-1: Implementation of the Proposed Project would not result in potentially significant environmental impact due to wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of energy, during project construction or operation. [Threshold E-1]
Energy Associated with Construction and Operational Impacts FCSP Buildout
Construction
Electricity use would fluctuate during construction, and it is anticipated that most electric -powered construction equipment would be hand tools and lighting, which would result in minimal electricity use during construction. Natural gas is not generally required to power construction equipment.
Transportation energy use during construction would come from delivery vehicles, haul trucks, and construction employee vehicles as well as off -road construction equipment. It is anticipated that the majority of off -road construction equipment, such as what is used during grading, would be gas or diesel powered. Fuel consumption during construction was calculated based on fuel consumption data for calendar years 2024 to 2029 from the EMFAC2021 (v. 1.0.2) and -OFFROAD2021 (v. 1.0.5) databases, and the results are shown in Table 5.6-2, FCSP Construction -Related Fuel Usage, of the Draft SEIR.
To limit wasteful and unnecessary energy consumption from transportation, the construction contractors would minimize nonessential idling of construction equipment during construction in accordance with the California Code of Regulations Title 13, Article 4.8, Chapter 9, Section 2449, which limits nonessential idling of diesel -powered off -road equipment to five minutes. In addition, the project site is served by Interstate 10 and other freeways in the region (e.g., State Route 60) that would provide direct routes from various areas of the region. Furthermore, both the Approved Project and Proposed Project would accommodate residential, retail, and commercial uses, which would be expected to require similar construction processes and result in similar energy consumption. The warehousing uses in the BP -designated areas introduced under the Proposed Project would be a new land use type compared to what was analyzed in the 2008 Certified EIR. However, it is anticipated that the construction processes needed for development of warehousing would be similar to other commercial uses. Therefore, in consideration of the factors discussed, the Proposed Project would not result in wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of fuel use during construction and would not result in new or a substantial increase in magnitude of impacts compared to the Approved Project.
Operation
Operation of new development projects under the Proposed Project would result in demands for electricity and natural gas. Operational use of electricity and natural gas would include heating, cooling, and ventilation of buildings; water heating; operation of electrical systems; use of on -site equipment and appliances; lighting; and charging electric vehicles. The electricity and natural gas consumption for the Proposed Project and the net change from the Approved Project are shown in Table 5.6-3, FCSP Electricdty and Natural Gas Demand, of the Draft SEIR. As shown in the Table, the Proposed Project Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
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would result in a decrease in electricity and natural gas demand compared to the Approved Project.
The decrease is generally attributable to the decrease in the regional commercial space.
Land uses accommodated under the FCSP would be subject to the Building Energy Efficiency Standards and CALGreen which would contribute to reducing building energy demands through energy efficiency and use of renewable energy. The 2022 Building Energy Efficiency Standards prescriptive approach includes photovoltaic and battery storage requirements for residential and nonresidential land uses, which would increase renewable energy use. For the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center, the two proposed warehouses would each have a photovoltaic system installed. Each system would generate up to 150,000 kWh per year of renewable electricity.
Under the Building Energy Efficiency Standards, buildings that are designed to meet the prescriptive approach are referred to as the "Standard Design Building." As an alternative, the Building Energy Efficiency Standards also allows projects to demonstrate under the performance approach that the building's energy efficiency would be equivalent to or greater than the Standard Design Building —that is, what the Proposed Project's energy efficiency performance would be if it were to include solar and battery storage. Compliance with the Building Energy Efficiency Standards would also include installation of a higher efficiency heating, ventilation, and thermal envelope (e.g., insulation materials), which would contribute to reducing natural gas demands and decreasing overall reliance on fossil fuels.
Furthermore, SCE is required to comply with the state's renewable portfolios standard (RPS), which mandates utilities to procure a certain proportion of electricity from eligible renewable and carbon -free sources and increasing the proportion through the coming years with an ultimate procurement requirement of 100 percent by 2045. The RPS requirements would support use of electricity by the Proposed Project that is generated from renewable or carbon -free sources.
Therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary energy demands as it pertains to building energy and would not result in new or a substantial increase in magnitude of impacts compared to the Approved Project.
Transportation Fuels
Table 5.6-4, FCSP Annual Operation -Related Fuel Usage, of the Draft SEIR, shows the annual transportation -related fuel usage for the Proposed Project and the net change compared to the Approved Project under buildout year conditions.
As shown in the Table, the FCSP would result in an increase in diesel fuel and compressed natural gas (CNG). The primary cause for the increase in diesel would be attributable to use of off -road cargo handling equipment, and to a lesser degree, an increase in heavy duty trucks that are associated with proposed warehousing uses. For CNG, the increase would be attributed to an increase in trucks generated by the proposed warehousing uses accommodated by the FCSP. Although there would be an increase in diesel and CNG demand, the Proposed Project would generally result in a decrease in Vehicle Miles Traveled (VM'I), which is consistent with the decrease in overall vehicle trips associated with the Proposed Project which would also result in a general decrease in gasoline and electricity demand.
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In addition to the decrease in V1VT per service population, fuel efficiency of vehicles during the next couple of decades to buildout year would, on average, improve compared to vehicle fuel efficiencies experienced under existing conditions, resulting in a lower per capita fuel consumption in later and buildout years assuming travel distances, travel modes, and trip rates remain the same. The improvement in fuel efficiency would be attributable to the statewide fuel reduction strategies and regulatory compliances (e.g., CAFE standards) that will make new cars more fuel efficient as well as the attrition of older, less fuel -efficient vehicles. The CAFE standards are not directly applicable to land use development projects, but to car manufacturers. However, compliance with the CAFE standards by car manufacturers would ensure that vehicles produced in future years have greater fuel efficiency and would generally result in an overall benefit of reducing fuel usage by providing the population of the project site's region with more fuel -efficient vehicle options.
Therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in new or a substantial increase in magnitude of impacts compared to that of the Approved Project, and impacts would be less than significant.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
Construction
Table 5.6-5, Pack Oaks Commerce Center Construction -Related Fuel Usage, of the Draft SEIR, shows the transportation energy use during construction of Wildwood Canyon Road and the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center warehouse facilities and trailer parking lot. Overall, the FCSP discussion regarding potential construction -related energy impacts is also applicable to the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center Project. Therefore, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not result in new impacts or a substantial increase in magnitude of impacts compared to the Approved Project.
Operation
Table 5.6-6, Pacific Oaks Commerce Center Operation -Related Fuel Usage, of the Draft SEIR shows the transportation energy use associated with operation of Pacific Oaks Commerce Center warehouse facilities and trailer parking lot. The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project is within the overall FCSP and accounted for in Table 5.6-4. Thus, the FCSP discussion regarding potential operation -related energy impacts is also applicable to the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center Project. Therefore, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not result in new impacts or a substantial increase in magnitude of impacts compared to the Approved Project.
Finding. Compliance with existing PPPs would minimize adverse impacts from energy use to less than significant levels. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact on energy resources. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
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Impact 5.6-2: The Proposed Project would not conflict with or obstruct implementation of plans for renewable energy or energy efficiency. [Threshold E-21 Plans for Renewable Energy
FCSP Buildout
California Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) Program
The state's electricity grid is transitioning to renewable energy, such as wind, solar, geothermal, etc., under California's RPS Program. In general, California has RPS requirements of 33 percent renewable energy by 2020 (SB X1-2), 44 percent by 2024, 50 percent by 2026, 52 percent by 2027, 60 percent by 2030, 90 percent by 2035, 95 percent by 2040, and 100 percent by 2045. The statewide RPS requirements do not directly apply to individual development projects, but to utilities and energy providers such as Southern California Edison (SCE), whose compliance with RPS requirements would contribute to the state objective of transitioning to renewable energy. Similar to the Approved Project, the land uses accommodated by the Proposed Project would comply with the current and future iterations of the Building Energy Efficiency Standards, which have requirements for installation of photovoltaic systems and battery storage for residential and non-residential land use types. Therefore, implementation of the Proposed Project would not conflict or obstruct implementation of California's RPS Program and would not result in new or a substantial increase in magnitude of impacts compared to the Approved Project.
City of Yucaipa Climate Action Plan (CAP
The City's CAP includes State and local energy -related measures. As discussed above for the Scoping Plan, the energy -related measures at the State level (e.g., Measure State-2: Title 24 Standards for Non - Residential and Residential Buildings) would provide downstream benefits at the local level. The local CAP energy -related measures primarily cover solar installation for existing residential and commercial uses and would generally not be applicable to the Proposed Project. While not directly energy -related, the Proposed Project would utilize recycled water for its landscaping and general outdoor water needs, which would be consistent with the Wastewater-3: Recycled Water local CAP measure. Use of recycled water would contribute to reducing electricity consumption associated with the transport of water.
Additionally, and overall, as discussed in Impact 5.6-1, the Proposed Project would result in a net decrease in energy demand compared to the Approved Project. This net decrease in energy demand would generally be consistent with the CAP goal of reducing energy demand to reduce energy -sector emissions (see Table 5.8-4 in Chapter 5.8, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, of this Draft SEIR). Therefore, implementation of the Proposed Project would not conflict or obstruct implementation of the City of Yucaipa CAP and would not result in new or a substantial increase in magnitude of impacts compared to the Approved Project.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
California Renewab/es Portfolio Standard Program
The FCSP discussion regarding consistency with California's RPS program is also applicable to the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center Project. As stated, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center warehouses Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
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would each install a photovoltaic system that would generate 150,000 kWh of renewable electricity per year per system. Therefore, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not conflict or obstruct implementation of California's RPS program and would not result in new or a substantial increase in magnitude of impacts compared to the Approved Project.
Citv of Yucaiva Climate Action Plan
The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project is encompassed within and part of the FCSP. Thus, the FCSP discussion regarding consistency with the City of Yucaipa CAP is also applicable to the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center Project. Therefore, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not conflict or obstruct implementation of the City's CAP and would not result in new or a substantial increase in magnitude of impacts compared to the Approved Project.
Finding. Compliance with existing PPPs would minimize adverse impacts from energy to less than significant levels. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact on consistency with the RPS and Yucaipa Climate Action Plan. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
7. Geology and Soils
Specific Plan PPPs
The following are plans, programs, and policies (PPPs) that would reduce the Proposed Project's potential geology and soils impacts:
The Specific Plan includes a variety of provisions, including Section 3.6 and Section 4.8, of the Specific Plan, which describe the required use of contour grading with undulating slopes and native plantings to provide for a transition between open space and future development that is intended to ensure that site grading efforts maintain a more naturalistic appearance.
Impact 5.7-1: Project residents or occupants, and visitors would be subject to potential seismic -related hazards resulting in risks to life or property. [Thresholds G-1i through G-1iv, and G-4])
Seismic -Related Hazards
FCSP Buildout
Refer to Section C, Findings on Significant Environmental Impacts that can be Reduced to a Less Than Significant Level.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center Project
In accordance with Mitigation Measures GS-1 and GS-2, site specific geotechnical (see Appendix H of the Draft SEIR) and hydrology studies (see Appendix L of the Draft SEIR) have been performed for the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project.
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Earthquakes and Ground -Rupture
The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project site is not located within an Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone or a designated fault zone. As indicated in the geotechnical report prepared for the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project, the possibility of significant fault rupture on the site is considered to be low. The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would be required to adhere to the latest version of the California Building Code (CBC) which provides procedures for earthquake resistant structural design. The Community Development Department would verify that the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project will adhere to the recommendations of the geotechnical report. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant. Therefore, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard, when compared to the impacts in the 2008 Certified EIR.
Landslides and Liquefaction
According to the geotechnical report, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project is not located within an area of liquefaction, and based on historic high groundwater research, which is considered to exist in a depth in excess of 50 feet, liquefaction is not considered to be a design concern for the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center site. Evidence of large-scale landslides or slope instability at the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center site was not observed; however, some of the slopes descending from the terraced older alluvium to the drainages below are relatively steep and it is expected that some near -surface slide material is likely present within some of these slope areas. The San Bernardino County Geologic Hazard Map indicates a low to moderate landslide susceptibility. The Community Development Department would verify that the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project will adhere to the recommendations of the geotechnical report. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.
Therefore, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard, when compared to the impacts in the 2008 Certified EIR.
Finding. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact to seismic -related hazards. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
Impact 5.7-2: Unstable geologic unit or soils conditions, including soil erosion, could result from development of the project resulting in risks to life or property. [Thresholds G-2, G-3, and G-41
Soils -Related Hazards
FCSP Buildout
Refer to Section C, Findings on Significant Environmental Impacts that can be Reduced to a Less Than Significant Level.
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Pacific Oaks Commerce Center Project
In accordance with Mitigation Measure GS-1 and GS-2, site specific geotechnical (see Appendix H of the Draft SEIR) and hydrology studies (see Appendix L of the Draft SEIR) have been performed for the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project.
Soil Erosion
According to the geotechnical report, artificial fill consisting of loose/medium stiff clayey fine to medium sand to fine to medium sandy clay, younger alluvium consisting of loose to medium dense silty fine sand and silty fine to coarse sand, older alluvium consisting primarily of loose to dense silty fine to medium sand and silty fine to coarse sand, and San Timoteo Formation bedrock consisting primarily of dense to very dense fine- to coarse -grained sandstone with variable silt content were encountered on the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center site. Implementation of the CBC, as well as best management practices in the hydrology report would ensure that erosion would be minimized. The Community Development Department would verify that the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project will adhere to the recommendations of the hydrology report.
According to the geotechnical report, preliminary site grading recommendations include remedial grading within the proposed building areas in order to remove all undocumented fill soils, which would generally be at a depth of approximately 10 feet. Soils classified as younger alluvium are expected to require overexcavation to a depth of at least 10 feet below the existing grade. The geotechnical report indicated that recommendations should be confirmed as part of the design -level geotechnical investigation. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant and the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard than were analyzed in the 2008 Certified EIR.
Expansive Soils
The geotechnical report indicated that the expansion potential of soils in the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project site ranged from non -expansive to medium expansion. However, mass grading of the site is expected to blend onsite soils, resulting in a very low to low expansive potential. The geotechnical report indicates that additional expansion testing should be performed at the time of the design -level geotechnical investigation. The Community Development Department would verify that the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project will adhere to the recommendations of the geotechnical report.
Therefore, impacts would be less than significant and the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard than were analyzed in the 2008 Certified EIR.
Lateral Spreading
According to the geotechnical report, the static groundwater table is considered to exist at a depth greater than 50 feet below existing grades. As the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center site is not mapped within an area susceptible to liquefaction, impacts would be less than significant. The Community Development Department would verify that the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project will adhere to the recommendations of the geotechnical report. As such, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
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would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard than were analyzed in the 2008 Certified EIR.
Subsidence
According to the geotechnical report, removal and recompaction of the near -surface fill and alluvial soils is estimated to result in an average shrinkage of 5 to 15 percent. The groundwater table is considered to exist at a depth greater than 50 feet, and sustainable groundwater management practices by local water companies reduce the potential for future land subsidence. The geotechnical report indicates that no significant subsidence is expected to occur in excavations that are underlain by bedrock. The Community Development Department would verify that the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project will adhere to the recommendations of the geotechnical report. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant and the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard than were analyzed in the 2008 Certified EIR.
Finding. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact to soils -related hazards. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
Impact 5.7-3: Soil conditions may not adequately support proposed septic tanks. [Threshold G-51
Septic Tanks
FCSP Buildout
The FCSP Buildout would not include the installation of new septic tanks, and there would be no impact.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not include the installation of new septic tanks, and there would be no impact.
Finding. Compliance with existing PPPs would minimize adverse impacts of geology and soils resources to less than significant levels. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact to septic tanks. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
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Impact 5.7-4: For Impact 5.7-4, refer to Section C, Findings on Significant Environmental Impacts that can be Reduced to a Less than Significant Level.
8. Hazards and Hazardous Materials
Specific Plan PPPs
The following are plans, programs, and policies (PPPs) that would reduce the Proposed Project's potential hazards and hazardous materials impacts:
Development Standards
Development is required to adhere to the requirements identified in the Specific Plan.
Fire Protection Plan
Development within the FCSP is required to adhere to the requirements identified in the FCSP Fire Protection Plan (see Appendix S of the Draft SEIR).
Section 2.2.5 Fire Protection Features' Beneficial Effect on Wildfire Ignition Risk Reduction
1. Ignition Resistant, Planning, and Maintained Landscape. Landscaping within the plan area, including common areas and Fuel Modification Zones (FMZ), would be subject to strict plant types that are lower ignition plants. Landscaping close to structures will require irrigation to maintain high plant moistures.
2. Fuel Modification Zones. All development within the plan area will provide an FMZ, which would be 100 feet and includes specifically selected plant species, very low fuel densities (only 30 percent retention of native plants in outer zones and irrigated inner zones), and ongoing maintenance, resulting in a wide buffer between the developed areas and the off -site native fuels.
3. Annual FMZ Inspections. All developments within the Specific Plan area, each developer would have a contracted, 3rd party, Yucaipa Fire Department —approved FMZ inspector perform two inspections per year to ensure that FMZs are maintained in a condition that is consistent with the City's and Fire Protection Plan requirements and would provide a benefit of a wide barrier separating wildland fuels from on -site ignitions.
4. Ignition Resistant Structures. Structures within the plan area would be built to the CBC Chapter 7A ignition resistant requirements that have been developed and codified after fire save and loss assessments. These measures would result in structures that are designed, built, and maintained to withstand fire and embers associated with wildfires.
5. Interior Fire Sprinklers. Developments within the plan area would include interior fire sprinklers, which are designed to provide additional time for occupants to escape the structures. Sprinklers are also designed to provide structural protection.
6. Fire Access Roads. All roads within the plan area would provide code -consistent access throughout each development, including at least two points of ingress/egress.
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7. Water. Future development within the plan area will provide water for firefighting throughout the project site, including fire hydrants accessible by fire engines, which is a critical component of suppressing both structural and vegetation fires. All development in the plan area will provide firefighting water volume, availability, and sustained pressures to the satisfaction of Yucaipa Fire Department.
Section 5.4 Defensible Space and Vegetation Management
This section of the Fire Protection Plan includes defensible space and FMZ requirements. An FMZ is a strip of land where combustible vegetation has been removed and/or modified and partially or completely replaced with more adequately spaced, drought -tolerant, fire-resistant plants to give structures a reasonable level of protection from wildland fire. The FMZ would include a minimum 5- foot-wide noncombustible Zone A, a 45-foot-wide irrigated Zone B, and a 50-foot-wide thinning Zone C. In areas that would be unable to achieve 100 feet of FMZ, the incorporation of enhanced construction features, such as a 6-foot heat deflecting wall constructed of concrete masonry units between on -site structures and unmaintained open space would be used to provide a functional equivalency for a full FMZ. FMZs would be maintained on at least an annual basis or more often as needed to maintain the fuel modification buffer function. An on -site inspection will be conducted by the Yucaipa Fire Department upon completion of landscape installation before a certificate of occupancy being granted by the City's building code official.
Additionally, a fire access road zone would provide 10 feet of horizontal clearance on each side and 20 feet of vertical clearance along all fire access roads. This zone would also require an unobstructed vertical clearance of 20 feet, appropriate placing of landscaping and native plants, lower flammability trees, and maintenance of landscaping and other features.
Prior to the start of construction, perimeter fuel modification areas would be implemented and approved by the Yucaipa Fire Department from combustible materials that are brought on -site. This includes removing 50 percent of the existing flammable vegetation and removing dead fuel, ladder fuel, and downed fuel.
Appendix D of the Fire Protection Plan contains a list of undesirable plants that have highly flammable characteristics. These characteristics can be physical (structure promotes ignition or combustible) or chemical (volatile chemicals increase flammability or combustion characteristics). These plants could not be planted or allowed to establish opportunistically within the FMZs or landscape areas.
Conditions of Approval
Specific Plan
■ Prior to approval of recording any final map or issuance of a Building Permit, a Community Facilities District (CFD) or Fire Service Agreement (FSA) shall be approved and implemented to support the needs of the Yucaipa Fire Department to serve the FCSP. In particular, the CFD or FSA shall address the equipment requirements related to an identified need for an aerial ladder and/or Type 6 Medic Patrol or Medic Squad to adequately ensure availability of needed resources.
The CFD or FSA shall be approved in cooperation with the Yucaipa Fire Department, City of Yucaipa Planning Department, and property owners (or residents if a CFD is approved requiring Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
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voter approval [greater than 12 property owners]). The parties may agree to an alternate funding mechanism from the options described in the Specific Plan as desired. ■ Projects with square footages over 400,000 square feet, or those that are three or more stories tall, or higher than 45 tall will participate in a fair -share funding agreement for an aerial ladder truck.
The funding amounts are to be determined by the City and respective Applicant.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
This project is protected by the Yucaipa Fire Department / CalFire. Prior to any construction occurring on any parcel, the applicant shall contact the Fire Marshall for verification of current fire protection development requirements. All new construction shall comply with the adopted Uniform Fire Code and all applicable statutes, codes, ordinances, standards and policies of the Yucaipa Fire Department/CalFire.
■ This project is in Fire Safety Review Area 2. This is a high fire hazard brush area. This project shall comply with the construction and development standards for a FR-2 Area. Contact the City Building & Safety Division for FR-2 Area construction and development standards.
Fire Department access roads and/or public/private streets shall meet the Fire Department minimum width standard of 24 feet. Within FR-1 zone minimum width shall be 26 feet. Access roads shall be paved (asphalt/concrete) and in place prior to placement of combustible material on site. Fire Department minimum paving thickness shall be no less than 4 inches. This standard shall not lessen other agency requirements.
■ Fire Department access roads and/or public/private streets and residential driveways shall have a minimum vertical clearance of 13 feet and 6 inches.
■ Fire Department access roadways and/or public/private streets and driveways shall not exceed 12 percent grade (please note: Engineering Division requirements may be more restrictive). ■ Cul-de-sacs shall not exceed 600 feet in total length, unless otherwise approved by the Fire Department.
■ Required fire flow for this project, as determined by I.S.O. Formula, is as follows: GPM = 8,000, at 20 psi residual; for 4 hour duration A reduction in the required fire flow rate may be allowed per the exceptions specified in the California Fire Code. System shall be looped with minimum 8 inch mains; 6 inch laterals; 6 inch risers; 6 inch diameter hydrants with one 2 1/z" outlet and one 4" outlet.
Approved fire hydrants capable of supplying required fire flow shall be provided to all premises upon which facilities, buildings or portions of buildings are constructed or moved within the jurisdiction. When any portion of the facility or building protected is in excess of 400 feet from a fire hydrant on a public street, as measured by an approved route around the exterior of the facility or building, additional fire hydrants meeting the required fire flow shall be provided.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 39 -
■ Fire hydrants shall be installed at locations to be determined by the California Fire Code (2022) Appendix "C". Required fire flow to be determined by the California Fire Code (2022) Appendix "B". Minimum fire flow shall not be less than 8,000 gpm (exceptions not applied). ■ A greenbelt or fuel modification zone plan shall be required and bonded for this project. Fuel modification plan requirements shall be site specific to this project. The applicant shall submit a fuel modification plan to the Fire Department for review and comments or approval. Maintenance provisions of the fuel modification zone shall be approved by the Fire Department. Maintenance of the fuel modification zone, located in designated open space, and enforcement of the fuel modification zone, within the property of individual property owners, shall be the responsibility of a homeowners' association or other approved maintenance authority that is acceptable to the Fire Department.
■ Three sets of water delivery system plans, designed to meet the required fire flow for this project and/or development shall be submitted to the Fire Department for approval. ■ Applicant -developer shall provide the Fire Department with a letter from the water company serving the project -development, verifying that financial arrangements have been made and bonds posted for the required Fire Department approved water improvements. ■ Prior to any construction, the entire fuel modification zone required and approved by the Fire Department shall be completed. Any phased implementation of the fuel modification zone shall be done only with prior approval of the Fire Department. ■ A fuel break of 100 feet (brush and weed clearance) is required prior to construction. The clearance shall be maintained on a year-round basis.
■ An additional fuel modification zone of 100 feet shall be provided on all side(s) of the proposed structure(s). Fuels in this zone are to be thinned and/or removed or otherwise modified to provide a reasonable level of fire defense protection to the proposed structure(s). ■ Fire hydrants shall be installed and operational as per approved water system delivery plans prior to any framing, construction, or delivery of combustible materials to project site. ■ An alternative type of construction providing a higher level of fire resistance is required. Contact the Fire Department or City Building Official for more information. ■ Fire Department access roadways and/or public/private streets exceeding 150 feet in length shall have a Fire Department approved turn -around at the terminus (cul-de-sac). Minimum radius shall be not less than 48 feet.
■ Fire Department access roadways and/or public/private streets and driveways shall extend to within one hundred fifty (150) feet of and shall give reasonable access to all portions of the exterior walls of the first story of any building. An access road, approved by the Fire Department, shall be provided to within fifty (50) feet of all structures when the natural grade between access road and Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
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structure is in excess of 30 percent. Where an approved access road cannot be provided, a fire protection system shall be required and approved by the Fire Department.
The development and/or project, and each phase thereof, shall have a minimum of two (2) remote points of access, including a secondary access, for fire and other emergency equipment and for routes of escape which will safely handle evacuations.
Manual operated gates across Fire Department access roadways, public and/or private streets and driveways, shall be equipped with approved emergency key -operated ("Knox" type) locks. For automatic gates, a "Knox" keyed emergency access switch shall be installed at location determined by Fire Department, and shall over -ride all command functions and open gate automatically upon activation. All automatic gates shall have a manual over -ride for use during loss of electric power. "Knox box" request forms are available from the Fire Department. ■ "No Parking - Fire Lane" signs shall be posted at locations designated by Fire Marshall. Fire lane curbs shall be painted red with white letters stating "No Parking — Fire Lane". ■ On site fire hydrants capable of supplying required fire flow shall be installed at locations identified by the Fire Marshall. System shall be looped with minimum 8 inch mains; 6 inch laterals; 6 inch risers; 6 inch diameter hydrants with one 21/2" outlet and one 4" outlet. ■ Approved fire hydrant pavement markers shall be installed. ■ Automatic fire sprinklers shall be installed according to NFPA 13 and Fire Department requirements. Submit 3 sets of shop plans with material cut sheets and hydraulic calculations, indicating the type of occupancy, type of materials to be stored (if any), for Fire Department review and approval prior to any installation. Submit copy of California C-16 license. ■ Automatic fire sprinkler control devices (P.I.V. & O.S.&Y.) shall be visible from Fire Department access roadway, and identify system being controlled and address of structure. Fire Department Connection (FDC) shall be located no closer than 50 feet and not to exceed 150 feet from structure. Required fire hydrant shall have a maximum distance from FDC of 30 feet. FDC shall identify address and system of structure being protected. ■ A minimum of one 2A-10BC fire extinguisher shall be installed for each 3,000 sq. ft. of floor area.
Travel distance to any one fire extinguisher shall not exceed 75 feet. Additional fire extinguishers, size and class to be determined by Fire Department, may be required. Fire extinguishers shall be serviced annually and shall have a current sfm service tag attached.
An automatic fire detection and alarm system meeting the requirements of UFC Article 10, CBC and NFPA 72 shall be installed. Three sets of shop plans with material cut sheets and calculations shall be submitted to the Fire Department for review and approval prior to installation. ■ Dependent on occupancy type and load, an automatic smoke removal system shall be installed.
The system shall comply with the UFC and CBC requirements. Three sets of shop plans with Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
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material cut sheets and calculations shall be submitted to the Fire Department for review and approval prior to installation.
■ Dependent on occupancy type and load, an automatic smoke ventilation system shall be installed.
Roof vent, venting ratios and draft curtains shall be provided. Three (3) sets of shop plans with material cut sheets and calculations shall be submitted to the Fire Department for review and approval prior to installation.
■ High Fire Hazard Areas FR-1 & FR-2: one -hour fire resistive construction is required for exterior walls. Contact Fire Marshall or City Building Official for more information. ■ The main electrical panel and all sub -panels shall be labeled on inside cover for all circuits. ■ Water heater (fuel fired) shall be properly vented to exterior of structure. Water heater shall be seismic strapped to wall and be located 18" above a garage floor. ■ Commercial and industrial structures/occupancies and gated complexes shall have a "knox box" system installed on the exterior of the buildings or complex. Location of device to be determined by the Fire Department. The box shall contain keys necessary to gain access and may contain pre - plans and msds information as required by the Fire Department. ■ Commercial exit requirements:
A. Required exit doors shall be maintained in an operable condition at all times.
B. Required exit doors shall swing outward and away in the direction of exit travel.
C. Obstructions shall not be placed in the required width of an exit. Exits shall not be blocked or locked shut or obstructed in any manner during business hours.
D. Exit paths shall be illuminated when structure is occupied.
E. Exit path illumination shall be supplied from 2 sources of power when occupant load is one 100 persons or more.
F. When exit way/exit pathway and/or exit doorway is not easily identified, additional exit signs shall be installed.
G. Exit signs shall be internally or externally illuminated by two lamps or shall be of the self - luminous type.
■ All flammable and combustible liquid storage and dispensing shall be in accordance with applicable sections of the UFC Article 79 and City codes and ordinances. Plan review and annual permit to operate from the Fire Department is required.
■ Address numbers shall be provided along the roofs of the warehouse structures to aid aerial police and fire support personnel the ability to locate each site.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 42 -
Commercial and industrial buildings in excess of 20,000 square feet and with an interior area more than 150 feet from exterior exit, shall be equipped with a Class I standpipe system or as needed to meet California Fire Code Section 905. Standpipe connections shall be configured to reach any portion of interior space within 150 feet in any direction of travel. This system shall be calculated to provide 500 gpm from an adjacent automatic fire sprinkler riser at 100 psi nozzle pressure for two hand lines flowing.
To ensure that the construction of the proposed 'structures does not impact the Yucaipa Fire Department's Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating, applicant shall pay to the City approximately half of the cost of a ladder truck fire apparatus (with associated equipment) in the amount of $490,000 to be used by the City to assist with the purchase of the ladder truck.
Impact 5.9-1: Project construction and/or operations would involve the transport, use, and/or disposal of hazardous materials but would comply with existing regulations to minimize risk. [Thresholds H-1, H-2, and H-3] Transport, Use, and Disposal of Hazardous Materials
FCSP Buildout
In comparison to the land uses for the plan area designated in the 2008 Certified EIR, the Proposed Project would designate 48.8 acres for agro-commercial tourism. Similar to the 2008 Certified EIR, the residential regional commercial and business park uses, the residential areas, and the regional commercial and business park areas of the Proposed Project would result in the routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials. The agro-commercial tourism portion of the Proposed Project is not introducing new areas of agriculture because this area is already being used that way. The nearest school to the plan area is the Mesa View Middle School approximately 0.27-mile south of the plan area in the City of Calimesa, and therefore, would not handle hazardous materials within a quarter mile of a school site. Hazardous materials use in the plan area was anticipated and addressed in the 2008 Certified EIR. Overall, existing regulations with respect to hazardous materials transportation, management, and disposal are designed to be protective of human health. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Emergency Planning and Community Right -to -Know Act, and state regulations all minimize potential hazardous material impacts. Therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard when compared to the Approved Project.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would result in the same impacts to hazards and hazardous materials as identified for the Specific Plan. As identified above, the nearest school to the plan area is the Mesa View Middle School approximately 0.27-mile south of the plan area in the City of Calimesa, and therefore, would not handle hazardous materials within a quarter mile of a school site. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant. The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard when compared to the Approved Project.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 43 -
Finding. Compliance with existing PPPs would minimize adverse impacts from hazards and hazardous materials to less than significant levels. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact from transport, use, and disposal of hazardous materials. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
Impact 5.6-2: The plan area is not on a list of hazardous materials sites. [Threshold H-4] Hazardous Materials Sites
FCSP Buildout
According to a review of online databases that identify hazardous materials sites (EnviroMapper, GeoTrackex, and EnviroStor), there are no hazardous materials cleanup sites or hazardous waste facility sites on or immediately adjacent to the plan area. Therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard, when compared to the Approved Project.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center site, like the plan area, does not contain any hazardous materials cleanup sites or hazardous waste facility sites. The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would result in the same impacts to hazards and hazardous materials as identified for the Specific Plan. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant. The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard when compared to the Approved Project.
Finding. Compliance with existing PPPs would minimize adverse impacts from hazards and hazardous materials to less than significant levels. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact associated with hazardous materials sites.
Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
Impact 5.6-3: The project site is not located in the vicinity of an airport or within the jurisdiction of an airport land use plan. [Threshold H-5] Airport Hazards
FCSP Buildout
The closest airport to the project site is the Redlands Municipal Airport, 5.3 miles northwest of the plan area. The plan area does not lie within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, or within an airport land use plan. Additionally, the Proposed Project would not construct new development that would interfere with airport operations. There has been no change in conditions since the 2008 Certified EIR. Therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts related to airports when compared to the Approved Project.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 44 -
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would result in the same impacts to hazards and hazardous materials as identified for the Specific Plan. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant. The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard when compared to the Approved Project.
Finding. Compliance with existing PPPs would minimize adverse impacts from hazards and hazardous materials to less than significant levels. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact associated with airport hazards. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
Impact 5.6-4: Project development would not affect the implementation of an emergency responder or evacuation plan. [Threshold H-6]
Emergency Responder/Evacuation Plans
FCSP Buildout
The City of Yucaipa Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) provides guidance and procedures for the City to prepare for and respond to extraordinary emergency situations requiring coordinated response.
Development of the plan area in accordance with the Proposed Project would include construction that may temporarily impact traffic in the plan area. Temporary traffic diversion, truck haul routes, and impacts to the roadway would be coordinated with the City and applicable emergency response agencies to ensure adequate access during any construction activities. The City's Building and Safety Department, along with the Yucaipa Fire Department/Fire Marshall and Sheriffs Department, would review building plans during plan check to ensure that adequate site access is ' maintained and that roadway improvements and project driveways would not interfere with circulation on adjacent streets.
The Proposed Project would include the various features to ensure fire access and evacuation on the plan area roadways, such as ensuring compliance with access road standards, internal roadways to be a minimum of 20 feet wide, fire apparatus access road gradients do not exceed 12 percent, streets meet fire code requirements, adequate vertical clearance of vegetation, cul-de-sacs and fire apparatus turnarounds will meet requirements and Yucaipa Fire Department standards, traffic lights are compatible with devices on fire apparatus (traffic pre-emption devices), roadways/driveways provide fire department access within 150 feet of all portions of the exterior wall, roadway design features do not interfere with emergency apparatus, and access roads are suable by a fire apparatus prior to lumber drop onsite.
However, as discussed in Chapter 5.14, Populations and Housing, of this Draft SEIR, the Proposed Project would increase the residential units and total residents by 25 dwelling units and 69 residents, respectively, compared to the Approved Project. Additionally, the Proposed Project would decrease the number of jobs by 317 jobs compared to the Approved Project, and the employment centers would include more logistics and warehousing than the Approved Project, which would reduce the number Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
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of visitors to the plan area due to fewer retail and commercial uses. This change to the number of residents and jobs would reduce daily weekday trips under the Proposed Project by 81,073 trips when compared to the Approved Project, as discussed in Chapter 5.17, Transportation, of this Draft SEIR.
Therefore, if the entire plan area were to evacuate at the same time, the number of vehicles needing to evacuate would be reduced under the Proposed Project.
Effective emergency response depends on the Fire Department response times throughout the plan area. As discussed in Chapter 5.15, Public Services, and the Fire Protection Plan, Yucaipa Fire Station 3 would provide initial response to the plan area with an average response time of 8 minutes and 36 seconds. Although this response time is beyond the five-minute response standard, given the Project's fire safety features and the flexibility allowed by the response time 90 percent achievement rate, the response time is considered to substantially conform with the Fire Department's internal standards, subject to Fire Department review. Therefore, the Proposed Project would not impair the EOP more substantially than the Approved Project.
Additionally, like the Approved Project, including the approved Conditions of Approval, the Proposed Project would include fire safety features that would ensure adequate emergency fire access and resident or employee evacuation. These include ignition -resistant landscaping, fuel modification zones around roads and buildings, code -compliant access roads, and adequate water for fire suppression, which would assist the Yucaipa Fire Department and other emergency response agencies in responding to emergencies within the plan area. Additionally, the Proposed Project would be required to comply with the State and local regulations and requirements to ensure adequate road widths and clearances for emergency vehicles and access. Therefore, the Proposed Project would not substantially impair implementation of the EOP or Evacuation Routes when compared to the Approved Project. .
Emergency response and evacuation could be hindered by construction activities. However, all construction staging would be within the plan area and would not block access to and from the plan area. The construction would be phased over 15 to 20 years and would have similar construction activities to that of the Approved Project. Therefore, the Proposed Project would not impede emergency access to or evacuation from the surrounding community compared to the Approved Project.
The Proposed Project would not result in new impacts or a substantial increase in magnitude of impacts to adopted emergency response and evacuation plans compared to the Approved Project. Impacts would be less than significant.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would result in the same impacts to hazards and hazardous materials as identified for the Specific Plan. The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would include fire safety features that would ensure adequate emergency fire access and resident or employee evacuation. These include ignition -resistant landscaping, fuel modification zones around roads and buildings, code -compliant access roads, and adequate water for fire suppression, which would assist the Yucaipa Fire Department and other emergency response agencies in responding to emergencies within the plan area. Additionally, the Proposed Project would be required to comply with the State and local regulations and requirements to ensure adequate road widths and clearances for emergency Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
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Statement of Overriding Considerations - 46 -
vehicles and access. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant. The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard when compared to the Approved Project.
Finding. Compliance with existing PPPs would minimize adverse impacts from hazards and hazardous materials to less than significant levels. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact associated with interfering with emergency response and evacuation plans. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
Impact 5.9-5: The project site is in a designated very high fire hazard severity zone and could expose structures and/or residences to fire danger. [Threshold H-71 Fire Hazard Zones
FCSP Buildout
The Proposed Project would result in an increase of 25 dwelling units and 69 people, a reduction of approximately 2.28 million square feet of Regional Commercial (RC), an increase of approximately
2.79 million square feet of Business Park (BP), and a reduction of 317 employees in comparison to the Approved Project.
The Approved Project contains several Conditions of Approval to reduce exposure to wildfire or pollutants from wildfire. Several of these conditions are now requirements in the California Building Code, California Fire Code, Fire Safe Regulations, and/or the Yucaipa Municipal Code. The Conditions of Approval include a 100-foot fuel break prior construction and maintained year-round; fire hydrants installed and operational prior to framing, construction or delivery of combustible materials to a project site; ensuring water storage and delivery during construction prior to framing, construction, or delivery of combustible materials to a project site; compliance with all applicable fire codes/statutes/policies; fire department access roads and/or public and private streets shall meet the Fire Department minimum width standard of 24 feet, or 26 feet in the FR-1 Zone; cul-de-sac and dead-end streets shall not exceed 350 feet in FR-1 areas; installation of fire hydrants; a greenbelt or fuel modification zone plan; and so on.
The Proposed Project would include similar vegetation management, water, street design, and fuel break features throughout the plan area. Additionally, the California Building Code, California Fire Code, and Fire Safe Regulations have been updated since the certification of the 2008 EIR, and therefore the Proposed Project would be required to go beyond the requirements of the Approved Project for vegetation and fuel management in the plan area to reduce wildfire impacts. Furthermore, the Proposed Project would go beyond the code requirements to include a fuel management zone (FMZ) with an added noncombustible zone, advanced protection measures where a 100-foot FMZ is not possible, FMZ inspections, and a Homeowners Association education and outreach program.
A Fire Protection Plan (FPP) has been prepared for the Proposed Project (see Appendix S of the Draft SEIR), and development would comply with this plan. The FPP also describes applicable State of California, County of San Bernardino, and the City of Yucaipa building code and fire Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
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prevention/protection measures. With implementation of the FPP and applicable regulatory requirements, the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts related to wildfire impacts than land development for the plan area as permitted under the Approved Project.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would result in the same impacts fire hazards as identified for the Specific Plan. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant. Therefore, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard when compared to the Approved Project.
Finding. Compliance with existing PPPs would minimize adverse impacts from hazards and hazardous materials to less than significant levels. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact associated with fire. hazard zones. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
9. Hydrology and Water Quality
Specific Plan PPPs
There are no specific FCSP development standards or design guidelines pertaining to hydrology and water quality. The FCSP development standards and design guidelines for hydrology and water quality will defer to the existing policies the City has in place.
Impact 5.10-1: For Impact 5.10-1, refer to Section C, Findings on Significant Environmental Impacts that can be Reduced to a Less than Significant Level.
Impact 5.10-2: The Proposed Project would not substantially decrease groundwater supplies or interfere substantially with groundwater recharge such that the Proposed Project could impede sustainable groundwater management of the basin. [Threshold HYD-2]
Groundwater Supplies/Recharge
FCSP Buildout
Yucaipa Valley Water District (YVNYD) supplies potable water to the City from groundwater resources, imported water resources, and local surface water resources. All outdoor water demand for the Proposed Project would be recycled water. The YVWD currently extracts groundwater from three basins: the Yucaipa Basin, the Beaumont Adjudicated Basin, and the Bunker Hill Subbasin. Future groundwater demands would be supplied by an additional fourth groundwater basin, the San Timoteo Basin.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 48 -
The observed storage increase over the last 10 years in the Yucaipa basin indicates that the Yucaipa Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) member agencies have been managing the groundwater resource sustainably. The Yucaipa GSA adopted a Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) for the Yucaipa Basin in January of 2022 to manage groundwater resources for sustainable, long-term use of the Yucaipa Basin. Additionally, the adjudication of the Beaumont Basin defines overlying and appropriated pumping rights and ensures sustainable management of the basin. The Bunker Hill Basin is a subbasin of the San Bernardino Basin, which is categorized by the Department of Water Resources (DWR) as a very low priority basin and is an adjudicated basin. The San Bernardino Basin is managed by the San Bernardino Basin Groundwater Council, which was formed in 2018. The San Timoteo Basin is also a low priority basin. The San Timoteo GSA manages part of the unadjudicated portion of the San Timoteo Basin and coordinates activities to carry out the purposes of the memorandum of agreement in implementing the policy, purposes, and requirements of Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SWMA) within the boundaries of the San Timoteo Basin.
Additionally, the Proposed Project would not involve direct withdrawals from the groundwater basin and would not be in areas that are actively used for groundwater recharge. Development projects within the FCSP would be required to infiltrate, where feasible, to recharge groundwater and meet water quality standards. To protect the groundwater basin, infiltration may not be allowable in areas with a history of contamination or within 100 feet of potable wells, nonpotable wells, drain fields, and springs.
YVWD also imposes specific conditions on new development through the parcel development process and requires that applicants for a new development project fund the purchase of seven acre-feet of imported supplemental water per equivalent dwelling unit prior to issuance of grading or building permits. Therefore, the Proposed Project would not substantially decrease groundwater supplies or interfere with groundwater recharge, and impacts would be less than significant. Therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard compared to the Approved Project.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center is within the FCSP and would be served by the same groundwater source as the rest of the proposed development within the plan area, would not involve direct withdrawal of groundwater, and would not be in an area that is actively used for groundwater recharge.
Therefore, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard compared to the Approved Project.
Finding. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact associated with groundwater supply and recharge. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
Impact 5.10-3: For Impact 5.10-3, refer to Section C, Findings on Significant Environmental Impacts that can be Reduced to a Less than Significant Level.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 49 -
Impact 5.10-4: The Proposed Project would not substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site in a manner which would impede or redirect flood flows, and would not risk release of pollutants due to project inundation in flood hazard, tsunami, or seiche zones. [Threshold HYD-3 (iv) and HYD-4] Flood Hazards and Release of Pollutants due to Inundation FCSP Buildout
Most of the areas within Flood Zone A, in the plan area, are zoned as open space and agricultural areas by the Proposed Project. However, portions of planning areas PA-8, PA-11, C-5, C-6, BP-4, and BP- 5 are within Zones AE and AO regulatory floodways. Although development in the 100-year flood hazard zone is not anticipated, any such development would require submittal of a letter of map revision application to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for review and approval.
New development would be required to meet federal floodplain regulations, including that the lowest floor of the structure is raised above the 100-year base flood elevation. Development would also comply with County and local approval agency regulations on floodplain and floodway management, which includes conformance with FEMA regulations for Special Flood Hazard Areas. Wildwood Creek and Yucaipa Creek (Zone A) are the primary floodways in the plan area and would be largely protected through buffers where no construction would occur, and where appropriate, detention basins would be integrated to manage flood flows and overflow areas while protecting development farther from the creek. Furthermore, the City has Developmental Standards that ensure floodplain regulations are taken to provide safety, promote public health, and minimize public and private economic losses in flood prone areas.
The plan area is not in the inundation zone of any dams, and no surface water bodies pose a flood hazard to the plan area due to a seiche. The plan area is also not at risk of flooding from tsunami.
Therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard when compared to the 2008 Certified EIR.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project is in Zone D, with a portion outside the 500-year floodplain and a portion within an area of undetermined flood hazard. The development would be required to meet federal floodplain regulations and local approval agency regulations on floodplain and floodway management. Furthermore, the City's development standards would ensure floodplain regulations are followed to provide safety, promote public health, and minimize public and private economic losses within flood -prone areas.
The plan area is not within the inundation zone of any dams, and no surface water bodies pose a flood hazard to the plan area due to a seiche. The plan area is also not at risk of flooding from tsunami.
Therefore, impacts would be less than significant. The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard compared to the Approved Project.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 50 -
Finding. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact associated with flood hazards and release of pollutants due to inundation. Accordingly, no changes or alterations 'to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
Impact 5.10-5: The Proposed Project would not conflict with or obstruct implementation of a water quality control plan or sustainable groundwater management plan. [Threshold HYD-5].
Conflicting with the Implementation of a Water Quality Plan FCSP Buildout
The proposed new residential and nonresidential uses would adhere to the state Construction General Permit (CGP), implement Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs), and adhere to the City's requirements, as described in detail in Impact 5.10-1 of the Draft SEIR. This would ensure that surface and groundwater quality are not adversely impacted during construction. In addition, development of the Proposed Project would comply with the San Bernardino County Technical Guidance Document (TGD) and the municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4) requirements. As a result, the FCSP would not obstruct or conflict with the implementation of the Basin Plan.
The plan area would be connected to YVWD's public water supply, and groundwater withdrawals from the Yucaipa groundwater basin are subject to requirements in the GSP. The San Timoteo GSA manages part of the unadjudicated portion of the San Timoteo Basin and coordinates activities to carry out the policy, purposes, and requirements of SGMA in the San Timoteo Basin. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant, and the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard when compared to the Approved Project.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project is within the overall plan area for the FCSP and affects the same surface and groundwater resources. Future development would comply with the same requirements as other development within the plan area. Therefore, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard compared to the Approved Project.
Finding. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact associated with conflicting with a water quality plan. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
10. Land Use and Planning
Specific Plan PPPs
The following are plans, programs, and policies (PPPs) that would reduce the Proposed Project's potential land use and planning impacts:
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 51 -
Development Standards
The Specific Plan regulates the planning and development of properties in the plan area under Chapter 4, Development Standards. The development standards for land uses in the Specific Plan include general provisions; permitted land uses; development standards; landscape standards; sign regulations; common open space, parks, trails, and hillside preservation; and infrastructure for residential and nonresidential uses.
Design Guidelines
The Specific Plan includes design guidelines in Chapter 5, Design Guidelines, for site planning, landscaping, building design, and site design standards for proposed residential and nonresidential uses to maintain the rural character of Yucaipa.
Impact 5.11-1: Project implementation would not divide an established community. [Threshold LU-11
Dividing and Established Community
FCSP Buildout
Division of an established community commonly occurs because of construction and development of physical features that constitute a barrier to easy and frequent travel between two or more constituent parts of a community. For example, a large freeway structure with few crossings could effectively split a community. The plan area currently consists of primarily agricultural land, a limited number of residences, a wastewater treatment plant, and miscellaneous commercial uses. The closest established residential communities to the plan area are the residential communities to the north, northeast, northwest, and southeast of the plan area in the cities of Yucaipa, Redlands, and Calimesa.
Chapter 4 of the FCSP, Development Standards, requires that uses in the Business Park designation be sited per the setback standards shown in Table 4-4 of the FCSP, Nonresidential Development Standards, which are a minimum of 15 feet for the front and streetside setbacks, and a minimum of 10 feet for the side and rear setbacks. Additionally, the landscaping standards state that landscaping must be used to provide screening for unattractive and/or unsightly service areas and serve as a buffer between neighboring uses. Chapter 5 of the FCSP, Design Guidelines, states that where commercial uses are adjacent to noncommercial uses, appropriate buffering techniques should be provided to mitigate any negative effects of the commercial operations, and that noise -generating uses should be located away from adjacent residential uses.
Section 3.5 of the FCSP, Circulation Plan, states that routes and access locations would be designed to minimize traffic impacts to surrounding areas, and FCSP Figure 3-8, Conceptual Circulation Plan, shows the commercial and residential collector streets in the FCSP. Truck traffic on the western side of the plan area, south of I-10 in planning areas BP 1, BP 2, BP 3, and BP 5, would primarily access I- 10 via Live Oak Canyon Road/Oak Glen Road until the Wildwood Canyon Interchange project is constructed, when both regional access points would be available (see Appendix P, Traffic Impact Assessment, of the Draft SEIR, Figures 6 and 11). The access point to I-10 at Outer Highway 10 in Redlands would not be the primary truck route for project -related traffic. Truck traffic in planning area Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
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BP 6 would access I-10 via Countyline Road, which is in the City of Calimesa. Truck traffic would not utilize other local roadways because local roads do not provide direct regional access. Truck traffic would not divide an established community.
Proposed development in the plan area would be required to comply with the development standards and design guidelines of the FCSP, and residential and nonresidential uses within and surrounding the plan area would be separated by open space, roadways, and appropriate buffering techniques. Future development would be within the boundaries of the plan area, and the circulation pattern is generally similar to the Approved Project; therefore, the Proposed Project would have similar impacts as the Approved Project. Therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard, when compared to the 2008 Certified EIR.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project site is surrounded by open space and separated by a future commercial collector road. Development under the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would be required to comply with the development standards and design guidelines of the FCSP. As with the 2008 Certified EIR, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not divide an established community in the plan area, and development consistent with the FCSP would not result in the division of an established community. Therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard when compared to the 2008 Certified EIR.
Finding. Compliance with existing PPPs would minimize adverse impacts from land use and planning to less than significant levels. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact from the potential to divide an established community. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
Impact 5.11-2: Project Implementation would conflict with applicable plans adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect. [Threshold LU-21 FCSP Buildout
City of Yucaipa General Plan Consistency
The 2008 Certified EIR identified that the Approved Project would be inconsistent with the City of Yucaipa General Plan Goals for agricultural resources, noise, and natural resources. No mitigation was available to reduce these inconsistencies, and impacts were identified as significant and unavoidable in the 2008 Certified EIR. Since the EIR was certified, the City has updated its General Plan (2016), which now includes the land uses in the Approved Project. As a result, the Approved Project and Proposed Project would be consistent with the land uses in the 2016 General Plan and its policies pertaining to land use and planning for residential and nonresidential uses.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 53 -
Agricultural Resources
The 2008 Certified EIR identified that the Approved Project was inconsistent with the General Plan policies on agriculture preservation because the Approved Project would convert a total of 129.07 acres of Important Farmland to nonagricultural use. The City's General Plan (updated in 2016) no longer identifies the plan area for agricultural use. Furthermore, the Proposed Project preserves the Live Oak Pumpkin Patch and Christmas Tree Farm and allows continued agricultural use in the areas designated Open Space. Unlike with the Approved Project, the Proposed Project would be consistent with the policies in the General Plan regarding agriculture, and the Proposed Project would not result in a substantial increase in severity of impacts or new impacts related to agricultural preservation policies in the General Plan. Impacts would be less than significant.
Noise
The 2008 Certified EIR identified that the Approved Project was inconsistent with the General Plan because the Approved Project would result in a substantial increase in the ambient noise environment.
Section 5.13, Noise, of the Draft SEIR, identifies noise impacts of the Proposed Project compared to the Approved Project. Like the Approved Project, the Proposed Project would result in an increase in ambient noise levels in the plan area. However, the growth associated with the Approved Project and Proposed Project is planned for in the 2016 General Plan, and policies regarding noise would be applicable to the future land uses in the plan area. As a result, the Proposed Project would not result in a substantial increase in severity of impacts or new impacts related to noise policies in the General Plan, and impacts would be less than significant.
Natural Resources
The 2008 Certified EIR identified that there would be significant impacts to air quality and biological resources that could result in potential conflicts with the City's policies on natural resources. Since the 2008 EIR was certified, the City has updated the General Plan and has integrated the Approved Project into the General Plan's land use plan. In the 2016 General Plan, Policy CDL-7.7 calls for comprehensive planning to maintain the rural community character of Yucaipa. The FCSP's vision is to recognize and retain the rural character of Yucaipa through the preservation of existing scenic views, hilltop ridgelines, and natural habitat. Chapter 5 of the FCSP Update, Design Guidelines, includes guidelines for architecture and site design that reflect the scale and design of rural towns.
Policy CDL -10.4 encourages identifiable architectural designs, design variations, and well -planned projects that are visually interested and well -integrated with the surrounding uses, and Policy CDL-
11.3 strives to ensure appropriate transitions in scale, density, and intensity between residential and nonresidential uses. Chapter 4, Development Standards, and Chapter 5 of the FCSP provide standards and guidelines for development and design in the plan area. Though the 2008 Certified EIR found impacts to General Plan consistency to be significant and unavoidable, the Approved Project and Proposed Project are consistent with the City's updated policies on natural resources. Therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in a substantial increase in severity of impacts or new impacts related to natural resources policies in the General Plan compared to the Approved Project, and impacts would be less than significant.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 54 -
Hillside Gradin
As identified in the 2016 General Plan, the Approved Project does not include protections for key ridgelines identified in Figure CDL-4 of the General Plan, Hillside Overlay District. Policy CDL-2.3 and Policy CDL -2.7 call for concentrating hillside development in areas with the least environmental impacts and promoting land use patterns that are consistent with the slopes, landform, vegetation, and scenic quality of hillsides.
For this SEIR, the Approved Project represents the CEQA baseline. As a result, the impact analysis does not compare the Proposed Project to existing conditions but to the built -out Approved Project (i.e., the developed condition). The elevation change over the entire plan area is approximately 450 feet. Approximately 19 percent of the plan area has slopes over 40 percent (steep terrain). Development on slopes that are 15 percent and above is subject to Hillside Development Review. Grading applied to the plan area achieves a 2:1 ratio (height over distance), which would increase with the slope. The objectives of the FCSP include complying with applicable development standards to preserve key ridgelines and regulating hillside and ridgeline development to maintain a rural atmosphere consistent with the City's identity. The FCSP is designed to vary the slope ratio from 2:1 to 5:1 (horizontal to vertical). Where proposed grades meet existing topography, the grades would be rounded to blend and provide a natural effect. The Grading Plan is based on the several main principles, such as preserving land designated as Open Space which includes the major significant ridgelines in the plan area, situating the finished elevation of building pads so they complement the character of adjacent natural topography, designing new roads to follow the existing topography to minimize grading, contour grading all new roads to minimize grading, and performing grading techniques consistent with the required grading permits and geotechnical reports.
Even though the development code generally prohibits development on slopes of 41 percent or greater, this is primarily meant to concentrate or intensify development on less environmentally sensitive terrain, not to prohibit development or reduce permitted density. Enforcement of ridgeline preservation is based on the significance of individual projects at the discretion of the Planning Commission.
The grading plan of the FCSP situates building pads so that they complement the character of the adjacent natural topography and designs new roads to follow the existing topography to minimize grading. The Approved Project designated the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project area as residential uses, which would have been contoured around the ridgelines; the Proposed Project would construct business park uses in this area, resulting in the need to create flat pads. As a result, the Proposed Project requires more landform modification than the Approved Project. The FCSP Update would conform to standards that would preserve key ridgelines and viewsheds.
As with the Approved Project, the Proposed Project would result in substantial changes in the visual character of the plan area. Because the Proposed Project would preserve key ridgelines, the Proposed Project would not conflict with goals or policies on hillside preservation. Therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard, when compared to the 2008 Certified EIR. Therefore, impacts of the Proposed Project are less than significant.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 55 -
SCAG Connect SoCal Consistency
As identified above, the 2008 Certified EIR identified that the Approved Project would be inconsistent with Southern California Association of Government (SCAG)'s Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RtP/SCS) as a result of loss of agricultural resources. No mitigation was available to reduce this inconsistency, and impacts were identified as significant and unavoidable. Since the 2008 EIR was certified, SCAG has adopted a new RTP/SCS. In addition, agricultural uses in the plan area have changed (see Section 5.2, Agria dtural and Forestry Resources, of the Draft SEIR).
As described in Table 5.11-1, 2020-2045 RTP/SCS ConsistencyAnalysis, of the Draft SEIR, the Proposed Project is generally consistent with the overarching goals of the RTP/SCS. Unlike the Approved Project, the Proposed Project preserves the Live Oak Pumpkin Patch and Christmas Tree Farm and allows continued agricultural use in the areas designated Open Space. Therefore, implementation of the Proposed Project would not result in significant land use impacts related to relevant RTP/SCS goals. Though the 2008 Certified EIR found that impacts of the Approved Project to RTP/SCS consistency were significant and unavoidable, the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard. Therefore, impacts of the Proposed Project are less than significant.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would result in the same impacts to land use and planning as identified for the Specific Plan. Specifically, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center would result in preservation of key ridgelines. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.
Finding. Compliance with existing PPPs would minimize adverse impacts from land use and planning to less than significant levels. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact associated with consistency with plans adopted to avoid or mitigate environmental effects. Accordingly, no changes or alteration's to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
11. Mineral Resources
Specific Plan PPPs
There are no policies pertaining to mineral resources in the Freeway Corridor Specific Plan.
Impact 5.12-1: As with the Approved Project, implementation of the Proposed Project would not result in the loss of availability of a known mineral resource. [Thresholds M-1 and M-21
Mineral Resources
FCSP Buildout
The City of Yucaipa, including the Specific Plan area, is in Mineral Resource Zone 3 (NIRZ-3), which is where the significance of mineral deposits cannot be determined from the available data. No areas Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
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in the City, including the Specific Plan site, are in Mineral Resource Zone 2 (MRZ-2), which is where information indicates that significant mineral deposits are present or likely and development should be controlled. As with the 2008 Certified EIR, impacts would be less than significant. Therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant when compared to the 2008 Certified EIR.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
The City of Yucaipa, including the project area, is in MRZ-3, where the significance of mineral deposits cannot be determined from the available data. No areas in the city, including the project area, are in MRZ-2, where information indicates that significant mineral deposits are present or likely and development should be controlled. Therefore, impacts to mineral resources would be less than significant.
Finding. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact associated with impacting mineral resources. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
12. Noise
Specific Plan PPPs
The following are plans, programs, and policies (PPPs) that would reduce the Proposed Project's potential noise and vibration impacts:
Design Guidelines
Chapter 5, Design Guidelines, of the Specific Plan includes the following requirement for noise:
■ Where commercial uses are adjacent to noncommercial uses, appropriate buffering techniques, such as increased minimum setbacks, screening, and landscaping, should be provided to mitigate any negative effects of the commercial operations. Any noise -generating uses should be located away from adjacent residential uses.
Plazas and open spaces should be sheltered, as much as possible, from noise -generating nuisances, trash enclosures, parking areas, and other incompatible uses.
Conditions of Approval
The following conditions of approval (COA) related to noise have been identified by the City for subdivisions and/or conditional use permits:
Subdivision 100, CUP 67. An acoustical study shall be performed to assess noise levels at the development and shall be reviewed and approved by the Planning Division. Detailed noise analysis and precise mitigation measures shall be submitted to the Planning Division for review and approval. In the event redesign is required, a revised map shall be submitted.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
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Subdivision 135, CUP 68. A report stating that mitigation measures recommended in the acoustical study have been implemented shall be submitted to the Planning Division and the building plans shall be so certified by the acoustical engineer.
Subdivision 41. An approved type wall/barrier shall be required along the rear of double frontage lots and shall be constructed outside the public right-of-way. ■ CUP 13. Noise levels shall not exceed City Standards as required by Development Code Section
87.0905(b).
Impact 5.13-1: Construction activities associated with the Proposed Project would result in temporary noise increases in the vicinity of the plan area. [Threshold N-11 Construction Noise
FCSP Buildout
Construction activities associated with the Proposed Project would temporarily increase the ambient noise environment. The municipal code exempts temporary construction, repair, and demolition activities from the noise level limits, providing the activity occurs between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm on Monday through Saturday. Construction activities associated with the Proposed Project would be similar to those of the Approved Project. Therefore, as with the Approved Project, the Proposed Project would also result in less than significant impacts. The Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard compared to the Approved Project.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
This section analyzes potential impacts resulting from the short-term construction activities associated with the development of the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center.
Daytime Construction
Table 5.13-8, Pacific Oaks Commerce Center Construction Noise Levels Paczfzc Oaks Commerce Center, of the Draft SEIR, presents the combined noise levels for the loudest construction equipment, assuming they operate at the same time, and shows that construction noise levels are expected to range from 48.8 to
55.5 dBA Ley at the nearby receiver locations. The construction noise analysis shows that the nearest receiver locations will satisfy the reasonable daytime 80 dBA Ley significance threshold during Pacific Oaks Commerce Center construction activities. Therefore, the noise impacts due to the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center construction noise are considered less than significant at all off -site receiver locations. Therefore, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard when compared to the Approved Project.
Nighttime Construction
The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project has the potential to require nighttime concrete -pouring activities, which support reduced concrete mixer truck transit times and lower air temperatures than during the daytime hours and are generally limited to the actual building pad area. Since the nighttime concrete pours will take place outside the hours permitted by Chapter 87.0905[e] [1] [c] of the City of Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
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Yucaipa Municipal Code, the project applicant will be required to obtain authorization for nighttime work from the City. Nighttime construction noise activities are evaluated against the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) nighttime exterior construction noise level threshold of 70 dBA Ley for noise - sensitive residential land use.
As shown in Table 5.13-9, Pacific Oaks Commerce Center Ni Concrete Pour Noise Level Compliance, of the Draft SEIR, the noise levels associated with the nighttime concrete pour activities are estimated to range from 24.3 to 31.7 dBA Ley at the nearest off -site noise -sensitive receiver locations. The analysis shows that the unmitigated nighttime concrete pour activities will satisfy the FTA 70 dBA Ley nighttime residential noise level threshold at the nearest off -site noise -sensitive receiver locations. Therefore, the noise impacts due to Pacific Oaks Commerce Center construction nighttime concrete -pour activity are considered less than significant at all receiver locations and will require prior authorization for nighttime work from the City of Yucaipa. Therefore, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard when compared to the Approved Project.
Finding. Compliance with existing PPPs would minimize adverse impacts from noise to less than significant levels. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact from construction noise. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
Impact 5.13-2: Implementation of the Proposed Project would result in substantial long-term operation -related noise that could exceed the City's noise standards. [Threshold N-1]
Operational Noise
FCSP Buildout
For Impact 5.13-2, refer to Section D, Significant and Unavoidable Impacts that Cannot be Mitigated to Below the Level of Significance.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would result in on -site noise sources such as cold storage loading dock activity, tractor trailer parking activity, roof -top air conditioning units, trash enclosure activity, parking lot vehicle movements, and truck movements. Consistent with similar warehouse uses, business operations would primarily be conducted within the enclosed building, except for traffic movement, parking, and loading and unloading of trucks at designated loading bays.
Daytime Operational Noise Levels
Operational phase noise associated with the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project site were calculated at each of the sensitive receptor locations. Table 5.13-10, Daytime Pacific Oaks Commerce Center Operational Noise Levels, of the Draft SEIR shows the project's operational noise levels during the daytime hours Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
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of 7:00 am to 10:00 pm. The daytime hourly noise levels at the off -site receiver locations are expected to range from 34.6 to 43.5 dBA Leq.
Nighttime Operational Noise Levels
Table 5.13-11, Nighttime Pmz c Oaks Commerce Center Operational Noise Levels, of the Draft SEIR, shows the unmitigated Pacific Oaks Commerce Center Project operational noise levels during the nighttime hours of 10:00 pm to 7:00 am. The nighttime hourly noise levels at the off -site receiver locations are expected to range from 35.9 to 43.4 dBA Leq. The differences between the daytime and nighttime noise levels are largely related to the estimated duration of noise activity, as outlined in Tables 5.13-10 and
5.13-11, of the Draft SEIR.
Dav-Niaht Operational Noise Levels
Noise levels that would be experienced at receptor locations when the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project -source noise is added to the daytime and nighttime ambient conditions are presented on Table
5.13-12, Daytime and Nighttime Project Operational Noise Level Increases, dBA L,,, of the Draft SEIR. As indicated in this table, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center would generate a daytime operational noise level increase ranging from 0.0 to 0.3 dBA Leq at the nearest off -site receptor locations. Additionally, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center would generate a nighttime operational noise level increase ranging from 0.0 to 0.7 dBA Leq at the nearest off -site receptor locations. Project -related operational noise level increases would not exceed the operational noise level increase significance criteria; therefore, the increases at the off -site sensitive receiver locations would be less than significant.
Finding. Compliance with existing PPPs would minimize adverse impacts from noise to less than significant levels. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact from operational noise. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
Impact 5.13-3: For Impact 5.10-3, refer to Section D, Significant and Unavoidable Impacts that Cannor be Mitigated to Below the Level of Significance.
Impact 5.13-4: The Proposed Project would not create substantial short-term or long-term groundborne vibration and groundborne noise that would impact sensitive receptors proximate to the plan area. [Threshold N-2]
Groundborne Vibration and Noise
FCSP Buildout
The primary vibratory source during the construction of future development projects associated with the Proposed Project would be large bulldozers. However, the impact would be considered less than significant because of the short duration of the activity and because the vibration levels would be well below the threshold of building damage. Like the Approved Project, the Proposed Project would Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
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have less than significant impacts. The Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard when compared to the Approved Project.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
Table 5.13-19, Vibration Damage Levels for Typical Constriction Equipment, of the Draft SEIR, presents the expected Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project -related vibration levels at the nearby receiver locations, and ground vibration levels associated with various types of construction equipment are summarized. At distances ranging from 1,048 to 2,693 feet from Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project site construction activities, construction vibration velocity levels are estimated to range from 0 to 0.003 in/sec PPV. Based on maximum acceptable continuous vibration threshold of 0.2 PPV (in/sec), the typical construction vibration levels would fall below the building damage thresholds at all the sensitive receiver locations. Therefore, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center vibration impacts are considered less than significant during typical construction activities at the project site. Therefore, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard when compared to the Approved Project.
Finding. Compliance with existing PPPs would minimize adverse impacts from noise to less than significant levels. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact from groundborne vibration and noise. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
Impact 5.13-5: The plan area is not in the vicinity of an airport or private airstrip; and therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in exposure of future resident and/or workers to airport -related noise. [Threshold N-3] Aircraft Noise
FCSP Buildout
The Redlands Municipal Airport is approximately three miles from the plan area, and the plan area is not within the Redlands Airport Influence Area. There are no private airstrips within the vicinity of the Specific Plan. Therefore, no impacts would occur. The Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard when compared to the Approved Project.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would result in the same impacts for airport noise as identified for the Specific Plan. No impact would occur. Therefore, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard when compared to the Approved Project.
Finding. Compliance with existing PPPs would minimize adverse impacts from noise to less than significant levels. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact from aircraft noise. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
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were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
13. Population and Housing
Specific Plan PPPs
There are no policies pertaining to population and housing in the Freeway Corridor Specific Plan.
Impact 5.14-1: The Proposed Project would not result in substantial unplanned growth in comparison to the Approved Project. [Threshold P-1]
Population Growth
FCSP Buildout
Housinu and Population
The Approved Project was projected to result in 2,447 dwelling units, and the Proposed Project would allow up to 2,472 dwelling units, which is an increase of 25 units. Buildout of the Approved Project was projected to result in a population of 6,754 residents, and the Proposed Project would result in 6,823 residents, which is an increase of 69 residents. Though the Proposed Project would result in an increase in population and housing, the increase is nominal, and if the difference (69 residents and 25 units) is added to the existing population and housing estimates, shown in Table 5.14-1, Population Trends in the City of Yuca pa, and Table 5.14-2, Housing Composition in the City of Yuca0a, of the Draft SEIR, population estimates would be below the SCAG 2020 projections and would exceed the 2020 SCAG housing estimates by less than 1 percent. However, because California has a shortage of housing, Governor Newsom signed several bills to address the need for more housing, including the Housing Crisis Act of 2019 (SB 330). Therefore, the slight increase in housing, compared to the SCAG estimates, would not be a significant impact. Furthermore, the Proposed Project implements the objectives of the 2021-2029 Housing Element. Impacts would be less than significant.
Employment
The Approved Project was projected to create 2,999 jobs and the Proposed Project would create 1,709 jobs (not including employment from the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project). With the inclusion of the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project, the total proposed employment of the FCSP would be 2,682 jobs, resulting in a decrease of 317 jobs compared to the 2008 Certified EIR. Though the Proposed Project would result in a decrease in jobs compared to the Approved Project, the jobs offered by the warehousing uses under the Proposed Project would be higher paying than the previously planned retail jobs, resulting in a benefit from an economic perspectivez. Further, because of market shifts in the retail market, the proposed update was developed to best meet future market trends.
Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.
2 Warehousing and storage jobs had an average hourly pay of $23.95 in August 2023, whereas General Merchandise Stores had an average hourly pay of $21.25.
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Jobs-Housina Balance
A project's effect on the jobs -housing balance is an indicator of how it will affect growth and quality of life in the project area. If the Approved Project's housing and employment assumptions are added to the 2020 growth projections shown in Table 5.14-6, SCAG Growth Projections for the City of Yucaipa, of the Draft SEIR, the Approved Project would have resulted in a jobs -housing ratio of 0.59 jobs per dwelling unit.3 Because the jobs -housing ratio for the city is housing -rich (0.52 jobs per dwelling unit; see Table 5.14-6), the increase in the jobs -housing ratio (0.58 jobs per dwelling unit4) from the additional jobs and housing proposed under the Proposed Project would be a slightly favorable result from a planning perspective because the Proposed Project would provide more jobs in a city that has more housing than employment opportunities. Though the Proposed Project would result in a reduction of 317 jobs compared to the Approved Project, the jobs -housing ratio under both the Approved Project and Proposed Project are similar and would result in a more balanced jobs -housing ratio compared to existing conditions.
Therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard than were analyzed in the 2008 Certified EIR.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project area was proposed to be all residential, and therefore, no jobs were forecast for this portion of the plan area in the 2008 Certified EIR. The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project is estimated to generate 973 jobs. Warehousing jobs would be higher paying than retail, which is a benefit from an economic perspective. As a result, impact of the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center would be similar to that identified for the FCSP Update, and impacts would be less than significant. Therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard than were analyzed in the 2008 Certified EIR.
Finding. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact from population and employment growth associated with the Proposed Project. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds. 3 Approved Project = 2,999 jobs, 2,447 dwelling units
City (2020) = 10,600 jobs, 20,235 dwelling units
(10,600 + 2,999 jobs) / (20,235 + 2,447 dwelling units) = 0.59 + Proposed Project = 2,682 jobs, 2,472 dwelling units
City (2020) = 10,600 jobs, 20,235 dwelling units
(10,600 + 2,682 jobs) / (20,235 + 2,472 dwelling units) = 0.58 Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
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Impact 5.14-2: Project implementation would not result in displacing people and/or housing. (Threshold P-21
Displacing People or Housing
FCSP Buildout
As with the Approved Project, the Proposed Project would develop a variety of uses on vacant and previously disturbed land. Implementation of the Proposed Project would not result in the need to redevelop existing homes and would not necessitate the construction of replacement housing. The Proposed Project would result in an increase of 25 dwelling units compared to the Approved Project.
Therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts related to potential displacement of housing and/or people in comparison to the Approved Project.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
Impacts of the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would be the same as that identified for Proposed Project. Additionally, there are no residential housing units that would be displaced during construction of the project site. Therefore, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts related to potential displacement of housing and/or people in comparison to the Approved Project.
Finding. The Proposed Project would have no significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact from displacing people or housing. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
14. Public Services
The following are plans, programs, and policies (PPPs) that would reduce the Proposed Project's potential public services impacts:
Development within the FCSP is required to adhere to the requirements identified in the Fire Protection Plan (see Appendix S of the Draft SEIR).
Specific Plan PPPs
Design Guidelines
Chapter 5, Design Guidelines, of the FCSP provides direction concerning the site planning, landscaping, building design, and site features for residential and nonresidential uses. An example relevant to police services is:
■ Pocket parks and tot lots shall be sited centrally within the project in compliance Nvith Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles.
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Conditions of Approval
Specific Plan
■ Prior to approval of recording any final map or issuance of a Building Permit, a Community Facilities District (CID) or Fire Service Agreement (FSA) shall be approved and implemented to support the needs of the Yucaipa Fire Department to serve the FCSP. In particular, the CFD or FSA shall address the equipment requirements related to an identified need for an aerial ladder and/or Type 6 Medic Patrol or Medic Squad to adequately ensure availability of needed resources.
The CFD or FSA shall be approved in cooperation with the Yucaipa Fire Department, City of Yucaipa Planning Department, and property owners (or residents if a CFD is approved requiring voter approval [greater than 12 property owners]). The parties may agree to an alternate funding mechanism from the options described in the Specific Plan as desired. ■ Projects with square footages over 400,000 square feet, or those that are three or more stories tall, or higher than 45 tall will participate in a fair -share funding agreement for an aerial ladder truck.
The funding amounts are to be determined by the City and respective Applicant.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
This project is protected by the Yucaipa Fire Department / CalFire. Prior to any construction occurring on any parcel, the applicant shall contact the Fire Marshall for verification of current fire protection development requirements. All new construction shall comply with the adopted Uniform Fire Code and all applicable statutes, codes, ordinances, standards and policies of the Yucaipa Fire Department/CalFire.
■ This project is in Fire Safety Review Area 2. This is a high fire hazard brush area. This project shall comply with the construction and development standards for a FR-2 Area. Contact the City Building & Safety Division for FR-2 Area construction and development standards. ■ Fire Department access roads and/or public/private streets shall meet the Fire Department minimum width standard of 24 feet. Within FR-1 zone minimum width shall be 26 feet. Access roads shall be paved (asphalt/concrete) and in place prior to placement of combustible material on site. Fire Department minimum paving thickness shall be no less than 4 inches. This standard shall not lessen other agency requirements.
■ Fire Department access roads and/or public/private streets and residential driveways shall have a minimum vertical clearance of 13 feet and 6 inches.
■ Fire Department access roadways and/or public/private streets and driveways shall not exceed 12 percent grade (please note: Engineering Division requirements may be more restrictive). ■ Cul-de-sacs shall not exceed 600 feet in total length, unless otherwise approved by the Fire Department.
■ Required fire flow for this project, as determined by I.S.O. Formula, is as follows: GPM = 8,000, at 20 psi residual; for 4 hour duration A reduction in the required fire flow rate may be allowed per Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 65 -
the exceptions specified in the California Fire Code. System shall be looped with minimum 8 inch mains; 6 inch laterals; 6 inch risers; 6 inch diameter hydrants with one 2 1/2" outlet and one 4" outlet.
Approved fire hydrants capable of supplying required fire flow shall be provided to all premises upon which facilities, buildings or portions of buildings are constructed or moved within the jurisdiction. When any portion of the facility or building protected is in excess of 400 feet from a fire hydrant on a public street, as measured by an approved route around the exterior of the facility or building, additional fire hydrants meeting the required fire flow shall be provided. ■ Fire hydrants shall be installed at locations to be determined by the California Fire Code (2022) Appendix "C". Required fire flow to be determined by the California Fire Code (2022) Appendix "B". Minimum fire flow shall not be less than 8,000 gpm (exceptions not applied). ■ A greenbelt or fuel modification zone plan shall be required and bonded for this project. Fuel modification plan requirements shall be site specific to this project. The applicant shall submit a fuel modification plan to the Fire Department for review and comments or approval. Maintenance provisions of the fuel modification zone shall be approved by the Fire Department. Maintenance of the fuel modification zone, located in designated open space, and enforcement of the fuel modification zone, within the property of individual property owners, shall be the responsibility of a homeowners' association or other approved maintenance authority that is acceptable to the Fire Department.
■ Three sets of water delivery system plans, designed to meet the required fire flow for this project and/or development shall be submitted to the Fire Department for approval. ■ Applicant -developer shall provide the Fire Department with a letter from the water company serving the project -development, verifying that financial arrangements have been made and bonds posted for the required Fire Department approved water improvements. ■ Prior to any construction, the entire fuel modification zone required and approved by the Fire Department shall be completed. Any phased implementation of the fuel modification zone shall be done only with prior approval of the Fire Department. ■ A fuel break of 100 feet (brush and weed clearance) is required prior to construction. The clearance shall be maintained on a year-round basis.
■ An additional fuel modification zone of 100 feet shall be provided on all side(s) of the proposed structure(s). Fuels in this zone are to be thinned and/or removed or otherwise modified to provide a reasonable level of fire defense protection to the proposed structure(s). ■ Fire hydrants shall be installed and operational as per approved water system delivery plans prior to any framing, construction, or delivery of combustible materials to project site. ■ An alternative type of construction providing a higher level of fire resistance is required. Contact the Fire Department or City Building Official for more information.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 66 -
■ Fire Department access roadways and/or public/private streets exceeding 150 feet in length shall have a Fire Department approved turn -around at the terminus (cul-de-sac). Minimum radius shall be not less than 48 feet.
■ Fire Department access roadways and/or public/private streets and driveways shall extend to within one hundred fifty (150) feet of and shall give reasonable access to all portions of the exterior walls of the first story of any building. An access road, approved by the Fire Department, shall be provided to within fifty (50) feet of all structures when the natural grade between access road and structure is in excess of 30 percent. Where an approved access road cannot be provided, a fire protection system shall be required and approved by the Fire Department. ■ The development and/or project, and each phase thereof, shall have a minimum of two (2) remote points of access, including a secondary access, for fire and other emergency equipment and for routes of escape which will safely handle evacuations.
■ Manual operated gates across Fire Department access roadways, public and/or private streets and driveways, shall be equipped with approved emergency key -operated ("Knox" type) locks. For automatic gates, a "Knox" keyed emergency access switch shall be installed at location determined by Fire Department, and shall over -ride all command functions and open gate automatically upon activation. All automatic gates shall have a manual over -ride for use during loss of electric power. "Knox box" request forms are available from the Fire Department. ■ "No Parking - Fire Lane" signs shall be posted at locations designated by Fire Marshall. Fire lane curbs shall be painted red with white letters stating "No Parking — Fire Lane". ■ On site fire hydrants capable of supplying required fire flow shall be installed at locations identified by the Fire Marshall. System shall be looped with minimum 8 inch mains; 6 inch laterals; 6 inch risers; 6 inch diameter hydrants with one 21/2" outlet and one 4" outlet. ■ Approved fire hydrant pavement markers shall be installed. ■ Automatic fire sprinklers shall be installed according to NFPA 13 and Fire Department requirements. Submit 3 sets of shop plans with material cut sheets and hydraulic calculations, indicating the type of occupancy, type of materials to be stored (if any), for Fire Department review and approval prior to any installation. Submit copy of California C-16 license. ■ Automatic fire sprinkler control devices (P.IX & O.S.&Y.) shall be visible from Fire Department access roadway, and identify system being controlled and address of structure. Fire Department Connection (FDC) shall be located no closer than 50 feet and not to exceed 150 feet from structure. Required fire hydrant shall have a maximum distance from FDC of 30 feet. FDC shall identify address and system of structure being protected. ■ A minimum of one 2A-10BC fire extinguisher shall be installed for each 3,000 sq. ft. of floor area.
Travel distance to any one fire extinguisher shall not exceed 75 feet. Additional fire extinguishers, size and class to be determined by Fire Department, may be required. Fire extinguishers shall be serviced annually and shall have a current sfm service tag attached.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 67 -
■ An automatic fire detection and alarm system meeting the requirements of UFC Article 10, CBC and NFPA 72 shall be installed. Three sets of shop plans with material cut sheets and calculations shall be submitted to the Fire Department for review and approval prior to installation. ■ Dependent on occupancy type and load, an automatic smoke removal system shall be installed.
The system shall comply with the UFC and CBC requirements. Three sets of shop plans with material cut sheets and calculations shall be submitted to the Fire Department for review and approval prior to installation.
■ Dependent on occupancy type and load, an automatic smoke ventilation system shall be installed.
Roof vent, venting ratios and draft curtains shall be provided. Three (3) sets of shop plans with material cut sheets and calculations shall be submitted to the Fire Department for review and approval prior to installation.
■ High Fire Hazard Areas FR-1 & FR-2: one -hour fire resistive construction is required for exterior walls. Contact Fire Marshall or City Building Official for more information. ■ The main electrical panel and all sub -panels shall be labeled on inside cover for all circuits. ■ Water heater (fuel fired) shall be properly vented to exterior of structure. Water heater shall be seismic strapped to wall and be located 18" above a garage floor. ■ Commercial and industrial structures/occupancies and gated complexes shall have a "knox box" system installed on the exterior of the buildings or complex. Location of device to be determined by the Fire Department. The box shall contain keys necessary to gain access and may contain pre - plans and msds information as required by the Fire Department. ■ Commercial exit requirements:
A. Required exit doors shall be maintained in an operable condition at all times.
B. Required exit doors shall swing outward and away in the direction of exit travel.
C. Obstructions shall not be placed in the required width of an exit. Exits shall not be blocked or locked shut or obstructed in any manner during business hours.
D. Exit paths shall be illuminated when structure is occupied.
E. Exit path illumination shall be supplied from 2 sources of power when occupant load is one 100 persons or more.
F. When exit way/exit pathway and/or exit doorway is not easily identified, additional exit signs shall be installed.
G. Exit signs shall be internally or externally illuminated by two lamps or shall be of the self- . luminous type.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 68 -
All flammable and combustible liquid storage and dispensing shall be in accordance with applicable sections of the UFC Article 79 and City codes and ordinances. Plan review and annual permit to operate from the Fire Department is required.
■ Address numbers shall be provided along the roofs of the warehouse structures to aid aerial police and fire support personnel the ability to locate each site.
Commercial and industrial buildings in excess of 20,000 square feet and with an interior area more than 150 feet from exterior exit, shall be equipped with a Class I standpipe system or as needed to meet California Fire Code Section 905. Standpipe connections shall be configured to reach any portion of interior space within 150 feet in any direction of travel. This system shall be calculated to provide 500 gpm from an adjacent automatic fire sprinkler riser at 100 psi nozzle pressure for two hand lines flowing.
To ensure that the construction of the proposed structures does not impact the Yucaipa Fire Department's Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating, applicant shall pay to the City approximately half of the cost of a ladder truck fire apparatus (with associated equipment) in the amount of $490,000 to be used by the City to assist with the purchase of the ladder truck.
Impact 5.15-1: The proposed project would introduce new structures, residents, and workers into the Yucaipa Fire Department's service boundaries, which could increase the requirement for fire protection facilities and personnel. [Threshold FS-11 Fire
FCSP Buildout
Compared to the 2008 Certified EIR, the Proposed Project would result in an increase of 69 residents but a decrease of 317 employees. Yucaipa Fire Station #3 would provide initial response to the plan area. Station #3 would achieve a 6-minute, 36-second travel time to the farthest part of the plan area, the northeast, and would have a response time of 8 minutes and 36 seconds. Although this response time is beyond the 5-minute standard, given the plan area's fire safety features, such as ensuring that adequate water supply and approved paved roads are available before combustibles are brought on - site, providing adequate turnaround space for fire apparatus, installing gates to meet Fire Code requirements, creating fuel modification zones, etc., and the flexibility allowed by the response time 90 percent achievement rate, the response time is considered to substantially conform with the Fire Department's internal standards, subject to Fire Department review.
The Proposed Project would increase the volume of calls by up to 1,417 calls per year (which is a conservative assumption) compared to existing conditions. However, because the plan area is predominantly vacant, an increase in call volumes would occur under both the Approved Project and Proposed Project. Based on the existing call volumes for the Fire Department and the equipment coverage needs to address medical aid calls, the Department has identified that additional staffing will be necessary as part of the overall Citywide growth. This includes a future medic squad to specifically alleviate the medical aid calls, as well as a ladder aerial truck to address larger sized structures.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 69 -
Since the certification of the 2008 EIR, a new fire station (Yucaipa Fire Station #3) has been constructed at Wildwood Canyon Road that would provide fire services to the plan area. Under the Approved Project, impacts were considered less than significant upon construction of this fire station.
Additionally, when compared to the Approved Project, there would be no major change in impacts for fire services. Therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in physical impacts to the environment due to construction or expansion of fire facilities. However, funding remains a critical issue to address the Citywide equipment and staffing levels. Future development will therefore need a Community Facilities District (CFD) or Fire Service Agreement (FSA) that is approved and implemented to support the needs of the Yucaipa Fire Department to serve the FCSP. In particular, the CID or FSA shall address the equipment requirements related to an identified need for an aerial ladder truck.
When properly implemented and ongoing, the fire protections strategies proposed in the Fire Protection Plan would significantly reduce the potential fire threat to vegetation and structures in the plan area, and therefore would assist Yucaipa Fire Department to respond to emergencies in the plan area. The Proposed Project would result in a decrease in employees and a nominal increase in residents compared to the Approved Project. Additionally, with the implementation of the plans, programs, and policies, impacts would be less than significant. Therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard, when compared to the 2008 Certified EIR.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center is within .the FCSP, and development of the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would also result in an increase in service calls compared to existing conditions. Impacts associated with the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center would be the same as those identified for the Proposed Project, which would establish the BP designation for the project site. The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would result in fewer employees than the 2008 Certified EIR, and therefore, compared to the 2008 Certified EIR, service calls for the project site would also be less.
Therefore, the Pacific Oak Commerce Center project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard, when compared to the Approved Project.
Finding. Compliance with existing PPPs would minimize adverse impacts from public services to less than significant levels. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact to fire facilities and services. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
Impact 5.15-2: The Proposed Project would introduce new structures, residents, and workers into the Yucaipa Station's service boundaries, which could increase the requirement for police protection facilities and personnel. (Threshold PS-11 Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 70 -
Police
FCSP Buildout
The Yucaipa Station is approximately 1.7 miles northeast of the FCSP area's northern boundary.
Implementation of the Proposed Project would result in an increase in the following types of service calls/demands, compared to existing conditions: residential burglary, commercial burglary, vehicle burglary, vandalism, vehicle theft, trespassing, and domestic violence, as most of the site is currently vacant.
Compared to the 2008 Certified EIR, the Proposed Project would result in an increase of 69 residents but a decrease of 317 employees. Although the Yucaipa Station indicated that the increase in residents under the Proposed Project, compared to existing conditions, would require an additional five deputies to maintain the current staffing ratio, the Proposed Project would not require the construction of a new and/or expanded police station. The Yucaipa Station indicated that based on the location of the FCSP area, the emergency response times would be increased due to extended drive times for the deputies. However, this condition would exist for both the Approved Project and the Proposed Project, and would likely be further addressed by deputies patrolling throughout the community, including within the newly constructed roadways for the Proposed Project. Additionally, compared to the Approved Project, the Proposed Project would not result in an increase in demand for deputies.
As with the Approved Project, impacts would be less than significant. Therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard, when compared to the Approved Project.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center is in the FCSP, and development of the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would also result in an increase in service calls, compared to existing conditions. Impacts associated with the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center would be the same as that identified for the Proposed Project. However, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would result in fewer employees than the Approved Project, and therefore, compared to the 2008 Certified EIR, service calls for the project site would also be less. Therefore, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard, when compared to the Approved Project.
Finding. Compliance with existing PPPs would minimize adverse impacts from public services to less than significant levels. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact to police and emergency facilities and services. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 71 -
Impact 5.15-3: The proposed project would not generate new students who would impact the school enrollment capacities of area schools. [Threshold SS-11 Schools
FCSP Buildout
The Proposed Project would result in 2,472 dwelling units. Compared to the Approved Project, this is an increase of 25 dwelling units. However, unlike the Approved Project, the Proposed Project does not include optional school sites. Therefore, additional demand for school facilities may not be accommodated within the plan area. The student generation rate for YCJUSD is 0.7 student per dwelling unit. Therefore, the Proposed Project would generate approximately 1,730 students,5 which is an increase of 18 students6 compared to the Approved Project. Table 5.15-3, Estimated Proposed Project Student Generation, of the Draft SEIF, shows the estimated available capacity for each school. As identified by the YCJUSD, existing school facilities may not be adequate to serve additional students generated by the Proposed Project.
While the Proposed Project would increase demand for new school facilities in the YCJUSD, the demand would be accommodated through the payment of development fees pursuant to SB 50.
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 65995(h), payment of the impact fees fully mitigates impacts to school facilities. If additional schools are needed, construction of additional and/or expanded facilities would be subject to CEQA review, and could be developed within the plan area if deemed necessary. Implementation of the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in regard to school facilities in comparison to the Approved Project.
Therefore, impacts of the Proposed Project would be less than significant.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
The demand for school services is typically generated by residential uses. Under the Proposed Project, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not construct residential uses but business park uses instead. Nonetheless, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would pay impact fees, pursuant to California Government Code Section 65995(h), which would fully mitigate impacts to schools.
Therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard, when compared to the Approved Project.
Finding. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact to school facilities and services. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
2,472 dwelling units x 0.7 student per unit = 1,730 students / 5 schools = 346 students per school. 6 25 dwelling units x 0.7 students per unit = 18 students / 5 schools = approximately 4 additional students per school compared to the Approved Project
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 72 -
Impact 5.15-4: The proposed project would not result in adverse physical impacts to libraries and would not require the construction of new library facilities. [Threshold LS-1]
Libraries
FCSP Buildout
The Proposed Project would result in an increase of 69 people compared to the Approved Project.
The only library in the City of Yucaipa is the Yucaipa Branch Library, which is approximately 1.7 miles northeast of the project site. The Yucaipa Branch Library building is considered small for the population size; the estimated deficit of building area is between 5,000 square feet to 7,000 square feet.
While the Proposed Project would result in an increase in library services, the San Bernardino County Library System (SBCLS) provides free access to information, and electronic access to SBCLS's collection of materials is available through the internet. Additionally, an increase of $2.8 million has been approved for a shared project between SBCLS and the City of Yucaipa to move and build a new library in Yucaipa. Funding for library services comes primarily from property tax revenue. As development within the FCSP area occurs, property tax revenue should grow proportionally. The City is also currently exploring options to develop a new library to serve the entire community.
Therefore, with the payment of property tax, online access to electronic materials, and the operation of the new library, impacts of the Proposed Project to library facilities would be less than significant.
As with the 2008 Certified EIR, the Proposed Project would not result in impacts to library facilities.
Therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard when compared to the Approved Project.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
The demand for library services is typically generated by residential uses. Under the Proposed Project, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not construct residential uses, but business park uses. The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center would not result in impacts to library facilities. Therefore, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard when compared to the Approved Project.
Finding. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact to library facilities and services. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
15. Recreation
Specific Plan PPPs
The following are plans, programs, and policies (PPPs) that would reduce the Proposed Project's potential recreation impacts:
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 73 -
Development Standards
Chapter 4, Development Standardr, of the FCSP regulates the planning and development of all properties in the plan area. The FCSP identifies general provisions; permitted land uses; development standards; landscape standards; sign regulations; common open space, parks, trails, and hillside preservation; and infrastructure for residential and nonresidential uses. For example:
■ Parks are permitted uses under the Residential, Agro-Commercial Tourism, Regional Commercial, and Open Space designations.
■ Indoor/outdoor recreation facilities are permitted uses under the Residential, Agro-Commercial Tourism, Regional Commercial, and Open Space designations. ■ All single-family residential development with lot sizes less than 10,000 square feet shall provide one pocket park of at least 10,000 square feet for each 50 residential dwelling units. ■ All common open space for multifamily unit types or high -density land uses shall be usable indoor or outdoor areas, and may include active spaces or passive spaces.
Design Guidelines
Chapter 5, De ign Guidelines, of the FCSP provides direction for site planning, landscaping, building design, and site features for residential and nonresidential uses that promote the aesthetics appropriate for this area and to maintain the rural character of Yucaipa. For example:
■ For multifamily development, pocket parks and tot lots shall be sited centrally within the project in compliance with Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles.
Impact 5.16-1: The Proposed Project would generate additional residents that would increase the use of existing park and recreational facilities. [Threshold R-1] Recreation
FCSP Buildout
Since the certification of the EIR for the Approved Project, additional parks and recreational facilities have been developed in the City. Additionally, the City prepared a General Plan Update in 2016 that evaluated Yucaipa's demand for recreation in the Parks, Recreation, Trails, and Open Space Element.
The General Plan Update identified that the City of Yucaipa at buildout, which included the Approved Project, would have sufficient parkland.
The City of Yucaipa has approximately 551 acres of local, community, and regional parks and special use facilities, and 1,253 acres of natural open space. Yucaipa's parks and open space are also supplemented by the City's multiuse trails; school play areas, recreational facilities, and athletic fields; and special use facilities.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 74 -
The Proposed Project would add approximately 6,823 residents, which is an increase of approximately 69 residents compared to the Approved Project's estimated population of 6,754 residents. Based on the City's parkland standard of 3.5 acres per 1,000 residents, the Proposed Project and Approved Project would create a demand for 23.88 acres and 23.64 acres of parkland, respectively. The Proposed Project would result in a net increase in demand of 0.24 acre compared to the Approved Project.? Compared to the Approved Project, the Proposed Project would result in a slight increase in the use of existing parks and recreational facilities.
With the implementation of the Proposed Project, the City would continue to have a surplus of parkland, and the increase of 0.24 acre in demand would be nominal and would not result in substantial physical deterioration of existing parkland in Redlands, Calimesa, or Yucaipa. Like the Approved Project, the Proposed Project would be conditioned to pay park development fees and/or dedicate parkland within the plan area to ensure that sufficient parkland is available to residents.
Furthermore, the FCSP Update includes design guidelines and development standards for the provision of open space and parks in the plan area. As identified in the FCSP Update, all single-family residential developments with lot sizes less than 10,000 square feet are required to provide one pocket park of at least 10,000 square feet for each 50 dwelling units. Consequently, some of the demand for new parkland would be met on -site, which would reduce off -site recreational needs and potential impacts to parks in the vicinity of the plan area, including parks in Calimesa and Redlands. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant and the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts to parkland than what was identified in the 2008 Certified EIR.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
Impacts of the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project are similar to those identified above for the Proposed Project. Typically, residential uses result in a higher demand for recreation facilities compared to nonresidential uses. The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project does not include the development of residential uses, and impacts would be less than significant. Therefore, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard when compared to impacts in the 2008 Certified EIR.
Finding. Compliance with existing PPPs would minimize adverse impacts from recreation to less than significant levels. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact to recreational facilities and services. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
7 3.5 acres/1,000 persons = 0.0035 acre/person
0.0035 acre/person x 6,823 residents = 23.88 acres (Proposed Project need)
0.0035 acre/person x 6,754 residents = 23.64 acres (Approved Project need)
0.0035 acre/person x 69 residents = 0.24 acre (Proposed Project increment compared to the Approved Project) Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 75 -
Impact 5.16-2: Project implementation would not result in environmental impacts to provide new and/or expanded recreational facilities. [Threshold R-2] Expanded Recreational Facilities
FCSP Buildout
As stated in Impact 5.16-1, the Proposed Project would result in the development of trails and parks in the plan area. As identified in the FCSP Update, all single-family residential developments with lot sizes less than 10,000 square feet are required to provide one pocket park of at least 10,000 square feet for each 50 residential dwelling units. The construction of these trails and parks were analyzed throughout the SEIR. On a project -by -project basis, construction associated with individual park facilities would be less intensive than the mass grading required for development of the individual planning areas within the plan area. Like the Approved Project, the Proposed Project would not require new and/or expanded facilities outside of the plan area. The incremental increase in demand for parkland (0.24 acres) generated by the Proposed Project compared to the Approved Project would not result in additional impacts. In addition, the Proposed Project would be conditioned to pay park development fees to the City, and impacts would be less than significant. Therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts to parkland than those identified in the 2008 Certified EIR.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not develop residential uses, and no parks are planned on the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project site. Therefore, no impacts would occur. The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard when compared to the impacts in the 2008 Certified EIR.
Finding. Compliance with existing PPPs would minimize adverse impacts from recreation to less than significant levels. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact from expanded recreational facilities. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
16. Transportation
Specific Plan PPPs
The following are plans, programs, and policies (PPPs) that would reduce the Proposed Project's potential transportation impacts:
The FCSP Update includes the following circulation goals:
Provide new roadway and trail connections to adequately serve the vehicular and emergency access needs throughout the Freeway Corridor Project.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 76 -
■ Provide new roadway and trail connections to adequately serve the vehicular and emergency access needs throughout the project area and provide connections to future areas of development. ■ Locate circulation routes in a manner that requires minimal grading and preserves natural topography and scenic views and parallels the natural drainage system, wherever possible. ■ Promote pedestrian and bicycling activities through both off- road trails and along roadways. ■ Design routes and access locations to minimize traffic impacts to surrounding neighborhoods. ■ Provide adequate and safe nonmotorized connections across I-10. ■ Connect trails to the San Timoteo Canyon regional bicycle trail where possible. ■ Provide multipurpose trails within natural and improved settings to improve the localized connectivity throughout the area.
Conditions of Approval
A TIA has been prepared in accordance with the City of Yucaipa's Traffic Impact Analysis Guidelines in order to identify transportation improvements necessary to maintain the City's local congestion - based standards. The City has identified that fair -share payment for the improvements would be implemented as Conditions of Approval for new development projects.
Specific Plan
Wildwood Canyon Road Interchange Not Operational at Buildout ■ Yucaipa Boulevard and Outer Highway 10 S: Add a southbound left -turn lane and westbound free right -turn lane.
■ Yucaipa Boulevard and I-10 Eastbound Ramps: Add an eastbound right -turn lane. ■ 16th Street and Outer Highway 10 S: Add an eastbound left -turn lane, a southbound right -turn lane, and a westbound right -turn lane.
■ 14th Street and Avenue E: Add an eastbound right -turn lane and westbound right -turn lane.
Install a traffic signal.
■ Live Oak Canyon Road and Outer Highway 10 S: Add a northbound left -turn lane, a northbound through lane, a southbound through lane, and an eastbound right -turn lane. ■ Oak Glen Road and Calimesa Boulevard: Add a northbound through lane, a southbound right - turn lane, an eastbound through lane, a westbound through lane, and a westbound right -turn lane.
Add a second northbound left -turn lane, a second southbound left -turn lane, a southbound through lane, and a third westbound left -turn lane.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 77 -
■ Oak Glen Road and Yucaipa Boulevard: Add a northbound right -turn lane. Add overlap phasing to the southbound right -turn lane.
■ Wildwood Canyon Road and Calimesa Boulevard: Install a traffic signal, add an eastbound through lane, and a westbound through lane.
■ Colorado Street and Wildwood Canyon Road: Install a traffic signal, add an eastbound through lane, a westbound through lane, and a southbound right -turn lane. ■ Calimesa Boulevard and County Line Road: Add a northbound right -turn lane, a southbound through lane, an eastbound through lane, an eastbound right -turn lane, and a westbound right -turn lane.
Wildwood Canyon Road Interchange Operational at Buildout ■ Yucaipa Boulevard and Outer Highway 10 S: a southbound left -turn lane and westbound free right -turn lane.
■ Yucaipa Boulevard and I-10 Eastbound Ramps: Add an eastbound right -turn lane. ■ 16th Street and Outer Highway 10 S: Add and eastbound left -turn lane, a southbound right -turn lane, and a westbound right -turn lane.
■ 14th Street and Avenue E: Add an eastbound right -turn lane and westbound right -turn lane.
Install a traffic signal.
■ Live Oak Canyon Road and Outer Highway 10 S: Add a northbound left -turn lane, a northbound through lane, a southbound through lane, and an eastbound right -turn lane. ■ Oak Glen Road and Calimesa Boulevard: Add a northbound through lane, a southbound right - turn lane, an eastbound through lane, a westbound through lane, and a westbound right -turn lane.
Add a second northbound left -turn lane, a second southbound left -turn lane, a southbound through lane, and a third westbound left -turn lane.
■ Oak Glen Road and Yucaipa Boulevard: Add a northbound right -turn lane. Add overlap phasing to the southbound right -turn lane.
■ Colorado Street and Wildwood Canyon Road: Install a traffic signal, add an eastbound through lane, a westbound through lane, and a southbound right -turn lane. ■ Calimesa Boulevard and County Line Road: Add a northbound right -turn lane, a southbound through lane, an eastbound through lane, an eastbound right -turn lane, and a westbound right -turn lane.
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CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 78 -
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center Project
Openinq Year (without Wildwood Canyon Interchange Proiect) ■ Live Oak Canyon Road and Outer Highway 10 S: Add a northbound left -turn lane, a northbound through lane, and a southbound through lane. ■ Oak Glen Road and Calimesa Boulevard: a second northbound left -turn lane, a third westbound left -turn lane. Add a northbound through lane, and a westbound right -turn lane. ■ Wildwood Canyon Road and Calimesa Boulevard: Install a traffic signal and a westbound through lane.
■ I-10 Eastbound Ramps and County Line Road: Install a traffic signal, add an eastbound through lane, an eastbound right -turn lane, and a westbound through lane.
Specific Plan Buildout Year (with Wildwood Canyon Interchange Proiect) ■ 16th Street and Outer Highway 10 S: Add an eastbound left -turn lane, a westbound right -turn lane, and a southbound right -turn lane.
■ Live Oak Canyon Road and Outer Highway 10 S: Add a northbound left -turn lane, a northbound through lane, a southbound through lane, and an eastbound right -turn lane. ■ Oak Glen Road and Calimesa Boulevard: Add a second northbound left -turn lane, a second southbound left -turn lane, a southbound through lane, and a third westbound left -turn lane. Add a northbound through lane, a southbound right -turn lane, an eastbound through lane, a westbound through lane, and a westbound right -turn lane.
■ Colorado Street and Wildwood Canyon Road: Install a traffic signal, add a southbound right - turn lane, an eastbound through lane, and a westbound through lane. ■ Calimesa Boulevard and County Line Road: Add a northbound right -turn lane, a southbound through lane, an eastbound through lane, an eastbound right -turn lane, and a westbound right -turn lane.
Impact 5.17-1: The Proposed Project would not conflict with a program, plan, ordinance, or policy addressing the circulation system, including transit, roadway, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities. [Threshold T-1]
Consistency with Plan, Policy, Ordinance Addressing Circulation System FCSP Buildout
The Proposed Project would have similar impacts to alternative transportation plans as the Approved Project. Since the 2008 EIR was certified, the City has adopted an updated General Plan and transportation policies. The FCSP Update is consistent with the City's updated complete streets goals and policies included in the current General Plan. Specifically, the FCSP Update implements circulation Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 79 -
goals to ensure consistency with local alternative transportation plans, such as promoting pedestrian and bicycle activities, providing adequate and safe nonmotorized connections across I-10, connecting trails to the San Timoteo Canyon regional bicycle trail, and providing multipurpose trails within natural and improved settings to improve connectivity. The FCSP includes an updated multimodal trail and circulation system and provides interconnectivity between the planning areas. The FCSP also requires new development to provide a system of pedestrian walkways for safe and convenient access. The FCSP promotes pedestrian and bicycle activities through off -road trails and along roads, and allows for bus stops in all the planning areas.
The City's General Plan includes a Bikeway Network that shows the planned bike lanes in the City, including within the plan area. Additionally, transit service in Yucaipa at buildout is anticipated to include additional routes, as identified in the San Bernardino County Long Range Transit Plan Final Report. A new Route 5 is anticipated to travel along 5th Street, Avenue E, and Wildwood Canyon Road. Therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in a substantial increase in magnitude of impacts or new impacts related to consistency with alternative transportation plans. Impacts would be less than significant.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
Consistency of the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center Project with local multimodal transportation plans are the same as that identified for the Proposed Project. As identified above, compared to the Approved Project, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not result in a new impact or substantial increase in magnitude of impacts related to pedestrian, bicycle, or transit use in the Plan area. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.
Finding. Compliance with existing PPPs would minimize adverse impacts from recreation to less than significant levels. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact on policies and plans addressing the circulation system. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
Impact 5.17-2: The Proposed Project would not generate a substantial increase in total VMT compared to the Approved Project. [Threshold T-21
Vehicle Miles Traveled
FCSP Buildout
Project Generated VMT Scenario
Table 5.17-4, Project Generated VMT Comparison of the Proposed Project to the Approved Project, of the Draft SEIR, shows that there would be a net decrease in VMT per service population (VMT/SP) from Approved Project to the Proposed Project. This is primarily due to the decrease in retail and associated employment accommodated by the Proposed Project compared to the Approved Project. Compared to the Approved Project, the Proposed Project would not result in a new impact or substantial increase in magnitude of impacts related to VMT. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.
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CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 80 -
Proiect Effect on VMT Scenario
Table 5.17-5, Project Effect on VMT Comparison of the Proposed Project to the Approved Prject, of the Draft SEIR, shows an increase in VMT/SP from the Approved Project. However, since VMT/SP would be less than Citywide VMT/SP, the FCSP Update is anticipated to result in a less than significant transportation impact related to VMT. Compared to the Approved Project, the Proposed Project would not result in a new impact or substantial increase in magnitude of impacts related to VMT.
Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
Table 5.17-6, VMT Comparison of the Pack Oaks Commerce Center Project, of the Draft SEIR, shows that the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center is anticipated to result in a less than significant transportation impact related to VMT based on the City's SB 743 thresholds. Consequently, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not result in a new impact or substantial increase in magnitude of impacts related to VMT. Furthermore, VMT associated with the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center is encompassed in the Specific Plan analysis in Tables 5.17-4 and 5.17-5, of the Draft SEIR, which shows that the Proposed Project would not result in a new or substantial increase in magnitude of VMT impacts compared to that identified in the 2008 Certified EIR. Therefore, project -level impacts would also be less than significant.
Finding. Compliance with existing PPPs would minimize adverse impacts from transportation to less than significant levels. The Proposed Project would have no significantdirect, indirect, and cumulative impact to Yucaipa's traffic analysis and methodology. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
Impact 5.17-3: The Specific Plan adequately addresses potentially hazardous conditions (sharp curves, etc.), potential conflicting uses, and emergency access. [Threshold T-3 and T-41
Hazardous Conditions and Emergency Access
FCSP Buildout
The Proposed Project would result in an increase of 25 units and 507,486 square feet compared to the Approved Project. As shown in Table 5.17-7, Trip Generation Comparison of the Proposed Project to the ApprovedProjectmith PCE, of the Draft SEIR, the Proposed Projectwould result in a substantial decrease in vehicle trips, and as a result, congestion compared to that of the Approved Project because of the reduction of regional retail land uses compared to business park/warehouse land use types. As a result, the Proposed Project would not result in a substantial increase in emergency hazards compared to the Approved Project. Additionally, a congestion -based Transportation Impact Analysis (TIA) has been prepared and identifies circulation improvements to maintain the City's congestion -based Level of Service (LOS) standards. These recommendations are identified as Conditions of Approval for new development within the FCSP.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 81 -
The circulation system of the FCSP Update has been designed to enhance visual and physical connectivity between neighborhoods, open space, and other uses within the area. The Specific Plan implements circulation goals to improve safety and emergency access, such as providing new roadways and trail connections to serve vehicular and emergency access needs and designing routes and access locations to minimize traffic to surrounding neighborhoods. Roadways within the Plan area are required to be designed to incorporate traffic -calming measures- that improve comfort and safety.
Traffic- calming design elements within the planning areas to provide a safe pedestrian environment may include narrower streets, roundabouts, intersection curb bump -outs, medians, shorter blocks, and tree canopies extending over streets. These encourage slower vehicular speeds and improve safety, and will allow efficient daily and emergency vehicular access as well as provide for multimodal (pedestrian, bicycle, and equestrian) access to all areas in the project. Public roads within the plan area would be dedicated to the City and maintained by the Public Works Department of the City of Yucaipa. Local private streets within a project boundary will be maintained though funding from the Homeowners Association fees or by the owner of the given project.
Additionally, for developments in Phases 5 and 6, secondary freeway access is required to be available prior to commencement of development to connect to I-10, as required by City public safety and emergency response personnel. A safety analysis was conducted at the interchange ramps on Live Oak Canyon Road, Wildwood Canyon Road, and County Line Road (see Appendix P of the Draft SEIR).
The TIA (Tables BB and CC) identify that the queues at the interchange ramps would not cause traffic to back up to the freeway mainline. In addition, a comparison of the queues under with Wildwood Canyon Road Interchange and without Wildwood Canyon Road Interchange shows a reduction in queues lengths at the Live Oak Canyon Road and County Line Road interchange ramps for the majority of the turning movements. The Proposed Project would not result in new impacts or a substantial increase in magnitude of impacts to emergency access and safety hazards compared to the Approved Project. Impacts would be less than significant.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
Transportation hazards associated with the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center Project are the same as that identified for the Proposed Project. As identified above, compared to the Approved Project, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not result in a new impact or substantial increase in magnitude of impacts related to transportation hazards. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.
Finding. Compliance with existing PPPs would minimize adverse impacts from transportation to less than significant levels. The Proposed Project would have no significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact to roadway hazards and emergency access. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
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CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 82 -
17. Utilities and Service Systems
Specific Plan PPPs
The following are plans, programs, and policies (PPPs) that would reduce the Proposed Project's potential utility and service system impacts:
Development Standards
The FCSP does not include specific development standards for wastewater treatment and collection in Chapter 4, Development Standard., however, Chapter 3, Project Description, describes the sewer system requirements. Section 3.8, Water and Sewer System, provides the infrastructure plans and required project design features to support development in the FCSP that is required by the Yucaipa Valley Water District (YVWD).
The FCSP does not include specific development standards for water systems in Chapter 4, Development Standard; however, Chapter 3, Project Description, describes the water system requirements. Section 3.8, Water and Sewer System, provides the infrastructure plans and required project design features to support development in the FCSP.
Section 3.8 notes that water pipelines must be sized to adequately service the following water demands as defined by the YVWD:
■ Maximum day demand multiplied by 1.33 plus the fire flow with a residual pressure of 20 pounds per square inch and a maximum velocity of 10 feet per second. ■ Maximum Hour Demand with a residual pressure of 40 pounds per square inch and a maximum velocity of 5 feet per second.
This section also states that the FCSP will utilize recycled water to irrigate greenbelt areas, commercial landscape areas, roadway medians, and yards for individual homes within YVWD's service area.
Section 3.8 also requires that proposed projects in the plan area incorporate the following water conservation measures:
■ Coordinate with local water agencies to evaluate impacts of proposed developments on water supply and demand:
■ Utilize low -output water systems through recycled water (for projects within YVWD's service area), water conserving irrigation systems, and landscape design. ■ Provide water facilities that adequately serve high quality water to future residents. ■ Ensure proper maintenance to avoid loss due to leakage.
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Statement of Overriding Considerations - 83 -
Conditions of Approval
Specific Plan
■ Bundled Services. Drinking water, recycled water, and sewer service shall be provided to each parcel within the FCSP served by the YVWD.
■ Annexation. Any parcel within the FCSP not currently annexed to YVWD, WHWC, or SMWC, shall be annexed to YVWD at the sole cost of the property owner prior to receiving service from YVWD.
■ Construction of Two Groundwater Injection/Extraction Wells. Future development pursuant to the FCSP shall dedicate sufficient property (location, grading, and size) subject to YVWD approval and construct two groundwater injection/extraction wells for the storage and extraction of drinking water to serve the Proposed Project. The dedication of the groundwater well sites (see Figure 5.19-3) shall be discussed in future development agreements with property deeded to YVWD in fee title prior to the issuance of building permits for either BP2 or BP3 and any planning area east of PA17. Additional details regarding the construction of the groundwater wells shall be discussed in future development agreements.
Recycled Water Use/Dual Plumbed Requirement. Recycled water shall be used to irrigate all greenbelt areas, landscape areas, and roadway medians within YVWD's service area. The use of recycled water shall also be required for non -potable uses on -site such as cooling and processing water for the applicable commercial/industrial facilities. ■ Construction of Surface Water Detention Basins. YVWD shall require the construction of soft bottom detention basins appropriately placed throughout the project area to maintain the percolation to the extent possible on -site within the service area of YVWD. YV``UD reserves the right to accept deeded property associated with stormwater capture basins for operation and maintenance based on discussions with individual property owners. ■ Temporary Facilities. YVWD recognizes that temporary facilities may be constructed to allow for the initial phasing of the Proposed Project. YVWD would provide time dependent limitations on all temporary facilities within its service area, regardless of economic conditions and phasing schedules.
■ Fixture Unit Calculations. Future development pursuant to the FCSP shall revise and update the fixture unit counts prior to construction and prior to occupancy to verify the facility capacity charges and other related costs and estimates.
■ Water Recharge Assignment. Storm water recharged as a result of development pursuant to the FCSP shall be tabulated and provided to YVWD for accrual to storage accounts of YVWD. ■ YVWD's Resolution No. 11-2008 and Resolution No. 2023-76. Future property owners and developers shall comply with YV`VD's Resolution No. 11-2008 and Resolution No. 2023-76, or its successors, prior to obtaining a building permit.
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Statement of Overriding Considerations - 84 -
■ Grading Water. Recycled Water is available immediately adjacent to the Proposed Project and shall be required for all grading activity within YVWD's service area.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
Bundled Services. Drinking water, recycled water, and sewer service shall be provided to all proposed buildings within the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center. ■ Annexation. The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center shall be annexed to YVWD at the sole cost of the property owner prior to receiving service from YVWD. ■ Construction of Two Groundwater Injection/Extraction Well.: The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center shall dedicate sufficient property (location, grading, and size) subject to YVWD approval to construct one groundwater injection/extraction well for the storage and extraction of drinking water to serve the FCSP. The dedication of the groundwater well site (see Figure 5.19-3) shall be discussed in future development agreements with property deeded to YVWD in fee title prior to the issuance of building permits for either BP2 or BP3. ■ Recycled Water Use/Dual Plumbed Requirement. Recycled water shall be used to irrigate all greenbelt areas, landscape areas, and roadway medians. The use of recycled water shall also be required for non -potable uses on -site such as cooling and processing water for the applicable commercial/industrial facilities.
■ Water Recharge Assignment. Storm water recharged as a result of Pacific Oaks Commerce Center shall be tabulated and provided to YVWD for accrual to storage accounts of YVWD. ■ YVWD's Resolution No. 11-2008 and Resolution No. 2023-76. The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center shall comply with YVWD's Resolution No. 11-2008 and Resolution No. 2023-76, or its successors, prior to obtaining a building permit.
■ Grading Water. Water required for grading activities shall be recycled water.
Impact 5.19-1: Project -generated wastewater could be adequately treated by the wastewater service provider for the project and would not require the construction of new wastewater treatment facilities or the expansion of existing facilities or exceed wastewater treatment requirements of the Regional Water Quality Control Board. [Thresholds U-1 (Dart), and U-31
Wastewater
FCSP Buildout
The proposed land use plan includes an overall increase of 25 dwelling units and 504,713 square feet of nonresidential uses. Table 5.19-2 Change in Server Generation, of the Draft SEIR, provides a summary of sewer demands for the Approved Project and the Proposed Project and shows that the Proposed Project would increase sewer flows by 162,410 gpd or 0.16 mgd compared to the Approved Project.
This increase in flows could impact the sewer infrastructure system. Implementation of the Proposed Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
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Statement of Overriding Considerations - 85 -
Project, like the Approved Project, would require the construction of new sewer infrastructure on -site and off -site since the plan area is currently undeveloped.
New lift stations and potential relocation of the existing lift station to provide adequate service and conveyance to the treatment plant may be needed. YVWD is currently evaluating the number of lift stations, capacity of the existing lift station, and potential relocation of this lift station. It is likely that this lift station would require improvements or relocation and upsizing to handle the increased flows.
The construction of the on -site and off -site sewer lines and associated improvements would primarily include trenching for the pipelines. All construction would be in accordance with the State Construction General Permit. Any work that may affect services to the existing sewer lines would be coordinated with the City and YVWD, and a construction management plan or equivalent is required to ensure safe pedestrian access as well as emergency vehicle access and safe vehicle travel. Moreover, when considering impacts resulting from the installation of any required wastewater infrastructure, all impacts are relatively short term and would cease once the installation is complete. Therefore, impacts on wastewater systems associated with construction activities would be less than significant.
YVWD has a formal process to ensure that the overall sewer system —including future sewer lines and the integrity of existing facilities is managed efficiently. All new development projects must prepare detailed sewer reports, including detailed demands, grading plans, pad elevations, anticipated easements and public dedications, points of connection, anticipated sewer line alignments, and slopes. Once the documentation is complete, YVWD incorporates the sewer demands into the sewer hydraulic model to evaluate impacts and identify the required sewer infrastructure upgrades necessary to support development pursuant to the Proposed Project while ensuring that existing systems and service areas are not negatively impacted. YVWD has a proactive process to track the condition of sewer infrastructure through established capital improvement projects and project -by -project review of required documentation.
Since the Proposed Project is being evaluated at a programmatic level, with the exception of the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center Project, and there are no projects with sufficient detail to analyze at this point, site -specific sewer infrastructure details and requirements are not known at this time. As projects consistent with the Proposed Project are submitted, detailed sewer analyses will identify on- and off - site improvements. In certain instances where more precise detail is required, developers may be required to perform sewer flow monitoring at key nodes in the existing sewer system that would receive future flows from the planning area. All development would also need to pay developer fees and fair - share contributions for regional improvements.
The increase in sewer flows of approximately 0.61 mgd would increase the amount of treatment required at the WRF (see Table 5.19-2). The existing wastewater flow within the system is approximately 3.8 mgd as of 2020, resulting in remaining capacity of 4.2 mgd. Therefore, development anticipated under the Proposed Project would not exceed the available wastewater treatment capacity of the WRF.
Additionally, project -generated wastewater would comply with the Sana Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board's Order No. R8-2015-0027. Development pursuant to the Proposed Project would also be designed, constructed, and operated in accordance with the YVWD's Order No. 54-2009.
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CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 86 -
Therefore, impacts would be less than significant. The Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe impacts associated with wastewater treatment and infrastructure when compared to the analysis in the 2008 Certified EIR.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
Construction of any on -site and off -site sewer lines and associated improvements would be in accordance with the State Construction General Permit and coordinated with the City and YVWD. A construction management plan or equivalent would be required to ensure safe pedestrian access, emergency vehicle access, and safe vehicle travel. Moreover, when considering impacts resulting from the installation of any required wastewater infrastructure, all impacts are relatively short term and would cease once the installation is complete. Therefore, impacts on wastewater systems associated with construction activities would be less than significant.
The 24-inch trunkline that bisects planning areas BP2 and BP3 does not have sufficient capacity for the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project. A new sewer line from the proposed development to the waste treatment facility that runs parallel to the existing 24-inch line is proposed to avoid adding any flows to the impacted line. The proposed line would be within the future roadway between BP2 and BP3 and would tie into the existing line south of BP3 that leads to the treatment facility.
As with any development in the plan area, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project must prepare detailed sewer reports, including detailed demands, grading plans, pad elevations, anticipated easements and public dedications, points of connection, anticipated sewer line alignments, and slopes. Once the documentation is complete, YVWD would incorporate the sewer demands into the sewer hydraulic model to evaluate impacts and identify the required sewer infrastructure upgrades necessary to support the development while ensuring existing systems and service areas are not negatively impacted. The project applicant would also need to pay developer fees and fair -share contributions for regional improvements. Therefore, impacts on wastewater infrastructure associated with the operational phase of development pursuant to the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would be less than significant.
The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not result in new or substantially more severe impacts associated with wastewater treatment and infrastructure when compared to the analysis in the 2008 Certified EIR.
Finding. Compliance with existing PPPs would minimize adverse impacts from utilities and service systems to less than significant levels. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact to wastewater facilities. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
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CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 87 -
Impact 5.19-2: Impact 5.19-2: Water supply and delivery systems are adequate to meet project requirements. [Thresholds U-1 (part) and U-21
Water Supply and Delivery Systems
FCSP Buildout
Water Infrastructure
Proposed development within the FCSP area is anticipated to fall within Pressure Zones 9 through 12 based on the analysis completed for the 2008 FCSP. There have been no significant changes that would alter the pressure zones.
A draft water infrastructure plan for both potable and nonpotable water systems has been completed by YVWD for the FCSP. Approximately 1,364 linear feet of on -site potable waterlines would be installed connecting private water lines from each building with the public system in the proposed streets. Approximately 20,690 linear feet of off -site potable public water lines would be installed to service the Proposed Project.
Figure 5.19-4, Proposed Potable Water Infrastructure, of the Draft SEIR, shows the proposed potable water lines needed to serve the Proposed Project. A new water connection would be required and begin at Avenue D and Oak Glen Road to the north and run south under the I-10 within Live Oak Canyon and then easterly in the new proposed road leading to the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project, and new water lines would be needed for planning Areas PA14 through PA 24. For development north of I-10, existing and new water lines would service the proposed land uses. For the proposed residential and commercial uses west of Live Oak Canyon Road, water lines would be extended from Live Oak Canyon Road. In addition to proposed pipelines, the water infrastructure plan also notes additional water wells, tanks, and booster pumping plants needed throughout the FCSP project area.
Recycled water pipelines would occur adjacent to all proposed potable water infrastructure. Projects in the plan area would be responsible for implementing on -site potable and recycled water lines (if they are within YVWD's service area), water reservoirs, booster systems, and off -site potable and recycled water lines to their specific locations to bring water sources into the new service areas and ensure adequate pressure for fire flow protection. Project's within SMWC's service area would need to implement the requirements of SMWC's Standard Specification for the Furnishing of Materials and the Construction of Water Facilities.
All construction would be performed in accordance with the Construction General Permit. Any work that may affect services to the existing water lines would be coordinated with the City and the associated water district. When considering impacts resulting from the installation of any required water infrastructure, all impacts are relatively short term and would cease once the installation is complete. Therefore, impacts on water systems associated with construction activities would be less than significant.
All three water districts in the plan area have a formal process to ensure that the overall water system is managed efficiently and functions properly, including infrastructure, fire flow requirements, and water supply availability. New development projects must prepare detailed water hydraulic reports.
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CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 88 -
Therefore, impacts on water infrastructure associated with the operational phase of the Proposed Project would be less than significant. The Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe impacts associated with water delivery systems when compared to the impacts in the 2008 Certified EIR.
Water Demand
The Proposed Project increases the total dwelling units by 25 and increases the nonresidential land uses by 504,713 square feet. Table 5.19-6, Residential and Nonresidential Water Demands, of the Draft SEIR, shows the total water demands for the Approved Project compared to the Proposed Project and shows that potable water demands would increase by approximately 354 acre-feet per year (afy), and recycled water demands would decrease by approximately 193 afy.
YVWD's 2020 Urban Water Management Plan (UV/MP) states that there are sufficient water supplies through 2045 to meet projected demands in normal years, single dry years, and multiple dry years through 2045. As identified in the WSA (see Appendix Q of the Draft SEIR), YVWD would enter into a long-term water supply agreement with WHWC to supplement WHWC's groundwater supplies with imported water supplied by YVWD. Additional water supplies for the Proposed Project are also expected to be secured by water rights acquired by YVWD from the South Mountain Water Company to further enhance the water supplies for proposed development within YVWD's and W IWC's service areas.
SMWC's service area encompasses the County Line Road Warehouse project and an additional 9.7 acres of Business Park land uses. The additional 9.7 acres of Business Park uses would result in a potable water demand of 19,400 gpd (or approximately 22 afy).s As shown in Table 5.19-4, SMWC Normal, Single Dry, and Multiple Dry Year Supply and Demand, of the Draft SEIR, SMWC has residual water supply to accommodate this increase in potable water demand and impacts would be less than significant. The Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe impacts associated with water supply when compared to the 2008 Certified EIR.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
Water Infrastructure
Construction of any on -site and off -site water lines and associated improvements would be in accordance with the State Construction General Permit and coordinated with the City and YVWD.
Moreover, when considering impacts resulting from the installation of any required water infrastructure, all impacts are relatively short term and would cease once the installation is complete.
Therefore, impacts on water systems associated with construction activities would be less than significant.
For the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project, new water service lines would be constructed to service the two industrial buildings and the future residential component (PA 10). The applicant worked with YVWD on pipe sizes, alignments, and associated infrastructure to provide reliable water supply and fire flow protection and determined the alignments for both potable and recycled water lines to follow B Using YVWD's potable water demand rate of 2,000 gpd/ac for Light Industrial uses.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
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the proposed roadway network associated with the proposed land uses. For recycled water infrastructure, proposed pipeline alignment would occur adjacent to all proposed potable water infrastructure. Separate pipelines and water storage facilities are used between the two sources to avoid mixing.
As with any development in the plan area, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would prepare detailed water hydraulic reports. Once the documentation is complete, YVWD would incorporate the water demands into the water hydraulic model to evaluate impacts and identify the required water infrastructure upgrades necessary to support the development while ensuring existing systems and service areas are not negatively impacted. The project applicant would also need to pay developer fees and fair share contributions for regional improvements. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant. The project would not result in new or substantially more severe impacts associated with water delivery infrastructure when compared to impacts in the 2008 Certified EIR.
Water Demand
The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center is within the proposed FCSP, and development of the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project is included in the water demand identified in Table 5.19-6. As identified in the WSA (see Appendix Q), the YVWD indicates that there would be sufficient water supplies to meet the demand for Pacific Oaks Commerce Center. Therefore, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts to water supply when compared to the 2008 Certified EIR.
Finding. Compliance with existing PPPs would minimize adverse impacts from utilities and service systems to less than significant levels. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact to water supply and treatment facilities. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
Impact 5.19-3: The Proposed Project would not require or result in the relocation or construction of new or expanded storm drain facilities the construction or relocation of which could cause significant environmental effects. [Threshold U-1(part)]
Stormwater Systems
FCSP Buildout
The Proposed Project would have similar impervious conditions as the land uses for the plan area addressed in the 2008 Certified EIR. San Bernardino County Flood Control District (SBCFCD) and the City require that new development complete drainage and hydrology analyses to ensure that on - and off -site drainage facilities can accommodate increased stormwater flows. New development would be required to prepare a stormwater water quality management plan that includes implementation of on -site best management practices.
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Additionally, hydromodification impacts would be addressed on a project -by -project basis in accordance with the San Bernardino County Technical Guidance Document. All projects would also be required to evaluate project -specific impervious surface calculations to ensure proper mitigation of runoff is met, and would be subject to the provisions in the 2012 Master Plan of Drainage (MPD), which requires projects to match or reduce peak flows compared to predevelopment conditions.
Additionally, all new storm drain systems would be designed in conformance with the City's standards.
Therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in a new or substantially more severe significant impact associated with storm drainage infrastructure when compared to the Approved Project, and impacts would be less than significant.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
A preliminary hydrology report for the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center was prepared (see Appendix L of the Draft SEIR). Existing peak flow rates were determined for the 100-year, 24-hour storm event and compared to peak flows for the proposed development for the same storm events. Proposed storm drain facilities would be designed and constructed in accordance with SBCFCD requirements and the City's standards. Therefore, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard compared to impacts in the 2008 Certified EIR.
Finding. Compliance with existing PPPs would minimize adverse impacts from utilities and service systems to less than significant levels. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact to stormwater facilities. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
Impact 5.19-4: Existing and/or proposed facilities would be able to accommodate Project - generated solid waste and comply with related solid waste regulations. [Thresholds U-4 and U-5]
Solid Waste
FCSP Buildout
Implementation of the Proposed Project would decrease solid waste generation by 65,015 pounds per day when compared to the Approved Project, as shown in Table 5.19-8, Change in Solid Waste Generation, of the Draft SEIR. Therefore, the San Timoteo Sanitary Landfill would be able to accommodate the solid waste generated from buildout of the Proposed Project.
Furthermore, substantial reductions in solid waste from construction materials can be achieved through recycling, reuse, and diversion programs. CALGreen section 5.408, Construction Waste Reduction, Disposal and Recycling, mandates recycling and/or salvaging for reuse a minimum of 65 percent of the nonhazardous construction and demolition waste. The California Building Code also requires a Construction and Demolition materials management plan prior to issuance of building permits for large projects. Project -related construction and operation phases would comply with federal, State, and local laws and regulations that govern solid waste disposal. With continued compliance with the applicable regulations, anticipated rates of solid waste disposal would be less than Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
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significant. The Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe impacts associated with solid waste disposal when compared to the 2008 Certified EIR.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
The solid waste generation for the Proposed Project includes solid waste generated by the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project, and the San Timoteo Sanitary Landfill would be able to accommodate the solid waste generated from the project. Additionally, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would implement the requirements of CALGreen, would implement a Construction and Demolition materials management plan, and would comply with federal, State, and local laws and regulations that govern solid waste disposal as listed above. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant. The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not result in new or substantially more severe impacts associated with solid waste disposal when compared to impacts in the 2008 Certified EIR.
Finding. Compliance with existing PPPs would minimize adverse impacts from utilities and service systems to less than significant levels. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact to solid waste disposal facilities and services. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
Impact 5.19-5: The Proposed Project would not require or result in the relocation or construction of new or expanded electric power, natural gas, or telecommunication facilities the construction or relocation of which could cause significant environmental effects. [Threshold U-1 (part)] Other Utilities
FCSP Buildout
Construction
Most large construction equipment for construction would be gas or diesel powered, and later construction phases would require electricity -powered equipment such as nail guns for interior construction and sprayers for architectural coatings. Overall, the use of electricity would be temporary and would fluctuate according to the phase of construction. Therefore, energy consumption associated with construction activities would be similar. Therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in a new or substantially more severe significant impact when compared to the Approved Project, and impacts would be less than significant.
Operation
Compared to the Approved Project, the Proposed Project would result in a decrease of 11,322,933 kilowatt-hours per year in electricity and 24,924,846 kilo British thermal units per year of natural gas demand. The decrease is generally attributable to the decrease in the regional commercial space in lieu of warehousing space. Land uses accommodated under the FCSP would be subject to the Building Energy Efficiency Standards and CALGreen which would contribute to reducing building energy demands through energy efficiency and use of renewable energy.
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Total electricity consumption in SCE's service area is forecast to decrease by approximately 1,068 gigawatt-hours between 2020 and 2035. The total gas consumption in the SoCalGas service area was approximately 7,333 million therms in 2020, with demand projected to be 7,672 million therms in 203.
SCE and SoCalGas forecast that they will have sufficient electricity and gas supplies to meet demands in its service area.
Infrastructure supporting telecommunications services associated with the Proposed Project would be provided and installed on -site. Concealed wireless telecommunications facilities would be installed, resulting in physical impacts to the surface and subsurface of the plan area. These impacts are part of the construction phase and are evaluated throughout this Draft SEIR. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant. The Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe impacts when compared to the 2008 Certified EIR.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
Construction
Energy consumption during the construction phase of the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center would be similar to other development pursuant to the Proposed Project. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant. The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not result in new or substantially more severe impacts when compared to the 2008 Certified EIR.
Operation
Energy consumption for the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project is included in the overall energy consumption for the Proposed Project. As noted above, the Proposed Project would result in a decrease in both electricity and natural gas use. The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would be required to comply with the latest applicable Building Energy Efficiency Standards and CALGreen, and the two proposed warehouses would each have a photovoltaic system installed. Each system would generate up to 150,000 kilowatt-hours per year of renewable electricity. Additionally, SCE and SoCalGas forecasts that they will have sufficient supplies to meet demands in their service areas.
Therefore, implementation of the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not require SCE to obtain new or expanded electricity supplies; impacts would be less than significant.
Infrastructure supporting telecommunications services would be provided and installed on -site.
Concealed wireless telecommunications facilities would be installed. These impacts are part of the construction phase and are evaluated throughout this Draft SEIR. Impacts would be less than significant. The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not result in new or substantially more severe impacts when compared to the 2008 Certified EIR.
Finding. Compliance with existing PPPs would minimize adverse impacts from utilities and service systems to less than significant levels. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact to other utilities. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
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18. Wildfire
The following are plans, programs, and policies (PPPs) that would reduce the Proposed Project's potential wildfire impacts:
Fire Protection Plan
Development within the FCSP is required to adhere to the requirements identified in the FCSP Fire Protection Plan (see Appendix S).
Section 2.2.5 Fire Protection Features' Beneficial Effect on Wildfire Ignition Risk Reduction
1. Ignition Resistant, Planning, and Maintained Landscape. Landscaping within the plan area, including common areas and Fuel Modification Zones (FMZ), would be subject to strict plant types that are lower ignition plants. Landscaping close to structures will require irrigation to maintain high plant moistures.
2. Fuel Modification Zones. All development within the plan area will provide an FMZ, which would be 100 feet and includes specifically selected plant species, very low fuel densities (only 30 percent retention of native plants in outer zones and irrigated inner zones), and ongoing maintenance, resulting in a wide buffer between the developed areas and the off -site native fuels.
3. Annual FMZ Inspections. All developments within the Specific Plan area, each developer would have a contracted, 3rd party, Yucaipa Fire Department —approved FMZ inspector perform two inspections per year to ensure that FMZs are maintained in a condition that is consistent with the City's and Fire Protection Plan requirements and would provide a benefit of a wide barrier separating wildland fuels from on -site ignitions.
4. Ignition Resistant Structures. Structures within the plan area would be built to the CBC Chapter 7A ignition resistant requirements that have been developed and codified after fire save and loss assessments. These measures would result in structures that are designed, built, and maintained to withstand fire and embers associated with wildfires.
5. Interior Fire Sprinklers. Developments within the plan area would include interior fire sprinklers, which are designed to provide additional time for occupants to escape the structures. Sprinklers are also designed to provide structural protection.
6. Fire Access Roads. All roads within the plan area would provide code -consistent access throughout each development, including at least two points of ingress/egress.
7. Water. Future development within the plan area will provide water for firefighting throughout the project site, including fire hydrants accessible by fire engines, which is a critical component of suppressing both structural and vegetation fires. All development in the plan area will provide firefighting water volume, availability, and sustained pressures to the satisfaction of Yucaipa Fire Department.
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Section 5.4 Defensible Space and Vegetation Management
This section of the Fire Protection Plan includes defensible space and FMZ requirements. An FMZ is a strip of land where combustible vegetation has been removed and/or modified and partially or completely replaced with more adequately spaced, drought -tolerant, fire-resistant plants to give structures a reasonable level of protection from wildland fire. The FMZ would include a minimum 5- foot-wide noncombustible Zone A, a 45-foot-wide irrigated Zone B, and a 50-foot-wide thinning Zone C. In areas that would be unable to achieve 100 feet of FMZ, the incorporation of enhanced construction features, such as a 6-foot heat deflecting wall constructed of concrete masonry units between on -site structures and unmaintained open space would be used to provide a functional equivalency for a full FMZ. FMZs would be maintained on at least an annual basis or more often as needed to maintain the fuel modification buffer function. An on -site inspection will be conducted by the Yucaipa Fire Department upon completion of landscape installation before a certificate of occupancy being granted by the City's building code official.
Additionally, a fire access road zone would provide 10 feet of horizontal clearance on each side and 20 feet of vertical clearance along all fire access roads. This zone would also require an unobstructed vertical clearance of 20 feet, appropriate placing of landscaping and native plants, lower flammability trees, and maintenance of landscaping and other features.
Prior to the start of construction, perimeter fuel modification areas would be implemented and approved by the Yucaipa Fire Department from combustible materials that are brought on -site. This includes removing 50 percent of the existing flammable vegetation and removing dead fuel, ladder fuel, and downed fuel.
Appendix D of the Fire Protection Plan contains a list of undesirable plants that have highly flammable characteristics. These characteristics can be physical (structure promotes ignition or combustible) or chemical (volatile chemicals increase flammability or combustion characteristics). These plants could not be planted or allowed to establish opportunistically within the FMZs or landscape areas.
Conditions of Approval
Specific Plan
■ Prior to approval of recording any final map or issuance of a Building Permit, a Community Facilities District (CFD) or Fire Service Agreement (FSA) shall be approved and implemented to support the needs of the Yucaipa Fire Department to serve the FCSP. In particular, the CFD or FSA shall address the equipment requirements related to an identified need for an aerial ladder and/or Type 6 Medic Patrol or Medic Squad to adequately ensure availability of needed resources.
The CFD or FSA shall be approved in cooperation with the Yucaipa Fire Department, City of Yucaipa Planning Department, and property owners (or residents if a CFD is approved requiring voter approval [greater than 12 property owners]). The parties may agree to an alternate funding mechanism from the options described in the Specific Plan as desired.
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■ Projects with square footages over 400,000 square feet, or those that are three or more stories tall, or higher than 45 tall will participate in a fair -share funding agreement for an aerial ladder truck.
The funding amounts are to be determined by the City and respective Applicant.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
This project is protected by the Yucaipa Fire Department / CalFire. Prior to any construction occurring on any parcel, the applicant shall contact the Fire Marshall for verification of current fire protection development requirements. All new construction shall comply with the adopted Uniform Fire Code and all applicable statutes, codes, ordinances, standards and policies of the Yucaipa Fire Department/CalFire.
■ This project is in Fire Safety Review Area 2. This is a high fire hazard brush area. This project shall comply with the construction and development standards for a FR-2 Area. Contact the City Building & Safety Division for FR-2 Area construction and development standards. ■ Fire Department access roads and/or public/private streets shall meet the Fire Department minimum width standard of 24 feet. Within FR-1 zone minimum width shall be 26 feet. Access roads shall be paved (asphalt/concrete) and in place prior to placement of combustible material on site. Fire Department minimum paving thickness shall be no less than 4 inches. This standard shall not lessen other agency requirements.
■ Fire Department access roads and/or public/private streets and residential driveways shall have a minimum vertical clearance of 13 feet and 6 inches.
■ Fire Department access roadways and/or public/private streets and driveways shall not exceed 12 percent grade (please note: Engineering Division requirements may be more restrictive). ■ Cul-de-sacs shall not exceed 600 feet in total length, unless otherwise approved by the Fire Department.
■ Required fire flow for this project, as determined by I.S.O. Formula, is as follows: GPM = 8,000, at 20 psi residual; for 4 hour duration A reduction in the required fire flow rate may be allowed per the exceptions specified in the California Fire Code. System shall be looped with minimum 8 inch mains; 6 inch laterals; 6 inch risers; 6 inch diameter hydrants with one 2 '/z" outlet and one 4" outlet.
Approved fire hydrants capable of supplying required fire flow shall be provided to all premises upon which facilities, buildings or portions of buildings are constructed or moved within the jurisdiction. When any portion of the facility or building protected is in excess of 400 feet from a fire hydrant on a public street, as measured by an approved route around the exterior of the facility or building, additional fire hydrants meeting the required fire flow shall be provided.
Fire hydrants shall be installed at locations to be determined by the California Fire Code (2022) Appendix "C". Requited fire flow to be determined by the California Fire Code (2022) Appendix "B". Minimum fire flow shall not be less than 8,000 gpm (exceptions not applied).
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A greenbelt or fuel modification zone plan shall be required and bonded for this project. Fuel modification plan requirements shall be site specific to this project. The applicant shall submit a fuel modification plan to the Fire Department for review and comments or approval. Maintenance provisions of the fuel modification zone shall be approved by the Fire Department. Maintenance of the fuel modification zone, located in designated open space, and enforcement of the fuel modification zone, within the property of individual property owners, shall be the responsibility of a homeowners' association or other approved maintenance authority that is acceptable to the Fire Department.
■ Three sets of water delivery system plans, designed to meet the required fire flow for this project and/or development shall be submitted to the Fire Department for approval. ■ Applicant -developer shall provide the Fire Department with a letter from the water company serving the project -development, verifying that financial arrangements have been made and bonds posted for the required Fire Department approved water improvements. ■ Prior to any construction, the entire fuel modification zone required and approved by the Fire Department shall be completed. Any phased implementation of the fuel modification zone shall be done only with prior approval of the Fire Department. ■ A fuel break of 100 feet (brush and weed clearance) is required prior to construction. The clearance shall be maintained on a year-round basis.
■ An additional fuel modification zone of 100 feet shall be provided on all side(s) of the proposed structure(s). Fuels in this zone are to be thinned and/or removed or otherwise modified to provide a reasonable level of fire defense protection to the proposed structure(s). ■ Fire hydrants shall be installed and operational as per approved water system delivery plans prior to any framing, construction, or delivery of combustible materials to project site. ■ An alternative type of construction providing a higher level of fire resistance is required. Contact the Fire Department or City Building Official for more information. ■ Fire Department access roadways and/or public/private streets exceeding 150 feet in length shall have a Fire Department approved turn -around at the terminus (cul-de-sac). Minimum radius shall be not less than 48 feet.
■ Fire Department access roadways and/or public/private streets and driveways shall extend to within one hundred fifty (150) feet of and shall give reasonable access to all portions of the exterior walls of the first story of any building. An access road, approved by the Fire Department, shall be provided to within fifty (50) feet of all structures when the natural grade between access road and structure is in excess of 30 percent. Where an approved access road cannot be provided, a fire protection system shall be required and approved by the Fire Department.
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The development and/or project, and each phase thereof, shall have a minimum of two (2) remote points of access, including a secondary access, for fire and other emergency equipment and for routes of escape which will safely handle evacuations.
Manual operated gates across Fire Department access roadways, public and/or private streets and driveways, shall be equipped with approved emergency key -operated ("Knox" type) locks. For automatic gates, a "Knox" keyed emergency access switch shall be installed at location determined by Fire Department, and shall over -ride all command functions and open gate automatically upon activation. All automatic gates shall have a manual over -ride for use during loss of electric power. "Knox box" request forms are available from the Fire Department. ■ "No Parking - Fire Lane" signs shall be posted at locations designated by Fire Marshall. Fire lane curbs shall be painted red with white letters stating "No Parking — Fire Lane". ■ On site fire hydrants capable of supplying required fire flow shall be installed at locations identified by the Fire Marshall. System shall be looped with minimum 8 inch mains; 6 inch laterals; 6 inch risers; 6 inch diameter hydrants with one 2'/2" outlet and one 4" outlet. ■ Approved fire hydrant pavement markers shall be installed. ■ Automatic fire sprinklers shall be installed according to NFPA 13 and Fire Department requirements. Submit 3 sets of shop plans with material cut sheets and hydraulic calculations, indicating the type of occupancy, type of materials to be stored (if any), for Fire Department review and approval prior to any installation. Submit copy of California C-16 license. ■ Automatic fire sprinkler control devices (P.LV. & O.S.&Y.) shall be visible from Fire Department access roadway, and identify system being controlled and address of structure. Fire Department Connection (FDC) shall be located no closer than 50 feet and not to exceed 150 feet from structure. Required fire hydrant shall have a maximum distance from FDC of 30 feet. FDC shall identify address and system of structure being protected. ■ A minimum of one 2A-10BC fire extinguisher shall be installed for each 3,000 sq. ft. of floor area.
Travel distance to any one fire extinguisher shall not exceed 75 feet. Additional fire extinguishers, size and class to be determined by Fire Department, may be required. Fire extinguishers shall be serviced annually and shall have a current sfm service tag attached.
An automatic fire detection and alarm system meeting the requirements of UFC Article 10, CBC and NFPA 72 shall be installed. Three sets of shop plans with material cut sheets and calculations shall be submitted to the Fire Department for review and approval prior to installation. ■ Dependent on occupancy type and load, an automatic smoke removal system shall be installed.
The system shall comply with the UFC and CBC requirements. Three sets of shop plans with material cut sheets and calculations shall be submitted to the Fire Department for review and approval prior to installation.
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■ Dependent on occupancy type and load, an automatic smoke ventilation system shall be installed.
Roof vent, venting ratios and draft curtains shall be provided. Three (3) sets of shop plans with material cut sheets and calculations shall be submitted to the Fire Department for review and approval prior to installation.
■ High Fire Hazard Areas FR-1 & FR-2: one -hour fire resistive construction is required for exterior walls. Contact Fire Marshall or City Building Official for more information. ■ The main electrical panel and all sub -panels shall be labeled on inside cover for all circuits. ■ Water heater (fuel fired) shall be properly vented to exterior of structure. Water heater shall be seismic strapped to wall and be located 18" above a garage floor. ■ Commercial and industrial structures/occupancies and gated complexes shall have a "knox box" system installed on the exterior of the buildings or complex. Location of device to be determined by the Fire Department. The box shall contain keys necessary to gain access and may contain pre - plans and msds information as required by the Fire Department. ■ Commercial exit requirements:
A. Required exit doors shall be maintained in an operable condition at all times.
B. Required exit doors shall swing outward and away in the direction of exit travel.
C. Obstructions shall not be placed in the required width of an exit. Exits shall not be blocked or locked shut or obstructed in any manner during business hours.
D. Exit paths shall be illuminated when structure is occupied.
E. Exit path illumination shall be supplied from 2 sources of power when occupant load is one 100 persons or more.
F. When exit way/exit pathway and/or exit doorway is not easily identified, additional exit signs shall be installed.
G. Exit signs shall be internally or externally illuminated by two lamps or shall be of the self - luminous type.
■ All flammable and combustible liquid storage and dispensing shall be in accordance with applicable sections of the UFC Article 79 and City codes and ordinances. Plan review and annual permit to operate from the Fire Department is required.
■ Address numbers shall be provided along the roofs of the warehouse structures to aid aerial police and fire support personnel the ability to locate each site. ■ Commercial and industrial buildings in excess of 20,000 square feet and with an interior area more than 150 feet from exterior exit, shall be equipped with a Class I standpipe system or as needed to meet California Fire Code Section 905. Standpipe connections shall be configured to reach any Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
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portion of interior space within 150 feet in any direction of travel. This system shall be calculated to provide 500 gpm from an adjacent automatic fire sprinkler riser at 100 psi nozzle pressure for two hand lines flowing.
■ To ensure that the construction of the proposed structures does not impact the Yucaipa Fire Department's Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating, applicant shall pay to the City approximately half of the cost of a ladder truck fire apparatus (with associated equipment) in the amount of $490,000 to be used by the City to assist with the purchase of the ladder truck.
Impact 5.20-1: The Proposed Project would not substantially impair an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan. [Threshold W-1] Emergency Response and Evacuation Plans
FCSP Buildout
Primary access to and from the plan area would occur via multiple access points such as Live Oak Canyon Road and Outer Highway 10 South in the northwestern portion of the plan area; and Live Oak Canyon Road, I-10, and new roadways in the southern portion of the plan area. During later phases of project development, site access would also be available via the I-10 interchange at Wildwood Canyon Road.
The Proposed Project would include the features to ensure adequate fire access and evacuation in the plan area roadways, such as ensuring all roads comply with access road standards of not less than 20 feet of unobstructed width, interior roads will be constructed to minimum 20-foot unobstructed widths, gradient of fire apparatus access roads shall not exceed the maximum 12 percent, private and public streets for each phase shall meet all plan -area -approved fire code requirements, vertical clearance of vegetation will be maintained at 13 feet 6 inches, cul-de-sacs and fire apparatus turnarounds shall meet Yucaipa Fire Department standards, traffic lights shall have traffic pre-emption devices compatible with devices on the fire apparatus, roadways/driveways will provide fire department access within 150 feet of all portions of the exterior walls, ensure that roadway design features do not interfere with emergency apparatus response speeds, and access roads shall be usable by fire apparatus.
The Proposed Project would increase the residential units and total residents by 25 dwelling units and 69 residents, respectively, compared to the Approved Project. Additionally, the Proposed Project would decrease the number of jobs by 317 jobs compared to the Approved Project; the proposed employment centers would include more logistics and warehousing than the Approved Project, which would reduce the number of visitors to the plan area due to less retail and commercial uses. This change to the number of residents and jobs would reduce daily weekday trips under the Proposed Project by 81,073 trips when compared to the Approved Project, as discussed in Chapter 5.17, Transportation, of this Draft SEIR. Therefore, if the entire plan area were to evacuate at the same time, the number of vehicles needing to evacuate would be reduced under the Proposed Project.
Effective emergency response depends on the Fire Department response times throughout the plan area. Yucaipa Fire Station 3 would provide initial response to the plan area with an average response Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
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time of 8 minutes and 36 seconds. Although this response time is beyond the five-minute response standard, given the Proposed Project's fire safety features and the flexibility allowed by the response time 90 percent achievement rate, the response time is considered to substantially conform with the Fire Department's internal standards, subject to Fire Department review. Therefore, the Proposed Project would not impair the Emergency Operations Plan more substantially than the Approved Project.
The Proposed Project would include Conditions of Approval, such as ignition -resistant landscaping and code -compliant access roads, which would ensure adequate fire safety and emergency access. The Proposed Project would be required to comply with state and local regulations and requirements to ensure adequate road widths and clearances for emergency vehicles and access. As such, impacts would be less than significant.
Emergency response and evacuation could be hindered by construction activities. However, all construction staging would be within the plan area and would not block access to and from the plan area. The construction would be phased over 15 to 20 years and would have similar construction activities to that of the Approved Project. Therefore, the Proposed Project would not impede emergency access to or evacuation from the surrounding community compared to the Approved Project.
As such, the Proposed Project would not result in new impacts or a substantial increase in magnitude of impacts to adopted emergency response and evacuation plans compared to the Approved Project.
Impacts would be less than significant.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center is within the proposed FCSP, and development of the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would result in 317 fewer jobs compared to the Approved Project.
Therefore, fewer vehicles would need to evacuate at the same time under the Proposed Project, and impacts associated with the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center would be slightly less than those identified for the Approved Project. The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center would include at least two points of ingress/egress from "new street," and "new street" would not be a single access road. The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center would be required to comply with the fire safety and construction features of the proposed FCSP and therefore would not hinder emergency response or result in inadequate evacuation due to construction activities. Therefore, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard than what was analyzed in the 2008 Certified EIR.
Finding. Compliance with existing PPPs would minimize adverse impacts from wildfires to less than significant levels. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact to emergency access and evacuation plans. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
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Impact 5.20-2: The Proposed Project would not, due to slope, prevailing winds, and other factors, exacerbate wildfire risks, and thereby expose project occupants to pollutant concentrations from a wildfire or the uncontrolled spread of a wildfire. [Threshold W-21
Exposure to Pollutants from Wildfire or Uncontrolled Wildfire Spread FCSP Buildout
The plan area varies from flat to steeply sloped, experiences Santa Ana wind events, and has other factors such as highly flammable grass- and herb -dominated fuels. Under current conditions, wildfires and associated smoke could potentially travel to the plan area and expose existing residents and employment centers in the project area to the uncontrolled spread of wildfire or pollutant concentrations due to slope, prevailing winds, and highly flammable fuels. However, the Proposed Project would not exacerbate these impacts compared to the Approved Project.
As with the Approved Project, the Proposed Project would include similar vegetation management, water, street design, and fuel break features throughout the plan area. Additionally, the California Building Code (CBC), California Fire Code (CFC), and Fire Safe Regulations have been updated since the certification of the 2008 EIR, and therefore the Proposed Project would be required to go beyond the requirements of the Approved Project for vegetation and fuel management in the plan area to reduce wildfire impacts. Furthermore, the Proposed Project would go beyond the code requirements to include an FMZ with an added noncombustible zone, advanced protection measures where 100- foot FMZ is not possible, FMZ inspections, and a Homeowners Association education and outreach program.
Both the Approved Project and the Proposed Project would require grading to change the slopes in the area and place development on relatively flat surfaces, according to the City of Yucaipa Grading Manual. However, this would not change the prevailing winds in the plan area. Grading would be limited to areas designated for buildings, resurfacing, and landscaping. Similar to the Approved Project, development of the Proposed Project would place buildings at the top of slopes, which could exacerbate wildfire risks. However, development of residential, commercial, and industrial structures as part of the Proposed Project would be subject to Chapter 7A of the CBC, which requires ignition - resistant materials and design that would make the structures less prone to exacerbate wildfire risks than the existing structures in the plan area, which were built prior to the stricter building codes for development in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. As such, the Proposed Project would not result in new impacts or a substantial increase in magnitude of impacts compared to the Approved Project.
Impacts would be less than significant.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center is within the proposed FCSP, and development of the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would be required to comply with the vegetation management, water, street design, and fuel break design features of the proposed FCSP. Additionally, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center would be required to comply with the most recent versions of the CBC, CFC, Fire Safe Regulations, Yucaipa Municipal Code, and proposed FCSP development standards, which would Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
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mir,. . e the potential for ignition and spread of wildfire on the project site. Therefore, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard than were analyzed in the 2008 Certified EIR.
Finding. Compliance with existing PPPs would minimize adverse impacts from wildfires -to less than significant levels. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact to exposure of pollutants from, or spread of, a wildfire. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
Impact 5.20-3: The Proposed Project would not require the installation or maintenance of associated infrastructure (such as roads, fuel breaks, emergency water sources, power lines or other utilities) that may exacerbate fire risk or that may result in temporary or ongoing impacts to the environment. [Threshold W 3] Installation or Maintenance of Infrastructure
FCSP Buildout
Buildout under the Approved Project and Proposed Project would require the installation of new roadways, fuel breaks, emergency water sources, power lines, and other utilities to serve development in the plan area.
■ Roadways. New roadways would connect the various FCSP uses to the City roadway network.
Both the Approved Project and Proposed Project would create new roadways in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone areas to accommodate the new development, along with evacuation and multimodal forms of transportation.
Fuel Breaks. Both the Approved Project and Proposed Project include fuel breaks which would occur in the open space areas of the plan area, along roadways, and within 100 feet of a structure.
The Proposed Project would go beyond what is required in the Fire Safe Regulations and CFC to maintain 100 feet of FMZ where possible in the plan area, including a 5-foot-wide noncombustible Zone A, 45-foot-wide irrigated Zone B, and a 50-foot-wide thinning Zone C. Where a 100-foot FMZ is not possible, the Proposed Project would include dual -pane windows, ember resistant vents, and a 6-foot heat deflecting wall in development.
Emergency Water Sources. Both the Approved Project and Proposed Project would include the installation of fire hydrants and emergency water supplies for construction and operation of the FCSP. This would require the installation of new water conveyance infrastructure in the plan area, which is not currently served by water supplies.
Power Lines. The Approved Project did not include provisions for undergrounding power lines.
However, the Proposed Project would underground power lines throughout the plan area for fire safety purposes, in compliance with Development Code requirements.
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■ Other Utilities. Development under both the Approved Project and Proposed Project would require the installation and maintenance of water systems, septic or sewer systems, internet infrastructure, and stormwater systems throughout the plan area.
These types of improvements would involve temporary construction and result in changes to existing conditions under both the Approved Project and Proposed Project. The installation of roadways, power lines, and other utilities could increase the risk of wildfire. However, the power lines and other utilities would be installed underground and therefore minimize the risk of wildfire under the Proposed Project compared to the Approved Project. Additionally, the implementation of fuel breaks and stricter FMZs would ensure that accidents and sparks from roadways under the Proposed Project would decrease fire risks compared to the Approved Project.
Furthermore, compliance with the most recent CBC, CFC, Fire Safe Regulations, and Yucaipa Municipal Code, would ensure construction and operation of the Proposed Project would minimize the ignition and spread of wildfires due to infrastructure. These State and local regulations are stricter than those evaluated under the Certified 2008 EIR. The Proposed Project would not require the installation or maintenance of associated infrastructure that would result in new or substantially more severe fire risk when compared to the 2008 Certified EIR. Impacts would be less than significant.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center is within the proposed FCSP, and development of the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would include the installation of similar roadways, fuel breaks, emergency water sources, power lines, and other utilities as the proposed FCSP. The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center would be required to comply with the most recent versions of the CBC, CFC, Fire Safe Regulations, Yucaipa Municipal Code, and proposed FCSP development standards, which would minimize the potential to exacerbate fire risks and would not result in temporary or ongoing impacts to the environment. Therefore, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard than were analyzed in the 2008 Certified EIR.
Finding. Compliance with existing PPPs would minimize adverse impacts from wildfires to less than significant levels. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact to installation or maintenance of infrastructure that may exacerbate fire risks.
Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 104 -
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. [Threshold W-4] Post -Fire Exposure to Flooding or Landslides
FCSP Buildout
The plan area contains a 100-year and 500-year floodplain along Yucaipa Creek and Oak Glen Creek in the northern portion of the project site, the southern portion of the plan area is highly susceptible to landslides, and the northern portion of the plan area is moderately susceptible to landslides. The high landslide susceptibility areas coincide with lands designated as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.
Both the Approved Project and the Proposed Project would include commercial and residential development within the floodplain; however, the Proposed Project would include more open space lands within the floodplain. The plan area is not in the inundation zone of any dams, and no surface water bodies pose a flood hazard to the plan area due to a seiche. Similar to the Approved Project, the Proposed Project would be required to meet federal floodplain regulations, County and local approval agency regulations on floodplain and floodway management, and Developmental Standards that ensure floodplain regulations are taken to provide safety, promote public health, and minimize public and private economic losses in flood prone areas. Similarly, both the Approved Project and Proposed Project would include development in areas of high landslide susceptibility.
The Proposed Project would be required to comply with the most recent version of the CBC and Yucaipa Municipal Code, including development standards required by the Floodplain Safety Overlay District and the Geologic Hazard Overlay District. These regulations would ensure fire-, floodplain-, and landslide -resilient construction, and therefore would reduce the potential for post -wildfire flooding or landslides downstream or downslope compared to the Approved Project. Additionally, compliance with the City of Yucaipa's grading manual would minimize landslide hazards. Management of stormwater and erosion controls during construction and operation of the Proposed Project would prevent downslope or downstream flooding or landslides as a result of runoff, post -fire slope instability, or drainage changes compared to the Approved Project.
The Proposed Project would not result in new impacts or a substantial increase in magnitude of impacts when compared to the 2008 Certified EIR. Impacts would be less than significant.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project site is not within a 100-year of 500-year floodplain, however, the project site is highly susceptible to landslides. The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center would be required to comply with the most recent versions of the CBC, Yucaipa Municipal Code, and proposed FCSP development standards, which would minimize the potential of post -fire slope instability causing downslope or downstream flooding or landslides. Compliance with applicable floodplain regulations would minimize flood hazards associated with the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center, and compliance with the City of Yucaipa's grading manual would minimize landslide hazards.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 105 -
Therefore, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard than were analyzed in the 2008 Certified EIR.
Finding. Compliance with existing PPPs would minimize adverse impacts from wildfires to less than significant levels. The Proposed Project would have a less than significant direct, indirect, and cumulative impact to post -fire exposure to flooding or landslides. Accordingly, no changes or alterations to the Proposed Project were required to avoid or substantially lessen any significant environmental impacts under those thresholds.
C. FINDINGS ON SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS THAT CAN BE
REDUCED TO A LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT LEVEL
The following summary describes impacts of the Proposed Project that, without mitigation, would result in significant adverse impacts. Upon implementation of the mitigation measures provided in the EIR, these impacts would be considered less than significant.
1. Aesthetics
Impact 5.1.4: Implementation of the FCSP could expose people on- or off -site to substantial light and glare which would adversely affect day or nighttime views in the area. [Threshold AE-41
Light and Glare
Support for this environmental impact conclusion is fully discussed in Section 5.1, Aestbetics, and in particular, starting on page 5.1-11 of the SEIR.
FCSP Buildout
Sources of light in the plan area are currently limited given the predominantly undeveloped nature of the area. As with the Approved Project, the Proposed Project would include Residential, Regional Commercial, Business Park, Public Facilities, and Open Space uses, plus Agro-Commercial Tourism uses. Light sources would predominantly be from vehicle lights, exterior lights, landscaping lights, and security lights. Chapter 5, Design Guidelines, of the FCSP, includes sign regulations and outdoor lighting provisions that would reduce light impacts, such as directing and shielding light sources.
Pursuant to the Specific Plan, outdoor light factures that provide nighttime safety and security are required to conserve energy, protect the night sky, and minimize glare and light trespass within and beyond the project site. Additionally, before issuing any sign permits, the FCSP Update requires preparation of a Master Sign Program for nonresidential uses for review and approval by the Community Development Director, which would also have the potential to minimize light and glare impacts.
In comparison to the Approved Project, the light sources of the Proposed Project would be similar.
The 2008 Certified EIR included Mitigation Measures AES-1 and AES-2, which require the review of lighting and signage plans and discourage the use of highly reflective materials and would be Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations -106 -
implemented under the Proposed Project. Therefore, impacts would be potentially significant without implementation of Mitigation Measure AES-1 and AES-2.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
Development of the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center would result in business park uses that would include various light sources (exterior lights, security lights, vehicular lights). Proposed buildings would include glazing, windows, and signs. The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would be required to comply with the lighting standards of the FCSP, including sign regulations and the nonresidential design guidelines for site planning and outdoor lighting. The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would be required to implement Mitigation Measures AES-1 and AES-2, which require the review of lighting and signage plans and discourage the use of highly reflective materials. Therefore, impacts would be potentially significant without implementation of Mitigation Measure AES-1 and AES-2.
Mitigation Measure:
Specific Plan
The following mitigation measure(s) was included in the SEIR and the Final SEIR, and is applicable to the Proposed Project. The measure(s) as provided include any revisions incorporated in the Final SEIR.
AES-1 Prior to issuance of grading permits, lighting plans and signage plans for new development shall be reviewed by the Community Development Department to ensure that minimal light intrusion and spill over into adjacent residential areas occurs.
AES-2 Prior to issuance of grading permits, and during the Specific Plan review process for future development in the Specific Plan site, the Director of Community Development shall ensure that mirrored and highly reflective surfaces are discouraged or, where proposed, shall be accompanied by a design -level glare impact analysis that demonstrates no adverse visual impairment to motorists or other visual nuisance occurs.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center Project
Implementation of Mitigation Measure AES-1. and AES-2.
Finding:
Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the Proposed Project that avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect as identified in the SEIR. These changes are identified in the form of the mitigation measure(s) above. The City of Yucaipa hereby finds that implementation of the mitigation measure(s) is feasible, and the measure(s) is therefore adopted.
Rationale for Finding
Light and glare sources are currently limited because of the predominantly undeveloped nature of the plan area. The design guidelines in Chapter 5 of the FCSP include provisions for outdoor lighting and signs, and Mitigation Measures AES-1 and AES-2 require the review of lighting and signage plans and Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 107 -
discourage the use of highly reflective materials. Implementation of the FCSP design guidelines and Mitigation Measures AES-1 and AES-2 would reduce impacts to less than significant.
2. Air Quality
Impact 5.3-5: Operation of the Proposed Project would expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations of criteria air pollutants and toxic air contaminants. [Threshold AQ-3]
Construction -Phase LSTs and TACs
Support for this environmental impact conclusion is fully discussed in Section 5.3, AirQuality, and in particular, starting on page 5.3-49 of the SEIR.
FCSP Buildout
Operational Phase LSTs
Land uses that have the potential to generate substantial stationary sources of emissions or would require a permit from South Coast AQMD include industrial land uses, such as chemical processing, and warehousing operations, where substantial truck idling could occur on -site. On -site emissions include truck maneuvering and idling, Transport Refrigerant Units (TRUs), and diesel -powered forklifts and yard trucks.
As shown in Table 5.3-13, FCSP Maximum Daily Regional Operation Emissions, of the Draft SEIR, compared to the Approved Project, the Proposed Project would result in a net decrease in long-term emissions for all criteria air pollutants—VOCs, NOx, CO, S02, PMto, and PM2.5. However, because the Proposed Project would introduce warehousing under the FCSP, it could result in exposing nearby sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations of criteria air pollutants.
Based on the screening -level LST analysis prepared for the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center warehouses (see Table 5.3-20, Pacific Oaks Commerce Centerlocali.Zed On -Site Operational Emissions, of the Draft SEIR), operation of a warehouse could potentially exceed the screening -level LST for PM2.5. Therefore, localized impacts from the warehousing uses would be potentially significant.
Operational Phase Toxic Air Contaminants
Land uses that generate more than 100 truck trips per day have the potential to substantially increase TAC concentrations and health risks at off -site sensitive land uses within 1,000 feet of the facility.
Operation of the warehousing uses could generate DPM emissions from diesel truck activity, TRUs, and diesel -fueled off -road equipment in proximity to the nearby off -site sensitive receptors outside of the FCSP. For the operational Health Risk Assessment (HRA), all forklifts and yard trucks were assumed to be diesel fueled, however, industrial warehousing projects typically utilize nondiesel-fueled forklifts. Therefore, the operational HRA presents a very conservative estimate of potential health risks to the surrounding community. As shown in Table 5.3-19, Proposed Project Operational Health Risk Assessment Results, of the Draft SEIR, carcinogenic risks of 156.5 in a million would substantially exceed the adjusted cumulative significance threshold value of 5 in a million for the MEIR. in the vicinity of Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 108 -
the plan area without mitigation. Because the Proposed Project would exceed the cancer risk significance threshold, operation -related health risk impacts would be potentially significant. The Proposed Project would substantially increase the amount of land designated as BP compared to the Approved Project. In addition, health risk associated with DPM was not identified as a potentially significant impact in the Certified EIR. Therefore, the Proposed Project would result in new significant impacts or a substantial increase in significant impacts compared to the Approved Project.
Carbon Monoxide Hotspots
Areas of vehicle congestion have the potential to create pockets of Carbon Monoxide (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 9.0 ppm. Hot spots are typically produced at intersections, where traffic congestion is highest because vehicles queue for longer periods and are subject to reduced speeds. The SoCAB has been designated in attainment of both the National and California Ambient Air Quality Standards (AAQS) for CO. 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 mixing is substantially limited —to generate a significant CO impact. Overall, the Proposed Project could generate up to 4,973 peak hour trips (PM peak hour). Per the traffic analysis prepared for the Proposed Project, development of the Proposed Project under buildout year conditions with and without the Wildwood Canyon Road Interchange would not result in peak hour volumes at intersections in the traffic study area that would produce the volume of traffic required (i.e., 24,000 to 44,000 peak hour vehicle trips) to generate a CO hotspot.
Additionally, compared to the Approved Project, the Proposed Project would result in a net reduction of 3,004 AM peak hour trips and 6,113 PM peak hour trips. Therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in new impacts or a substantial increase in severity of impacts compared to the Approved Project. Impacts would be less than significant.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
Operational Phase LSTs
The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center warehousing project would be the type of land use that has the potential to generate substantial on -site criteria air pollutant emissions. On -site emissions include truck maneuvering and idling, TRUs, and diesel -powered forklifts and yard trucks. Table 5.3-20, Pacific• Oaks Commerce Center Locali.Zed On -Site Operational Emissions, of the Draft SEIR, shows localized maximum daily operational emissions. As shown in the table, on -site project -related operational emissions for Building 2 would not exceed the screening -level LSTs. However, Building 1 operations would generate on -site emissions that exceed the PM2.5 screening -level LSTs. Therefore, localized criteria air pollutant emissions impacts from project -related operations would be potentially significant, and the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project could result in a new impact compared to the Approved Project.
Operational Phase Toxic Air Contaminants
An operational HRA was prepared for the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project. Operation of the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would generate DPM emissions from diesel truck activity, Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 109 -
TRUs, and diesel -fueled off -road equipment in proximity to the same sensitive receptors evaluated in the construction HRA. For the operational HRA, all forklifts and yard trucks were assumed to be diesel fueled, however, industrial warehousing projects typically utilize non -diesel -fueled forklifts. Therefore, the operational HRA presents a very conservative estimate of potential health risks to the surrounding community. Table 5.3-21, Pacific Oaks Commerce Center Operational Health Risk Assessment Results, of the Draft SEIR, without mitigation, the cancer risk of 131.4 in a million would substantially exceed the adjusted cumulative significance threshold value of 5 in a million for the MEIR in vicinity of the project site. Because cancer risk would exceed the cancer risk significance threshold, operation -related health risk impacts from operation of the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would be potentially significant. Therefore, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would result in new significant impacts or a substantial increase in significant impacts compared to the Approved Project.
Combined Construction Phase and Operational Phase Toxic Air Contaminants Sensitive receptors proximate to the project site would be exposed to elevated levels of air pollutants during construction activities and subsequent operational activities. The combined health risks from project -related construction and operational activities for the maximum exposed receptors can be determined in several ways. The most conservative calculation for combining health risks is to sum the highest predicted construction and operational health risks for each receptor type. The sum of the health risks for the MEIR are shown in Table 5.3-22, Pacific Oaks Commerce Center Operation Plus Construction Health Risk Results, of the Draft SEIR; the total chronic hazard index would be less than one, and noncarcinogenic risk impacts would be less than significant. However, total cancer risks from project -related construction and operational activities would be 140.8 in a million without mitigation, which would substantially exceed the adjusted cumulative threshold value of 5 per million. Thus, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would pose a significant health risk impact to nearby sensitive receptors from construction and subsequent operational activities. Therefore, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center would result in new impacts or a substantial increase in severity of impacts compared to the Approved Project.
Carbon Monoxide Hotspots
CO hotspots of the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project are the same as the Proposed Project.
Therefore, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not result in new impacts or a substantial increase in magnitude of impacts compared to the Approved Project.
Mitigation Measure:
The following mitigation measure(s) was included in the SEIR and the Final SEIR, and is applicable to the Proposed Project. The measure(s) as provided include any revisions incorporated in the Final SEIR.
Specific Plan
AQ-2 All appliances installed as part of future development projects shall be energy efficient appliances (i.e., washers/dryers, refrigerators, stoves, etc.).
AQ-3 Future residential development projects on the Specific Plan site shall utilize electric fireplaces in lieu of traditional fireplaces and wood burning stoves.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 110 -
AQ-4 Future development projects on the Specific Plan site shall install Energy Star labeled roof materials.
AQ-5 Future residential development projects on the Specific Plan site shall install energy - reducing ceiling/whole-house fans.
AQ-7 The City of Yucaipa shall require that project developer/facility owners for new development projects that would use off -road equipment (e.g., forklifts and yard trucks) in daily business operations shall only utilize zero -emissions off -road equipment. The project developer/facility owner shall disclose this requirement to all tenants/business entities prior to the signing of any lease agreement. In addition, the limitation to use only electric -powered off -road equipment shall be included in all leasing agreements.
Prior to issuance of a Business License for a new tenant/business entity, the project developer/facility owner and tenant/business entity shall provide a signed document (verification document) to the City of Yucaipa Planning Division and Business License Division noting that the project development/facility owner has disclosed to the tenant/business entity the requirement to use only electric -powered equipment for daily operations. This verification document shall be signed by authorized agents for the project developer/facility owner and tenant/business entities and retained and posted by the Business License by the facility owner onsite. In addition, if applicable, the tenant/business entity shall provide documentation (e.g., purchase or rental agreement) to the City of Yucaipa Planning Division and Business License Division to verify, to the City's satisfaction, that any off -road equipment utilized will be electric powered.
AQ-8 Only electric standby and/or hybrid electric transport refrigeration units (E/S TRUs) shall be utilized on -site for daily warehouse and business operations. All E/S TRUs shall comply with the California Air Resources Board's "Alternative Technology" requirements under Section 2477(e)(1)(A)(3) of the California Code of Regulations, Title 13, Article 8, Chapter 9, Division 3. The project developer/facility owner shall disclose this requirement to all tenants/business entities prior to the signing of any lease agreement. In addition, the limitation to use only E/S TRUs shall be included in all leasing agreements.
Prior to issuance of a Business License for a new tenant/business entity, the project developer/facility owner and tenant/business entity shall provide a signed document (verification document) to the City of Yucaipa Planning Division and Business License Division noting that the project development/facility owner has disclosed to the tenant/business entity the requirement to use only E/S TRUs for daily operations. This verification document shall be signed by authorized agents for the project developer/facility owner and tenant/business entities. In addition, if applicable, the tenant/business entity shall provide documentation (e.g., purchase or rental agreement) to the City of Yucaipa Planning Division and Business License Division to verify, to the City's satisfaction, that any TRUs utilized will be E/S TRUs.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 111 -
AQ-9 All truck/dock bays that serve cold storage facilities within the proposed buildings shall be electrified to facilitate plug-in capability and support use of electric standby and/or hybrid electric transport refrigeration units. All site and architectural plans submitted to the City of Yucaipa Planning Division shall note all the truck/dock bays designated for electrification. Prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, the City of Yucaipa Building & Safety Division shall verify electrification of the designated truck/dock bays.
AQ-10 To reduce idling emissions from transport trucks, signage shall be placed at truck access gates, loading docks, and truck parking areas that identify applicable California Air Resources Board (CARB) anti -idling regulations (e.g., Rule 2485) and directional information to the nearest freeway on -ramps. At minimum, each sign shall include: 1) instructions for truck drivers to shut off engines when not in use; 2) instructions for drivers of diesel trucks to restrict nonessential idling to no more than two consecutive minutes (compared to five minutes currently allowed under Rule 2485); and 3) telephone numbers of the building facilities manager and CARB to report violations. Directional text on the sign shall read "To Truck Route" with a directional arrow. All signage shall be made of weatherproof materials. Truck check -in points shall be inside the project site to ensure no trucks are queuing on local roadways. All site and architectural plans submitted to the City of Yucaipa Planning Division shall note the locations of these signs. Prior to issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy, the City of Yucaipa Building & Safety Division shall verify the installation of these signs.
In addition, the building owner shall implement the following measures:
■ Occupants/tenants shall be provided documentation on the United States Environmental Protection Agency's SmartWay program.
■ Occupants/tenants shall be provided documentation on funding opportunities, such as the Carl Moyer Program, that provide incentives for using cleaner -than —required engines and equipment.
■ Occupants/tenants shall be provided information on efficient scheduling and load management to reduce unnecessary queuing and idling of trucks.
AQ-11 The property manager/owner shall specify in all property maintenance bids that the landscape maintenance contractor shall only use electric powered landscaping equipment in line with new requirements from the California Air Resources Board's for small off - road engines. Prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, the property manager/facility owner shall provide documentation (e.g., purchase, rental, and/or services agreement) to the City of Yucaipa Building and Safety Division that all landscaping equipment utilized will be electric powered. The property manager/facility owner shall also provide the property landscaping maintenance schedule as part of this documentation. Prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, the City of Yucaipa Building & Safety Division shall verify, to the City's satisfaction, that any landscaping equipment utilized will be electric powered.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 112 -
AQ-12 The City of Yucaipa shall require the following measures for warehouse facilities:
■ The buildings' electrical room shall be sufficiently sized to hold additional panels that may be needed to supply power for the future installation of electric vehicle (EV) truck charging stations on the site.
■ Conduit shall be installed from the electrical room to tractor trailer parking spaces in logical location(s) on the site determined by the project applicant during construction document plan check, for the purpose of accommodating the future installation of EV truck charging stations at such time this technology becomes commercially available and the buildings are being served by trucks with electric -powered engines. ■ If there are domiciled heavy-duty trucks (Class 7 and 8), the tenant/operator of the facility shall be required to provide EV truck charging facilities on site sufficient to charge the electric trucks domiciled on the site, and such facilities shall be made available for all electric trucks that use the facility, to the extent the applicable utility authorizes and has capacity to support.
All site and architectural plans submitted to the City of Yucaipa Planning Division shall note the electric charging requirements identified above.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
Implementation of Mitigation Measures AQ-2 and AQ-4, and new Mitigation Measures AQ-7 through AQ-12.
Finding:
Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the Proposed Project that avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect as identified in the SEIR. These changes are identified in the form of the mitigation measure(s) above. The City of Yucaipa hereby finds that implementation of the mitigation measure(s) is feasible, and the measure(s) is therefore adopted.
Rationale for Finding
Implementation of Mitigation Measure AQ-2 would result all appliances to be energy efficient; Mitigation Measure AQ-3 would require future residential development to utilize electric fireplaces in lieu or traditional and wood -burning fireplaces/stoves; Mitigation Measure AQ-4 would require the installation of Energy Star labeled roof materials; Mitigation Measure AQ-5 would require residential developments to install energy -reducing ceiling/whole house fans; Mitigation Measure AQ-7 would require that off -road equipment be electric -powered only; Mitigation Measure AQ-8 would require electric standby and/or hybrid transport refrigeration units only; Mitigation Measure AQ-9 would require truck/dock bays that serve cold storage facilities to be electrified; Mitigation Measure AQ-10 would require signage to be placed at truck access gates, loading docks, and truck parking lots to instruct truck drivers to shut off engines to reduce idling; Mitigation Measure AQ-11 would require all landscaping equipment to be electric powered; and Mitigation Measure AQ-12 would implement Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 113 -
specific measures for warehouse facilities. As such, electrification and compliance with energy efficiency standards would reduce onsite sources of NOx, CO, PMio, and PM2.5.
3. Biological Resources
Impact 5.4-1: Development of the Proposed Project could impact special -status plant and wildlife species within the plan area. [Threshold 13-1]
Special -Status Plant and Wildlife Species
Support for this environmental impact conclusion is fully discussed in Section 5.4 Bioloical Resources, and in particular, starting on page 5.4-47 of the SEIR.
FCSP Buildout
Special -Status Plants
Direct Impacts
Future development within the plan area has the potential to result in impacts to special -status plants through clearing, trampling, or grading. Any impacts to special -status plants would be potentially significant. Potential impacts to a federal- or state -listed plant species would be significant. Potential impacts to nonlisted special -status plants are potentially significant depending on the location and size of the impact. Implementation of mitigation would reduce potential direct impacts to a less -than - significant level. However, direct impacts to special -status plant species would be potentially significant in the absence of mitigation.
Indirect Impacts
■ Construction -Related Impacts. Special -status plant species and suitable habitat for special - status plant species, including Nevin's barberry tarplant, Parry's spineflower, slender -horned spineflower, Santa Ana River woollystar, California satintail, Hall's monardella, salt spring checkerbloom, and San Bernardino aster, may be indirectly impacted during future construction within the plan area. Potential construction -related indirect impacts to special -status plant species would be potentially significant absent mitigation.
■ Long -Term Impacts. Potential long-term indirect impacts could result from development near special -status plant species or their suitable habitat. Potential long-term indirect impacts to special - status plant species would be potentially significant absent mitigation.
Special -Status Wildlife
Direct Impacts
Two special -status wildlife species were observed during surveys, and an additional 19 special -status wildlife species were determined to have a moderate or high potential (or low potential for certain listed species) to occur in the plan area based on known species distribution, species -specific habitat preferences, and habitat conditions on the plan area. Potential impacts to the following species could occur and would be significant without mitigation: western spadefoot, fully protected raptors, burrowing owl, loggerhead shrike, riparian birds, fossorial small mammals, western mastiff bat, Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 114 -
American badger, southern California legless lizard, California glossy snake, coastal tiger whiptail, red diamondback rattlesnake, Blainville's horned lizard, and coast patch -nosed snake, and crotch bumble bee.
Indirect Impacts
Construction -related impacts could indirectly impact western spadefoot, fully protected raptors, burrowing owl, loggerhead shrike, riparian birds, fossorial small mammals, western mastiff bat, American badger, southern California legless lizard, California glossy snake, coastal tiger whiptail, red diamondback rattlesnake, Blainville's horned lizard, and coast patch -nosed snake, and crotch bumble bee through increased chemical pollutants, effects from noise and vibration, increased human presence, increased nighttime lighting, etc. Without mitigation, indirect construction impacts would be potentially significant. Additionally, long-term indirect impacts could result inadvertently affect these species through chemical releases, degradation of habitat, building collision, erosion, etc. While long- term impacts to loggerhead shrike would be less than significant due to their mobility, without mitigation, indirect impacts to all other species would be potentially significant.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
Special -Status Plants
Direct Impacts
Nine special -status plant species were determined to have a moderate to high potential to occur within the plan area based on known species distribution, species -specific habitat preferences, and habitat conditions on the project site: Nevin's barberry, smooth tarplant, Parry's spineflower, slender -horned spineflower, Santa Ana River woollystar, California satintail, Hall's monardella, salt spring checkerbloom, and San Bernardino aster. These species were targeted during a 2022 focused survey for the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project site, which includes the project site plus a 500-foot buffer, for special -status plants within the focused survey area in accordance with Mitigation Measure B-5 from the 2008 Certified EIR for surveys for special -status plants. Focused surveys for special - status plants were negative. The plan area does not occur within federally designated critical habitat for special -status plant species, and there would be no impacts to critical habitat.
Robinson's peppergrass and Southern California black walnut were not included as a target species for the 2022 focused surveys because they are CRPR 4 species, which are not considered rare; therefore, CEQA does not consider this ranking significant. While Robinson's peppergrass and Southern California black walnut were identified, they were not included as target species for the focused surveys.
Indirect Impacts
As identified above, the Pacific Oak Commerce Center project site is negative for special -status plants, including the approximately 500-foot buffer around the development area. No special -status plants are expected to occur in or within 500 feet of the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project site. Direct and indirect impacts to special -status plants associated with implementation of the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center Project would be less than significant.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 115 -
Special -Status Wildlife
Focused habitat assessments for the were conducted for coastal California gnatcatcher, arroyo toad, San Bernardino kangaroo rat, and Stephens' kangaroo rat for the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project site, including a 500-foot buffer. These species are not expected to occur and are not analyzed further. Burrowing owl and least Bell's vireo were targeted during 2022 protocol surveys for the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project area. Protocol surveys for burrowing owl and least Bell's vireo were negative. The plan area is not in federally designated critical habitat for special -status wildlife species, and there would be no impacts to critical habitat.
Direct Impacts
Direct impacts to the following species could occur: western spadefoot, fully protected raptors, burrowing owl, loggerhead shrike, fossorial small mammals, western mastiff bat, American badger, southern California legless lizard, California glossy snake, coastal tiger whiptail, red diamondback rattlesnake, Blainville's horned lizard, coast patch -nose snake, and crotch bumble bee. Without mitigation, impacts would be potentially significant. Focused survey area studies for Least Bell's vireo were negative, and while yellow warbler were detected along Yucaipa Creek which is adjacent to the Pacific Oaks Center Commerce project site, development on the project site would not result in the loss of any riparian habitat. Therefore, no impacts would occur to Least Bell's vireo and yellow warbler.
Indirect Impacts
Potential construction -related impacts could impact the following species: western spadefoot, fully protected raptors, burrowing owl, loggerhead shrike, yellow warbler, fossorial small mammals, western mastiff bat, American badger, southern California legless lizard, California glossy snake, coastal tiger whiptail, red diamondback rattlesnake, Blainville's horned lizard, coast patch -nose snake, and crotch bumble bee. Without mitigation, impacts would be potentially significant. Long-term impacts to the following species would be potentially significant and require mitigation: western spadefoot, burrowing owl, fossorial small mammals, western mastiff bat, American badger, southern California legless lizard, California glossy snake, coastal tiger whiptail, red diamondback rattlesnake, Blainville's horned lizard, coast patch -nosed snake birds, and crotch bumble bee. Long-term impacts to the following species would be less than significant as they are relatively mobile: white-tailed kites, loggerhead shrikes, and yellow warblers.
Mitigation Measure:
The following mitigation measure(s) was included in the SEIR and the Final SEIR, and is applicable to the Proposed Project. The measure(s) as provided include any revisions incorporated in the Final SEIR.
Specific Plan
B-6 Focused Special -Status Plant Survey and Avoidance. Outside the focused survey area (see Figure 5.4-1, Biological Resources Study Area), a focused special -status plant survey shall be conducted prior to ground -disturbing activities. The survey shall be conducted for Nevin's barberry, smooth tarplant, Parry's spineflower, slender -horned spineflower, Santa Ana River woollystar, California satintail, Hall's monardella, salt spring checkerbloom, and San Bernardino aster or as otherwise required by an updated habitat assessment conducted Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
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by a qualified biologist. Surveys shall occur at the appropriate time of year to capture the characteristics necessary to identify the taxon. Surveys shall be conducted consistent with California Native Plant Society, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and California Department of Fish and Wildlife protocols and by a qualified botanist knowledgeable of the local flora.
The results of the survey shall be summarized in a report and would be valid for two years.
If no special -status plants are found during the survey, no further mitigation would be required.
If special -status plants are observed, the full extent of the occurrence of a special -status plant species within the survey area shall be recorded using GPS. The location of each special -status plant occurrence shall be mapped and number of individuals for each occurrence documented. The outer extent of each occurrence shall be flagged for avoidance (to the extent feasible).
For direct impacts to special -status plant species, one or a combination of the following strategies shall be implemented:
■ Avoidance and Minimization. Impacts to special -status plant occurrences shall be avoided to the greatest extent possible and minimized where avoidance is not feasible.
Where project impacts to special -status plant species cannot be avoided, mitigation is required and is discussed further below.
■ Salvage. If impacts to special -status plants cannot be avoided and it is feasible to effectively salvage the plants, a qualified ecologist shall develop a restoration and mitigation plan based on the life history of the species impacted, as necessary, to mitigate project impacts. The plan shall include, at minimum, (a) collection/salvage measures for plants and/or seed banks to retain intact soil conditions and maximize success likelihood; (b) details regarding storage of plants and/or seed banks; (c) location of the proposed recipient site and detailed site preparation and plant introduction technique details for topsoil storage, as applicable; (d) time of year that the salvage and replanting or seeding shall occur and the methodology of the replanting; (e) a description of the irrigation, if used; (f) success criteria; and (g) a detailed monitoring program, commensurate with the plan's goals.
B-7 Construction -Related Indirect Impacts to Biological Resources. Prior to issuance of a construction permit within 500 feet of proposed open space (conserved and nonconserved), suitable habitat for special -status species with potential to occur in the project site, aquatic resources, or sensitive vegetation communities, construction plans and conditions of approval shall include the following to address indirect impacts:
■ Biological Monitoring A qualified project biologist approved by the City of Yucaipa shall monitor ground -disturbing and vegetation -clearing activities for the duration of the project to ensure that practicable measures are being employed to avoid incidental disturbance of habitat, species of concern, and other sensitive biological resources outside the project footprint. Once ground -disturbing and vegetation -clearing Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
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activities are complete, the project biologist shall conduct weekly checks to inspect construction, staking, or flagging (see "Delineation of Property Boundaries," below) and ensure that all applicable requirements from the mitigation measures are being upheld.
■ Worker Environmental Awareness Training Prior to grading, a pre -construction meeting shall be required that includes a training session for project personnel by a qualified biologist. The training shall include (1) a description of the species of concern and its habitats; (2) the general provisions of the applicable regulations pertaining to biological resources, including the Endangered Species Act and the Clean Water Act; (3) the need to adhere to the provisions of the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act, and other applicable regulations; (4) the penalties associated with violating the provisions of the Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, and other applicable regulations; (5) the general measures that are being implemented to conserve the species of concern as they relate to the project; and (6) the access routes to the project site and the boundaries within which the project activities must be accomplished. Additionally, the training shall include the measures and mitigation requirements for the applicable resources. Copies of the mitigation measures and any required permits from the resource agencies will be made available to construction personnel and maintained in the construction site trailer, and be made available in alternate languages if necessary.
■ Delineation of Property Boundaries. Before beginning activities that would cause impacts, the contractor shall, in consultation with the biological monitor, clearly delineate the boundaries within which the impacts will take place with fencing, stakes, or flags, consistent with the grading plan. All impacts outside the fenced, staked, or flagged areas shall be avoided, and all fencing, stakes, and flags shall be maintained until the completion of impacts in that area. In addition, any avoided environmental resources will be clearly delineated.
■ Standard Dust Control Measures. Standard dust control measures as per the South Coast Air Quality Management District shall be implemented to reduce impacts on nearby plants and wildlife. Measures include controlling speed to 15 mph or less on unpaved roads, replacing ground cover in disturbed areas as quickly as possible, frequently watering active work sites, installing shaker plates, and suspending excavation and grading operations during periods of high winds. ■ Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan. Prior to issuance of a grading permit for construction, the applicant shall submit a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) to the City of Yucaipa that specifies best management practices to prevent all construction pollutants from contacting stormwater, with the intent of keeping sedimentation or any other pollutants from moving off -site and into receiving waters.
The requirements of the SWPPP shall be incorporated into design specifications and construction contracts. Best management practices categories employed on -site would include erosion control, sediment control, and nonstorm water (good Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
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housekeeping). Best management practices recommended for the construction phase shall include, but not be limited to:
• Limit grading to the minimum area necessary for construction, operation, and decommissioning of the project.
• Limit vegetation disturbance/removal to the maximum extent practicable. • Implement fiber rolls and sandbags around drainage areas and the site perimeter. • Stockpile and dispose of demolition debris, concrete, and soil properly. • Install a stabilized construction entrance/exit, and stabilize disturbed areas. • Ensure proper protections for fueling and maintenance of equipment and vehicles.
• Manage waste, aggressively controlling litter, and implementing sediment controls.
• Stabilize soil in disturbed areas by revegetation.
The following water quality measures will be included in the SWPPP:
■ Erodible fill material shall not be deposited into water courses. Brush, loose soils, or other similar debris material shall not be stockpiled within the stream channel or on its banks.
■ Projects shall be designed to avoid the placement of equipment and personnel within the stream channel or on sand and gravel bars, banks, and adjacent upland habitats used by target species of concern, as feasible. Projects that cannot be constructed without placing equipment or personnel in sensitive habitats shall be timed to avoid the breeding season of riparian species.
■ When stream flows must be diverted, the diversions shall be conducted using sandbags or other methods requiring minimal instteam impacts. Silt fencing or other sediment trapping materials shall be installed at the downstream end of construction activity to minimize the transport of sediments off -site. Settling ponds where sediment is collected shall be cleaned out in a manner that prevents the sediment from reentering the stream. Care shall be exercised when removing silt fences, as feasible, to prevent debris or sediment from returning to the stream. • Water pollution and erosion control plans shall be developed and implemented in accordance with the Regional Water Quality Control Board. ■ Minimize Spills of Hazardous Materials. All vehicles and equipment shall be maintained in proper condition to minimize the potential for fugitive emissions of motor oil, antifreeze, hydraulic fluid, grease, or other hazardous materials. Hazardous spills shall be immediately cleaned up, the contaminated soil shall be immediately cleaned up, and the contaminated soil shall be properly handled or disposed of at a Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
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licensed facility. Servicing of construction equipment shall take place only at a designated staging area.
■ Invasive Weeds. To reduce the spread of invasive plant species, landscape plants shall not be on the most recent version of the California Invasive Plant Council's California Invasive Plant Inventory ( http://www.cal-
ipc.org/ip/inventory/index.php).
■ Night Work. All construction activities will be conducted during the daytime, and lights will not be kept on overnight in the construction area, as practicable. If night lighting is required during construction activities, all exterior lighting along undeveloped land shall be fully shielded and directed downward in a manner that will prevent light spillage or glare into the adjacent open space.
B-8 Long -Term Indirect Impacts to Biological Resources. Prior to issuance of a construction permit within 500 feet of proposed open space (conserved and nonconserved), suitable habitat for special -status species with potential to occur in the project site, aquatic resources, or sensitive vegetation communities, construction plans and conditions of approval shall include the following to address indirect impacts to special -status species:
■ Runoff: Future development within 500 feet of proposed open space (conserved and nonconserved), suitable habitat for special -status species with potential to occur in the project site, aquatic resources, or sensitive vegetation communities shall incorporate measures, including measures required through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System requirements, to ensure that the quantity and quality of runoff discharged is not altered in an adverse way when compared with existing conditions. In particular, measures shall be put in place to avoid discharge of untreated surface runoff from developed and paved areas into proposed open space or suitable habitat for special -status species. Stormwater systems shall be designed to prevent the release of toxins, chemicals, petroleum products, exotic plant materials, or other elements that might degrade or harm biological resources or ecosystem processes. This can be accomplished using a variety of methods, including natural detention basins, grass swales, or mechanical trapping devices. Runoff control systems shall receive regular maintenance to ensure their effective operation. ■ Toxicants: Land uses that use chemicals or generate bioproducts such as manure, fertilizer, or vineyard waste that are potentially toxic or may adversely affect plant species, wildlife species, habitat, or water quality shall incorporate measures to ensure that application of such chemicals does not result in discharges. Measures such as those employed to address drainage issues shall be implemented. ■ Lighting: Night lighting shall be directed away from proposed open space and/or suitable habitat for special -status species to protect species from direct night lighting Shielding shall be incorporated in project designs to ensure ambient lighting is not increased. Any trails that intersect proposed open space will not include night lighting.
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Noise: Proposed noise -generating land uses affecting suitable habitat for special - status species shall incorporate setbacks, berms, or walls to minimize the effects of noise on resources pursuant to applicable rules, regulations, and guidelines related to land use noise standards. For planning purposes, wildlife should not be subject to noise that would exceed residential noise standards.
Invasive Species: When approving landscape plans for future development, emphasis will be placed on using native species that occur in the region. Invasive, nonnative plant species listed on the most recent California Invasive Plant Council inventory ( https://www.cal-ipc.org/
plants/inventory/) with a rating of moderate or high shall not be included in landscaping.
Barriers: Future development shall incorporate barriers, where appropriate in individual project designs, to minimize unauthorized public access, domestic animal predation, illegal trespass, or dumping in proposed open space and/or suitable habitat for special -status wildlife. Such barriers may include native landscaping, rocks/boulders, fencing, walls, signage, and/or other appropriate mechanisms. Any proposed trails through open space will have gates that close at nighttime as well as signage and appropriate barriers to keep people and domestic animals on the trail.
Restoration of Temporary Impacts: Prior to issuance of a grading or construction permit within the project, grading and construction plans shall include the following note regarding any temporary impacts to uplands:
Site construction areas subjected to temporary ground disturbance in undeveloped areas shall be subjected to revegetation with an application of a native seed mix, if necessary, prior to or during seasonal rains to promote passive restoration of the area to pre -project conditions (except that no invasive plant species will be restored). An area subjected to "temporary" disturbance means any area that is disturbed but will not be subjected to further disturbance as part of the project. If any grading occurred in areas intended to remain undeveloped, the site will be recontoured to natural grade. This measure does not apply to situations in urban/developed areas that are temporarily impacted and will be returned to an urban/developed land use. Prior to seeding temporary ground disturbance areas, the project biologist will review the seeding palette to ensure no seeding of invasive plant species, as identified in the most recent version of the California Invasive Plant Inventory for the region.
B-9 Pre -construction Pond Check for Western Spadefoot. A pre -construction pond check by a qualified biologist shall occur within the construction area prior to the rainy season before start of construction activities. If no potential habitat for western spadefoot is found during the survey, no further mitigation would be required.
If potential habitat for western spadefoot is identified, construction fencing appropriate for amphibian exclusion will be installed around the construction area. A pre -construction pond check and focused survey for western spadefoot will be conducted the winter prior Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
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to grading activities in the construction area. The pond check will occur within 24 hours of the winter season's first three rain events and prioritize ponded features that hold water for 45 days or greater. Ideally, these rain events would produce a minimum of 0.2 inch during a 24-hour period.
If western spadefoot are detected during surveys in the fenced construction footprint, then biologists shall collect western spadefoot adults from areas within 300 feet of known occupied pools. Adults shall be relocated outside of the construction footprint to portions of the conserved open space (see Mitigation Measure B-10, Wildlife Movement) that have suitable breeding habitat and few or no western spadefoot individuals. Relocation of western spadefoot will follow the latest amphibian handling guidelines provided by the U.S. Geological Survey.
B-10 Wildlife Movement. Future development of the project outside of the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center will prioritize the configuration of open space such that Yucaipa Creek (NWW-01), Oak Glen Creek (NWW-02), and Yucaipa Creek's tributary (NWW-03) are able to support move -through streambed and upland habitat for wildlife. Approximately 155 acres will be placed under long-term protection (i.e., conservation easement or other protective mechanism, such as the donation of land to the City for maintaining permanent open space), with configuration generally consistent with the Land Use Plan (Figure 3-7, Proposed Land Use Plan, of this SEIR).
The following conditions will be implemented among the land use categories outlined in Figure 3-7:
■ Agro-Commercial Tourism (AT): The existing Live Oak Canyon Farm will not change from existing condition as a part of the Specific Plan. Existing condition includes full avoidance of Yucaipa Creek by farm operations. Live Oak Canyon Farm will continue to avoid Yucaipa Creek.
■ Planning Area C6: Commercial development associated with C6 will avoid Yucaipa Creek's tributary (NWW--03) and be clustered to leave a sufficient buffer from the existing drainage to allow for wildlife movement.
■ Planning Area PA 11: Residential development associated with PA 11 will avoid Yucaipa Creek's tributary (NWW-03) and be clustered to leave a sufficient buffer from the existing drainage to allow for wildlife movement.
■ Planning Area BP 4: Business park development in BP 4 will avoid Yucaipa Creek (NWW-01) and be clustered to leave a sufficient buffer from the existing drainage to allow for wildlife movement.
Throughout the conserved open space, the following measures will be implemented:
■ Lighting will be directed toward development and shielded away from the open space.
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■ Trails will not be in use from dusk to dawn, pets must be on leashes, and the trails will only be used for hiking.
■ Trails may be temporarily closed to control unauthorized access.
Future development must be consistent with the City of Yucaipa General Plan Environmental Impact Report, which includes the following design standards for habitat connectivity:
■ Adhere to low density zoning standards.
■ Encourage clustering of development.
■ Avoid known sensitive biological resources.
■ Provide shielded lighting adjacent to sensitive habitat areas. ■ Encourage development plans that maximize wildlife movement. ■ Provide buffers between development and wetland/riparian areas. ■ Protect wetland/riparian areas through regulatory agency permitting process. ■ Encourage wildlife -passable fence designs (e.g., three -strand barbless wire fence) on property boundaries.
a Encourage preservation of native habitat on the undeveloped remainder of developed parcels.
■ Minimize road/driveway development to help prevent loss of habitat due to roadkill and habitat loss.
■ Use native, drought -resistant plant species in landscape design. ■ Encourage participation in local/regional recreational trail design effort.
B-11 Pre -construction Nesting Bird Survey. Construction activities shall avoid the migratory bird nesting season (typically January 1 through September 30) to reduce any potential significant impact to birds that may be nesting within the construction area. If construction activities must occur during the migratory bird nesting season, an avian nesting survey of the project site and within 500 feet of all impact areas must be conducted to determine the presence/absence of fully protected species (including white-tailed kite), protected migratory birds, and active nests. The avian nesting survey shall be performed by a qualified wildlife biologist within 72 hours prior to the start of construction in accordance with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and California Fish and Game Code Sections 3503, 3503.5, and 3513. If an active bird nest is found, the nest shall be flagged and mapped on the construction plans along with an appropriate buffer established around the nest, which will be determined by the biologist based on the species' sensitivity to disturbance (typically 300 feet for passerines and 500 feet for raptors and special -status species). The nest area shall be avoided until the nest is vacated and the juveniles have fledged. The nest area shall be demarcated in the field with flagging and stakes or Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
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construction fencing. On -site construction monitoring shall also be conducted when an active nest buffer is in place. No project activities may encroach into established buffers without the consent of a monitoring biologist. The buffer shall remain in place until it is determined the nestlings have fledged and the nest is no longer considered active.
B-12 Pre -construction Burrowing Owl Surveys and Avoidance. One pre -construction burrowing owl survey shall be completed no more than 14 days before initiation of site preparation or grading activities, and a second survey shall be completed within 24 hours of the start of site preparation or grading activities. If ground -disturbing activities are delayed or suspended for more than 30 days after the pre -construction surveys, the project site shall be resurveyed. Surveys for burrowing owl shall be conducted in accordance with protocols established in the Staff Report on Burrowing Owl Mitigation, prepared by the California Department of Fish and Game (now California Department of Fish and Wildlife [CDFW]) in 2012 or current version.
■ If burrowing owls are detected, a burrowing owl relocation plan shall be prepared and implemented in consultation with the City of Yucaipa. The relocation plan shall discuss the avoidance of disturbance to burrows during the nesting season for burrowing owls (February 1 through August 31) as well as the appropriate buffers to be established around occupied burrows, as determined by a qualified biologist. No project activities shall be allowed to encroach into established buffers without the consent of a monitoring biologist. The buffer shall remain in place until it is determined that occupied burrows have been vacated or the nesting season has completed.
■ Outside of the nesting season, passive owl relocation techniques approved by CDFW shall be implemented. Owls shall be excluded from burrows in the immediate project area, and within a buffer zone if there is a threat to the surface or subterranean burrow structure, by installing one-way doors in burrow entrances. These doors will be placed at least 48 hours prior to ground -disturbing activities. The project area shall be monitored daily for one week to confirm owl departure from burrows prior to any ground -disturbing activities. Compensatory mitigation for permanent loss of owl habitat will be provided following the guidance in the CDFW 2012 Staff Report on Burrowing Owl Mitigation or current version.
■ Where possible, burrows will be excavated using hand tools and refilled to prevent reoccupation. Sections of flexible plastic pipe shall be inserted into the tunnels during excavation to maintain an escape route for any wildlife inside the burrow.
B-13 Pre -construction Clearance Surveys. Pre -construction clearance surveys for special - status wildlife shall be conducted by a qualified project biologist within 14 days of the initiation of ground disturbance or vegetation clearing within and adjacent to construction areas. Surveys shall be appropriate for detecting potentially occurring species, such as Dulzura pocket mouse, northwestern San Diego pocket mouse, Stephens' kangaroo rat, San Diego desert woodrat, Los Angeles pocket mouse, Southern California legless lizard, California glossy snake, coastal tiger whiptail, red diamondback rattlesnake, Blainville's Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
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horned lizard, and coast patch -nosed snake. Surveys need not be conducted in all areas simultaneously as long as they are conducted within 14 days of the initiation of ground disturbance or vegetation clearing in each area individually. If special -status species are detected, appropriate buffers shall be established, as necessary and appropriate for the species, unless it is not feasible to avoid the species. If possible, nonlisted special -status wildlife species may be captured and relocated to suitable habitat nearby where they are safe from construction activities. Surveys and relocation of these species may only be conducted by the qualified project biologist.
If nonlisted special -status reptiles or small mammals are detected, they will be moved out of harm's way.
The project biologist shall remain available at all times after initiation of ground disturbance or vegetation clearing in case special -status wildlife species enter the construction area. If nonlisted special -status species are detected in the construction area after initiation of ground disturbance or vegetation clearing, the qualified project biologist shall take measures to move the species or encourage it to move to a safe place away from construction activities.
B-14 Pre -construction Bat Survey and Avoidance. The project contains potentially suitable roosting and/or foraging habitat to support western mastiff bat. Potential impacts to bats by the project may occur through direct removal of occupied roosts or indirectly through the removal of suitable foraging habitat. To determine if bats are currently roosting or foraging on the project site, and to determine the level of impact that may occur by the project, the following measures shall apply.
■ Pre -construction Survey. A pre -construction clearance survey for bats will be conducted at a minimum of one month prior to the start of construction to determine if any bats are currently roosting within buildings on the project site. The pre -construction survey will consist of a daytime roost assessment by a qualified bat biologist to determine if any bats or signs of active roosting are present. An emergence survey at dusk will be conducted after the roost assessment is completed to observe if any bats are emerging from suitable roost locations on the project site.
Additionally, active and passive acoustic monitoring will be concurrent with the emergence survey to determine if any bats are echolocating within the project site, identify the echolocating species, and determine the level of bat activity on -site.
Passive acoustic detectors will be deployed for a minimum of three nights. Once retrieved, bat echolocation calls will be analyzed off -site using Sonobat software and manual vetting to identify calls to the species level. If no bats are observed during the pre -construction survey, the project may commence without potential impacts to bats.
However; if bats are observed roosting in the project site, additional measures will be required as follows.
Maternity Roosting Season Avoidance. All project -related activities, including bat roost exclusion, shall occur outside the general bat maternity roosting season of March through August. Roost exclusion must only occur during the time when Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
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bats are most active (early spring or fall) to increase the potential to exclude all bats from buildings and minimize the potential for a significant impact to occur by avoiding the maternity roosting season.
Replacement Roost Installation. One month prior to the exclusion of bats from the buildings, the applicant will procure and install one or two bat boxes from a reputable vendor, such as Bat Conservation and Management, to allow bats sufficient time to acclimate to a new potential roost location. The bat boxes shall be installed within close proximity to the buildings and in an area that is within close proximity to suitable foraging habitat. The bat boxes will be oriented to the south or southwest, and the area chosen for the bat boxes must receive sufficient sunlight (at least six hours) to allow the bat boxes to reach an optimum internal temperature (approximately 90°F) to mimic the existing bat roost. The bat boxes will be suitable to house crevice -roosting bat species, including Mexican free -tailed bat, and large enough to contain a minimum of 50 bats (e.g., Four Chamber Premium Bat House). The bat boxes shall be installed on a 20-foot pole in an area that will be preserved by the project.
Roost Exclusion. Approximately one month after bat boxes have been installed, exclusion of the existing roost within the buildings will occur. The primary exit points for roosting bats will be identified, and all secondary ingress/egress locations on the buildings will be covered with a suitable material (e.g., tarp or wood planks) to prevent bats from leaving from other locations. The primary exit point will remain uncovered to allow exclusion devices to be installed. Exclusion devices will consist of plastic sheeting or a screen (with mesh one -sixth of an inch or smaller) installed at the top and allowing bats to leave but not return. The exclusion devices will be installed at night to increase the potential that bats have already left the roost and are less likely to return. Exclusion devices will be left in place for one week to ensure any remaining bats in the buildings are excluded. A passive acoustic monitoring detector will also be deployed during the exclusion period to verify excluded species and monitor if bat activity has decreased during the exclusion period. Periodic monitoring during the exclusion period shall also be conducted to observe if any bats are still emerging from the buildings, and an active monitoring survey shall be conducted on the final night of exclusion to ensure no bats are emerging from the buildings and determine exclusion has been successful. Any continued presence of roosting bats will require an adjustment to the exclusion devices and schedule.
B-15 Pre -construction American Badger Survey and Avoidance. Impacts to American badger individuals and wintering and natal dens shall be avoided and minimized during construction activities through the following measures.
Pre -construction Surveys (Wintering). During the colder months (generally between November 1 and February 15, when daily temperatures do not exceed 45°F), pre -construction surveys shall be conducted by the project biologist in suitable habitat no earlier than 14 days prior to construction activities to determine whether American Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
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badger winter dens are present within the construction zone or within 100 feet of the construction zone boundary.
■ Avoidance Measures (Wintering). If an American badger winter den is occupied within the construction zone or within 100 feet of the construction zone, the den location shall be clearly marked with fencing or flagging in a manner that does not isolate the badger from intact adjacent habitat or prevent the badger from accessing the den, to avoid inadvertent impacts on the den. If it is not practicable to avoid the wintering den during construction activities, an attempt will be made to trap or flush the individual and relocate it to suitable open space habitat. Additionally, badgers can be relocated by slowly excavating the burrow, either by hand or mechanized equipment under the direct supervision of the project biologist, removing no more than four inches at a time. After necessary trapping, flushing, or burrow excavation is completed, construction may proceed, and the vacated winter den may be collapsed.
If trapping is required, trapping will be limited to November 16 through the last day of February in accordance with Section 461, Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations (14 CCR 461). A written report documenting the badger removal shall be provided to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife within 30 days of relocation.
■ Pre -construction Surveys (Natal Dens). During the late winter and summer (generally from March 15 through July 31), when American badgers may use natal dens for birthing and pup rearing, pre -construction surveys shall be conducted by the project biologist no earlier than 14 days prior to ground -disturbing construction activities to determine whether American badger natal dens are present within the project construction zone or within 200 feet of the construction zone. ■ Avoidance Measures (Natal Dens). If natal dens are detected during construction, construction activities shall be halted within 200 feet of the natal den. This buffer may be reduced based on the location of the den or type of construction activity and at the direction of the project biologist. Construction activities shall not preclude the ability of the documented badgers to disperse to on -site open space or off -site habitat when the natal den is vacated (i.e., habitat suitable for dispersal must be maintained until dispersal occurs). Construction will be postponed or halted in these areas until it is determined by the project biologist that the young are no longer dependent on the natal den. To avoid inadvertent impacts during construction and to ensure that construction activities are at least 200 feet from active natal dens, any active natal dens within the survey area shall be clearly marked with fencing or flagging in a manner that will not inhibit normal behavioral activities (e.g., foraging and dispersing from the site) by the mother and pups.
B-16 Pre -construction Survey for Crotch Bumble Bee. A pre -construction survey for Crotch bumble bee (Bombes crotchiz) shall occur within the construction area during the primary flight period for workers and males (April 1 through August 31) and prior to the start of construction activities. The survey shall ensure that no nests for Crotch bumble bee are within the construction area. Crotch bumble bee is a habitat generalist, ground - Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
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nesting bee. Surveys and other relevant recommendations will be in accordance with the most recent protocol available at the time of the surveys.
In the event an Incidental Take Permit is needed, mitigation for direct impacts to Crotch bumble bee will be fulfilled through compensatory mitigation at a minimum 1:1 nesting habitat replacement of equal or better function and value to those impacted by the project, or as otherwise determined through the Incidental Take Permit process. Mitigation will be accomplished either through off -site conservation or through a mitigation bank approved by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. If mitigation is not purchased through a mitigation bank, and lands are conserved separately, a cost estimate will be prepared to estimate the initial start-up costs and ongoing annual costs of management activities for the management of the conservation easement area(s) in perpetuity. The funding source will be in the form of an endowment to help the qualified natural lands management entity that is ultimately selected to hold the conservation easement(s). The endowment amount will be established following the completion of a project -specific Property Analysis Record to calculate the costs of in -perpetuity land management. The Property Analysis Record will take into account all management activities required in the Incidental Take Permit to fulfill the requirements of the conservation easement(s), which are currently in review and development.
B-17 Burrowing Owl Protocol Survey. A protocol burrowing owl survey shall be conducted by a qualified biologist outside the focused survey area (see Figure 5.4-1, Biological Resources Study Area) prior to ground -disturbing activities. Surveys shall be conducted in accordance with the California Department of Fish and Game (now California Department of Fish and Wildlife) 2012 Staff Report on Burrowing Owl Mitigation or current version. The results of the survey shall be summarized in a report and will be valid for a maximum of two years. If no burrowing owl are found during the survey, no further mitigation would be required; however, the project must comply with Mitigation Measure B-12, Pre - construction Burrowing Owl Surveys and Avoidance.
If burrowing owl are detected, the full extent of the occurrence of occupied burrowing owl habitat in the survey area shall be recorded using GPS. The outer extent of each occurrence shall be flagged for avoidance (to the extent feasible).
Direct impacts to burrowing owl shall be avoided to the greatest extent possible and minimized where avoidance is not feasible. Where project impacts to burrowing owl cannot be avoided, a burrowing owl protection plan will be prepared and implemented, as summarized in Mitigation Measure B-12.
B-18 Least Bell's Vireo Protocol Survey. A focused habitat assessment shall be conducted for future development outside of the focused survey area (see Figure 5.4-1, Biological Resources Study Area). If suitable habitat is present, a protocol least Bell's vireo survey shall be conducted by a qualified biologist within suitable riparian habitat prior to ground - disturbing activities. Surveys shall be conducted in accordance with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) 2001 Least Bell's Vireo Survey Guidelines, or current version.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 128 -
The results of the survey shall be summarized in a report and valid for a maximum of two years. If no least Bell's vireo are found during the survey, no further mitigation would be required.
If least Bell's vireo are detected, the project shall receive authorization for take of least Bell's vireo from USFWS through the federal Endangered Species Act Incidental Take Permit process, including the preparation of a Biological Assessment. Any measures determined to be necessary through the Incidental Take Permit process to offset impacts to least Bell's vireo may supersede measures provided in this California Environmental Quality Act document and shall be incorporated into the habitat mitigation and monitoring plan.
Mitigation for direct impacts to least Bell's vireo will be fulfilled through compensatory mitigation at a 2:1 habitat replacement of equal or better function and value as the habitat impacted by the project, or as otherwise determined through the Incidental Take Permit process. Mitigation will be accomplished either through off -site conservation or through a mitigation bank approved by USFWS. If mitigation is not purchased through a mitigation bank and lands are conserved separately, a cost estimate will be prepared to estimate the initial start-up costs and ongoing annual costs of management activities for the management of the conservation easement area(s) in perpetuity. The funding source will be in the form of an endowment to help the qualified natural lands management entity that is ultimately selected to hold the conservation easement(s). The endowment amount will be established following the completion of a project -specific Property Analysis Record to calculate the costs of in -perpetuity land management. The Property Analysis Record will take into account all management activities required in the Incidental Take Permit to fulfill the requirements of the conservation easement(s), which are currently in review and development.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
Implementation of Mitigation Measures B-7 (construction -related indirect impacts to biological resources), B-8 (long-term indirect impacts to biological resources), B-9 (pre -construction pond check), B-11 (pre -construction nesting bird survey), B-12 (pre -construction burrowing owl surveys and avoidance), B-13 (pre -construction clearance surveys), B-14 (pre -construction bat survey and avoidance), B-15 (pre -construction American badger survey and avoidance), and B-16 (pre - construction survey for Crotch bumble bee) for direct and indirect impacts to sensitive species.
Mitigation Measures B-6 (focused special -status plant survey and avoidance), B-17 (burrowing owl protocol survey) and B-18 (least Bell's vireo protocol survey) have been completed as part of this EIR and are no longer applicable for the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project. Mitigation Measure B-10 is applicable to future projects within the plan area that have been analyzed at the program -level in this SEIR, and not applicable to the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 129 -
Finding:
Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the Proposed Project that avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect as identified in the SEIR. These changes are identified in the form of the mitigation measure(s) above. The City of Yucaipa hereby finds that implementation of the mitigation measure(s) is feasible, and the measure(s) is therefore adopted.
Rationale for Finding
Implementation of Mitigation Measure B-6 requires focused special -status plant surveys and avoidance, Mitigation Measure B-7 reduces construction -related indirect impacts to biological resources, Mitigation Measure B-8 reduces long-term indirect impacts to biological resources, Mitigation Measure B-9 requires pre -construction pond check, Mitigation Measure B-10 reduces impacts on wildlife movement, Mitigation Measure B-11 requires pre -construction nesting bird surveys, Mitigation Measure B-12 requires pre -construction burrowing owl surveys and avoidance, Mitigation Measure B- 13 requires pre -clearance surveys, Mitigation Measure B-14 requires pre -construction bat surveys and avoidance, Mitigation Measure B-15 requires pre -construction American badger surveys and avoidance, Mitigation Measure B-16 requires pre -construction surveys for Crotch bumble bee, Mitigation Measure B-17 requires burrowing owl protocol surveys, and Mitigation Measure B-18 requires Least Bell's vireo protocol surveys. As such, impacts would be reduced to less than significant.
Impact 5.4-2: Future development within the plan area could result in the loss of sensitive natural communities, including riparian habitat. [Threshold 13-2] Sensitive Natural Communities
Support for this environmental impact conclusion is fully discussed in Section 5.4, Biological Resources, and in particular, starting on page 5.4-67 of the SEIR.
FCSP Buildout
Direct Impacts
A total of 35 vegetation communities or land cover types were mapped within the plan area. Of these, 10 communities are considered sensitive vegetation communities by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and sensitive under CEQA: Menzie's golden bush scrub; Palmer's goldenbush scrub; Adenostoma fasciculatum—salvia mellifera—Bhus ovata association in the chamise-sage chaparral alliance; scale broom brush; Fremont cottonwood forest and woodland; Salixgooddingii association in the Gooding's willow —red willow riparian woodland and forest alliance; and the Sambucus nigra association in the basket bush —river hawthorn —desert olive patches alliance.
Future development could result in impacts of up to 19.1 acres of sensitive vegetation communities-
6.8 acres of riparian communities, 0.8 acre of chaparral, and 11.5 acres of scrub (see Table 5.4-5, Direct Impacts to Sensitive Vegetation Communities in the Plan Area, of the Draft SEIR). Impacts to these vegetation communities would be significant absent mitigation. In addition, the Proposed Project would result in impacts to riparian and streambed vegetation communities. The 0.8 acre of Adenostoma fasczculaturr- Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 130 -
Salvia mellifera—Rhur ovata consists of one individual patch that is disconnected from other Adenostoma fasciculatum—Salvia mellifera—Rhus ovata in the region. Impacts to this community are not expected to result in adverse effects to the community regionally. Therefore, impacts to Adenostoma fasczculatum— Salvia melliferc-Rhus ovata would be less than significant. Impacts to the riparian and scrub communities would be significant absent mitigation.
Indirect Impacts
Construction -Related
Sensitive vegetation communities may be indirectly impacted during future construction of the Proposed Project which would be potentially significant absent mitigation.
Long -Term
Potential long-term, indirect impacts could result from development near sensitive vegetation communities which would be potentially significant absent mitigation.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center Project
Refer to Section B, Finding on `No Impact" `Less Than Significant Impact ".
Mitigation Measure:
Specific Plan
The following mitigation measure(s) was included in the SEIR and the Final SEIR, and is applicable to the Proposed Project. The measure(s) as provided include any revisions incorporated in the Final SEIR.
Implementation of Mitigation Measures B-7 (construction -related indirect impacts to biological resources), B-8 (long-term indirect impacts to biological resources) and the following additional new mitigation measures:
B-19 Aquatic Resource Avoidance, Permitting, and Protection. The Specific Plan area supports aquatic resources that are considered jurisdictional under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). If aquatic resources are fully avoided, no further mitigation would be required. However, the project must comply with Mitigation Measure B-7 (construction -related indirect impacts to biological resources) and Mitigation Measure B-8 (long-term indirect impacts to biological resources).
If full avoidance is not possible, prior to construction activity, the applicant shall coordinate with USACE and the Santa Ana RWQCB (Region 8) to ensure conformance with the requirements of Section 404 and Section 401 of the Clean Water Act and the Porter -Cologne Water Quality Control Act. Prior to activity within CDFW-jurisdictional streambed or associated riparian habitat, the applicant shall coordinate with CDFW (Inland Deserts Region 6) about conformance to the Lake and Streambed Alteration permit requirements.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 131 -
Future development shall mitigate to ensure no -net -loss of waters at a minimum of 1:1 with establishment or re-establishment credits for impacts on aquatic resources as a part of an overall strategy to ensure no net loss, or at a higher ratio if establishment or re- establishment credits are not available. Mitigation shall be completed through use of a mitigation bank or other applicant -sponsored mitigation. Final mitigation ratios and credits shall be determined in consultation with USACE, RWQCB, and/or CDFW based on agency evaluation of current resource functions and values and through each agency's respective permitting process.
Should applicant -sponsored mitigation be implemented, a habitat mitigation and monitoring plan shall be prepared in accordance with resource agency guidelines and approved by the agencies in accordance with the proposed program permits. The habitat mitigation and monitoring plan will include but is not limited to a conceptual planting plan including planting zones, grading, and irrigation, as applicable; a conceptual -planting plant palette; a long-term maintenance and monitoring plan; annual reporting requirements; and proposed success criteria. Any off -site applicant -sponsored mitigation shall be conserved and managed in perpetuity.
B-20 Sensitive Upland Vegetation Avoidance and Mitigation. The Specific Plan area supports sensitive vegetation communities, including Menzies's goldenbush scrub and Palmer's goldenbush scrub. Future development should avoid these communities. If sensitive upland vegetation communities are fully avoided, no further mitigation will be required.
If full avoidance is not possible, prior to construction activities, the applicant shall mitigate for direct impacts to sensitive vegetation communities at a 1:1 ratio through either a mitigation bank or applicant -responsible mitigation. If applicant -responsible mitigation is performed, a mitigation plan must be prepared. The mitigation plan shall include: (1) the mitigation type (e.g., preservation, creation); (2) location of mitigation; (3) evaluation of how the functions and values of the impacted vegetation communities will be mitigated; (4) an implementation plan; (5) maintenance requirements; (6) monitoring requirements; (7) reporting requirements; (8) contingency measures; (9) long-term management; and (10) funding assurances.
Finding:
Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the Proposed Project that avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect as identified in the SEIR. These changes are identified in the form of the mitigation measure(s) above. The City of Yucaipa hereby finds that implementation of the mitigation measure(s) is feasible, and the measure(s) is therefore adopted.
Rationale for Finding
Implementation of Mitigation Measure B-7 would reduce construction -related indirect impacts to biological resources; Mitigation Measure B-8 would reduce long-term indirect impacts to biological resources; Mitigation Measure B-19 would require aquatic resource avoidance, permitting, and Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 132 -
protection; and Mitigation Measure B-20 would require sensitive upland vegetation avoidance and mitigation. As such, impacts would be reduced to less than significant.
Impact 5.4-3: Future development within the plan area could impact jurisdictional aquatic resources within the clan area. [Threshold B-31
Jurisdictional Aquatic Resources
Support for this environmental impact conclusion is fully discussed in Section 5.4, Biological Resources, and in particular, starting on page 5.4-70 of the SEIR.
FCSP Buildout
An updated aquatic resources delineation was conducted throughout the plan area in 2022 in compliance with Mitigation Measure B-1 from the 2008 Certified EIR. The plan area does not contain state or federally protected wetlands. The plan area supports 15.37 acres of nonwedand waters potentially regulated by United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), 16.03 acres of nonwetland waters (below Ordinary High Watermark [OHWM]) fall under RWQCB jurisdiction, and 49.10 acres of CDFW streambed (below and above OHWM, to top of bank) and associated riparian habitat occur in the plan area.
Direct Impacts
Based on the jurisdictional delineation and review of relevant information, six nonwedand water features were delineated within the plan area. Of the six nonwetland waters, four features totaling 15.37 acres are potentially under the jurisdiction of the USACE since they exhibit a downstream connection with a traditional navigable water (the Pacific Ocean). The other two nonwedand water features, totaling 0.66 acre, terminate in the plan area and therefore are likely not USACE jurisdictional.
Nonwedand water features in the plan area may also be regulated by RWQCB and CDFW. In addition, CDFW may regulate streambeds beyond the OHWM (to top of bank) and associated riparian habitat.
In total, 16.03 acres of nonwetland waters (below OHWM) fall under RWQCB jurisdiction, and 49.1 acres of CDFW Streambed (below and above OHWM, to top of bank) and associated riparian habitat occur in the review. Implementation of the Proposed Project would impact approximately 2.88 acres of nonwedand waters of the United States, 0.59 acre of nonwetland waters of the State, 1.88 acres of Jurisdictional Streambed, and 6.89 acres of Jurisdictional Riparian habitats, as shown in Table 5.4-6, Proposed Project Impacts to Aquatic Resources, of the Draft SEIR.
Indirect Impacts
Construction -Related
Jurisdictional waters of the United States/state may be indirectly impacted during construction.
Potential short-term or temporary indirect impacts to jurisdictional waters resulting from construction activities include the generation of fugitive dust; changes in hydrology resulting from construction, including sedimentation and erosion; the release of chemical pollutants; and unintentional clearing, trampling, or grading outside of the proposed construction zone. Construction -related indirect impacts to jurisdictional waters associated with the Proposed Project would be potentially significant.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 133 -
Long -Term
Potential long-term indirect impacts that could result from development near waters of the United States/state communities include pollutants that could degrade water quality and habitat; increased invasive plant species that may degrade habitat; and trampling of vegetation and soil compaction by humans, which could affect soil moisture, water penetration, surface flows, and erosion. Long-term indirect impacts to jurisdictional waters associated with the Proposed Project would be potentially significant.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
Direct Impacts
Future development on the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project site would not result in impacts to any jurisdictional aquatic resources because none exist in the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project site. No impacts would occur. Therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard compared to the Approved Project.
Indirect Impacts
Development of the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project has the potential to result in short-term (construction -related) and long-term indirect impacts to aquatic resources. Impacts would be potentially significant in the absence of mitigation. However, the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard compared to the Approved Project.
Mitigation Measure:
The following mitigation measure(s) was included in the SEIR and the Final SEIR, and is applicable to the Proposed Project. The measure(s) as provided include any revisions incorporated in the Final SEIR.
Specific Plan
Implementation of Mitigation Measure B-19 (aquatic resource avoidance, permitting, and protection) for direct impacts and Mitigation Measures B-7 (construction -related indirect impacts to biological resources) and B-8 (long-term indirect impacts to biological resources) for indirect impacts.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
No direct impacts were identified; however, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center would require implementation of the following measures for indirect impacts: Mitigation Measures B-7 (construction - related indirect impacts to biological resources) and B-8 (long-term indirect impacts to biological resources).
Finding:
Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the Proposed Project that avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect as identified in the SEIR. These changes are identified in the form of the mitigation measure(s) above. The City of Yucaipa hereby finds that implementation of the mitigation measure(s) is feasible, and the measure(s) is therefore adopted.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 134 -
Rationale for Finding
Mitigation Measure B-7 would reduce construction -related indirect impacts to biological resources; Mitigation Measure B-8 would reduce long-term indirect impacts to biological resources; and Mitigation Measure B-19 would require aquatic resource avoidance, permitting, and protection. As such, impacts would be reduced to less than significant.
Impact 5.4.4: Future development within the plan area could directly or indirectly affect wildlife movement within the plan area and vicinity. [Threshold B-4] Wildlife Movement
Support for this environmental impact conclusion is fully discussed in Section 5.4, Biological Resources, and in particular, starting on page 5.4-75 of the SEIR.
FCSP Buildout
Direct Impacts
The plan area does not contain nursery sites, and the plan area is not in an area identified as a wildlife corridor or linkage. However, the Yucaipa General Plan EIR identified Yucaipa Creek and Oak Glen Creek as potential local wildlife linkages. The plan area contains undeveloped land that allows for unrestricted move -through habitat and three large drainages that likely convey wildlife through the plan area. The remaining two drainages are shallow and isolated, likely not conveying wildlife, but may contribute to move -through, foraging habitat.
The Proposed Project would designate at least 155 acres of land as OS-C (approximately 13 percent of the plan area), primarily along the three most prominent drainage features in the plan area: Yucaipa Creek (NWW-01), Oak Glen Creek (NWW-02), and Yucaipa Creek's tributary (NWW-03). The OS-C lands allow for partial to full avoidance of all three drainages. The Proposed Project would also designate at least 336 acres (approximately 27 percent of the plan area) of OS along both Yucaipa Creek and Oak Glen Creek and interspersed throughout the plan area, which would provide a buffer and transition zone between different land uses and may support agricultural activities, including those areas already in production. While agricultural activities have the potential to constrain movement, this land is expected to continue to facilitate some wildlife movement.
Given that future development plans associated with the Proposed Project are currently conceptual, specific impacts to wildlife corridors and habitat linkages are not known and therefore potentially significant. Future road improvements to Live Oak Canyon Road and future development of the Wildwood Canyon Road Interchange project have potential to impact local wildlife movement along Yucaipa Creek. In the absence of mitigation these impacts would be potentially significant.
Indirect Impacts
Construction -Related
Potential short-term or temporary indirect impacts to wildlife movement would be potentially significant absent mitigation.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 135 -
Long -Term
Potential long-term indirect impacts to wildlife movement would be potentially significant absent mitigation.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
Direct Impacts
Development of Pacific Oaks Commerce Center fully avoids Yucaipa Creek; therefore, this project is not expected to impact regional wildlife movement. No direct impacts would occur. The Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard compared to the Approved Project.
Indirect Impacts
Development of the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center would encroach into Yucaipa Creek's associated uplands, which may constrain wildlife use in the area. Therefore, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would result in the same indirect impacts to wildlife movement as identified for the Specific Plan. Impacts would be potentially significant in the absence of mitigation. However, the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard compared to the Approved Project.
Mitigation Measure:
The following mitigation measure(s) was included in the SEIR and the Final SEIR, and is applicable to the Proposed Project. The measure(s) as provided include any revisions incorporated in the Final SEIR.
Specific Plan
Implementation of Mitigation Measures B-7 (construction -related indirect impacts to biological resources), B-8 (long-term indirect impacts to biological resources), B-10 (wildlife movement); and the following Mitigation Measures:
B-5 Fuel Management Zone. A plan for the management of the fuel management zone shall be developed and submitted to the City of Yucaipa for review and approval prior to issuance of a grading permit. The management plan shall include access points, signage for trails and restricted uses, and appropriate fencing.
B-21 Culvert Undercrossing. A wildlife undercrossing shall be constructed where proposed improvements to Live Oak Canyon Road and the future Wildwood Canyon Road interchange cross over Yucaipa Creek. The undercrossing will be designed sufficient to convey large, medium, and smaller -sized wildlife. The wildlife undercrossing shall utilize existing or manufactured topography. The crossing shall be designed to provide an openness ratio (calculated as width times height divided by length in meters) equal to or greater than 0.6, with direct line of sight at both ends. The crossing shall have a raised floor and/or side platform to allow dry passage for wildlife when water is flowing. The design should consider the use of berms to protect the undercrossing from light and noise.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 136 -
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
Implementation of Mitigation Measure B-5 (fuel management zone, formerly Mitigation Measure B- 13) and new Mitigation Measures B-7 (construction -related indirect impacts to biological resources), and B-8 (long-term indirect impacts to biological resources). Mitigation Measure B-21 is not applicable to the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project.
Finding:
Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the Proposed Project that avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect as identified in the SEIR. These changes are identified in the form of the mitigation measure(s) above. The City of Yucaipa hereby finds that implementation of the mitigation measure(s) is feasible, and the measure(s) is therefore adopted.
Rationale for Finding
Implementation of Mitigation Measure B-5 would create a fuel management zone plan, Mitigation Measure B-7 would reduce construction -related indirect impacts to biological resources, Mitigation Measure B-8 would reduce long-term indirect impacts to biological resources, and Mitigation Measure B-10 would require adequate wildlife movement, Mitigation Measure B-21 would require culvert undercrossings. As such, impacts would be reduced to less than significant.
Impact 5.4.5: The Proposed Project could conflict with the City's tree ordinance but would not conflict with an adopted habitat conservation plan. [Thresholds B-5 and B-6] Tree Ordinance and Habitat Conservation Plan
Support for this environmental impact conclusion is fully discussed in Section 5.4, Biological Resources, and in particular, starting on page 5.4-77 of the SEIR.
FCSP Buildout
Local Policies and Ordinances
The City's Municipal Development Code, Division 9, Plant Protection and Management, includes ordinances related to the removal of trees, including oak trees, as well as plants within 200 feet of a streambank. The plan area contains trees, including oak trees, and streambanks. As with the Approved Project, the Proposed Project would result in impacts to trees and plants within 200 feet of a streambank. Impacts would be potentially significant in the absence of mitigation. However, the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard compared to the Approved Project.
Habitat Conservation Plans
The plan area does not overlap with any habitat conservation plans, and no impacts would occur to habitat conservation plans. No impact would occur. Therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard compared to the Approved Project.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 137 -
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
Local Policies and Ordinances
The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would result in the same impacts to the City's tree ordinance as well as habitat conservation plans, as identified for the Specific Plan. Impacts would be potentially significant in the absence of mitigation. However, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard compared to the Approved Project.
Habitat Conservation Plans
As the plan area does not overlap with any habitat conservation plans, and no impacts would occur to habitat conservation plans. No impact would occur. Therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard compared to the Approved Project.
Mitigation Measure:
Specific Plan
The following mitigation measure(s) was included in the SEIR and the Final SEIR, and is applicable to the Proposed Project. The measure(s) as provided include any revisions incorporated in the Final SEIR.
B-1 Oak Tree Survey. Prior to grading the applicant will conduct an oak tree survey to identify oak trees to be encroached upon, removed and/or relocated, and those within 100 feet of the project site or construction area. Oak trees will be identified, located, and tagged during the survey. An oak tree report may be required depending on the scope and the nature of the project impact on the surrounding trees, as determined during the pre - application conference. In general, the requirements for an oak tree report may be waived in situations involving the removal of dead or hazardous trees and/or potential impacts to less than four trees. In situations requiring the submission of an oak tree report, the document shall be certified by the oak tree consultant to be true and correct and must be acceptable to the Community Development Director (Yucaipa Development Code Section 89.0501). The oak tree report will include information on the oak trees proposed for impacts, including location, diameter of trunk, diameter of canopy, height, and the health and condition of the subject oak trees. In addition, a site plan map must be submitted during the application process. The site plan map is required to show proposed grading and construction areas, oak tree locations, and the exact location of the dripline of an oak tree.
B-2 Oak Tree Permit. Prior to the removal of, or the encroachment into, the "protected zone" of oak trees, the applicant will first obtain an oak tree permit as stated in section
89.0515 (b) (1) of the Yucaipa Development Code. Specifically, the protected zone for oak trees is defined as the area within a circumference measured five feet outside of the dripline of the tree and extending inward to the trunk of the tree, with the condition that the protected zone must always be at least 15 feet from the trunk of an oak tree (Yucaipa Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 138 -
Development Code Section 89.0501). The applicant will obtain oak tree permits to allow encroachments within the dripline as needed. Requests for encroachments that do not exceed 50 percent of the dripline would qualify for administrative processing, whereas requests for encroachments that exceed 50 percent of the dripline would require Yucaipa Planning Commission review. (The guidelines of the Oak Tree Conservation Ordinance explain the processing steps involved in obtaining an oak tree permit, the information necessary to apply for an oak tree permit, the standard conditions for an oak tree permit, oak tree survey and reporting requirements, oak tree removal requirements, oak tree planting and replacement requirements, and the enforcement of the Oak Tree Conservation Ordinance).
B-3 Oak Tree Design Guidelines. During final design, the applicant will provide design guidelines as set forth in the Oak Tree Conservation Ordinance. Section 89.0501 of the Yucaipa Development Code provides design guidelines and evaluation criteria for projects that will impact or potentially impact oak trees. City of Yucaipa enforces the conservation of all healthy oak trees unless reasonable and conforming use of the property justifies removal, cutting, pruning, and/or encroachment into the protected zone of an oak tree.
To the extent possible, given the constraints of the property, the project must (1) preserve or minimize impacts to existing healthy oak trees; (2) eliminate or minimize encroachment or new construction in areas of oak trees; (3) minimize the percentage of encroachment from construction on oak trees; (4) avoid locating parking facilities and pedestrian walkways in close proximity to hazardous oak trees for safety reasons, unless it can be demonstrated that major surgery and a nutrient feeding program will restore the tree to a safe and vigorous condition, or the trees are located in minimal access areas such as drainages or steep slopes.
B-4 Oak Tree Mitigation. The applicant will mitigate oak tree impacts through relocation and/or replacement through habitat creation, restoration, and enhancement efforts.
Requests for relocations can be processed administratively only when the diameter of the tree does not exceed six inches when measured at a point 4.5 feet above the natural grade of the tree. Requests for relocation of trees with larger diameters must be processed and reviewed by the Yucaipa Planning Commission and the City Council. Any replacement trees from a nursery must be either coast live oak or valley oak (Quercus lobata). Other oak tree varieties must be approved in advance by the Community Development Department.
All relocated or replaced trees shall be monitored and maintained by a qualified biologist for five years or until the plants have become fully established and can survive without supplemental irrigation.
B-22 Tree Removal Permit. Prior to the issuance of grading permits, it will be the responsibility of the project applicant to obtain the necessary permits for removal of trees, including oak trees, as well as the removal of plants within 200 feet of a streambank. The project applicant will provide the appropriate plot plan or other documentation required by the City of Yucaipa.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 139 -
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
Implementation of Mitigation Measures B-1 (oak tree survey, former B-7), B-2 (oak tree permit, former B-8), B-3 (oak tree design guidelines, former B-9), and B-4 (oak tree mitigation, former B-10) and new Mitigation Measure B-22 (tree removal permit).
Finding:
Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the Proposed Project that avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect as identified in the SEIR. These changes are identified in the form of the mitigation measure(s) above. The City of Yucaipa hereby finds that implementation of the mitigation measure(s) is feasible, and the measure(s) is therefore adopted.
Rationale for Finding
Implementation of Mitigation B-1 would require an oak tree survey prior to grading, Mitigation Measure B-2 would require obtaining an oak tree permit prior to removal of trees, Mitigation Measure B-3 would require the incorporation of the Oak Tree Conservation Ordinance into final design, Mitigation Measure B-4 would require mitigating impacts to oak trees, and Mitigation Measure B-22 would require tree removal permits prior to issuance of grading permits. As such, impacts would be reduced to less than significant.
4. Cultural Resources
Impact 5.5-1: Development of the project could impact an identified historical resource. [Threshold C-1] .
Historical Resources
Support for this environmental impact conclusion is fully discussed in Section 5.5, Cultural Resources, and in particular, starting on page 5.5-19 of the SEIR.
FCSP Buildout
As identified in the 2008 Certified EIR, as well as the cultural records searches conducted for the Proposed Project, several historical resources and historic -age resources have been identified within the plan area and a 0.5-mile radius of the plan area. Future development in the plan area could have the potential to impact historic resources.
The cultural resources analysis for the 2008 Certified EIR concluded that resources P36-0012600, P36- 0012601, P36-0012603, and P36-012836 are not considered significant historical resources. Therefore, direct and/or indirect impacts on these structures would not result in an impact to a historical resource.
The cultural resources analysis for the 2008 Certified EIR determined that resources P36-12607 and P36-12608 have not been evaluated for significance and could qualify as historical resources. These resources are in parts of the FCSP that would be designated OS-C, that is, areas of no grading or Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 140 -
development. Nonetheless, Mitigation Measure CR-1 would be implemented as part of the project to mitigate potential impacts to less -than -significant.
While the Proposed Project would result in more development and substantially more landform modification than the Approved Project, future development under the Proposed Project would be required to implement mitigation measures that would reduce impacts to historic resources, as with the Approved Project. Additionally, some portions of the plan area that were designated for development (i.e., lands not designated Open Space) under the Approved Project would be designated OS-C under the Proposed Project, and cultural resources in land designated OS-C would not be impacted because these lands would be preserved in perpetuity. As with the 2008 Certified EIR, which found impacts to unknown historical resources were less than significant with the incorporation of mitigation measures, impacts under the Proposed Project would also result in less than significant impacts with the incorporation of Mitigation Measure CR-1. Therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard compared to the Approved Project.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center Project
Refer to Section B, Findin
gs on `No Impact "and `less Than Significant Impacts ".
Mitigation Measure:
Specific Plan
The following mitigation measure(s) was included in the SEIR and is applicable to the Proposed Project. The measure(s) as provided include any revisions incorporated in the Final SEIR.
CR-1 Prior to the issuance of any grading permits in planning areas BP4 and development within the OS, the project proponent shall retain a qualified architectural historian, defined as meeting Secretary of the Interior Standards, to carry out all mitigation measures related to historical resources. A historic resources technical evaluation for resources P36-12607 and P36-12608 shall be prepared by the qualified architectural historian. The study shall evaluate the significance and data potential of the resources in accordance with these standards. Resources present on the proposed project site shall be evaluated for eligibility for the California Register of Historical Resources (CRHR), including buildings and structures. If the resource meets the criteria for listing on the CRHR (Pub. Res. Code Section 5024.1; Title 14 CCR, Section 4852), a program detailing how such long-term avoidance or preservation is ensured shall be developed and approved prior to conditional approval.
Finding:
Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the Proposed Project that avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect as identified in the SEIR. These changes are identified in the form of the mitigation measure(s) above. The City of Yucaipa hereby finds that implementation of the mitigation measure(s) is feasible, and the measure(s) is therefore adopted.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 141 -
Rationale for Finding
Mitigation Measure CUL-1 would require the project proponent to retain a qualified architectural historian prior to issuance of any grading permits. As such, impacts would be reduced to less than significant.
Impact 5.5-2: Development of the project could impact archaeological resources. [Threshold C-2] Archaeological Resources
Support for this environmental impact conclusion is fully discussed in Section 5.5, Cultural Resources, and in particular, starting on page 5.5-21 of the SEIR.
FCSP Buildout
As identified in the 2008 Certified EIR, archaeological resources were identified in the FCSP. Future development in the plan area could have the potential to impact archaeological resources. As identified in Table 5.5-2, Previously Recorded Cultural Resources Within a One -Half Mile Radius of the Plan Area, of the Draft SEIR, seven prehistoric archaeological sites and one prehistoric isolated resource are known cultural resources sites identified within the FCSP area. It was noted in updated site records that sites CA-SBR-429, CA-SBR-908, CA-SBR-912, and CA-SBR-913 have been destroyed. Several of the remaining known cultural resources in the plan area have not been tested and evaluated for significance or it is unknown if they have been evaluated (see Table 5.5-2). Archaeological sites P36-000915, P36- 0012602, P36-0012604, and P36-0012605 may contain subsurface deposits, retain substantial integrity, possess a range of materials types, and could address important questions regarding chronology, trade/exchange, subsistence, and settlement patterns of the region during prehistory. These resources could qualify as significant historical archaeological resources. Impacts to these archaeological sites could cause adverse changes in the significance of an archaeological resource. In addition to these known archaeological resources, and as documented above, the project area contains a high sensitivity for subsurface archaeological resources. Therefore, there is also the potential for ground -disturbing activities to impact previously unidentified archaeological resources.
Though the Proposed Project would result in more development and substantially more landform modification compared to the Approved Project, future development in the FCSP would be required to implement mitigation measures that would reduce impacts to archaeological resources, as with the Approved Project. Additionally, some portions of the plan area that were designated for development under the Approved Project would be designated OS-C under the Proposed Project, and cultural resources in land designated OS-C would not be impacted because this land would be preserved in perpetuity. Therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard compared to the Approved Project.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would result in the same impacts to archaeological resources as identified for the Specific Plan. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant with mitigation measures incorporated.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 142 -
Mitigation Measure:
Specific Plan
The following mitigation measure(s) was included in the SEIR, and is applicable to the Proposed Project.
CR-2 Prior to the issuance of any permits allowing ground -disturbing activities, the project proponent/operator shall retain a Qualified Archaeologist, defined as an archaeologist meeting the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for professional archaeology (U.S.
Department of the Interior, 2011), to carry out all mitigation measures related to archaeological resources. The contact information for this Qualified Archaeologist shall be provided to the City of Yucaipa's Planning Department prior to the commencement of any construction activities on -site. Further, the Qualified Archaeologist shall be responsible for ensuring employee training provisions are implemented during implementation of the project:
■ Prior to any ground disturbance, the Qualified Archaeologist or their qualified designee shall provide worker environmental awareness protection training to construction personnel for the protection of cultural (prehistoric and historic) resources. As part of this training, construction personnel shall be briefed on proper procedures to follow should unanticipated cultural resources be made during construction. New construction personnel shall also receive the worker environmental awareness protection training.
■ In the event that unanticipated cultural resources are encountered during any phase of project construction, all construction work within 50 feet of the find shall cease and the Qualified Archaeologist, in coordination with the City's Planning Department, shall assess the find for importance. Construction activities may continue in other areas. If the discovery is determined to not be significant by the Qualified Archaeologist, work will be permitted to continue in the area. ■ If a find is determined to be important by the. Qualified Archaeologist, they shall immediately notify the City's Planning Department. The City's Planning Department shall determine whether the resource is eligible for inclusion in the California Register of Historical Resources (CRHR). If the City determines the resource is eligible for inclusion on the CRHR, project redesign and preservation in place shall be the preferred means to avoid impacts to significant historical resources. ■ Consistent with CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.4(b)(3)(C),if it is demonstrated that known resources (P36-000915, P36-0012602, P36-0012604, and P36-0012605) and unanticipated finds cannot be avoided, the Lead Archaeologist shall develop additional treatment measures in consultation with the City, which may include placement within conservation easements, preservation -in -place (e.g. capping sites with sterile, chemically neutral soil, geofabric, and some form of shallow -rooted landscaping), Phase II testing, Phase III data recovery, or other appropriate measures.
The City shall consult with appropriate Native American representatives in Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 143 -
determining appropriate treatment for unearthed cultural resources if the resources are prehistoric or Native American in nature. Diagnostic archaeological materials with research potential recovered during any investigation shall be curated at an accredited curation facility. The Lead Archaeologist shall prepare a report documenting evaluation and/or additional treatment of the resource. A copy of the report shall be provided to the City and to the South Central Coastal Information Center at California State University, Fullerton.
■ If the cultural resource is identified as being potentially eligible for listing on either the NRHP or CRHR, and project designs cannot be altered to avoid impacting the site, a Phase III Data Recovery Program to mitigate project effects shall be initiated.
A Data Recovery Treatment Plan shall detail the objectives of the Phase III Program and contain specific testable hypotheses pertinent to the Research Design and relative to the site(s) under study. The Phase III Data Recovery Treatment Plan shall be submitted to the City's Planning Department, the appropriate Native American Band or Tribe, if applicable for review and comment prior to implementation of the Data Recovery Program. After Approval of the Treatment Plan, the Phase III Data Recovery Program for affected, eligible site(s) shall be completed. Typically, a Phase III Data Recovery Program involves the excavation of a statistically representative sample of the site(s) to preserve those resource values that qualify the site(s) as being eligible for listing on the NRHP/CRHR. The Phase III Data Recovery Report shall be submitted to the City's Planning Department, the appropriate Native American Band or Tribe, if applicable, and the State Historic Preservation Officer for review and comment prior to the issuance of a grading permit.
CR-3 Prior to the issuance of a grading permit and before any brush clearance, grading, excavation and/or ground disturbing activities on the site take place, the project proponent shall retain a Secretary of Interior Standards qualified archaeological monitor to monitor all ground -disturbing activities in native soils in an effort to identify any unknown archaeological resources.
The project archaeologist, in consultation with interested tribes, the developer, and the City of Yucaipa, shall develop an Archaeological Monitoring Plan (AMP) to address the details, timing and responsibility of all archaeological and cultural activities that will occur on the project site. Details in the AND shall include:
■ Project -related ground disturbance (including, but not limited to, brush clearing, grading, trenching, etc.) and development scheduling;
■ The development of a rotating or simultaneous schedule in coordination with the developer and the project archeologist for designated Native American Tribal Monitors from the consulting tribes during grading, excavation and ground -disturbing activities on the site: including the scheduling, safety requirements, duties, scope of work, and Native American Tribal Monitors' authority to stop and redirect grading activities in coordination with all project archaeologists. Tribes shall coordinate as to Tribal Monitoring concurrent with development;
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 144 -
■ The protocols and stipulations that the developer, City, Tribes, and project archaeologist will follow in the event of inadvertent cultural resources discoveries, including any newly discovered cultural resource deposits that shall be subject to a cultural resources evaluation.
■ Pursuant to the AMP, a tribal monitor from the consulting tribe (e.g., Morongo Band of Mission Indians, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, and/or Soboba Band of Luisefio Indians) shall be present during the initial grading activities. If tribal resources are found during grubbing activities, the tribal monitoring shall be present during site grading activities.
During construction activities, the project proponent shall ensure that Native American monitors have access to the project site to monitor grading and excavation activities. If cultural resources are discovered during ground -disturbing activities, the Native American monitor shall have authority to halt all grading activities within a predetermined radius of the find until its significance can be evaluated.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center Project
Implementation of Mitigation Measures CR-2 and CR-3.
Finding:
Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the Proposed Project that avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect as identified in the SEIR. These changes are identified in the form of the mitigation measure(s) above. The City of Yucaipa hereby finds that implementation of the mitigation measure(s) is feasible, and the measure(s) is therefore adopted.
Rationale for Finding
Mitigation Measure CUL-2 requires that prior to the issuance of any permits for ground -disturbing the project proponent shall retain a Qualified Archaeologist to carry out all mitigation and Mitigation Measure CUL-3 requires that prior to issuance of a grading permit and before nay brush clearance, grading, excavation and/or ground -disturbing activities the project proponent shall retain a Qualified Archaeologist to monitor ground -disturbing activities. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.
5. Geology and Soils
Impact 5.7.1: Project residents or occupants, and visitors would be subject to potential seismic - related hazards resulting in risks to life or property. [Thresholds G-1 i through G-1 iv, and G-411
Seismic -Related Hazards
Support for this environmental impact conclusion is fully discussed in Section 5.7, Geology and Soils, and in particular, starting on page 5.7-17 of the SEIR.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 145 -
FCSP Buildout
Earthquakes and Ground -Rupture
The Chicken Hill Fault, which is part of the larger Crafton Hills Fault Zone, is included within this Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone and traverses the northwestern portion of the plan area. This area will be designated as open space and therefore, no construction would occur in the Alquist-Priolo Zone. However, the entire plan area is subject to seismic events (ground shaking) due to its proximity to the San Andreas Fault Zone and its location in seismically active Southern California. Like the Approved Project, implementation of the Proposed Project would result in potentially significant impacts related to earthquakes and ground rupture. However, the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard that were analyzed in the 2008 Certified EIR.
Landslides and Liquefaction
The plan area has not been zoned by the California Geological Survey for seismic hazards such as earthquake -induced landslides or liquefaction. The potential for landslide development has been evaluated as low to medium according to the City of Yucaipa General Plan. Landslide deposits are mapped on a relatively small slope on the southwest portion of the plan area. Liquefaction is unlikely to develop due to the relatively deep groundwater which is considered to exist in a depth in excess of 50 feet below ground surface, and therefore, liquefaction impacts are not considered to be substantial.
However, the potential for liquefaction exists along the stream channels during rainy periods if strong seismic ground shaking occurs. Like the Approved Project, implementation of the Proposed Project would result in potentially significant impacts related to landslides and liquefaction. The Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard, when compared to the impacts in the 2008 Certified EIR.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center Project
Refer to Section B, Findin
gs on `No Impact" and 1ess Than Significant Impacts ".
Mitigation Measure:
Specific Plan
The following mitigation measure(s) was included in the SEIR, and is applicable to the Proposed Project.
GS-1 Prior to issuance of a building permit, as per existing City policies, geotechnical studies shall be prepared at the time specific development projects are proposed to address site specific geotechnical considerations. The scope of each geotechnical study is based on the underlying geotechnical conditions of the individual site.
Prior to design and construction of any future developments within the project area, a comprehensive geotechnical evaluation, including development -specific subsurface exploration and laboratory testing, shall be conducted. The purpose of the subsurface evaluation is to:
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 146 -
1. Further evaluate the subsurface conditions in the area of proposed structures.
2. Provide specific data on potential geologic and geotechnical hazards.
3. Provide information pertaining to the engineering characteristics of earth materials in the project area.
From this data, recommendations for grading/earthwork, surface, and subsurface drainage, temporary and/or permanent dewatering, foundations, pavement structural sections, and other pertinent geotechnical design considerations will be formulated and shall be included in the grading and building plans for individual developments. General recommendations are as follows.
1. Seismic Ground Shaking— Measures to prevent risk of loss, injury or death involving seismic ground shaking include constructing new development to the latest adopted building codes. In addition, new development should not be located near active earthquake faults.
2. Erosion or Loss of Topsoil — Erosion and sediment control measures shall be implemented as required by the City's Grading and Water Quality ordinances.
3. Where Expansive Soils Exist — Measures for the design of foundations, slabs, flatwork, and other improvements subject to damage from expansive soils.
4. For Potential Areas of Soil Subsidence or Lateral Spreading — measures to prevent subsidence due to dewatering or other groundwater withdrawals, and measures to prevent lateral spreading by appropriate load distribution, foundation construction, pilings, retaining walls or other engineering controls.
Compliance with this measure shall be verified by the Community Development Department.
GS-2 Detailed geotechnical and hydrology reports shall be prepared prior to any development approval or grading activities. These reports shall specifically address erosion control and surface runoff for both construction and long-term operations on the site.
Recommendations contained in these reports to prevent soil erosion, siltation, and debris influx into the drainage system shall be implemented. Compliance with this measure shall be verified with the Community Development Department.
Finding:
Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the Proposed Project that avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect as identified in the SEIR. These changes are identified in the form of the mitigation measure(s) above. The City of Yucaipa hereby finds that implementation of the mitigation measure(s) is feasible, and the measure(s) is therefore adopted.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 147 -
Rationale for Finding
Implementation of Mitigation Measure GS-1 requires the preparation of geotechnical studies that will form the basis of recommendations to construction, which shall be followed by developers and would reduce impacts to less than significant. Mitigation Measure GS-2 requires that detailed geotechnical and hydrology reports specifically address erosion control and surface runoff for both construction and long-term operations on the site and shall be prepared prior to any development approval or grading activities; impacts would be reduced to less than significant.
Impact 5.7-2: Unstable geologic unit or soils conditions, including soil erosion, could result from development of the project resulting in risks to life or property. [Thresholds G-2, G- 3, and G-41
Soil Erosion
Support for this environmental impact conclusion is fully discussed in Section 5.7, Geology and Soils, and in particular, starting on page 5.7-19 of the SEIR.
FCSP Buildout
Soil Erosion
The Ramona and Saugus soils in the southern part of the plan area are characterized by slow to rapid runoff, and the dendritic drainage pattern in this area indicates erosion of relatively soft, flat -lying sediments and soils by the stream channels. Soils in the northern part of the site are characterized by rapid permeability, but may be subject to erosion by oversteepening of slopes during construction.
Like the Approved Project, implementation of the Proposed Project would result in potentially significant impacts related to soil erosion. The Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard than were analyzed in the 2008 Certified EIR.
Expansive Soils
The soils in the study area generally consist of various types of sandy loam and loamy sand. These relatively coarse materials are classified as having a low potential for expansion. However, previously unidentified areas of expansive soils could exist and could expose people and structures to hazards.
Like the Approved Project, implementation of the Proposed Project would result in potentially significant impacts related to expansive soils. However, the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard than were analyzed in the 2008 Certified EIR.
Lateral Spreading
The soils within the plan area are generally sandy loam and loamy sand. When saturated and subjected to strong groundshaking, there could be a moderate potential for lateral spreading due to the predominance of free -face topography, i.e., cliffs along stream beds. Like the Approved Project, implementation of the Proposed Project would result in potentially significant impacts related to lateral Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 148 -
spreading. As such, the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard than were analyzed in the 2008 Certified EIR.
Subsidence
Subsidence may occur in cases of substantial groundwater extraction. Based on a review of USGS, the plan area is in a recognized area of subsidence. However, a review of the actual land subsidence in the plan area in the last eight years, up to April 2023, shows that there has not been any significant land subsidence over the period. Groundwater storage by local water companies and statutory commitments to sustainable groundwater management practices reduce the potential for future land subsidence, and ongoing surveying of groundwater by local water companies provides a way to verify that their efforts in preventing subsidence are effective. In addition, a review of local well records has shown that prominent potentially compressible clay layers that could contribute to significant subsidence in dry years have not been noted in the plan area. Like the Approved Project, implementation of the proposed Specific Plan is unlikely to result in significant impacts related to subsidence. However, the Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard than were analyzed in the 2008 Certified EIR.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center Project
Refer to Section B, Finding on `No Impact" and `Exxx Than Sign cant Impactr".
Mitigation Measure:
Specific Plan
The following mitigation measure(s) was included in the SEIR, and is applicable to the Proposed Project.
Implementation of Mitigation Measure GS-1 and Mitigation Measure GS-2.
Finding:
Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the Proposed Project that avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect as identified in the SEIR. These changes are identified in the form of the mitigation measure(s) above. The City of Yucaipa hereby finds that implementation of the mitigation measure(s) is feasible, and the measure(s) is therefore adopted.
Rationale for Finding
Implementation of Mitigation Measure GS-1 requires the preparation of geotechnical studies that will form the basis of recommendations to construction, which shall be followed by developers and would reduce impacts to less than significant. Mitigation Measure GS-2 requires that detailed geotechnical and hydrology reports specifically address erosion control and surface runoff for both construction and long-term operations on the site and shall be prepared prior to any development approval or grading activities; impacts would be reduced to less than significant.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 149 -
Impact 5.7-4: The Proposed Project could directly or indirectly destroy a unique paleontological resource, site, or unique geologic feature. [Threshold G-6] Paleontological Resources
Support for this environmental impact conclusion is fully discussed in Section 5.7, Geology and Sour, and in particular, starting on page 5.7-25 of the SEIR.
FCSP Buildout
While there are no known paleontological resources in the FCSP area, according to Figure PR-6, Cultural and Paleontological Resource Sensitive Overlay Districts from the General Plan, the FCSP is in an area where paleontological resources are known or likely to be present. According to the 2008 Certified EIR, the rock units that underlie the plan area include Holocene active wash sediments (Qvyw) and Holocene axial -valley deposits (Qya), which are considered to have a low paleontological sensitivity if they are not underlain by San Timoteo Formation and/or older Pleistocene alluvium, and are considered to have a high paleontological sensitivity if they are underlain by San Timoteo Formation and/or older Pleistocene alluvium; Pleistocene older axial valley deposits (Qoai) and Pliocene/Pleistocene sediments of the San Timoteo Formation (Qtstu) are considered to have a high paleontological sensitivity. If significant vertebrate fossils are encountered during project implementation, disturbance of such resources would result in a potentially significant impact to paleontological resources. The Proposed Project would not result in new or substantially more severe significant impacts in this regard than in the 2008 Certified EIR.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would result in the same impacts to paleontological resources as identified for the Specific Plan, and would be potentially significant, but would not result in new or substantially more severe impacts compared to the 2008 Certified EIR.
Mitigation Measure:
Specific Plan
The following mitigation measure(s) was included in the SEIR, and is applicable to the Proposed Project.
GS-3 All excavation activities in any and all areas identified as likely to contain paleontological resources will be monitored by a qualified paleontological monitor. Paleontological monitors must be equipped to salvage fossils as they are unearthed and to remove samples of sediments that are likely .to contain the remains of small fossil invertebrates and vertebrates. Monitors shall be empowered to temporarily halt all construction activity to allow removal of abundant or large specimens.
GS-4 All recovered paleontological specimens will be prepared to a point of identification and permanent preservation, including washing of sediments to recover small specimens shall be conducted. Identification and full curation of all specimens into an established, Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 150 -
accredited museum repository with permanent retrievable paleontological storage is required.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center Project
Implementation of Mitigation Measures GS-3 and GS-4.
Finding:
Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the Proposed Project that avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect as identified in the SEIR. These changes are identified in the form of the mitigation measure(s) above. The City of Yucaipa hereby finds that implementation of the mitigation measure(s) is feasible, and the measure(s) is therefore adopted.
Rationale for Finding
Implementation of Mitigation Measure GS-3 requires all excavation activities in any and all areas identified as likely to contain paleontological resources to be monitored by a qualified paleontological monitor. Mitigation Measure GS-4 requires mandatory staffing of paleontologically sensitive construction sites with paleontological monitors equipped to salvage fossils as they are unearthed and with the power to temporarily halt all construction activity to allow removal of abundant or large specimens, along with the required identification and full curation of all specimens into an established, accredited museum repository with permanent retrievable paleontological storage would reduce impacts to less than significant.
6. Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Specific Plan PPPs
The following are plans, programs, and policies (PPPs) that would reduce the Proposed Project's potential greenhouse gas impacts:
Design Guidelines
The FCSP Update includes the following design guidelines:
■ Site Planning: Single -Family
Climatic factors, such as prevailing winds, solar orientation, shade trees, window and door orientation, and the positioning of buildings on the site, should be coordinated to maximize energy conservation.
■ Residential Outdoor Lighting
Outdoor light fixtures, including street lights and lamps (light bulbs) that provide nighttime safety and security while conserving energy, protecting the night sky, and minimizing glare and light trespass within and beyond the project site, shall be chosen. ■ Non-residential Outdoor Lighting
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 151 -
Outdoor light fixtures that provide nighttime safety and security should be selected to conserve energy, protect the night sky, and minimize glare and light trespass within and beyond the project site.
Impact 5.8-2: The Proposed Project could conflict with an applicable plan, policy or regulation adopted for the purpose of reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases. [Threshold GHG-2]
Consistency with Plans Adopted to reduce GHG Emissions
Support for this environmental impact conclusion is fully discussed in Section 5.8, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and in particular, starting on page 5.8-24 of the SEIR.
FCSP Buildout
CARE Scoping Plan
The adopted 2022 CARB Scoping Plan is applicable to state agencies but is not directly applicable to cities/counties and individual projects. However, new regulations adopted by the state agencies outlined in the Scoping Plan result in GHG emissions reductions at the local level. The Proposed Project would adhere to the programs and regulations identified by the Scoping Plan and implemented by state, regional, and local agencies to achieve the statewide GHG reduction goals of SB 32 and AB 1279. Table 5.8-6, FCSP Consistency to the Scoping Plan Priority Areas, of the Draft SEIR evaluates consistency of the FCSP to the three Scoping Plan local action priorities and their attributes, and indicates that the FCSP would generally be inconsistent with the priority areas pertaining to transportation electrification and building decarbonization. Thus, the FCSP is considered inconsistent with the Scoping Plan. Therefore, the Proposed Project would result in new significant impacts or a substantial increase in significant impacts compared to impacts identified in the 2008 Certified EIR.
SCAG's Regional Transportation Plan / Sustainable Communities Strategy SCAG adopted the 2020-2045 RTP/SCS (Connect SoCal in September 2020. Connect SoCal finds that land use strategies that focus on new housing and job growth in areas rich with destinations and mobility options would be consistent with a land use development pattern that supports and complements the proposed transportation network. The uses proposed under the project would be consistent with the overall Connect SoCal Goods Movement strategy, which identifies the large demand for warehouse space in the SCAG region.
Furthermore, Connect SoCal does not require that local general plans, specific plans, or zoning be consistent with the SCS, but provides incentives for consistency to governments and developers. As described in Section 5.17, Transportation, of the Draft SEIR, the Proposed Project VMT would not exceed the City's SB 743 VMT thresholds. Therefore, the Proposed Project, like the Approved Project, would be generally consistent with much of Connect SoCal. Therefore, the Proposed Project would not result in new impacts or a substantial increase in magnitude of impacts compared to the Approved Project. Impacts related to consistency with SCAG's Connect SoCal would be less than significant.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 152 -
Yucaipa Climate Action Plan
The City Climate Action Plan (CAP) includes State and local measures to reduce GHG emissions. The CAP local actions generally cover renewable energy, on -road transportation, wastewater, and water conveyance.
Renewable Energy. The energy -related measures primarily cover solar installation for existing residential and commercial uses and would generally not be applicable to the Proposed Project. ■ On -Road Transportation. The on -road transportation local action focuses on implementing smart bus technology that would increase efficiency in bus operations. This measure is implemented at the City administration level and is not applicable to the Proposed Project.
However, under the FCSP, bus stops would be permitted in all planning areas. ■ Wastewater/Water Conveyance. For water and wastewater, the Proposed Project would utilize recycled water for its landscaping and general outdoor water needs, which would be consistent with the Wastewater-3: Recycled Water local CAP measure. Residential lots within the FCSP would be required to have a dual -plumbing system to allow for use of potable water for indoor uses and recycled water for outdoor purposes. Use of recycled water would contribute to reducing electricity consumption associated with the transport of water.
Although the CAP also includes local action measure PS-1: GHG Performance Standard for New Development, which establishes a performance standard of 29 percent below business as usual by 2020, this measure is no longer applicable as it is beyond 2020. However, discussed under Impact 5.8- 1, the Proposed Project would result in a net reduction in GHG emissions compared to the Approved Project. Therefore, overall, implementation of the Proposed Project would not conflict or obstruct implementation of the City of Yucaipa CAP and would not result in new or a substantial increase in magnitude of impacts compared to the Approved Project.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
CARE Scopinp Plan
Impacts associated with the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center Project related to consistency with the CARB Scoping Plan are the same as that identified for the FCSP. The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center, like the Approved Project, would have less than significant impacts under the City's SB 743 thresholds (see Section 5.17, Transportation, of the Draft SEIR). However, while the proposed warehouses would be built to operate as all -electric buildings with no natural gas connections, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not comply with the CALGreen voluntary nonresidential Tier 2 EV parking standards. Thus, as identified above, compared to impacts identified in the Certified EIR, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would result in a new impact or substantial increase in magnitude of impacts related to consistency with the Scoping Plan. Therefore, impacts would be potentially significant.
SCAG's Regional Transportation Plan / Sustainable Communities Stratepy Impacts associated with the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center Project related to consistency with SCAG's RTP/SCS are the same as that identified for the FCSP. As identified above, compared to the Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 153 -
Approved Project, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not result in a new impact or substantial increase in magnitude of impacts related to consistency with GHG reduction plans.
Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.
City of Yucaipa Climate Action Plan
Impacts associated with the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center Project related to consistency with the CAP are the same as that identified for the FCSP. As identified above, compared to the Approved Project, the Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project would not result in a new impact or substantial increase in magnitude of impacts related to consistency with GHG reduction plans. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measure:
The following mitigation measure(s) was included in the SEIR, and is applicable to the Proposed Project.
Specific Plan
Implementation of Mitigation Measures AQ-2 through and AQ-5 and the following Mitigation Measures:
GHG-1 The City of Yucaipa shall require applicants of development projects to install electric vehicle (EV) spaces in compliance with the Tier 2 standards under Section A5.106.5.3.2 of the Non -Residential Voluntary Measures or Section A4.106.8.2.1 of the Residential Voluntary Measures, whichever is applicable, in the 2022 California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen). All site plans submitted to the City of Yucaipa Building and Safety Division shall illustrate compliance to either Section A5.106.5.3.2 or A4.106.8.2.1, whichever is applicable. In addition, the City of Yucaipa shall require applicants of development projects to include car/vanpool program with preferred parking and provide reserved preferential parking space for car -share, carpool, and ultra -low or zero emissions vehicles.
Prior to issuance of the certificate of occupancy, the project applicant shall provide documentation to the City of Yucaipa Planning Division that verifies compliance with this measure.
GHG-2 The City of Yucaipa shall require applicants to design and construct all buildings to be all electric with electricity to be the only permanent source of energy for water -heating, mechanical and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) (i.e., space -heating and space cooling), cooking, and clothes -drying. All major appliances (e.g., dishwashers, refrigerators, clothes washers and dryers, and water heaters) provided/installed are electric powered Energy Star certified or of equivalent energy efficiency where applicable. Prior to issuance of building permits, applicants shall provide plans that show the aforementioned requirements to the City of Yucaipa Planning Division. Prior to issuance of the certificate of occupancy, the City of Yucaipa Building & Safety Division shall verify installation of the electric -powered Energy Star or equivalent appliances.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 154 -
Subject to approval of the Yucaipa Planning Division, an exception may be made for restaurants that require natural gas for cooking. If restaurant land uses within the Regional Commercial designation require stoves that utilize natural gas, such appliances may be permitted so long as the annual GHG emissions generated by natural gas use are offset through reduction in electricity use (e.g., solar panels, battery storage), transportation demand management measures, or other means onsite or offsite. Calculations that demonstrate the equivalent reduction of GHG emissions offset for natural gas consumed onsite shall be submitted to the Yucaipa Planning Division prior to issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.
Pacific Oaks Commerce Center
Implementation of Mitigation Measures AQ-2 and AQ-4, and Mitigation Measures GHG-1 and GHG-2 would be required.
Finding:
Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the Proposed Project that avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect as identified in the SEIR. These changes are identified in the form of the mitigation measure(s) above. The City of Yucaipa hereby finds that implementation of the mitigation measure(s) is feasible, and the measure(s) is therefore adopted.
Rationale for Finding
Implementation of Mitigation Measure AQ-2 would result all appliances to be energy efficient, Mitigation Measure AQ-3 would require future residential development to utilize electric fireplaces in lieu or traditional and wood -burning fireplaces/stoves, Mitigation Measure AQ-4 would require the installation of Energy Star labeled roof materials, and Mitigation Measure AQ-5 would require residential developments to install energy -reducing ceiling/whole house fans. Implementation of Mitigation Measures GHG-1 and GHG-2 would ensure that development projects accommodated under the FCSP comply with the CALGreen voluntary Tier 2 EV parking standards in addition to buildings designed to be all electric. Therefore, impacts would be reduced to less than significant.
7. Hydrology and Water Quality
Impact 5.10-1: The Proposed Project may violate any water quality standards or waste discharge requirements or otherwise substantially degrade surface or groundwater quality without implementation of best management practices. [Threshold HYD-1].
Water Quality Standards
Support for this environmental impact conclusion is fully discussed in Section 5.10, Hydrology and Water Quality, and in particular, starting on page 5.10-18 of the SEIR.
Freeway Corridor Specific Plan Project
CEQA Findings of Fact and
Statement of Overriding Considerations - 155 -
FCSP Buildout
Potential Water Pollution Impacts from the Construction Phase The Proposed Project would result in an increase in residential units and nonresidential square footage in the plan area compared to the Approved Project. Construction of the Proposed Project would involve grading and construction equipment that could result in pollution of stormwater with oil and greases, fuels, and metals. Disturbance of soil during grading and construction could leave soil vulnerable to erosion. Project construction could also generate water pollution from paving and grinding operations, concrete work, and use of paints and other coatings. Construction projects of one acre or more are required to prepare and implement a SWPPP to obtain coverage under the CGP. A project SWPPP estimates sediment risk from construction activities to receiving waters and specifies Best Management Practices (BMPs) that would be used to minimize pollution of stormwater. Future development would also implement the requirements of Chapters 2,4 and 15 of the Yucaipa Municipal Code. However, grading activities could result in erosion impacts.
Potential Water Pollution Impacts from the Operational. Phase The City is subject to the Phase I MS4 NPDES Permit, Order No. R8-2010-0036, issued by the Santa Ana RWQCB. New development applications must include a Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP) specifying operation and maintenance requirements for all source and treatment control BMPs required to reduce pollutants in post -development runoff to the maximum extent practicable, and would address hydromodification impacts.