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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFRANK SINATRA DRIVE/BOB HOPE C/Z 2162 1977a C�a3t�� oil 51D®=off 45-275 PRICKLY PEAR LANE, PALM DESERT, CAUFORNIA 92260 TELEPHONE (714) 346-0611 October 20. 1977 Planning Director County of Riverside County Administrative Center 4080 Lemon Street, 9th Floor Riverside, Ca. 92501 Re: Palm Desert Planning Commission review of County Referral Case No. 2162 Dear Sir: As requested the Planning Commission of the City of Palm Desert at their regular meeting of October 19th, did review the request for change of zone noted on Case No. 2162 which is a change of zone from W-2-20 to R-1-12,000 on a 320 acre parcel located at the northeast corner of Frank Sinatra Drive extended and Monterey Drive extended. By a unanimous minute motion they did direct me to notify you that said rezoning is in conformance with the City's adopted General Plan and Land Use Map and assuming that the matter of ade- quacy as to the environmental impacts of said project can be determined, said rezoning appears appropriate at this location. I wish to thank you for giving us the opportunity to review this matter and hope that these comments will be of use to the Commission. Very truly yours, Paul A. Williams, Secretary Palm Desert Planning Commission cc: County Referral file R. Cipriani PAW/ks RIVERSIDE COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT 4030 LEMON STREET NINTH FLOOR RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA 92501 October 6, 1977 TO: DEPT. OF BUILDING AND SAFETY COACH€LL1 VALLEY COUNTY WATER DISTRICT DEPT. OF FIRE PROTECTION ENV RONMENTAL HEALTH DIVISION ANNING DIRECTOR, CIII OF PALM DESERT RIVERSIDE COUNTY ROAD DEPT. WATER QUALITY CONTROL BOARD NO. 7 PLANNING DIRECTOR, CITY OF RANCHO MIRAGE USDA, SOIL CONSERVATION RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPT. ADVANCE PLANNING, PLANNING DEPT. SUBJECT: CHANGE OF ZONE CASE NO. 2162 W-2-20 to R-1-12,000 CATHEDRAL CITY - (EA 4883) PALM DESERT DISTRICT Irwin Schuman c/o Riviera Hotel 1600 No. Indian Avenue Palm Springs, CA 92262 Your comments and recomuendations are requested prior to OCTOBER 20, 1977 so that they may be included in our STAFF REPORT regarding this item. RELATED FILES: C/%one 1619 COMMENTS: DATE: SIGNED The public hearing on this matter will be held ou NOVE24BER 2, 1977 should you wish to be present. (RETURN ORIGINAL AND ONE COPY TO PLANNING DEPARTMENT, COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE CE'a , 4080 LEMON STREET, NINTH FLOOR, RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA 92501) PD-76-21 ATM! a1 Gt:(I,zr- o:ff IF8D§� 45-275 PRICKLY PEAR LANE, PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA 92260 TELEPHONE (714) 346-0611 April 27, 1978 Honorable Mayor Wolfson Attached are the materials that you requested. The Hearing on this matter was continued to June 20, 1978, by the Board of Supervisors. Paul A. Williams, A.I.P. Director of Environmental Services paw/ks CilCO b-t� �H T+�- OA6L+7 of SMPF 2���o27 45-275 PRICKLY PEAR LANE, PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA 92260 TELEPHONE (714) 346-0611 April 14, 1978 Honorable Chairman & Members of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors Administrative Center 4080 Lemon Street, 12th Floor Riverside, California 92501 Gentlemen: Subject: C/Z 2162 The City Council of the City of Palm Desert, at its meeting of April 13, 1978, reviewed the Change of Zone No. 2162, Irwin S. Shuman, Applicant. By unanimous action, the Council directed me to write this letter of opposition to the request. Our opposition is based upon the following: 1) The property in question is at least one mile from the nearest existing public street, and, therefore, the request is very premature. 2) The property is located in one of the severest blowsand areas of the Valley. 3) The requested zoning mitigates few, if any, of the numerous environmental concerns that relate to the property. 4) The property lies within our Sphere of Influence and can be presumed to some be part of our city. In that regard, a basic problem relates to timing. The contemplated project will create demands for public services which simply cannot be properly met at this time. The Council concluded that the request is premature and could lead to additional premature development in the area. Therefore, we recommend to your Board that the change of zone be denied, at least for a year or two. Continued........../ Board of Supervisors County of Riverside --------------------------------------------------------------- Page 2 . April 14, 1978 -------------- We appreciate the opportunity to review the rezoning request and hope that our concerns will be considered in your deliberation on this matter. Very truly yours, JAMES E. McPHERSON MAYOR PRO-TEMPORE JEM/srg 45-275 PRICKLY PEAR LANE, PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA 92260 TELEPHONE (714) 346-0611 April 14, 1978 Honorable Chairman and Members of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors Riverside County Administrative Building 4080 Lemon Street, 12th Floor Riverside, California 92501 Gentlemen: Subject: C/Z 2162 By virtue of this letter, I do hereby authorize Mr. Paul A. Williams, Director of Environmental Services, to speak for the Palm Desert City Council on the subject change of zone before the Board of Supervisors. Very truly yours, JAMES E. MCPHERSON MAYOR PRO-TEiMPORE JEM/srg CITY OF PALM DESERT STAFF REPORT To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council Subject: County Referral Case No. CZ 2162 Applicant: IRWIN S. SCHUMAN Date: April 13, 1978 I. REQUEST: Request for a change of zone from zone W-2-20 (Controlled Development Area - Twenty (20) acre Minimum Lot Area) to Zone R-1-12,000 (One Family Dwellings - 12,000 sq. ft. Minimum Lot Area) on property located on the northerly side of Frank Sinatra Drive, one mile easterly of Bob Hope Drive. II. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Direct the Director of Environmental Services to forward letter regarding the request to the Riverside County Board of Supervisors. III. BACKGROUND: A. Description: West 2 of Section 32, T4S, R6H, SBB & M B. Location: North of Frank Sinatra Drive extended and east of Monterey Avenue extended. The project is directly north of the Palm Desert Greens property. C. Size: 323 acres (gross) D. Number of Units: 960 condominium units E. Density: 3 dwelling units per gross acre F. General Plan: Open Space and Planned Development (0-3 dwelling units per acre). G. Zoning: The property is presently zoned W-2-20 (Limited Development, Minimum Lot Size 20 Acres). The applicant is requesting a Change of Zone for the entire parcel to R-1-12,000. H. Utilities: General Telephone - lines on the site. Coachella Valley County Water District (water & sewer) - well on site. Southern California Gas - extend main 2,660 feet from Monterey and Country Club to the site. the Board of Supervisors Gtf�Tr IF81n-nm 45-275 PRICKLY PEAR LANE, PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA 92260 TELEPHONE (714) 346-0611 April 14, Riverside CountX Board of Supervisors County Administrcktive Center 4080 Lemon St. Riverside, CA 9250 Re: City Dear Board Members: it review of County/Referral Case No. 2162 The City Council of the Ci meeting of April 13, 1978 d zone from W-2-20 to R-1-12,0 the northeast corner of Frank Drive extended. By a unanim notify you that said re n V Desert at their regular the request for change of 320 acre parcel located at Drive extended and Monterey 's adopted General P1 and app s appropriate at is loca inute motion they did direct me is in conformance with the 4a d Use Map and said rezoning I these comments/will be of i king a determi tion on this truly yours Paul A. Wi1V(ams, A.I.P. Director of Environmental Services rjc/pw/ `1 \" J r CITY of PALM DESERT STAFF REPORT To: Planning Commission Subject: Comments on Palm Isles Drive EIR Applicant: Riverside County Planning Department for Irwin Schuman Case No.: C/Z 2162 I. REQUEST: The Riverside County Planning Department is circulating the draft environ- mental impact report (EIR) for a proposed Change of Zone request on 320 acres of land in the blowsand area north of Country Club Drive to concerned agencies for comments. II. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Tn That the Planning Commission, by Minute Motion, direct the staff to forward the attached comments to the Riverside County Planning Department. III. BACKGROUND: A. Description: West i of Section 32, T4S, R6E, SBB & M B. Location: North of Frank Sinatra Drive extended and east of Monterey Avenue extended. The project is directly north of the Palm Desert Greens property. C. Size: 323 acres (gross) D. Number of Units: 960 condominium units E. Density: 3 dwelling units per gross acre F. General Plan: Open Space and Planned Development (0-3 dwelling units per acre). G. Zoning: The property is presently zoned W-2-20 (Limited Development, Minimum Lot Size 20 Acres). The applicant is requesting a Change of Zone for the entire parcel to R-1-12,000. H. Utilities: General Telephone - lines on the site. Coachella Valley County Water District (water and sewer) -well on site. Southern California Gas - extend main 2,660 feet from Monterey and Country Club to the site. Imperial Irrigation District/electric - lines on the site. Riverside County Sheriff's Department Palm Springs Unified School District T Grrocc• Tho nnnlir.n+ ,.,ill ho v.on uirorl +n ov+on.l nh4.,e ` ., Palm Desert Planning Commission Staff Report County Case No. C/Z 2162 Page Two IV. DISCUSSION (continued) In addition to these elements, the EIR does not adequately address the costs and benefits of continued development of large residential projects in a severe blowsand area or whether such leap -frog development (regardless of the blowsand issue) should be continued. The staff recommends that the Planning Commission, by Minute Motion, direct the staff to forward the attached comments to the Riverside County Planning Commission for consideration during their review of the environmental impacts of the proposed project. June 6, 1977 PALM ISLES DRAFT EIR Comments 1. Page 7 - The configuration of Palm Desert Greens is incorrect. 2. Page 7 - The configuration of Del Safari is incorrect. 3. Page 8 - It is difficult to verify the open space calculations. 4. Page 9 - This is not in -fill development, but more akin to leap -frog development. The center of population in Palm Desert is 4 miles to the south and in Rancho Mirage 3 miles to the south- west. The EIR does not adequately present the differential quality of environmental concerns between previously developed projects and the site in question. Linear proximity is meaning- less where development conditions vary so greatly. 5. Page 20 - Fire Protection. There is no indication of response time and whether this time meets current fire protectiff standards. 6. Page 21 - Streets. No provision appears to have been made for the eventual development of the extension of 36th Street along the north boundary of the project. 7. Page 21 - Electrical. Require undergrounding of all overhead utility lines on or adjacent to the site. B. Page 28 - Geological Hazards. The site is located approximately 1 mile north of the South Pass Fault. The attached map of Seismic Response Zones, prepared by the ENVICOM Corporation as part of the environmental analysis for the Palm Desert General Plan, indicates the location of this fault. 9. Page 33 - Air Quality. The EIR should indicate amounts of various pollu- tants that would be generated by the project. Emission factors utilized by the Southern California Air Pollution Control District for 1980 include the following amounts in grams per mile: CO �NO� SOS Particulates Hydrocarbons 1.9 16.8 0.1 0.3 1.1 Trip length figures should reflect greater distances of travel due to outlying location of project site. 10. Page 36 - Noise. The EIR should indicate noise contour levels for the project site and whether it is within the landing or take -off corridor of air traffic from Palm Springs or Bermuda Dunes. 11. Page 55 - Proposed treatment of blowsand. The establishment of irrigated windbreaks along the north and west boundaries of the subject property deals only partially with the problem. These wind- breaks will not stabilize blowsand up -wind of the project. Some of it will merely be shifted around the project (possibly towards Palm Desert Greens) and some will form large deposits Comments (continued) 12. Page 59 - Both the Flat -Tailed Horned Lizard (Phrynosuma micalli) and the Kit Fox are now quite rare in the Coachella Valley. The EIR should discuss in more detail how destruction of these species in the Coachella Valley will affect the food chain and populations of insects, reptiles, and other mammals. 13. Page 65 - The College of the Desert is 22 miles south of the subject site. 14. Page 67 - Development of Monterey Avenue from Country Club Drive to Frank Sinatra Drive has not been officially approved by Rancho Mirage One obvious obstacle is the fact that this area is not even with- in the Rancho Mirage city boundaries. Thus at the present time, there is only one difinite access road to the project. Vista Dunes Road does not extend through to Frank Sinatra Drive and would make a questionable emergency access route. 15. Page 69 - The EIR does not discuss energy conservation measures as required by CEQA. The state guidelines require "particular emphasis on avoiding or reducing inefficient, wasteful, and unnecessary con- sumption of energy". The EIR should include an anlaysis of life- time energy costs for the overall project coyparing conventional and alternative energy sources. No mitigation measures to reduce energy consumption are mentioned. 16. Page 86 - Adverse Environmental Effects Which Cannot Be Avoided If This Project Is Implemented. Add the following: - increased traffic will create higher levels of air pollution - humidity levels will rise due to landscaping associated with the project - views of the night sky will be reduced - increased cost of street maintenance. 17. Page 91 - No Project. There is no requirement for compensation if the project is denied on the basis of its cumulative environmental impacts. Such a denial would be within the right of the County in exercising its police power for the protection of the public health, safety, and general welfare and does therefore not require compensation. 18. Page 91 - Long -Term vs. Short -Term Impacts. This section is totally inadequate in meeting the requirements of the state guidelines. Specifically, the author does not address the question of why the project is justified now, rather than at a future time. This is a very crucial question since the applicant is asking to extend development into new areas, long before existing open space areas closer to the established ur- .banized area have been developed. 19. Page 92 - Growth Inducing Impact. By extending several major arterial roads past large open space areas to reach the site, this project will enable a great deal of additional growth to take place. With the sale of the last lot in Palm Desert Greens, this area will see much more demand for new development, with Palm Isles only the first. Property leeward pf existing projects in the blowsand area will also have a much higher potential for development. Additional in- % Z' A'. .......... 4 — r A %.% ............... sif 10- ;c 147� IN Z FIGURE 6.3.4 SEISMIC RESPONSE ZONES -A Zone zone designation and ig on based on distance. A Zone boundary and t zone designation C based on rock or soil type. A Fault (approximate) It -*-,Fault (buried) C 7 SOURCE: ENVICOMCwporatian NORTH 4AT 4 0 1 2 Miles 3 WILSEY & HA - --------- ----------- - L �a 9� City of RANCHO MIRAGE 69825 HIGHWAY III RANCHOMIRAGE CALIFORNIA 92270 TELEPHONE 1714)3288871 Mr. Donald D. Sullivan Clerk of the Board County of Riverside County Administrative Center 4080 Lemon Street, 14th Floor Riverside, Ca. 92501 Dear Sir: June 16, 1978 E C E 6 V E JUN 19 1978 PALM DESERT CITY HALL CITY CLERK'S OFFICE Subject: C/Z 2162 The City Council at their meeting of June 15, 1978, moved to support the position of the City of Palm Desert to deny Mr. Irwin S. Schuman's application for Change of Zone #2162. Very truly yours, B' arbara E. Dohn Acting City Clerk cc: Supv. Al McCandless Martin Bouman, City Mgr., P.D. E1 R TRANSMITTAL FROM: Riverside County Planning Commission, 4080 Lemon Street, Riverside, California TO: City of Palm Desert Transmittal Date: MAY 2'7 1971 JUN 26197 Date Return Requested: SUBJECT PROJECT: Palm Isle CASE NO. C/Z 2162 OTHER RELATED AREA: Lower Coachella Valley FILES• APPLICABLE TO: X Environmental Impact Report (Use Paragraph I below) X Zone Change ) Variance ) Conditional Use Permit ) (Use Paragraph II below) General Plan Amendment ) Other ) I. Environmental Impact Report: The attached data was prepared by the project sponsor and is being forwarded to you for recommendations and comments. The County is interested in the probable impacts on the: A. Natural environment (e.g. water and air pollution; fire hazards; destruction of natural habitats; reduction of productive agriculture, etc.) and B. public resources (e.g. demand for water production and distribution facilities; impact on schools, hospitals, recreation, parks and streets; requirement for power generation and distribution; impact on sewage treatment and collection facilities; impact on other utilities and public services). Late reports should be forwarded regardless of the date return requested. You may keep enclosures for your file. COMMENTS REGARDING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT: II. RECONMENDED CONDITIONS FOR APPROVAL OF PROJECT: EI R TRANSMITTAL FROM: Riverside County Planning Commission, 4080 Lemon Street, Riverside, California TO: City of Palm Desert Transmittal Date:M AY 2 7 1977 Date Return Requested:JUN 2 0 1977 SUBJECT PROJECT: Palm Isle CASE NO. C/Z 2162 OTHER RELATED AREA: Lower Coachella Valley FILES• APPLICABLE TO: X Environmental Impact Report (Use Paragraph I below) X Zone Change ) Variance ) Conditional Use Permit ) (Use Paragraph II below) General Plan Amendment ) Other ) I. Environmental Impact Report: The attached data was prepared by the project sponsor and is being forwarded to you for recommendations and comments. The County is interested in the probable impacts on the: A. Natural environment (e.g. water and air pollution; fire hazards; destruction of natural habitats; reduction of productive agriculture, etc.) and B. public resources (e.g. demand for water production and distribution facilities; impact on schools, hospitals, recreation, parks and streets; requirement for power generation and distribution; impact on sewage treatment and collection facilities; impact on other utilities and public services). Late reports should be forwarded regardless of the date return requested. You may keep enclosures for your file. COMMENTS REGARDING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT: II. RECOMMENDED CONDITIONS FOR APPROVAL OF PROJECT: E IRS 6. sles AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 68420 MOONLIGHT DRIVE CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA 92234 1714) 328.7447 April 25, 1977 Mr. Irwin S. Schuman RIVIERA HOTEL 1600 North Indian Avenue Palm Springs, California 92262 Dear Mr. Schuman: A c(cEp"E D MAY 2 3 1977 ENV. QUALITY ScGI iON RIVERSIDE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION Enclosed is the Environmental Impact Assessment Report relating to the potential impact of the proposed condominium development on your property described as the West 1 /2 of Section 32, T 4 S, R6E, S.B.B.&M. We have discussed the vari- ety of impacts possible when transforming vacant land into a residential -recreational complex. We have explored the impact on the environment in depth and have included com- ments on both the general and specific situations. Market evaluation of the growth potential of the area is based on our first-hand appraisal of this market for investment clients and financial institutions. We evaluated the biological content of the site through a separate study constructed by a herpetologist, well versed in desert life. His findings are included in the body of the report. If we may be of further assistance, please let us know. Sincerely yours, / KE NETH W. PHILLIPS President KWP/mam Enclosures D� THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 68420 MOONLIGHT DRIVE, CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA 92234 1714) 328.7427 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page INTRODUCTION 1 I. PROJECT DESCRIPTION 3 General Description 3 Project Location 4 Site Area 4 Present Zoning 8 Surrounding Country Clubs and General Area 9 Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions 9 Landscape 11 Population and Housing 11 The Resident 13 Occupancy 14 Non -Adult Population 16 Non -Auto Circulation 17 Water System 18 Sewage Disposal 19 Fire Protection 20 Stormwater Conditions 21 Streets 21 Perimeter Landscaping 21 Electrical 21 Gas 22 Management and Maintenance 22 Riverside County Comprehensive Water and Sewage Plan 22 General Plan 23 Economic Impact 23 ll. ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION 25 Regional Overview 25 Geography 25 Topography 26 I THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP \� 68a40 MOONLIGHT DRIVE. UTHEDRAL CITY, CAUFORNIA 94434 �7�41348.7447 Page Geology 27 Climate, Air and Physical Quality 28 Climate and Weather 28 Pollution 30 Air Quality 33 Odor 35 Clarity 35 Noise 36 Water Resources 39 Earthquake and Faulting 44 Archaeology 48 Wind Erosion 49 Wind Erosion Control System 54 Biological Resources 58 Biological Impact Conclusions 61 Extent of Impact Area 63 Community Resources 63 Tranportation 66 Recreation 67 Flom Control 67 Traffic 67 Communication 76 Influence on Local Economy 76 .Jurisdictional Districts 77 III. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT 79 Impact Areas 79 Short Range Impact 79 Long Range Impact 80 Land Resources 81 Landform 81 Open Space 81 Erosion 81 THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 68440 MOONLIGHT DRIVE, CATHEDRAL C1TY, CALIFORNIA 9R434 Ut a 328.7427 Page Seismic 82 Water Resources 82 Ground Water, Quality 82 Ground Water, Quantity 82 Water Supply to the Project 83 Air Resources 83 Potential Pollution 83 Humidity 84 Noise 84 Biological 84 Community Resources 85 General Plan 85 Park and Recreation Facilities 85 Traffic 85 Community Services 85 Economics 86 Local Tax Base 86 IV. ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS WHICH CANNOT BE AVOIDED IF THIS PROJECT IS IMPLEMENTED 86 V. MITIGATION MEASURES PROPOSED TO MINIMIZE THEIMPACTS 87 Restrictions During Construction 87 Adherance to Standards 89 Wind Erosion Control System 89 VI. ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT 89 Higher Residential Density With Recreational Facilities 90 Lower Residential Density Without Recreational Facilities 90 Lower Residential Density With Recreational Facilities 91 Recreational Land Use 91 No Project 91 VII. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LONG-TERM AND SHORT-TERM PRODUCTIVITY 91 THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP A\ � 68a40 MOONLIGHT DRIVE• CATHEDRAL CITY, UUFORNIA 9443� Ufa 398.7427 Page VIII.IRREVERSIBLE AND IRRETRIEVABLE RESOURCE COMMITMENTS 92 IX. GROWTH INDUCING IMPACT OF THE PROPOSED ACTIONS 92 APPENDIX 93 Agency Letters Coachella Valley County Water District 94 Imperial Irrigation District 95 Bob Hope 96 Joe H. Mims 97 DESCRIPTION OF INDIO SUBAREA OF COACHELLA SUBUNIT OF WHITEWATER HYDRO UNIT 100 BIBLIOGRAPHY AND INTERVIEW LIST 104 THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 109 Scope 110 Ancillary Professional Relationships 110 Curriculum Vita 111 LIST OF PROJECTS 113 iv THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP &Usrj 68ap0 MOONLIGHT DRIVE. CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA 9443a ( 714) 328-7427 LIST OF TABLES Page TABLE 1 Development Phasing 5 TABLE 2 Length of Stay of Resident 13 TABLE 3 Occupancy Duration — Condominiums 15 TABLE 4 Full Occupancy Units — Condominiums 16 TABLE 5 Non -Adult Population 17 TABLE 6 Trip Generation 70 TABLE 7 Project Area Tax Rates 78 v THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP a�u�� 68440 MOONLIGHT DRIVE- CATHEDRAL GTY, CALIiORNfA 94434 (714) 328-7427 FIGURE 1 FIGURE 2 FIGURE 3 FIGURE 4 FIGURE 5 FIGURE 6 FIGURE 7 FIGURE 8 FIGURE 9 FIGURE 10 FIGURE 11 FIGURE 12 FIGURE 13 FIGURE 14 FIGURE 15 FIGURE 16 LIST OF FIGURES Page Conceptual Plot Plan 6 General Area Map 7 Country Clubs in the Subject Site Vicinity 10 Groundwater Subbasins and Generalized Geology 29 Air Contaminant Emissions 31 Control Schedule 32 Earthquake Epicenters 45 Fault Locations 47 Sail and Capability Map Summary 51 Conservation Plan Map 52 Uninterrupted Wind and Sand Source Area in Direction of Prevailing Wind (Aerial Photo Interpretations) 53 Riverside County General Plan of Highways Typical Cross -Sections 69 Riverside County General Plan — Highways 72 Cove Communities General Plan Traffic Flow Map 1970 Traffic Volumes 73 Cove Communities General Plan Traffic Flow Map 1990 Traffic Volumes 74 Five -Year Transit Development Program for the Coachella Valley 75 vi THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 68420 MOONLIGHT DRIVE, CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA 92234 (71Q 328.7427 INTRODUCTION This Environmental Impact Statement is organized to provide an easy reference to the detailed data necessary to comply with the requirements of Riverside County and the State of California Law A.B. 889, under adopted guidelines as set forth by the California Resources Agency. This report will provide an environmental impact statement which will give a profile description of the proposed project, summarize existing environmental conditions on a regional and local basis, examine the economics of the project, outline the anti- cipated environmental impacts of the proposed project, give a schematic of proposed mitigation measures to minimize adverse impacts, identify adverse impacts.which cannot be avoided, give the approximate boundaries of the significantly affected areas, examine the growth inducing impact and the relationship between long-term and short-term productivity, suggest possible alternatives to the proposed project, explore other relevant planning, and identify total project impact from the broad perspective of public interest. There is a growing recognition that a balance is needed between the irreversible commit- ment of land resources and the needs of the public at large. Most land planners acknowledge that imbalances result not so much from the fact that land resources are scarce but rather from the improper use of these resources. Land utility depends on proper site selection, site -oriented design and proper man- agement of the land use selected. Man is the dominant species and his works, good and bad, are abundantly evident. He has exercised his privilege in this capacity in all possible ways. However, at this moment in history a new principle is emerging. The powerful force of privilege with responsibility has become a reality. The day has passed when development based narrowly on arbitrary decisions is pos- sible. The broad scale, future consequences must be considered as well as immediate results. —t— �-THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 4�L. \ �J 68440 MOONLIGHT DRIVE. CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIfORNIA 94434 0141 328.7427 The new developer is quite a different breed. He now heads a team of persons con- cerned with the concept of planning as a privilege with responsibility. The serious developer considers the privilege of land utilization together with a professionally structured commitment to his responsibilities. Another dimension has been added to the origination of the concept and project production. The project is a socially viable community with its own personality, economic structure and future impact on surrounding areas. It will have the poten- tial to contribute as well as to use community resources. It has its own lifestyle, and social position in the community. It will have a distinct personality of its own. These are the broad and dramatic issues really considered when a project is being evaluated. The assessment of the impact a project has on the environment must consider all these ramifications. The process should be viewed as a planning tool and an evalua- tion information system for judging the human needs for a certain land utilization program. We see the process maturing as it passes through the emotional organizational stages into this form of land management information system. In order to discipline users into considering the alternatives of a proposed project, governmental agencies request an environmental impact statement. It is the purpose of this report to consider the factors involved in the short and long-term effects of a project and to evaluate the environmental balance in the process. The function of this report is directly related to the planning process undertaken before the land planning occurred and an evaluative analysis of the current and proposed use of the site. To the extent that these two influences are supportive of one another they are con- sidered to have a good effect on the environment. When in opposition, they are con- sidered to have a detrimental effect. —2— THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP ��� 584p0 MOONLIGHT DRIVE. CATHEDRAL CITY, CAUFORNIA 94434 (7141 328-7427 I. PROJECT DESCRIPTION General Description The subject project will be a long-term development consisting of a private country club and associated condominium, single-family dwellings. The master plan calls for a three phase development schedule. Phase 1: Phase 1 will consist of developing approximately 100 acres fronting along Frank Sinatra Drive. This phase contains approximately one-third of the total de- velopment. The conceptual land plan calls for the construction of 9 holes of golf and associated fairways and green areas to be constructed along the Monterey Avenue frontage. These 9 holes will extend partially into Phase 2. The golf course will be designed to be an executive -type course suitable for the older residents for whom this development is being designed. The construction of approximately 318 condominium units is planned to occur in Phase 1. These homes will be scheduled for development during the 1977-1978, 1979-1980 and 1981-1982 construction years. It is anticipated that approximately 100 dwelling units per year will be built during this time -frame. It is planned that the construction of the second 9 holes of golf will begin during the 1979-1980 construction period, thus completing the golf course. The total completion of this recreational facility relates to the wind control plan at this stage more than to the development goals during Phase 1. The construction of these 9 holes will include all the balance of the frontage on Monterey Avenue to the northwest boundary of the property and it will intrude into Phase 3. Phase 2: Phase 2 will contain approximately 100 acres covering the center one-third of the subject property. The construction of approximately 318 condominium units is planned to occur in Phase 2. These homes will be scheduled for development during the 1983-1984,1985-1986 and 1987-1988 construction years. It is anticipated that approximately 100 dwelling units per year will be built during this time period. —3— D THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 4n'_301 6Ba40 MOONLIGHT DRIVE, CATHEDRnL GTY, CALIiORNIH 9443a Rta> 348.7a47 Phase 3: Phase 3 will complete the development of the proposed project with ap- proximately 324 condominiums. These homes will be built during the 1989-1990, 1991-1992, 1993-1994 construction years. Approximately 108 units per year will be built during this construction phase. An associated system of wind erosion control is planned for simultaneous develop- ment. The elements of this system are described in a later section of this report. In addition, the regular amenities such as swimming and health pools, tennis courts, bike paths, cart paths, will be included with the development of associated phases. These have not been designed. It is anticipated they will occur in the mix suitable for a recreational -residential development consistent with the standards for the Coa- chella Valley. See Figure 1, Conceptual Block Plot Plan. See Table 1 for Development Phasing. Project Location The subject property may be described as the West 1 /2 of Section 32, Township 4 South, Range 6 East, San Bernardino Base and Meridian in the County of Riverside, State of California, according to the official plat of said land. It is located on the north side of the easterly extension of Frank Sinatra Drive (Won- der Palms Road), one mile easterly of Bob Hope Drive. The property is situated adja- cent and immediately north of Palm Desert Greens Country Club. The west boun- dary of the subject property is along the northerly extension of Monterey Avenue. See survey Plat Map for complete detail. See Figure 2, General Area Map, for site location. Site Area The subject site contains 323 acres plus or minus. �D —4— THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 68420 MOONLIGHT DRIVE, CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA 92234 17141 328.7427 Table 1 Development Phasing Phase Year Condo Units Golf Course 1 1977-78 106 9 holes 1979-80 106 9 holes 1981-82 106 2 1983-84 106 1985-86 106 1987-88 106 3 1989-90 108 1991-92 108 1993-94 108. Note: Included in the design stage of the condominium units and the golf course will be other associated amenities, such as swimming and therapeutic pools, bike trails, cart paths and other possible amenities suitable to this type of development. The construction of wind control system will take place dur- ing Phase 1 and the design criteria for this system is covered under the wind erosion section of this report. —5— THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP Azuse, 684R0 MOONLIGHT DRIVE. CATHEDRAL CITv, CAUFORNIA 9E434 1714) 328.7427 �^Ia 4 v J1� N IS Figure 1 — Conceptual Plot Plan —6— D THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP nniac r.Tuenoa r1TV rw16r12W1A 9W34 t 7, 41 329.7427 1 AS, ww I i - - v. � � — iN,, � � . ��i.�,J �• J ""'. yt j Y y.�� i� I 46U4 D LIENTE WillisPDI�III�>d INDIAN R SERVATIDN - { Hi Palms yl " RAMON RA) ROAD qqII , AQUA C LIENTE d1 ^iW��.F II .. f < f o Ti INDIAN PE ERYATION - '�I� - A L1L Ir 14 li it ii '0+ A +A6UAALJIEITS AM —25 �,vvV J v�+vuaw � INDIAN R 9ERVAPGN i yf2� y I 9 ? CYPRESS Uh ANNI NBE GP suo- wct ^a �s IVATE Site '" W 4 . {P r. • •r . 45 Palm Dax - WONDER PALMS IVE 5S Desert Grooms 89 Isle.— tiWq y 00 NTRY CLUB DRIVE AYENAA ,0 It COUNTRY CLUB DRIVE -...+ - }•4•T .. � H N � 1� ...n�:3 v..M� •' AYE ,I O=; Desert t: O` in'`- 'Elark N.-- u i f �p NA I ,3 rB AVE � I � (� y. c NEg1NDYD 9�MPG e�l 0 ih'r DD{DFI Of $� n 1. � F y �l O�� rte ��.I - 44M AVENUE 1. I ES 'h,C.C.0 o 3 c °pa ; h.r OVEN 6S 'L11211° ZSG 2� C { i O +gyp 6 D�Q p0 . TAIN VIEW ,.• DR I } FMfl AY DRIVE �. J. W' � -� V ST I Z. I 'if AP GRA 13 � DOR O fIF^ a i y J • WAI WilAlife-+~[i� SO Q'V� �. 3 {y C 'CAI T� FIREN WER t cnnRUDE Tnu �� PIAF Vie r��Y �� .e, r5s�Ba„, 'tt v i Figure 2 — General Area Map —7_ THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP IICllONIA 04434 V t AI 328.7497 Present Zoning The subject land is zoned W-2-20. The General Plan designation for the parcel is Open Space and Planned Development with a maximum of three units per acre. The development proposed for the subject site would be in conformance with the General Plan Designation and would require a change of zone to accomplish the density needed for development. Surrounding land to the west, north and east of the subject property is vacant W-2-20. Land immediately south of the subject site is developed as a privately - owned mobile -home country club and golf course. Open Space There are approximately 323 acres under control of the developer, representing the total gross area of the development. The total open space is calculated as follows: 85 acres — golf course 146 acres — condominiums based on 41 percent coverage - >- 2 i. 232 acres will be retained as open space Total percentage of open space to gross acreage: 232 acres open space / 323 acres gross = .718 i J 11 About 72 percent of the proposed development will remain as open space. The amount of open space available in a residential -recreational complex is consider- ably greater than other modes of development. —8— THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 4�u_� 684p0 MOONLIGHT DRIVE. CATHEDRAL CITY, CAUFORNIA 94434 t714) 328.7497 Surrounding Country Clubs and General Area The subject property is located in the country club area of Rancho Mirage -Palm Desert. The subject property is located immediately north of Palm Desert Greens Country Club. It is two miles east of Tamarisk Country Club and one mile east of Ambassador Annenberg's private golf course, directly on Frank Sinatra Drive. It is one mile east of Desert Island Country Club. Sunrise Country Club and Rancho Las Palmas Country Club are about I3h miles southwest of the subject site. del Saf- ari Country Club is two miles east of the subject property. Other clubs within a three mile radius include Bermuda Dunes, Indian Wells and Palm Desert Country Club. The subject site is about one mile northeast of the Eisenhower Medical Center and the new medical school complex will be less than one-half mile away, west along Frank Sinatra Drive. See Figure 3 for Country Clubs in subject site vicinity. It is natural to conceive of the current development plan as an in -filling process of already developed adjacent development patterns. The subject site is approximately three miles from the center of both Rancho Mir- age and Palm Desert. See Figure 2 for.General Area Map. Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions Common areas and facilities will be maintained in perpetuity by a community as- sociation with rights to assess property owners. The C.C. and R's will be submitted to the Riverside County Planning Commission prior to recordation of the final map of the subject area. The association will also own all streets and pedestrian and bike paths and will be responsible for their maintenance. —9— (� THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 4 684Y0 MOONLIGHT ORIVE, GITHEDRAI CITY, CALIFORNU 94434 �7t4� 3497447 '- TRI-PALMS C.C. Y �• k ,ESL F ' -v PALM SPRINGS MUNI CATH E D RA LCAN YON C.C.. MISSION HILLS C.C. PA � b ; PALM SPRINGS MOBILE C.C. � ANNENBERG ESTATE SUBJECT SITE ` TAMARISK C.C. z- r t j444 DESERT ISLE C.C. \�°" PALM DESERT GREENSCC.i THE SPRING C.C. rj ..1-. lb .� � .J.0 �>� Alt • ' THUNDERBIRD C.C. SUNRISE C.C. RANCHO LASPALMASC SUNKINGC � t � - SHADOW MOUNTAIN GC L � � THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP (� \. � \ \J 68440 MOONLIGHT DRIVE, CATHEDRAL CITY, CAUFORNIA 9443s 17t s1 348-%s2? ] . O'UOMELl 00lf CLYR ]. CWN]RYCLUR PALM SIRIROS WIMCIPIRLIRM1t COIF I 5. PALM YR1MCBI i MOL! COUN]RY CLULLYS S wSMLN w1L5 COONIRI CLYS 1 SLA WUNTRV CLYO B CESERT ISLgM1O CWN]gY CLYR 5. ]NUNOFRBIRO LWN]RV CLYI 10. . . . OUFRT Nq QftI CLIPS 11. IgLM UNIT 6NIINL GOLI LIUS IS. W10pN M0UN1YN 001.I CLUt IR IL WRAW CWNTNY CLW u....... vmuN NULS CWNTAY CLUMP It PALM OISERT WUNTRV CLW I]. OIL MIAMI LWNTNY CLUMP It M RMU. WNM CUUNTRY L. Il LA WI NfA WUNTRV CLUE ID. PMAT ARO NO WUN]RI LLW ]I. INIM. PALMS W LI CWRII a I L.O wNNCIGLL WLI COURM ' • LA QUINTA Figure 3 — Country Clubs in the Subject Site Vicinity —10— THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 68420 MOONLIGHT DRIVE, CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA 92234 471U 320.7427 Landscape The golf course and all off -course areas including the common areas around the dwelling units will be professionally landscaped and maintained. All landscaped areas will be irrigated by automatic systems. The maintenance will be paid by the homeowners association which will have lien rights against the condominium owner for collection of fees. The preliminary assessment of landscaping requirements indicates that the land- scaping plan will include up to 45 varieties of vegetation. It is highly probable that a new variety of grass which does not require overseeding, uses less water to remain green and looks attractive all year around will be used in the development. This variety has been used with great success at Cathedral Canyon Country Club and other country clubs in and climates. Although the golf course architecture is in the planning stages, it is highly probable that some form of pond system will be used as storage reservoirs for golf course irrigation and as a reserve for fire fighting purposes. Vegetative windrows will be integrated with the landscape plan for purposes of wind erosion abatement and control. Walls will be constructed along the perimeter of the entire project. These walls will serve the multiple purposes of sound control, security and ground wind and drift control. Population and Housing The project area is within Census Tract No. 449 which extends from the Southern Pacific Railway south to Palm Springs City boundary and the Whitewater Channel and is bounded on the east by Washington Street. This tract is very large and con- tains a variable set of population characteristics. Total population in the Cathedral City/Palm Desert Division has increased from 10,218 in 1960 to approximately 28,056 in 1972. This represents a net gain of 17,828 and a growth rate of 274 percent over the last 12 years. Population in the area is skewed to the older age group categories. There is a relative —11— THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 68420 MOONLIGHT DRIVE, CATHEDRAL CITY. CALIFORNIA 92234 (714) 328.7427 deficiency of persons in the middle age groups and a majority of the population is female. The amount of recent growth is underlined by the fact that less than 40 percent of persons living in the area during the 1970 census lived there in 1965; more than 40 percent moved into their homes after 1968. Approximately 18 percent of the persons in Tract 449 are of Spanish language or surname; labor force participation is low and median education level is high. Income is quite variable. This profile indicates a large retirement population and also a significant popula- tion of lower income persons of minority background. It can be surmised that this minority group consists primarily of farm workers and semi -skilled workers for the Coachella Valley area. The Cathedral City/Palm Desert census division contains approximately 15,207 dwelling units. Of these, 4,576, or 30 percent, are contained within Census Tract 449. The seasonal resort character of the area is reflected in very high vacancy rates re- ported in the census. Approximately 80 percent of units reported vacant in the census are really part-time housing. The remaining 20 percent includes housing for rent, for sale or abandoned. The census analysis does not include the significant increases in population and/or housing units caused by the projects either planned or under construction. The population profile in condominiums parallels the general population charac- teristics of the census division. The total population reported by the Riversity Coun- ty Planning Department shows an age curve which tends to be bi-modal, skewed to the older age group categories with a deficiency of persons in the middle age groups. The majority of the population is female. The general profile reveals a large retirement population. Condominium housing studies show an average occupancy of 2.12 persons per household and mobile homes average 1.8 persons _12_ THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 4�u� 68440 MOONLIGHT DRIVE. CATHEDRAL CITY, CAUiORNIA 9443� 17141 328-7427 per household in the study area. It is important to observe that the coves containing Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert are in Census Tract 449. These coves contain the preponderance of school age children for the entire census tract. The immediate area of the sub- ject development is almost exclusively devoted to adult population as characterized by Palm Desert Greens Country Club, adjacent to the subject property, with an average of 1.8 persons per household. Therefore, it is necessary to examine the specific incidence when calculating aver- age population for a given area. The developed average of 2.2 persons per house- hold has been applied in this study. The Resident Recreational -residential complexes have unique occupancy characteristics as shown in Analysis of the Palm Springs Condominium Owner by the Palm Springs Conven- tion and Visitors Bureau. According to this report, 39 percent of the owners will maintain the condominiums as a permanent resident. The remaining 61 percent use the dwelling as a second home. The length of stay of the owner is shown in Table 2. �D Table 2 Length of Stay of Resident Occupancy Time Percent of Total Weekends Only 23.1 1 month 4.7 1-3 months 12.0 3-6 months 14.7 6-9 months 11.0 9-11 months 18.5 12 months 16.0 —13— THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 68420 MOONLIGHT DRIVE, CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA 92234 Via 328-7427 Over half of the residents (54.5 percent) will occupy their dwellings less than six months of the year. According to this analysis, 81 percent of the units will be occu- pied by only one or two persons. The weighted average number is 2.2 persons per dwelling unit. Occupancy The length of stay of the condominium owner in the Coachella Valley has been further analyzed by the General Telephone Company. Their vacancy studies are based on telephone connects and disconnects. The telephone company historical records show that the disconnect rate begins to accelerate in April and reachs a peak disconnect in mid -June. A fairly consistent plateau is maintained until Sep- tember with reconnects reaching a peak in March.* The Southern California Edison Company has a computerized Domestic Vacancy Analysis published on a monthly basis. Their data tends to parallel the phone com- pany's findings. They express the increase in terms of a percent of idle meters average. The average idle meter average is fairly consistent at 4.8 percent except during the period between April and August, where it peaks at 6.3 percent.** The occupancy factor of the proposed development would be assumed to be typi- cal of other recreational -residential neighborhoods in the Palm Springs area, as re- ported in the Analysis of the Palm Springs Condominium Owner. Based on the findings of this report, and the experience of Cathedral Canyon Coun- try Club, a weighted average continuous residence factor was derived to measure the occupancy duration in the condominium development. This factor of approxi- mately 53 percent is presented with the derivation process shown in Table 3, Occu- pancy Duration. * General Telephone Company, Forecasting Group, Indio, California. ** Southern California Edison Company, Corporate Systems and Planning, "Domestic Vacancy Analysis." —14— THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP \�� 68440 ti100NlIGHT DRIVE. CATHEDRAL CITY, CAUFORNIA 94434 4714) 328.7427 Table 3 displays the Occupancy Duration for Condominiums giving the duration of stay and the duration as a percent of the full year. The study categorized the "weekend " visitor as a separate group. The next analysis displayed is the percent of total units in each duration group and from this is derived the continuous resi- Bence factor. Table 3 Occupancy Duration — Condominiums Percent of Total Continuous Duration as % Units in Each Residence Duration of Full Year Duration Group* Factor** Weekends Only 28.5 23.1 6.6 1 month 83 4.7 0.4 1-3 months 16.7 12.0 2,0 3-6 months 37.5 14.7 5.5 6-9 months 62.5 11.0 6.9 9-11 months 83.3 18.5 15.4 12 months 100.0 16.0 16.0 Weighted average continuous residence factor 52.8 * Analysis of the Palm Springs Condominium Owner, Palm Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau. ** Factor is the equivalent number of units occupied on a full-time basis expressed as a percentage of the total number of units. The criteria were applied to the specific housing projections for the subject develop- ment to develop an estimate of projected equivalent population. In each instance the developing population is interfaced with the scheduled year of construction in order that a cumulative population growth figure could be most effectively pre- sented. See Table 4 for Full Occupancy Units — Condominiums. —15— D THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP ��� 684E0 MOONLIGHT DRIVE. CATHEDRAL CITY, CAIIFORNIA 94434 V141 328.7427 Table 4 Full Occupancy Units — Condominiums Equivalent No. Number Full Occupancy Equivalent Years Full Units Units * Population** 1977-78 106 56 124 1979-80 212 112 247 1981-82 318 168 370 1983-84 424 225 494 1985-86 530 281 742 1987.88 636 337 865 1989-90 742 393 865 1991-92 848 449 989 1993-94 960 509 1,119 * Factor is the equivalent number of units expected to be occupied on a full-time basis as a per- centage of units, or approximately 53 percent. ** Figure 2.2 residents per average household. Non -Adult Population The non -adult population of residential -recreational developments takes on very well defined characteristics. The purchaser of a second -home condominium in a country club setting is usually affluent and in an age group of early to mid -fifties. The experience of existing clubs, including Cathedral Canyon Country Club, Sun- rise Country Club and Mission Hills Country Club, is that there are very few, if any, full-time residents with elementary school age children. Those children who do live in such settings are usually referred to as teen-age adults and are in the high school or college level of training. In the first two phases of development of Cathedral Canyoh Country Club (over 150 homes), there are no school children who reside in the development full-time and attend local schools. —16— THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP a�u� U 686p0 MOONttGHT DRIVE. CATHEDRAL CITY, CAUFCRNIA 9443< ( 71 6) 328.7427 However, for statistical purposes it is assumed that the 0.2 factor represents the non -adult population if the average population is 2.2 resident per household. According to the Analysis of the Palm Springs Condominium Owner, only 38 per- cent of the condominiums will be occupied nine months or more during the school year. Table 5 projects the non -adult population to be anticipated for the subject development. Table 5 Non -Adult Population Equivalent Number Full Non -Adult Year Occupancies** Population* 1977-78 40 8 1979-80 80 16 1981-82 120 24 1983-84 161 32 1985-86 201 40 1987-88 242 48 1989-90 282 56 1991-92 322 64 1993-94 365 73 * Assume 0.2 as factor for non -adult population if average population is 2.2 ** Only 28 percent of the condominiums will be occupied nine months or more during the school year. Non -Auto Circulation All forms of transportation other than auto are provided for through non -impact design systems. —17— THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 68420 MOONLIGHT DRIVE, CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA 92234 1714) 328.7427 Bike Trails: Separate bike trails will be provided throughout non impact design systems. Cart Paths: Special. cart paths will be provided for on the golf course and special lanes will be marked off on the streets, restricted to cart travel only. Speed Limits: All speed limits will be 10 miles per hour within the development to protect pedestrians, bike and golf cart movement. Water System The subject site has been used for agricultural purposes in its immediate past his- tory and contains on -site a deep well capable of producing a water flow of 2,000 gal- lons per minute, according to recent tests by Mr. Joe Mims, Hydraulic Engineer. This well is developed according to irrigation specifications and would be used for irrigation purposes. Domestic water would be provided by Coachella Valley County Water District. A discussion with Mr. Dale V. Bohnenberger, Urban Water Engineer, revealed that the project proposed for the subject property would connect to the CVCWD lines at a 12 inch main at the corner of the subject property at Frank Sinatra Drive. There will be no need for line extension. The CVCWD will require the equivalent of 12 inch pipe connections on the four corners of the property at full development. It is expected, in accord with accepted practice, that the developer will donate two well sites of approximately 100 x 100 feet to the CVCWD for future needs. The CVCWD estimated water consumption per living unit per day is 300 gallons. The equivalent number of full occupancy living units for this condominium project is 509. Therefore, the consumption of water for domestic use is calculated at 55,735,500 gallons of water per year. The utilization figure applied for landscaping and irrigation uses for golf course is approximately six acre feet per acre per year. This will result in a use rate of 510 acre feet of water per year. This is approximately 162,925,500 gallons per year. THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP aLzli�� 68440 MOONUGH7 DRIVE. CkiHEDRAL C1TY, CAUFORNIA 4R434 i7ta 348.7447 It should be noted here that the domestic water flows to the reclamation plant for treatment and recycling. The golf course water immediately filters back into the water table through the very porous sand and replenishes the water table directly at the location from which it was drawn. It is the opinion of CVCWD that the subject development is well within the ability of the district to furnish water needs and that such mid -valley development was con- templated in their general plan for water needs. No significant impact is expected from this development on their water sources or system, according to Mr. Ole J . Nordland, Secretary for the Coachella Valley County Water District. The subject property will have to be annexed to Water Improvement Districts Number 16 and 70. (See Agency Letter in Appendix.) Sewage Disposal At the present time, major sewer trunk lines exist in Country Club Drive. These lines form part of CVCWD's comprehensive plan for ultimate centralized treatment facili- ties for the Palm Desert area. The only feasible way of disposing of sewage wastes is connection to the CVCWD's sewage system. The developer will install the onsite sewage collection system and tie into the existing sewage trunk lines at Monterey and Country Club Drive. Mr. Bruce K. Clark, Sanitation Engineer for CVCWD advised that it would be neces- sary to extend the sewer line down Monterey Avenue to Country Club Drive. Mr. Clark calculated the effluent production on the basis of 125 gallons per capita per day. Therefore, the production of sewage at complete development would be on the order of 125 x 2.2 x 509 x 365 = 51,098,875 gallons of sewage annually. Mr. Ole J. Nordland, Secretary, Coachella Valley County Water District informed us that the CVCWD Palm Desert regional wastewater reclamation plant is the largest. and most modern in the Coachella Valley. This plant is capable of treating 2.5 million —19— THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP AUL�`J 68ap0 MOONLIGHT DRIVE. UiHEDRnI CITY, CnUFORIWA 9443� m a 328.7427 gallons of sewage daily and is designed to be expandable to an ultimate capacity of 20 million gallons of sewage daily. This reclamation plan is designed to serve the cities of Indian Wells, Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage and surrounding unincorporated area. The plan occupies 140 acres at Cook Street and the Whitewater Stormwater Channel. This plan has been in operation since November, 1975. The activated sludge plant re- claims water for in -plant operations, green belt irrigation and other beneficial uses which eventually will include golf course irrigation and groundwater recharge. The subject property will be annexed to Sanitation Improvement Districts No. 53 and 80. Mr. Nordland indicated that the effluent production anticipated by the subject project was well within the design criteria for present operation of the sewage plant even if the subject project were to be fully developed today. The present capacity of the plant is 912,500,000 gallons annually with no expansion. Neither Mr. Nordland or Mr. Clark viewed the subject project as having any significant or unplanned -for impact on the sewage treatment facilities of CVCWD. (See Agency Letter in Appendix.) Fire Protection The subject project will install standard No. 701 fire hydrants in accordance with Riverside County Ordinance No. 461 , so that no building is more than 250 feet from a hydrant. Fire hydrants will be placed no closer than 25 feet from any building. The system will call for a 1,500 GPM fire flow for a three hour duration. The necessary water plans have not been completed. However, they will be submitted to the Riverside County Department of Fire Protection and Riverside County Depart- ment of Building and Safety, Land Use Division when the design and planning stages are completed. —20— b_�THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP A\� 68ag0 MOONLIGHT DRIVE. CATHEDRAL CITY, CAUfORNIA 9g43a �na� 3g8.7ac-7 Stormwater Conditions The Coachella Valley County Water District indicates that the subject property is protected from stormwater flows by the Whitewater River Channel and dikes built and maintained by the District. Groundwater originating on the property surface is quickly absorbed by the sandy soil and surface runoff is practically nonexistent. Mr. Kirby Heston, Administrative Engineer, CVCWD, sees no significant impact on the subject property from stormwater conditions. (See Agency Letter in Appendix.) Streets Street improvements shall be designed and constructed in conformance with Riverside County Road Improvement Standards. Frank Sinatra Drive: This street will be constructed to a width of 50 feet including the required 12 feet of right-of-way. All other streets will be internal to the subject development and privately owned and maintained. Perimeter Landscaping The perimeter of the subject property will be landscaped with tamarisk tree windrows as a part of the wind erosion control system. In addition, a block wall will enclose the property for security reasons and as part of the wind control system. Details of the wind erosion control system are included in another section of this report. Electrical No new offsite electrical transmission and distribution facilities are required to serve _21 _ D THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP `� 68a40 MOONLIGHT DRIVE, CATHEDRAL CITY, CAUiORMA 9443a Uta 348.7a47 the project. Service is presently existing on the subject property. Poles, transmission lines and a transformer currently service the two well sites. Mr. Vernon M. Hair, Gen- eral Superintendent, Coachella Section, Imperial Irrigation District, advises that the proposed development is within the service boundaries of the District and electrical service would be available. No significant impacts or unplanned -for effects are anti- cipated by the District because of service to the subject project. (See Agency Letter in Appendix.) Gas Gas service is available from Southern California Gas Company from lines at Country Club Drive. Mr. John L. Thalis, Market Services, indicated that service was available from the gas company and that no unexpected impact was expected from develop- ment at the subject site. (See Agency Letter in Appendix.) Management and Maintenance A management company with the unqualified rights to assess the owners of the indi- vidual units for reasonable maintenance costs will be established and continuously maintained. The management company will have the right to lien the units of owners who default in the payment of their assessments. Copies of the management and maintenance agreement will be submitted to the Riverside Planning Commission for recordation with the subdivision map. Riverside County Comprehensive Water and Sewage Plan Water system and sewage system development implements major portions of the recommendations of the comprehensive water and sewage plan. _22_ THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 68420 MOONLIGHT DRIVE. CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA 92234 1714) 328-7427 General Plan The environmental plan for the project specifically implements the following poli- cies of the General Plan: (1) To encourage development of cluster -type housing with recreational areas and park -like planting in all residential zones as long as proper densities are maintained. (2) To require that tree, shrub and ground cover planting and maintenance be included as a condition for residential development. (3) To permit developments only if wind erosion controls are to be employed. (4) To require all developments to establish and maintain common open space areas. (5) To install utilities underground within all new residential developments. (6) To.implement the existing Master Plan for domestic water for the Upper Coachella Valley.. (7) To complete and implement existing sewage collection and water reclamation plan for Upper Coachella Valley. (8) To encourage golf course development within and adjacent to blowsand areas. The proposed' development fits the parameters of the General Plan. It is an adult - family residential -recreational development. The project is in the "golf and country club belt" and implements a major goal of developing golf courses and green areas. Economic Impact The development of the subject project will have several identified impacts. It will _23_ THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP t►�,1 \� 68<40 MOONLIGHT pRIVE, CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIPORNIA 94431 �?1<7 348-7�47 create an influx of money directly into the local economy of the Coachella Valley in order to purchase the necessary materials and contract for the construction and other ancillary services needed to build such a development. It is estimated that about 40 to 45 million dollars will be required to finish this project. Almost all of this money will go into the local economy. At the second level, the land, improvements and recreational amenities will gain in taxable value. It is estimated that the land will be assessed at approximately $7,000 per acre, the improvements at an average of $55,000 per unit will be valued at ap- proximately $52,800,000 and the golf course and attendant amenities at approxi- mately $900,000. This will produce a total value of approximately $56 million. If the development were completely finished in 1976-77 the Riverside County Asses- sor's Office would have valued it at about $14,000,000. At this rate, the proposed development would have contributed approximately $1,304,000 in new real estate taxes. At the current rate approximately $726,600 of these new tax dollars would have gone directly to schools and education. On the basis of a non -adult population of about 73 persons, the proposed project would make a contribution of $9,953.00 per pupil per year. As the current expenditures on pupil education is in the area of $1,110 per pupil, it is obvious that more dollars will be provided than consumed by the proposed development. Similar parallels exist in terms of other public services. The affluent nature of the homeowner will preclude him from qualifying for welfare programs even if he had the inclination. The project will be protected with its own private security force, thereby lessening the demand for public police services. It is a matter of record in all the local police departments that projects such as that proposed have the lowest call rate for any type of housing in the Coachella Valley. The Palm Springs Police Department keeps continual records on "beat calls" and their records verify the above conclusion that incidence of crime in residential -recreational developments is significantly lower than other types of developments. The proposed development will install and maintain its own internal streets, sewer collector lines and water lines and provide for the perpetual maintenance of these facilities through a management and maintenance company with powers to lien homeowners. —24— THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP ��/ 6aa40 MOONLIGHT pRIVE. CATHECRAL CRY, CALIFCRNIA 9443a ilia 346-7a47 After development, the community contributes to the local economy by purchasing its goods and services locally. This creates additional financial stability and more jobs for local service persons, industry and commerce. II. ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION Regional Overview The Coachella Valley, originally an arid, desolate, mountain -rimmed depression, is a fast-growing desert oasis. Increased utilization of large underground reservoirs and the importation of Colorado River water has converted the sandy wasteland into one of the world's most productive agricultural areas. Tourists, attraeted by the comfortable winter climate, vast open spaces, colorful desert vegetation and towering mountains, flock to the Valley for vacations and recreation. While the Lower Valley floor is intensively farmed, the Upper Valley remains mainly as sandy open space dotted with creosote bush. Only in the past quarter century have islands of development cropped up along the foothills, hugging the coves to escape the sometimes vifcious sandstorms which frequent the center of the Upper Valley The wide, almost continually dry bed of the Whitewater River winds through the Valley towards the Salton Sea. Large alluvial fans occupy the mouths of canyons, evidence of occasionally large flows of water draining the upper watersheds. These canyons deeply incise the precipitous mountains which abruptly rise as much as 10,000 feet from the Valley floor. Geography The subject site is located near the center of the Coachella Valley, in central Riverside —25— DTHE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP � 684g0 MOONLIGHT DRIVE, 'CATHEDRAL CITY, CAUiORIVlA 94Y34 ina 348.7s47 County.'It lies southeast of the massive Mt. San Jacinto, which rises to a height of 10,831 feet above sea level. Beaumont Pass, leading from the Los Angeles Basin into the Valley, is about 31 miles northwest of the subject property. Topography The regional area is defined by four geomorphic provinces. To the north and east is the Mojave Desert Province. South of this province are the San Bernardino and Little San Bernardino Mountains of the Transverse Range Province. On the west of the area is the Peninsular Range Province which includes the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mountains. The Coachella Valley is part of the Colorado Desert Province. The main drainage systems are the Mojave River, which flows to the north, the Santa Ana River, which flows to the west, and the Whitewater River, which flows south through Coachella Valley, to the Salton Sea. The Coachella Valley trends northwest -southeast and ranges in elevation from 1,600 feet in the northwest to 231 feet below sea level at the Salton Sea. Except for the Indio Hills, it is a broad, flat -bottom valley with sloping alluvial fans at the base of mountain canyons. The valley is ringed with mountains on three sides. On the west and north sides are the Santa Rosa -San Jacinto and San Bernardino Mountains, which rise to over 10,000 feet. The San Gorgonio Pass, through which the San Andreas Fault passes, separates these two ranges. To the northeast and east, separated from the San Ber- nardino Mountains by Morongo Valley, are the Little San Bernardino Mountains, which attain elevations of 5,000 feet. The Whitewater River and its tributaries drain Morongo Valley, San Gorgonio Pass, Upper Coachella Valley and Lower Coachella Valley. Additional mountainous watersheds are located to the east and west of the valley. —26— THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 684R0 MOONLIGHT DRIVE. CATHEDRAL CTfY, CAUFORNIA 94434 ma 348.7447 Geology In this section a description of the regional geology will be followed by a more de- tailed examination of Coachella Valley geology and geohydrology. An understand- ing of the geohydrology in the Coachella Valley will facilitate a better comprehen- sion of the present hydrology and water quality situation. Regional Geology: The mountains of the area are largely composed of a metamor- phic and igneous basement complex which has been block -faulted upwards. Ter- tiary sediments and volcanic rocks are also found flanking and composing parts of the mountain ranges. Ancient valleys between these mountains have been slow- ly filled with alluvial fan and lake deposits. In the Coachella Valley, alluvium has been deposited to depths in excess of 1,000 feet. It is these alluvial filled valleys which form groundwater basins. Coachella Valley Geohydrology: Different types of rocks have varying permea- bilities. A dense or consolidated rock such as the basement complex or clay layers found in alluvium have little permeability, allowing little or no water transfer or storage. Sediments such as tertiary deposits are often semiconsolidated, allowing limited water movement and storage. A porous, unconsolidated rock, such as the sand and gravel found in alluvium has a high permeability. It is these sediments which act as aquifers for water storage and movement. The Coachella Valley alluvium is largely composed of sand and gravel. In the south- ern portion of the Valley, though, there is an impermeable clay layer found near the ground surface. Sand and gravel deposits above this layer form perched aquifers separated from the main aquifer system. In the Coachella Valley, groundwater movement is from northwest to southeast. Generally, groundwater movement is very slow, at the most several hundreds of feet per year. Deposits in Coachella Valley have a very high permeability, but movement is restricted by consolidated sediments and geological structures such as faults and folds. These form impervious boundaries which limit water transfer. Groundwater _27_ THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP �� 68ap0 MOONLIGHT DRIVE. CATHEDRAL CITY, CAUFORNIA 9443a ma 348.7aY7 levels will often be much higher on one side of such a structure than on the other side. Geologic Hazards: The entire Coachella Valley area is seismically active and contains many active faults. The San Andreas fault zone is the main structural fracture of the area. Its trace runs through Cajon Pass and borders the south flank of the San Bernardino Mountains. It then passes through San Gorgonio Pass and into the Coa- chella Valley and Gulf of Mexico. Figure 4 illustrates this and other active fault traces in the area. Climate, Air and Physical Quality Climate and Weather Temperatures are mild during the winter and are hot during the summer. The aver- age minimum temperature in January is 391, and there are normally only 10 days per year with readings of 320 or colder, though readings occasionally drop much lower. In a 38-year period the coldest reading of record has been 190. Even in mid- winter, afternoon temperature readings typically climb to around 700 and occa- sionally get into the upper 80's and low 90's. Summer temperatures are hot, with the minimum in July averaging 700 and the maximum averaging 1080. Typically, there are 181 days per year with readings of 900 or higher, and the all-time high has been 1220. The average maximum temperature exceeds 1600 in four months of the year, and extreme highs of 1000 or more have been observed in nine months of the year. A factor compensating for the hot weather is the relative humidity, which is quite low during the warm part of the year. Estimated values for July are around 40 per- cent in the early morning and between 20 percent and 25 percent in the afternoon. The periods of warmest weather would normally experience the driest air. Winter humidities probably range from 50 percent in the morning to 35 percent to 45 per- cent in the afternoon. awf10 THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP - \� 6aa40 MOONLIGHT DRIVE. C.ITHEDRAL CITY, C�UFCRNin 9443< �71a 348.7t47 Figure 4 — Groundwater Subbasins and Generalized Geology. —29— THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 69420 MOONLIGHT DRIVE, CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA 92234 014) 328.7427 The heating degree days for the year total just over 1,100 units, one of the smaller totals in the United States. Precipitation is very light, averaging only 6.28 inches per year. The wettest months, December and January, have less than 1.5 inches in each month, and May and June average only .02 inch each. There are normally only 11 days per year with .10 inch or more of rain and only 16 days with any measurable precipitation. During eight months of the year the total precipitation averages less than .50 inch per month. Summarization of a short record from the Palm Springs airport indicates that the wind blows from the quadrant north through west about 49 percent of the time and from the quadrant south through east about 24 percent of the time. Wind speeds are less than 13 m.p.h. about 84 percent of the time and in only 2.4 percent of the time are they 25 m.p.h. or more. However, these stronger winds, usually from the northwest or north, occasionally result in blowing sand or blowing dust that tem- porarily imedes highway travel. Winds of 50 m.ph. or more are likely to occur about once in 10 years and more than 70 m.ph. about once in 100 years. Pollution The general quality of air is clean and the quantities of air contamination from local transportation sources are relatively low. Contamination from local stationary sources is almost nil. Little or no air pollution is created by incineration of non- agricultural processes. Occasionally some light contamination is created by agri- cultural burning. In combination with abundant sunshine, the exceptionally fresh and clean air is one of the major attractions of this area. (See Figures 5 and 6 for Air Contaminant Emissions.) The air basin is subject to contamination in summer months by polluted air from the general Los Angeles basin. Characteristic local thermal low pressures caused by the summer heat draw surface level air masses and accompanying pollutants from ad- jacent areas, principally through the San Gorgonio Pass. The phenomenon may be witnessed on many clear summer afternoons from almost any point in the valley. —30— D THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP azsr�684p0 MOONLIGHT DRIVE CATHEDRAL CITY, CHUFORNtA 9R434 �71u 348.7447 il m 7K m z z m —f I _w I ARGICULTURAL FUEL COMeUSTI( STATIONARY SOURCES AS OF JANUARY 1971 IIJ&I��ifm4 INCINERATION PiL SLICFS show breakdowwn of current nil contaminant en•.:s,�nn �.. Stationary source daily aceragr 91 Tans pej doy. RAILRC TRANSPORTATION SOURCES AS OF JANUARY 1971 MOTOR VEHICLES AIRCRAFT PIF SLICES show breakdown of current air contaminant emissions. Transportation sources daily average 826 Tons per day. 8 6 4 2 0 )Do 80 60 4o 20 0 Equivalent to 0.17 grams/person mile 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75- 7 VEHICLE MODEL YEAR Figure 6 — Control Schedule —32— (� �& THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP - `anti l \J 68420 MOONLIGHT DRIVE, CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA 92234 mile n mile 17141 398.7427 Air pollution concerns anticipate the statewide requirements for grossly reduced emissions from transportation sources in the near future will provide relief from this external source of air pollution. Air Quality The study area lies within the Southeast Desert Air Basin and is part of the River- side County Air Pollution Control District. The average emissions of contaminants discharged to the atmosphere for 1970 in the portion of the Riverside County in the Southeast Desert Air Basin (in which the study area lies) are shown in Figure S. Air quality is related to both the amount of emissions and the degree of dispersion. While measurements of emissions provide a good indication of the amount of con- taminants discharged to the atmosphere, and of the progress in fighting air pollution, they are of little use by themselves in determining actual air quality. The relative dispersion or concentration of actual emissions determines the true air quality in a region. Temperature inversions in desert areas tend to concentrate emissions and prevent vertical. mixing. In the winter they often limit mixing in the lower atmosphere to a height of from 200 to 2,000 feet. Some of the adverse air quality effects of tempera- ture inversions are offset, though, by the strong desert winds which enhance hori- zontal dispersion of pollutants. Topography also affects. dispersion. Mountains surrounding a valley area will tend to trap pollutants resulting in concentration build-ups. This particularly is true when there is also a temperature inversion limiting vertical dispersion. Another example of air quality in the study area being influenced by topography occurs when prevailing winds carrying pollutants from Los Angeles and the San Bernardino Valley are channeled through San Gorgonio Pass into Coachella Valley. Nitrogen oxides act as a neutralizing factor for some of these pollutants, but there — 33 — DTHE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP �� 68ag0 MOONLIGHT ORIVE• CATHEDR/�L CITY, GIUFORNI,1 94431 17141 328.7427 is no major source of nitrogen oxide emissions (traffic) in the Valley. This results in unusually high oxidant values at night. During March through September 1976, oxidant levels in both Palm Springs and Indio exceeded the standard an average of 20 days per month. Winds that are channeled through San Gorgonio Pass by the surrounding topography sometimes pick up large quantities of natural particulate matter such as sand and dust. Monitoring devices fail to distinguish between natural or man -caused particu- late matter in the air and sometimes high readings result. Generally, air quality is frequently above adopted air quality standards. The Air Pollution Control District of Riverside County indicated that potential pollution sources included: (1) dwelling heating; (2) incineration; (3) effect of con- struction during the construction process; (4) transportation and (5) noise; in the order given, will have impact substantially as follows: Heating: Natural gas heating, if used, is a very clean fuel which minimizes air pollu- tion and tftere should be no restrictions with regard to heating. Incineration: This should not be permitted on the project unless within a three - chamber incinerator. Palm Desert Waste Disposal, Inc., normally takes away all combustible wastes to an area remote from the project, thereby eliminating the need for incineration in the project site. Construction: During the course of development, the raising of fine dust and sand due to grading and moving of earth can be avoided or minimized by adequate water- ing of the soils in accordance with standards of the Air Pollution Control District. This form of pollution can be minimized by watering the soil in accordance with the Air Pollution Control District's standards for control of blow sand. —34— D THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 4�G-- h84Y0 MOONLIGHT DRIVE, CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA 92234 V141 329•7447 Odor Under normal conditions, the great majority of pollutants discharged into the desert air are from transportation sources. The extremely low ratio of local motor vehicle emissions to the enormous desert, combined with the prevalent winds and tempera- ture differentials between the desert slopes of the mountains and the western slopes, tend to dilute vehicular emissions, thereby minimizing pollution odors. No other sig- nificant source of pollution in the project contributes to odor. Environmental im- pact from odors in the area is of no consequence. (See Figure 6 for Emission Control Schedule.) Sulphur dioxide emissions from transportation and stationary sources is usually one of the major contributors to odor pollution. The subject site area is an exception be- cause its principal industry is tourism. Therefore there are virtually no stationary sources. Desert air continues to be relatively clear and clean and one of the area's most valuable assets. Existing sources of air pollution on the project site are confined to potential airborne particles of sand and dust generated by high winds. The Cove Communities have been and are continuing to be concerned with ways and means to reduce sand blow and airborn dust from the general area. The City of Palm Springs has been researching for some effective methods of reducing the sand and dust problem. It has been observed that a distinctly measurable and traceable side effect to the rising level of residential development in the general Cove Communities area is a gradual reduction in the quantitites of blowsand and dust. Observation of the many projects reaching out from the coves to the desert flatlands, indicate that golf courses, streets, fences, landscaping and structures are reducing the areas that re- lease sands to the wind. —35— 4�u_� THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 68ap0 MOONLIGHT DRIVE. CATHEDRAL CITY, CAUFORNIA 94431 (714) 328-7447 As development continues, the sand and dust problem is being reduced in those areas sheltered by this outward moving construction. The relatively minor amount of suspended dust that affects the study area will continue to reduce as population in the general area increases. It is expected that with regard to sand and dust, air clarity will improve with development growth. Noise Residential "The health, safety and welfare and an individual's right to use and enjoy an area involves the adequate consideration of noise. To provide a quiet atmosphere is an important environmental objective in any development today." These are the thoughts of the planning architect at an interview regarding the subject of consid- erations for noise control. In only relatively recent times have regulatory bodies had any significant awareness of the importance of noise. This study will refer to a preliminary draft of a proposed ordinance governing noise in Riverside County. The proposed ordinance designates noise areas in four zones: Zone I. R-1 uses through and including R-5 and R-T Zone 11. Commercial Zones, A and M Zones Zone 111. T-P, M-4, W-Z, W-2M Zones Zone IV. Industrial Zones M-2, M-4 and M-R-A Noise Performance Standards are proposed for each of the above zones. Since the proposed development is of a type that will encompass only the lower density of Noise Zone No. 1, Noise Performance Standards of the proposed ordinance will be considered for this zone only. In general, noise levels are to be controlled below 60 dbA (weighted) during the day and 50 dbA (weighted) at night. —36— DTHE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 58420 MOONLIGHT DRIVE, CATHEDRAL CRY, CALWORMA 952234 17141 328.7427 Certain noise sources to be regulated are not inherent in the physical design or the improvements to be constructed. They are elements generally beyond the control of any development planning. Examples of these potential noise sources are: tour- ing sound trucks, parades, hawkers, peddlers, aircraft and the like. Elements of potential excessive noise generation to be considered with the proposed project are: radios, television sets, musical instruments, drums or other percussion instruments, animals or fowl, air conditioning units, equipment and vehicles relating to the original construction work, subsequently with emergency repair, additions and improvements, and private motor vehicles. Necessary elements to be considered for optimum acoustic design are: (1) Acoustical environment (2) Layout and arrangement or shapes (3) Room shape (4) Reflecting surfaces (5) Vibration isolation (6) Sound isolation (7) Sound absorption By employing sound planning practices the acoustical environment can be controlled. The locating of like uses in the same area removes the possibility of the heavier noise sources from becoming a problem. Good planning will enable one to "sound our the surroundings." Consideration has been given to controlling the shape of rooms so as to eliminate excessive parallel walls which cause reverberation. New angular construction mini- mizes common wall contact surfaces. All common walls are made of concrete -filled slumpstone for maximum sound separation between units. Tests show that this method reduces sound transmission to a fraction of one percent. The appropriate dimension and proportion of spaces has been considered. The smallest volume con- sistent with the function of the room has been developed to reduce noise. —37— D THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP �� 68d40 MOONLIGHT DRIVE, CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORMA 9443{ U'Ia 348-7d47 Noise control has been provided for through the use of curvilinear streets and barrier vegetation. This eliminates the so-called "corridor distribution" of noise. The wind- rows will eliminate external distribution of noise and the level of noise accompanying the movement around a golf course is much less than any other sport. Recreation Outdoor noise sources in this development could be generated by the recreational amenities which will be provided. These sources could include noise generated by lawn sports in the park areas. Noise abatement in the park areas will be accomplished by surrounding them with landscaped mounding and plant material_ This will vertically deflect sound waves that are generated at the ground level, rather than on horizontal direction toward the units. The Air Pollution Control District recommended that consideration be given relative to noise impact for the project consistent with the proposed County ordinance. It is believed that this objective has been thoroughly considered and accomplished as described below. Traffic Traffic noise connected with this project will generally fall into two categories: (1) That generated on primary traffic paths and (2) That generated on secondary traffic paths. The primary traffic path within this project will be the roads which channel traffic to the parking areas within the development. These routes will have the highest vol- ume of traffic and therefore will be responsible for the largest source of noise. —38— �D THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP \`� � 68a40 MOONLIGHT DRIVE. CATHEDRnI CITY, CAUFORNd.1 9443t 17141 328.7427 The secondary traffic paths within the project will be those walkways which are travelled by residents going to and from their homes to the primary collectors. Be- cause of the low volume and restricted speed of travel on the secondary paths, it is not expected that noise levels any higher than normal residential walkways will exist. Landscaping along the street, entry court walls and accepted acoustical con- struction standards of the individual living units will be sufficient to eliminate this source of unacceptable noise. Electric golf carts and bicycles will provide much of the intra-subdivision transporta- tion. Golf cart and bike paths have been provided for direct access to the golf course. Open Areas The only significant potential noise sources in open areas of the desert and moun- tains, other than recreational, would be wildlife such as mockingbirds and coyotes, and climatological, such as thunder from electrical storms and winds. These are all considered natural occurrences and would, therefore, have a beneficial effect on the area inasmuch as a desirable feature of residing in the area is the capability of observ- ing such phenomenon. Water Resources Supply Water in the arid West is of paramount importance and is the first requisite to the existence of all life. The Upper Coachella Valley is a 250-square-mile area in River- side County, generally the water supply area for the proposed development. A por- tion of this valley is the general region upon which the project will have an impact. Groundwater: The basic complex of the Coachella Valley consists of the consoli- dated, undifferentiated granitic intrusive and metamorphic rocks of Precambrian and Tertiary age. These consolidated rocks contain little or no water and generally form —39— THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 4�u� 684Y0 MOONUGHi DRIVE. C.1iHEDRI�I CITY, CnUFORNIA 94434 t714) 328.7427 a "no flow" boundary. Four major groundwater sub -basins exist in this area, known as: Desert Hot Springs, Garnet Hill, The Mission Creek, and Whitewater River sub - basins. The last named is the largest and most significant aquifer. Near the southern boundary of this aquifer an imaginary boundary was established from Point Happy northeast to the San Bernardino Mountains. North of this boundary, water levels have been declining, while South of this boundary, water levels have been rising since 1949. Groundwater generally flows from the recharge areas of the surrounding mountains toward the Southeast through the center of the valley to the Salton Sea. The ground- water basin in the Coachella Valley was essentially unaffected by man's activities un- til about 1945 when groundwater development caused the water levels to begin falling. The Palm Springs area has had the largest water level decline of approximately 75 feet since 1936. The other three sub -basins have experienced relatively minor development with resulting lesser water level declines, ranging from 5 to 15 feet since 1936. In the Point Happy area, a decline of about 2 feet per year continued through 1949. Other Sources: The two primary agencies responsible for supplying water to the area located above the Point Happy San Bernardino Mountain boundary are the Desert Water Agency (DWA) and the Coachella Valley County Weser District (CVCWD). Since both are cognizant of the gradually diminishing groundwater supply, they con- tracted with the State of California to purchase water imported from Northern Cali- fornia through the California Aqueduct. The DWA and the CVCWD agreed that their entitlements to California Aqueduct water may be traded with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California in exchange for Colorado River water from the Colorado River Aqueduct. This water may be artifically recharged into the Upper Coachella Valley groundwater basin. Windy Point-Whitewater River area is the most logical point to recharge the Colo- rado River water. Percolation rates of two to four acre-feet per acre, per day are probable. On May 29, 1963 an agreement was executed between the State of California Depart- ment of Water Resources and the Coachella Valley County Water District for 23,100 —40— THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP aun'-_:e,6Ba40 MOONLIGHT DRIVE. CATHEDRAL CITY, CAUFORNiA, 9443t �Tia 348.7a47 acre-feet of water per year on a perpetual term to be delivered to the Whitewater River Channel for distribution into the underground reservoir. Quantities of water under the annual entitlements of the DWA and the CVCWD begin at 13,200 acre-feet in 1972. This increases to a total of 61,200 acre-feet in 1990 and thereafter. These quantities are more than adequate to recharge the Upper Coachella Valley sub -basin according to the analog model information. To assist the DWA and the CVCWD in their water management decision, a coopera- tive agreement was made with the U.S. Geological Survey to provide answers to the following vital questions: (1) Where and how can imported water from the Colorado River be most efficiently introduced to recharge the Upper Coachella Valley groundwater system? (2) What are the patterns of groundwater movement under the influence of ex- tractions and recharge? (3) How would recharging water from the Colorado River affect the native groundwater? In order to answer these questions, the geohydrologic framework of the groundwater system was analyzed using analog model constructed to simulate the groundwater system of the Upper Coachella Valley for the period 1936 to 1967. After the model was constructed and verified, it was used to predict the effects of artificial recharge of the Colorado River water on the Upper Coachella Valley. Delivery of Colorado River water through the Coachella Canal was initiated in 1949. Since 1949 the water levels in the Point Happy area have been rising and by 1967 were about their 1936 levels. The total groundwater depletion for the entire Upper Coachella Valley for 1936 to 1967 was about 600,000 acre-feet, an average decrease of about 25,000 acre4eet per year since 1945. —41 — t THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP \�\�,./ 68440 MOONLIGHT DRIVE, CATHEDRAL CITY, CAUfORNIA 9R43t i77 a� 348.7a47 The Windy Point - Whitewater River area was recommended as the recharge input location as it was the best site for percolation rates with the best spreading poten- tial. It also had the economic advantage of being close to the Colorado River Aque- duct. The analog model projected pumping for the period 1968-2000 and the recharge requirement for the same period. The model produced a 20 foot water level increase at Windy Point by 1980; a 130 foot increase by 1990 and a 200 foot increase by the year 2000. The obvious conclusion that may be drawn from this data is that adequate recharge capacity has been provided for the Upper Coachella Valley area for a time period extending at least to the year 2000. Quality Local:. The report on the analog study states: "On the basis of the available analyses, it is probable that the quality of native groundwater in the Whitewater River sub - basin after recharge will be, to a first approximation, proportional to the ratio in which the quantity of recharge and the quantity of native groundwater are mixed. The quality of the recharge water will probably not be greatly changed by any ion exchange phenomenon. However, much data are needed to make any reliable esti- mate on the effects of the imported water." From a general health standpoint, it appears unlikely that any impairment will occur inasmuch as a substantial portion of the Southern California population are now, and have been, using Colorado River water for years. Proportions of admixture by (local) natural groundwater in the Coachella Valley with recharge water from the Colorado River will still provide residents of the Coachella Valley with a quality of water superior to that now available to millions of people in Southern California. Imported: From the analog report: "Colorado River water presently has a dissolved solids content of about 750 mg/1. Whitewater River water contains about 200 mg/1 dissolved solids. Water extracted from the main aquifer in the Palm Springs area has about 300 mg/1 dissolved solids." —42— THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 4u� 58a40 MOONLIGHT DRIVE CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA 94434 �7141 348-7a47 It does not appear that any appreciable change in quality will occur with the advent of Colorado River water as a domestic supply source. Irrigation: "Approximately one-half million acre-feet of water is imported from the Colorado River annually and that groundwater recharge in the Coachella Valley from this source is substantial. The overall sub -basin in the valley is benefited by this source." Mr. Arthur Swajian, Executive Director of the State Water Quality Control Board, indicated that pesticides, fungicides, fertilizers and other chemicals used on land- scaped areas during irrigation is normally quite light; only sufficient to achieve the effect, and has a negligible effect on the groundwater. Recharge: Domestic water use generally increases the solids content to approximately 300 mg per liter. This increase applies to water that ultimately filters down into the subterranean water streams to become a party of the resupply and is essentially caused by use of septic tanks. Inasmuch as sanitary sewers are to be installed in this develop- ment, no impact as to water quality is expected from a septic tank source and the relative groundwater recharge quality is improved. In view of the high dilution of groundwater recharge from irrigation sources, it is be- lieved that groundwater quality will not change significantly from that now existing. Development environmental impact appears negligible. It should be noted that the entire question of water quality has been examined in the Final Environmental Impact Report On Utilizing Colorado River Water to Recharge Upper Coachella Valley Groundwater Basins, Jones and Stokes, 1973. This report indicates that the two water agencies will be continuing a water quality monitoring program through the U.S.G.S. on a yearly basis. The U.S.G.S. is also preparing a water quality model of the Upper Coachella Valley. The project is considered an interim measure and will be thoroughly evaluated through- out the life of the project -(I 73-1990) to determine the best method of importing —43— (� THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP \`��� 68a40 MOONLIGHT DRIVE, C.ITHEDRAI CiiY, C�IIFORNIA 9443t i7tsi 348-7a47 and recharging water after 1990. (See Appendix for Desert Water Agency and Coa- chella County Water District reports.) Desert Water Agency General Plan For purposes of the General Plan, water requirements and facilities have been projected for an ultimate population of 167,000. Based on current population projections and the trend,lines, the area will not reach ultimate population until 2040. The utilization of water by the proposed development has been provided for in the General Plan. The CVCWD expected the recharge process to raise the groundwater in the valley to its 1945 level and indicate they see no unplanned -for utilization because of the subject property. Earthquake and Faulting A fault and epicenter map (Figure 7), prepared by the State Department of Water Resources as of January 1964 shows that the Coachella Valley is bounded by two major fault zones: (1) the San Andreas Fault Zone on the north and (2) the San Ja- cinto Fault Zone on the south. The San Andreas Fault Zone lies 12 miles across the desert from the project site and the San Jacinto Fault Zone 20 miles across the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Moun- tains. A.third much smaller fault, the Palm Canyon Fault, is five miles from the site in the foothills of the San Jacinto Mountains. The northern and eastern Peninsular Ranges and the Coachella Valley constitute an area of extremely high earthquake frequency. Immediate explanation of this is the 60-mile-wide belt of the San Andreas fault system. In spite of the frequency of trem- blors, earthquake activity in the Palm Springs area has been slight. The epicenter map indicates no major earthquakes in the area for the recorded period 1934-1961. The majority of the earthquakes in the area for the period were of an intensity of less than 5.0 on the Richter Scale, which does not constitute an earthquake of a destructive —44— THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP ��/68420 nnOONtIGHT DRIVE, CATHEDRAL CITY, CAUFORNIA 9R434 17141 348.7427 tit near ew 1N M f�f �: �� ♦�, IT )�-J • rr11 -4 - LuatINT -LN FAUL -% Twen ♦.�'.1.'M'��7 c ,_.\Q.,./.t'T `C` z"�- 1 _',,,,BA E ttNE F.� .. 77 �6c`r., A, �Nof sw'n¢SDECE eERg t7�8 .c Fe I Beaumont ���1. i N G - ate:- -.wn` �..'Y . _ ,.—.i.� °�•c"L... A��~-P C ---I T h 1 ♦ c"(�j- L - 1 P e•s+may a GL �. L•'."5.... �. ° 7 `c :\ wig �. ri IT rn 'n faZ73 R� ' = t. ' _ , G. ,4, IN ! S T� F `� \ '. N �`^� � �, ` JI ma¢.gN � r,..- .J O T� -JS.P oai +• f1 1 j i Ile ,C.it la• 0 n f ljY _. -� ) 1 1:Hn.m•e Clb�, �t ci r orod BRIL J7198 r9� , ? 1, it w.6 y Q .\ m {{C d ]j wil It P•pn Vllbr. A N P••' .co mctnn •r t�� S ? c�f•!,-m.1 _... f S `° yJ'{i �''[� 7 ' ` -i, .�1 �. �I G \` rf•0 mt•',... i \l lh LT EARTHQUAKE EPICENTERS ;A tGt,iTUOE SYM. MAGNITUDE O 4.0-4.4 ❑ 6.0-6.9 -—�....: �\` try • m 4.5-4.9 O 7.0-79 Q 5.0-5.4 8.0-8.4 +h �a��`` J".�`+,\� *\��• a,z }� `� nature. The epicenter of any significant intensity, 6.5, was registered near Desert Hot Springs on December 4, 1948. Earthquake activity has been light and the area can be considered remote from active sheer zones which could present a dangerous situation. According to maps of the California Division of Mines and Geology, the project site is located between Alquist-Priolo active faulting zones delineated approximately 10 miles north and south of the site. Review of the state geologic map — Santa Ana Sheet, 1965 — did not indicate the presence of faulting beneath the subject property. Short, dis- continuous faults have been located in the mountains south and west of the project site. An east -west trending fault has been mapped in the Pre -Cretaceous metasedj- mentary bedrock complex six miles southwest of the subject site, in Palm Desert, California. Northwest trending faults are located in the Indio -Mountain complex approximately two to five miles south-southeast of the project site and pass through Creaceous grani- tic rocks. These structures are considered to be ancient and are not likely to represent potential hazards to the proposed project. Prominent faults of the area which are most likely to be the source of seismic shaking to the subject site are listed below. The relationship of these sites to the subject site is illustrated in Figure 8. Fault Approximate Distance to Fault Banning 6 miles north Mission Creek 7 miles north San Jacinto 20 miles southwest Elsinore 43 miles southwest The proximity of the subject project to the active San Andreas Fault System, which includes the Banning and Mission Creek Faults, indicates a high probability of exposure . to repeated seismic events of varying intensities. "Earthquake Intensities" map (724) of the Seismic Safety Pack (California Division of Mines and Geology), indicates the subject site is located with the Zone C area, for which 11 to 15 seismic events with D THE KENNETH6PHILLIPS GROUP 68420 MOONLIGHT DRIVE, CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA 9W34 17141 328.7427 •�9 I '•.0 1 I i E ;L- E S xarloo FAULT ,._! 1769 , • WALK p �fl SANTA AN. a . .0 R G *AW80r `Ip Ov iGHCAO/ I \ S'O4/NG5 �'n C����� :dS��r• 1907 Alm FAULT \. TWENTYNINELMS 1949 n SAN �-- ?f�oge pNT0 .. oJ'd M 5.9-6.0 NA 1 �.—Bf1948r- �__—ralsslo /To N Cq ERSII E BANNING fF'fl BLUE CUT,•, FAULT •••'•••••'••• 1918 M6.8 LLpq�cr , SPR R I e V qti _ 0 1899 IN01 s. M7t ANZA SITE —_— 1954E �•Fq�<r y ���t.la2l S I D 868 \ O s 1968 1894 M6.5 •• �uu 1 M P %Z R I S A tt D IAN E G 01 A by T TrTY7� 1856 1942 %� b'•" M, I9 6.3 9�9C 1A 9 SAN DIEGO CAOYMIIA _ N ----�� '. Coronado f. •4 I Figure 8 — Fault Locations — 47 — THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP �.•►L-. \ `J 68a40 MOONLIGHT DRIVE, CATHEDRAL CITY, CAUTORNIA 94Y3� Il�ar 3Y8.7a47 minimum Modified Mercalli intensities of VI, VII or VIII are believed to have occurred between 1810 and 1969. The greatest hazards to the site are ground shaking during earthquake episodes. This, from the historical evidence presented in the documents reviewed, should take the form of ground vibration and other activity associated with tremblors. Land sliding, ground breaking during earthquakes, erosion and subsidence do no appear to be a threat to the development. Accepted standards for foundation engineering and mass grading (cut and fill) should be followed to further reduce damage probability due to geologic hazards. All construction will comply with the Uniform Building Code, whose standards are based upon the earthquake zone in which each site is located. All grading to be done will comply with strict city standards and the recommendations of the soil engineer. Archaeology The subject site has been subjected to excavation at several times during its recent his- tory. Significant alteration of the surface took place during the immediate past involv- ing the entire parcel. Present construction plans will not take the landform down to ancient flood plain levels where evidence of previous inhabitation, if present at all, would be found. Mr. Ole Nordsen, President of the Natural History Society of the Coachella Valley indicated in an interview that all of the studies he has reviewed revealed little aborigi- nal use of the central valley, including the subject site area. These observations were substantiated by field work done by Wilke and other archaeological researchers. State Geologic Map — Santa Ana Sheet, 1965 "Earthquake Intensities Map".72-4, Seismic Safety Pack, California Division of Mines and Geology, 1972. U.S.GS. 15 Minute Thousands Palms (1958) and Palm Desert (1959) Quadrangles, California MIM D THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 68420 MOONLIGHT DRIVE. CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA 9n34 �7�ai 348-7a47 Two other sizeable parcles of land on the floor of the Coachella Valley have recently been examined for archaeological indication. The Sunrise Country Club is located south of the subject site. This parcel was also much disturbed but revealed only minimal evidence of aboriginal use. Mission Hills Golf and Country Club is located northeast of the subject site. Here virgin desert was examined similar to the subject parcel. No archaeological materials of any kind were found at this project site.* If subsurface culture -bearing deposits are encountered in the course of earth moving, competent archaeologists should be notified immediately. Wind Erosion Wind erosion of vacant land is a problem because of the high winds acting on light desert sands. The wind erosion problem is a constant. This problem has intensified in recent years because rainfall has been less than normal since 1954 and residential, recreational, commercial and highway construction has increased. The Soil Conserva- tion District's report, Coachella Valley Wind Erosion Problem, explains that the severity of damage from windblown sand is due to the sharp and abrasive surfaces of the sand. The greatest control over this problem to this time has come from development of the land with residences, golf course, parks and other ground cover, trees and shrubs. The development will employ a number of these barriers to soil erosion and blowing sand. All areas not directly built upon will be landscaped with trees, shrubs, vines, and grasses, furnishing ground cover and preventing erosion inside the project. Through- out the complex, trees will act as a wind baffle. Construction and mature windrow plant- ings completely protect the subject site. The Conservation Plan Map provided by the United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, in cooperation with the Coachella Valley Resource Conser- vation District, shows the subject site to be composed of Myoma Soil (MaB and **Wilke, Philip S.: Expected Impact on Archaeological Resources for The Springs Country Club, Jan., 1973. _49_ (� THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP � 4__� \� 6844o MOONLIGHT ORIVE. C�IHEDRnL GTY, CHLIfORNfA 94434 inu 328.7427 MaD) to an effective depth of 60" plus (see Figure 9). The soil profile shows the following characteristics: the surface and subsoil are both made up of fine sand and the available water -holding capacity for the entire soil profile is from four to eight inches. The erosion status is classified as very high. The land is described in gross terms as being composed of a coarse surface with rapid permeability, a low available water -holding capacity and a very high wind erosion potential. The report further outlined the soil limitation for shallow excavations as severe: cut banks cave, The limitations on dwellings for both classes of soil is listed as slight. The limitation on local roads and streets (paved) is slight. The limitation on lawns, landscaping and golf fairways is moderate -droughty. The estimated annual soil erodibility by wind is 9.2 to 15.2 Ibs/sq. ft./year for the MaB soil class and 15.2 plus Ibs./sq. ft./year for the MaD. See Figure 10 for Conservation Plan Map and Figure 11 for Map of Uninterrupted Wind and Sand Source Area in Direction of Prevailing Wind. These date form the base for the recommendation to implement recommendations from the draft CVAG report on blowsand mitigation procedures. An excellent plan was designed and implemented for Palm Desert Country Club by Normal Elam, Conservationist, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service. Discus- sion of this plan and application to the subject site is covered under Mitigation sec- tion of this report. Initial grading and construction will cause dust during the early stages of development. To minimize this problem, the developer will follow the guidelines and recommenda- tions of the County of Riverside for control of blowing sand and the Air Pollution Control District Guidelines- Watering the soil will be one method used to curb and control the dust problem. The sand and dust problem will be diminished in areas sheltered by the development. —50— �D-{ THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP �� � \� 68a40 MOONLIGHT DRIVE. CATHEDRAL CITY, UUfORN1A 9443a i7�a� 348�7a47 -A 2 m m z z m S Figure 9 - Soil and Capability Map Summary Symbol Effec- Soil Profile ver- Limiting Factors Texture A.W.C.' on Soil Name five age jlo e Erosion Suitable Land Uses or Map Depth Inches in jo Status or Crops p Remarks Surface Subsoil Ma© Myoma 6011+ fine fine to 2 to 5 very Deep rooting or Coarse surface; sand sand high cool season crops rapid permeability; low AWC; very high wind erosion hazard. ilau " 5 to " As above except 1� also strongly slop- ing. •A.W.C. - Available Water Holding Capacity for the entire soil profile map, W2. Sec. 32, ThS, R6E MaD MaB Figure 10 — Conservation Plan Map —52— MaD D THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP ��% 68440 MOONLIGHT DRIVE. UTHEDRAL CITY, CALIfORNIA 94434 U1A 348.7447 � L � Wind Erosion \ Group 1 Soil 416 acres 438 acres Wind Erosion Group 2 Soil 1,590 acres 1,762 acres Estimated Annual � UP -Wind Soil Loss 373,472 Cu. Yds. 408,725 Cu. Yds Cu. Yds./food of Property line 283 155 fra»k Srnafrb jir Figure 11 — Uninterrupted Wind and Sand Source Area in Direction of Prevailing Wind (Aerial Photo Interpretations) —53— THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP `�� 68�Y0 MOONLIGHT DRIVE, GITMEDRHL CITY, V.LIFORNIn 9Y43� �7U� 348-7/Y7 Wind Erosion Control System There are some impacts of the environment from new developments which are con- sidered and examined in depth. Wind erosion problems in the Coachella Valley repre- sent the other side of the coin in that this impact is one of the environment on people. Extensive discussions have been held with the various government agencies, local and federal, which are concerned with this problem. The control of this hazard is of particular concern to the developers of this property. The development meets the criteria proposed in the Draft Blowsand Control and Pro- tection Plan, prepared by the Coachella Valley Association of Governments. Specifical- ly, that 'optional density allowances could increase for large-scale clustered develop- . ments financially capable of installing and maintaining blowsand control devices."* Further conversations were held with Mr. Normal Elam, U.S. Department of Agricul- ture, Soil Conservation Service. Mr. Elam provided the detailed description of the wind erosion impact on the subject property. A similar problem exists for all property in the area and we were referred to the Palm Desert Country Club Estates Wind Erosion Control Plan. The landscape architect for the developer has examined this wind control plan and agrees with the implementation program and its applicability to the subject site. The following schematic plan has been developed by the landscape architect for pur- poses of illustrating the wind erosion control system to be designed for the subject development by the landscape architect in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service. * Blowsand Control and Protection Plan, (Draft), Coachella Valley Association of Governments, March, 1977. —54— THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 4unl_"� 68a40 MOONLIGHT DRIVE. CATHEDRAL CITY, CAUFORNIA 9443a �7Su 348.7+47 Objectives The objective of this plan is to relieve the problem of wind driven sand and dust by stabilization of soils which move into the development area from land outside its boundaries. Proposed Treatment The proposed treatment is to establish and maintain irrigated windbreaks and ground cover along the north and west boundaries of the property. In addition to the ground cover and windbreaks, this will require construction of sand fences or Arundo donax (giant reed) windbreaks for temporary sand blow control. Establish Vegetated Buffer Strips The entire west edge of the subject property will be planted in golf course during the first two years of development. Temporary sprinkler irrigation will be provided to seed a cover of annual small grain or Sudan to initially control sand movement along the northern property surface in development Phase 3. This will be accomplished concurrently with the installation of windbreak measures at the north property line. This has been successfully done at the Springs Country Club. Construct Sand Fences or Establish Arundo Donax (Giant Reed) Before planting tree windbreaks, construct a sand fence at a distance of 30 feet wind- ward from the proposed tree line. An alternative to construction of a sand fence would be to plant a strip of Arundo donax to provide protection for future windbreak planting. The irrigation system to be used later for irrigation of the tree windbreak would be used for irrigation of the Arundo donax until it obtained a height of five or six feet and then moved to the wind- break site. The use of the Arundo donax may substantially reduce costs of providing protection for the tree windbreak planting but would require 1/2 to 1 year of addi- tional time in establishing the plan. —55— THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP `�� 68ap0 MOONLIGHT DRIVE. CATHEDRAL CITY, CAUFORNIA 94434 ina 348-7y47 Establish Tree Windbreaks Planting of the tree windbreak should follow construction of the sand fences or estab- Nshment of Arundo donax. Water must be available for immediate irrigation. At dis- tances and locations to be determined by the Conservation Plan Map, install trickle type irrigation systems and plant Athel windbreaks. Technical Considerations Vegetative Ground Cover — A plant population of 10 cereal grain or Sudan plants per square foot is needed to prevent winds from coming in contact with the soil. The straw of these plants will be effective ir} providing soil protection for about 18 months after establishment. Then replanting would be needed. Sand Fences — The sand fences or Arundo donax plantings will reduce wind velocity and cause deposition of windborne soil. The chief purpose for the sand fences or Arundo donax, which is capable of withstanding sand inundation, is to prevent sand inundation of the tree windbreak planting until it is established. Tree Windbreaks —The tree windbreaks are expected to obtain their maximum height of 35 feet in seven years. At this height they will reduce the velocity of a 30 mile per hour wind to less than 15 miles per hour for a distance of 350 feet downwind when measured five feet above the ground. Water Supply Water supply will be provided from irrigation wells, pump and system existing on the subject property. TEchnical section of this portion of the report developed with the assistance of the United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service. See Figure 11 for description of Plan. —56— THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 4,u_ Y 69440 MOONCiGHT ORIVE. CATHEDRAL CITY, CAUTORNIA 94434 Utar 348-7447 Biological Resources The subject site is a northwesterly extension of the Colorado Desert and the flora which occurs there is characteristic of this and climate. As in all desert areas, the vegetation here has adapted to the drought conditions. Most of the area has some vegetative cover but relatively few succulents or water -storing plants. Most of the flora here has adapted structures which resist fast evaportranspiration to conserve water or they may show growth only during period of winter rains, being dormant in the summer months. The region shows a typical zonal development of and regions. The segregation is due to elevation, climatic and other influences. The following report was developed by Mr. Tom McAbee, Herpetologist, Indio, California. "The 320 acres in question are basically low, loose sand dunes. No natural surface water exists on the property. No trees exist on the property. The land has previously been used for agriculture. Lack of use and maintenance has allowed blowsand to reclaim most of the land. Water wells exist on the property and remains of piping previously used for distribution and irrigation still exist. Southern California Edison has power lines along the right of way in the area, and land sections to the north, west and east are opened and undeveloped. Plants Due to the loose blowsand type habitat and lack of water, plant life is limited. Very few plants exist and those that do are spread out, leaving open spaces of loose sand between them. No trees exist on the property. The only well cstabIished natural plants in order of dominance are: the Creosote Bush .(Larrea divaricota), Bugseed (Dicorla canescens), members of the Buckwheat family (Eriogonum) and the Coldenia plicata. The Coldenia blossom has been observed to be a prime source of food for the Uma when insects are lacking. awM D THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 68s4o MOONLIGHT DRIVE. UTHEDRnL CITY, C.1UiORNIA 9443� Ana 348.7a47 Prior attempts to control blowsand by creating a living windbreak of tamarisk trees (Tamarix aphylla) on adjoining property to the northeast exist. These plants, in the form of small trees, do a good job as windbreaks and are extensively used through- out the immediate area by agricultural ranches, the Southern Pacific Railroad, the Division of Highways, etc. Palm Desert Greens northern property line consists of tamarisk tree and river cane combination which appears to be very effective for blowsand control. Mammals No large mammals reside on the property, although the kit fox and the coyote have been observed as casual visitors. Due to the lack of water, vegetation for cover and food, the number of small mammals is limited to ground squirrels (Citellus), kangaroo rats (Dipodomys), jack rabbits (Lepus), and cottontail rabbits (Syluilagus). Repeated observations of the area show that few, if any, ground squirrels are permanent residents, and no members of the rabbit family were observed residing on the property. It appears the rabbits only use the land in question to get to the windbreak along the northern property line of Palm Desert Greens. The Palm Desert Greens northern windbreak has an irrigation system to promote optimum growth. The windbreak has created a water and food source as well as a cover for the rabbits. In fact, this manmade 'basis" is probably used by many animals — mammals, birds and reptiles alike. Birds The same situation exists with birds as it does with mammals. Many birds have been observed on the property such as dove, quail, hawks (the Red-tailed and Sparrow —59— THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP A�U� 68440 MOONLIGHT DRIVE, CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA 94Y3� ina 348•N47 Hawks), shrikes, mockingbirds, roadrunners, sparrows and wrens. None of these birds were found to be nesting on the land. It is apparent that, except for the predators such as hawks, shrikes and roadrunners, the birds prefer staying close to the wind- breaks which provide them cover, food, water and nesting sites. Reptiles The reptiles on the property are divided into two groups — snakes and lizards. In both the snakes and lizards, only a few species that are specialized enough to inhabit the blowsand habitat will be mentioned. Snakes — Only three snakes naturally prefer a loose sand environment. The Shovel Nosed Sand Snake (Chionactis), the Leaf Nosed Snake (Phyllorhynchus) and the Desert Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes). No snakes have been collected or observed on the property in question this spring. Last year's collection records indicate the Shovel Nosed Snakes and the Desert Sidewinders inhabit the general, but the numbers are few. The Desert Sidewinder prefers small rodents and lizards for food. No Peromyscus were observed and this is probably why so few sidewinders inhabit the area. Snake collection records and tracks in the sand indicate that most snake activity is along the perimeter of the land sections in the area where windbreaks exist. No recent collection records or activity indicators were found for the Leaf Nosed Snake in the area. Lizards — As with the snakes, only a few are specialized to live in the loose sand en- vironment. The Flat -tailed Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma micalli), the Banded Gecko (Coleonyx variegatus), the Desert Crested Lizard (Dipsosarus dorsalis), and the Coa- chella Fringed Toed Sand Lizard (Uma inornata) have been collected over the last three years in the general area. Only the Coachella Fringed Toed Sand Lizard and the Desert Crested Lizard have been observed residing on the property this spring. Largest numbers and activity —60— THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP alnj�w 68440 MOONLIGHT DRIVE. CA THfDRAL CITY, CAUfORN(A G4434 gnu 348-7447 occur, as with snakes, along the perimeters of the open space. Impact Conclusion Plants No plants on the property are limited only to this 320 acre section. The natural plants found on the property are common desert plants found throughout the blowsand habitat. Mammals The limited amount of food available has shown that few mammals reside, directly on the 320 acre section. Except for the kangaroo rats, all the mammals are casual visitors or just using the land to reach the northern windbreak of Palm Desert Greens, where water is available. Observations of the del Safari Country Club, located near the 320 acres, show a thriv- ing small mammal population. One can conclude that proper development of this property would actually provide food sources and protective cover along the peri- meter windbreak for small mammals. Birds The harsh sand blown environment has made it impractical for birds to live there. Although many birds have been observed on the land section over the last three years, none were found to nest. The plants found on the land do not provide food for dove and quail. Dove and quail observed used the land to rest, probably because less hunt- ing activity occurs on the land as compared to other areas in the valley. —61 — + THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP `��\�.% 68a40 MOONLIGHT DRIVE. CATHEDRAL CITY, CAUFCRNIA 9443s ins 348-7s47 Bird observations of the del Safari Country Club on April 11, 1977, between the hour of 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.: one (1) Red-tailed Hawk overhead, a pair of burrowing owls, four (4) mockingbirds, three (3) mourning doves, numerous sparrows, starlings and introduced water fowl on a man-made lake. The burrowing owl's nest is less than 75 yards from a residential structure. In reality, this developed country club has become a "country club" for the birds as well as people. Development of the 320 acres would actually increase the numbers of birds overall in the area. Reptiles Snakes —The 320 acre section is not prime habitat for any of the snakes. Very little, if any, impact would be seen on general snake population by developing this land. Lizards — Of the four lizards that have been collected or observed on the property, the impact on the Uma population is the most serious problem. The Uma requires a loose blowsand environment to reproduce. Development and control of the blowsand on the property is necessary if people are going to live there. When you control the blowsand, it settles, plants take root, and you no longer have a blowsand environment. No blowsand, no Umas. Observations of del Safari Country Club have found no Umas, but in place of the Umas, the Side -blotched Lizard (Utastansburiana), and the Whip -tailed Lizard (cnemidophorus) have established themselves in the altered environment. Hard facts indicate that Uma is probably already doomed. Interstate 10, the Southern Pacific Railroad, all existing development and agriculture in the area help slow down or stop blowsand. Eliminate the blowsand, and we eliminate the Uma. Discussions with other herpetologists and naturalists indicate they feel the Uma is lost. . The 320 acres is not going to destroy the Uma. At the present time, land sections to —62— &Us� THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 68ap0 MOONLIGHT DRIVE. CATHEDRAL CITY, CAUfORN1A 94p34 0141 328.7427 the west, north and east are opened and undeveloped. The Uma will move over, so to speak, and in his place on the developed land, new species of lizards (Whip -tailed and Side -blotched) will move in. If enough people are concerned about the Uma, then an effort should be made to get the state, county or private individuals to purchase the prime Uma habitat located farther north near the freeway and make it a blowsand dune park for the lizards. If not, and we are tired of blowsand damage to vehicles, property, and roadways, con- cede the Uma and control the blowsand in the valley Extent of Impact Area Geographic jurisdictional: County of Riverside Regional: Upper Coachella Valley from San Gorgonio Pass southeast to Indio. Local: Rancho Mirage -Palm Desert. Neighborhood: The adjacent area 1 /2 mile radius of the project. Community Resources Utilities Imperial Irrigation District: The subject site will be served from existing power lines. Power lines currently exist for the entire length of the property. Service will be pro- vided from existing off -site equipment. (See Appendix, Agency Letter advising the availability of service.) General Telephone: The site will be served from existing lines. Coachella Valley County Water District: Water requirements for the subject site —63— �THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP �L. l �J 68440 NOONUGHT DRIVE, CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIfORNIA 94434 1714) 328.7427 have been planned for under the requirements of the CVCWD General Plan. This plan covers the requirements of well locations as well as imported water. Mr. Dalve V. Bohnenberger, Urban Water Engineer, indicated that new wells will be built to district specifications. The subject property must be annexed to Water Improvement Dis- tricts Number 16 and 70. Southern California Gas Company: There is an existing main of sufficient size at Country Club Drive and Monterey. This will require the construction of approximately 2,660 feet of gas line from Country Club to the subject property. Solid Waste Disposal: The subject site will be served by Palm Desert Waste Disposal, Inc, without any difficulty. The development proposed does not have any condition which would result in a revision of normal service nor of company policy. Sewage Disposal: Sewage generated by the subject project will be well within the de- sign parameters of the reclamation plant No. 10 located at Cook and the Whitewater River, for collection and treatment meeting the requirements of the State Water Qual- ity Board. Because of treatment of sewage, degradation of the groundwater by the project will not be significant. Mr. Bruce K. Clark, Sanitation Engineer, indicated that sewer service is available and planned for the subject area and that engineering plans would be approved by CVCWD after review. Approximately 5,200 feet of sewer tile will be required to be emplaced to connect with service on Country Club Drive. Police Protection The California Highway Patrol indicated that the nature of the project would prevent regular patrol for traffic enforcement. They would service the area for traffic acci- dents and injuries needing investigation. The perimeter streets will be patroled by CHP as part of its regular service. Therefore, the project will little affect the services of CHP other than those of an emergency nature. Primary responsibilities for law enforcement, other than traffic control, will fall upon the Riverside County Sheriff's Department. —64— I� THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP \�58440 MOONLIGHT DRIVE. CATHEDRAL CITY, CAIIFORNIA 94434 ilia 348-1447 The subject development will be protected by controlled access entry gates and a pri- vate security system. The Palm Springs Police Survey for a comparable district shows the lowest crime rate of any in the city. When the private security system is estab- lished, personnel will be screened by the Sheriff's Department. Extra patrols will not be created as the project is walled and protected by private security guards and con- trolled access. Actual service will be limited to emergency calls from residents. Fire Protection The Riverside County Department of Fire Protection will provide coverage for the proposed development. The Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert Fire Stations will provide primary protection for the subject site. The new Cathedral City Fire Station will pro- vide additional coverage. Standards of the Department of Fire Protection are speci- fied by ordinance and will be adhered to in this development. Fireflow pressures will be provided to CVCWD. Fire protection plans will be submitted to the Riverside County Fire Department for approval. Schools The proposed development lies within the boundaries of the Palm Springs Unified School District. This district Board of Education has stated the policy that facilities will be made available to accommodate the needs of the pupils in the District. A new facility, Nellie N. Coffman junior High has been built in the Cathedral City area. The former facilities of Nellie N. Coffman have been integrated to expand the Palm Springs High School campus. Additionalby, College of the Desert is two miles west of the subject site. Total enrollment in the District is not up to full capacity. It is projected that there will be approximately 73 school age children in the proposed development, based on the average occupancy of 2.2 persons per unit and using 0.2 as a school age indicator. Of th 960 potential condominium units, only 38 percent of the units will be occupied nine months or more during the school year as required for school attendance.* Over one-half of the residents are expected to be over 50 * Analysis of the Palm Springs Condominium Owner, Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau. —65— THE KENNETH PHILLIPS CROUP &Us� 684Y0 MOONLIGHT DRIVE. CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIfORNIA 94Y34 1?t s1348-74Y7 years of age. It is anticipated that the age ranking of students will be at the secondary school level. This non -adult population will be accumulated over a nine-year project development period. See Table 5 for detail on projections of non -adult population. Hospital The development will be served by Eisenhower Medical Center and Desert Hospital. The Medical Center is currently in an expansion program to add to its 140-bed facility, increase out -patient clinics, add research and teaching buildings and other medical facilities dictated by the demonstrated needs of the Coachella Valley. Desert Hospital is involved in a similar but larger -scale addition of beds through con- struction of additional patient facilities. Transportation Regional Transportation Airport: The Palm Springs Municipal Airport and Bermuda Dunes airport serve the greater Coachella Valley. Surface Transportation: Interstate 10, which connects the east and west coasts, passes through the Coachella Valley approximately one mile north of subject site. State Highway 111 is 3.5 miles south of subject site. Railroad: The Southern Pacific Railroad serves the Coachella Valley at its station in Indio. Bus: Greyhound Bus Lines has terminals in Palm Springs and Indio, and Continental Trailways has a terminal in Indio. A local stop is provided about 3.5 miles south of subject site. The Coachella Valley Transit Program proposes a local bus to proceed down Bob Hope Drive one mile west of the project at Frank Sinatra Drive. —66— &Us'� THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 6BaY0 MOONLIGHT DRIVE• CATHEDRHL CITY, CHLIfORNIA 9YY31 �71 +� 3Y8.7i47 Local Transportation: Transport is by private automobile, golf cart and bicycle in and around the subject project. Recreation The total development of a recreational -residential -oriented complex with a relation- ship to Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert will enhance this positive attribute. Flood Control The property is protected from flood damage through the Whitewater River Channel south of the property, managed by the Coachella Valley County Water District Flood Control Agency. According to Mr. Kirby Heston, the Whitewater River Channel is considered stabilized. No significant flood hazard isprojected for the subject property, according to Mr. Heston, Administrative Engineer, CVCWD. (See Agency Letter in Appendix.) Traffic The automobile accounts for most of the transportation in the area. The bicycle, motorcycle, golf cart and pedal mobiles all play a minor but increasing role in circulation. All streets within the proposed project will be private and access is limited to resi- dents and their guests. The external traffic pattern will originate on the extension of Frank Sinatra Drive. The City of Rancho Mirage currently has plans for the development of Monterey Road from Country Club Drive to the subject property. This will result in an —67— THE KENNETH PHILLIPS CROUP 68420MOONLIGHT DRIVE, CATHEDRAL CITY. CALIFORNIA 94434 V10328-7427 intersection of two major roads at the southwest corner of the subject site. The de- velopers will be required by the County of Riverside to complete one-half the required major road development of Frank Sinatra Drive from Bob Hope to the property, approximately one mile. A major road requires a 100 foot right-of-way with 76 feet from face -of -curb to face -of -curb. See Figure 12 for typical cross-section. The City of Rancho Mirage has budgeted $36,000 toward the development of Mon- terey Road and is estimating the start of construction to take place from Country Club Drive. Frank Sinatra Drive is classified as a Major Highway in the Riverside County General Plan, as is Monterey. The assumed design capacity of both highways is 800 vehicles per lane per hour. The subject property will have an adequate circulation pattern which will improve as all planned roads are completed. For purposes of this study, all traffic will be con- sidered on Frank Sinatra Drive, during the first three years of development. It shall be assumed that by this time, Rancho Mirage will have completed the development of Monterey Road and the traffic generated by the project will have alternative choices, depending on destination. From the Trip Generation Table (Table 6), it can be seen that traffic will compound over the development time. The peak hour traffic at complete development will only be 520 vehicles. This value is based on trip generation projections in Table 6, with the peak hour volume being 14 percent of the total daily volume*. As the assumed design capacity of both highways is 800 vehicles per land per hour, the peak volume is well below the capacity. It may be further assumed that at this date in the future the subsequent development of Monterey will be completed. *Mathematical Approach To Estimating Highway Impact On Air Quality, California Division of Highways, Material and Research Department. THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 4�ti \ \J 68a40 MOONLIGHT DRIVE, CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIiORNIA 9443a Ana 348.7a4� G8 R/W -- -- 44 II' Id-�•�12�—�-12-�10� II' 1 sa.rrao-i^�ae- :ncuaa msRaa��- I _ COLL[ CTOR HIGHWAY 88'Ri W -- - 64' 12 • 8 12 —12'---12'—}— 12 8' 12 i ire-IFA i SEC(NOARY HIGHWAY - Iod 12' � 12'- *VARIABLE (O' TO 12') MAJOR HIGHWAYS 11o" ARTERIAL 1 HIGHWAY Figure 12 — Riverside County General Plan of Highways Typical Cross -Sections WiL THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 68420 MOONLIGHT DRIVE, CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA 92234 Oul 328.7427 Table 6 Trip Generation Equivalent Number Full Occupancy Year Condominiums Trips* 1977-78 56 409 1979-80 112 818 1981-82 168 1,226 1983-84 225 1,642 1985-86 281 2,051 1987-88 337 2,460 1989-90 393 2,869 1991-92 449 3,277 1993-94 509 3,715 `Condominiums estimated at 7.3 trips per dwelling unit — two cars. Discretionary utilization of the two roads could be assumed at 50 percent for each resulting in a distributed contribution to the peak hour volume of 260 vehicles per lane per hour. This value is well within the planned 1990 traffic volumes for these roads as outlined in the Riverside County General Plan for Highways. Bob Hope Drive is an Arterial Highway and currently has a traffic count of 3,520 ADT at Frank Sinatra Drive. Frank Sinatra Drive has a count of 2,940 ADT at Bob Hope and it is classified as a major highway. Country Club Drive has a count of 4,170 ADT past Monterey Avenue and it is an arterial highway. Mr. Paul Stout, Administrative Division Engineer of the Riverside County Road Department advised that the Cove Communities General Plan, Traffic Flow Map, shows that traffic is expected to increase from 3,520 ADT (north) in 1977 to 8,500 ADT in 1990 on Bob Hope Drive. Bob Hope Drive south from Frank Sinatra is —70— THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP Aune, 584so rnOONUGHt DaivE. UihEDanl CITv, CnUfOaNln 94434 17141 328-7427 expected to increase from 5,900 ADT to 9,500 ADT. If we assume that the total value of all the trips generated by the development at the subject site were to be placed on Bob Hope Drive, the total volume 7,235 ADT (north) and 9,61.5 (south) would be within the planned traffic volumes. Naturally, not all the vehicles would go all one way or the other. This example is used to point out that the vehicular traffic to be generated by the subject project is well within the parameters of the road plans for the area. We could actually assume that the traf- fic will be distributed on Bob Hope Drive and Country Club Drive in almost equal amounts. Using this scenario, which is actually closer to reality, we project that half of the vehicles, or 1,875 ADT, would be on each road. Therefore, the increase in traffic at Frank Sinatra Drive and Bob Hope Drive would be of the following magnitudes; if we assume again that half of the traffic went north and half south: 1,875 ADT/2 = 937 + 3,520 ADT BOB HOPE north = 4,457 ADT The design figure for 1990 is 8,500 ADT. 1,875 ADT/2 = 937 + 5,900 ADT BOB HOPE south = 7,775 ADT The design figure for 1990 is 9,500 ADT. Applying the same logic to Country Club Drive, which has a current 4,170 ADT, we see the following: 1,875 ADT/2 = 937 + 4,170 = 5,107 ADT The design criteria projection for 1990 on this road is 8,000 ADT. Any increase in traffic due to the subject site development is within the anticipated increase for this road. In summary, this exercise indicates that the resulting traffic probably to be gene- rated by the subject site is within the projected design criteria for the future of the existing roadways. Sources: Traffic, Circulation and Roadway Aspects Relating to Desert Air Country Cub, Rancho Mirage, California, Krueper Engineering and Associates, October 21, 1975. Traffic Engineers Handbook, 1965. —71 — THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP A\ `.J 68sY0 MOONLIGHT DRIVE. UTHEDR�IL CITY, CAUfORN1A 94434 Via ;YB-7i47 S P A L M. • ]� \ s'� a� S P R INGS _I p ` f0 TQQ it O- O r m x m A - m o m -- -- z < z " m n I = c J 7 1 N, i C) f9 i O w I r � ? Oo O S z a RIVERS;DE COUNTY "GENERAL PLAN HIGHWAYS COVE CQMMJNITIES >LRNN:SG AREA ro ro •RfEws FSFFwar vROVOSFO ON r. +•s ]pax, e,• w<anFrr _E Sf V(5 RF MILS RC VJ�(J S z C � •tu n I— r "rNEVRAL CITY �.W.1 w' �W *N AIVIWAIei MWIT/ KAII..44 el"AATN{NT � i.- v.:•- : i I i I im RANCHO O MIRAGE >z I1,900 }}NO. III T PALM i 0£SERI cx Figure 14 — Cove Communities General Plan Traffic Flow Map —1970 Traffic Volumes — 73 — LI1Y --® OF INDIAN WELLS uti It I nI 'I C 1 r I i y I J 1 A � , THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 68420 MOONLIGHT DQIVE, CATNECOAL CITY, CALIFORMA 94934 17141328.7447 c/rr ANAMf (* P�It P510[ <OVNII •I aNFF4 Lt.l9l V(VI cirr PALM e a OF OCSCFI /NOUN IfILJ Figure 15 — Cove Communities General Plan . J. Traffic Flow Map — 1990 Traffic Volumes ":•: / —74— A�U� THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 68a40 MOONLIGHT DRIVE. GTHEDR.IL CITY, UUfORN1/;- 9443� i77a:348-7447 1 1 m@ m, 1 DESERT HOT SPRINGS LINE w = =� INDIO LINE uwnuuu COLLEGE OF THE DESERT LINE rATrTDPA� CITY — Figure 16 — Five -Year Transit Development Program for the Coachella Valley —75— THE KENNETH PHILLIPS CROUP 4�� \ `J 68�Y0 MOONLIGHT DRIVE. CATHEDRAL CITY, CHLIiORNIA 9443t i711i 3Y8.7i47 Trip Generation The number of trips generated by the subject site proposed development is projected to 1994 in Table 6, Trip Generation. The original data was derived from the Los Angeles Regional Transportation Study. The Los Angeles study assumes 3.42 to 4.82 trips per vehicle per dwelling unit. The "Palm Hills General Plan" assumed daily trips to be 7.3 per dwelling unit in the Palm Springs area. This value is in approxi- mate agreement with the LARTS value if we assume each unit has two cars. These figures were verified in a field evaluation done on Sunrise Country Club by Krueper Engineering & Associates, dated October 21, 1975, File: 296-01.77. This study concluded that the total external trip generation factor per dwelling unit is 6.02 trips per dwelling unit per day. From this study it can be concluded that the figure of 7.3 trips per dwelling unit per day is conservative. Communication Television Two local stations affiliated with national networks are received directly via UHF channel. Los Angeles stations can be received via cable. Newspaper The area is served by several regional and local newspapers, including The Desert Sun, Indio Daily News, Palm Desert Post, Riverside Press Enterprise, Los Angeles Times, New York Times, Christian Science Monitor and The Wall Street Journal. Influence On the Local Economy Impact on the local economy is expected to be positive and beneficial. —76— THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP Aun� 68a40 MOONLIGHT DRIVE. CATHEDRAL UTY, CALIiORNIA 94434 ilia 348.7ao7 It will influence the economy by: (1) increasing commerce; (2) increasing tax reve- nues; and (3) creating additional employment. Commerce About $56 million will go into the construction of this project. Almost all of this money will be spent in the local area. Tax Revenue The proposed development, including 323 acres of land, 960 condominium units and amenities and an 18-hole golf course, will have a developed value of approxi- mately $56 million. The Riverside County Assessor's Office would determine the assessed value at about $14 million. In 1976-1977, the development, if completed, would have generated approximately $1,304,100 in real estate taxes. See Table 7 for a sample tax rate schedule for the subject area. At the current approximately $726,600 of the tax rate would go di- rectly to schools. On the basis of generating a non -adult population of 73 persons, this makes the proposed project's ultimate contribution at the level of $9,953 per pupil con- trtbuted to the school system. jurisdictional Districts The project will be in the following districts: State of California County of Riverside 43rd U.S. Congressional District _77_ THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 68420 MOONLIGHT DRIVE, CATHEDRAL CRY, CALIFORNIA 94434 014) 328-7427 36th State Senatorial District 75th State Assembly District 4th Supervisional District Palm Springs Unified School District Coachella Valley Community College District Coachella Valley County Water District Desert Hospital District Regional Anti -Pollution Agency Riverside Air Pollution Control District Table 7 Project Area Tax Rates —1976 General 2.920 Physical Handicap Desert Hospital Debt Debt Service .003 Program, County 034 Service .016 County Free Library .153 juvenile Hall Pro- Desert Water Agency .494 County Structure gram, County .006 TAX RATE 9.315 Fire Protection .168 Reg. Occupational Program, County .008 Special Assessments Supervisorial Road District 4 .100 County Supt. Schools Citrus Pest Control 2 11.862 Palm Springs Unified Capital Outlay A .000 Coachella Valley School District 3.657 County Supt. Schools County Wtr. Storm Capital Outlay B .050 Water Unit .430 Palm Springs Unified B & I A .068 Severe Mental Retard Program, County .000 Palm Springs Unified B & 1 B .289 County School Bldg. Aid Prog., County .003 Coachella Valley Com- munity College .891 County School De - elopment Center .002 Coachella Valley Com- munity College B & 1 .083 Palm Springs Public Cemetery .012 School Equalization Aid .106 Palm Springs Public Cemetery ACO .004 County Supt. Schools General Purpose .100 Desert Hospital .204 Institutional Children .047 Coachella Valley Mos- quito Abatement .087 —78_ azus7i THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 58aY0 MOONLIGHT DRIVE. CATHEDRAL CTY. GALIfCRN1A 9443a i?ta 3487aY7 111. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT The proposed development will be in keeping with the residential -recreational characteristics of the area it is to be built within. The following narrative presents a scenario of probable events, if the project proceeds as contemplated. Impact Areas Short Range Impact Neighborhood The visual appearance of the subject site will change from harsh, raw ground which has been used for agricultural purposes, to an urban life -site of a residential -recrea- tional character. The very sparse vegetation will be removed and replaced with park- like landscaping of a country club. The topography of the land will be altered as grading on the site progresses. Increased vehicular traffic will result on Bob Hope Drive as soon as Frank Sinatra Drive is finished from the subject site to Bob Hope Drive. Materials will be trans- ferred to the site and during the construction stages both manpower and material transportation will be increased. Some increase in traffic will be due to "sight-seeing" of the construction site by local area residents. Asa result of the construction activities, noise, vibration and dust can result. Local wildlife, as described in the biology section, will be displaced from the subject site. Relocation into the surrounding areas can be expected. As a result of upgrading the environment with water and plentiful food, many more species than are pres- ently counted will relocate on the subject site after completion of construction. —79— D THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP ��� 68440 MOONLIGHT ORIVECnTHEDRnI CITY, CAUFORNIA 9R434 171 a� 3R8.7447 Local and Regional As a result of increased construction activities, cash monies will flow into the econ- omy as labor personnel establish living quarters and utilize local services. Sale of construction materials, fuel, regulatory permits and inspection fees and increased demand for labor will have an impact on the economy of Rancho Mirage, Palm Des- ert, Cathedral City and the Coachella Valley. Long Range Impact Neighborhood The long-range neighborhood impact is the creation of a well -conceived, quality residential -recreational development having private living facilities. The develop- ment, as programmed, is compatible with the existing neighborhood conditions. Local The local community will be impacted by increased population and their require- ments, including a higher demand for goods and services, labor, and an increase in traffic flow. The demands upon municipal services, use of parks, schools, etc., will increase, but at a disporportionately lesser rate than the increased tax revenues which support these facilities. Regional The project will have a permanent overall effect on the region by requiring more goods and services, as well as the multiple services required by modern society, in- cluding the demand for fuel, home furnishings, clothing, food, electric energy, na- tural gas, water supply, solid refuse collection and sanitary sewage disposal. Tax bases will be increased, while expenditure for tax supported services will not re- quire a proportionate increase. —80— &SO, THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 68640 MOONLIGHT DRIVE. UTHEDRAI CITY, CAUFORNIA 94431 �71A 348.7a47 Land Resources Landform A clear visual picture of the current condition of the subject site must be retained by the reader in order to clearly perceive the change the project will actually make on the landform as it now exists. The subject site is a parcel of land not in its virgin state. In its recent history it has been subjected to extensive surface disturbance in the plowing of its surface and planting of crops. It has a currently existing extensive irrigation system, two wells with producing pumps and its own power source lines and poles which traverse the entire center of the property. During the process of development the virgin land - form was lost, together with the integrity of the area's surface configuration. The parcel has been described as the "harshest and most barren pieces of land in the desert." These landforms will be transformed from their present state by an urban develop- ment supporting irrigated vegetation and recreational facilities. Open Space The proposed construction will remove part of the site from the desert inventory of open space. However, the green belts in the project will provide open space which will be of greater value because it will be accessible and be artistically landscaped, irrigated and kept fresh and green. Over 72 percent of the total land will be in land- scaped open area. This open area is in large consolidated masses because of the country club configuration. Erosion The project will substantially reduce the effect of wind erosion and the associated —81 — THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP aun� 58440 MOONLIGHT OQ�VE. CAIHEDRnL CITY, C.IUFORHUA 94434 M AI 328-7427 sand and dust problem through the use of landscaping which will reduce the amount of unprotected land surface. A wind erosion control system, described in previous sections of this report, will be implemented along the property perimeters and land surfaces will be protected by vegetation during and after construction. The land does not consistute a water runoff problem. Surface drainage will follow the natural flow from northwest to southwest from project streets to a subsurface collector system. There will be an increase of water applied to the land for irriga- tion and a decrease of permeable land area due to the permanent structures. How- ever, irrigation water and run-off water are of slight proportions and insignificant under all normal conditions. Seismic A major earthquake could have a significant impact on this or any project. As dis- cussed in a previous section of this report, the area does not have a history of de- structive earthquake activity, although it is subject to frequent crustal adjustments producing many small temblors. The grading and building will meet all County standards, thereby mitigating the impact to a minimum. Water Resources Ground Water, Quality Salinization of the ground water due to irrigation will have only a slight effect on the basin. A certain amount of salinization will occur due to the leaching of soils for irrigation. However, this problem, though serious for the entire valley, will be of minimum significance because of the size of the project. Ground Water, Quantity The amount of recharge from the site will be relatively slight because of the region's —82— t THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP ���__\�.% 68440 MOONLIGHT DRIVE. CATHEDRAL. CITY, CALIFORNIA 94434 i714� 3P8.74P7 rainfall. The percolation which will reach the groundwater basin will be increased due to landscape irrigation. The permeable surface area will be reduced because of paving and buildings. This will be offset somewhat by the increased volume of ap- plied water. The impact of recharge will be of little consequence since it will affect only a small piece of land compared with the total groundwater basin. Water Supply to the Project The entire area is on an overdraft situation. All additional projects and increase of development will add to this situation. The Desert Water Agency and the Coachella Valley County Water District have been anticipating this problem for a number of years. The current plans for present and future importation of water from the Col- orado River have taken into account projects such as the subject site. Projections have been carried forward to a base of 167,000 persons and the year 2040. The pro- ject will use 171 acre feet of water per year for domestic uses. About 510 acre feet of water per year will be used for irrigation. Air Resources Potential Pollution The impact of the automobile emissions is a moderate problem because of the cumu- lative effect of additional vehicles introduced into the environment due to new de- velopments. As standards for automobile emissions established by the Clean Air Act become more stringent, this impact will become less. The 1975 standards require emissions from automobiles to be one -tenth of those permitted in 1970. Short-term pollution sources will be generated during the construction of the project. The impact from these sources will be limited by the mitigation measures to be implemented. �D THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 68420 MOONLIGHT DRIVE, CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA 92234 (714) 328.7427 Humidity There will be an increased amount of moisture placed in the air due to irrigation. The total amount of moisture will be negligible and the impact of this project will be very minor. However, when all projects in the Coachella Valley are placed together, a moderate impact on the total moisture content in the Valley air might occur. Noise There will be two sources of noise and vibration which will be generated by the de- velopment: construction and habitation. With respect to construction, mitigating measures will be taken to minimize its effects by limiting construction to daytime and muffling vehicles. There still exists a moderate impact. However, it will be limited to the project site. Habitation will result in sounds associated with residential developments and, there- fore, acceptable in a residential area. Specific design measures have been incorporated to lessen the impact of noise from this source. Biological The existing landform supports little native vegetation. Almost all vegetation is exotic in nature. Development of this property will attract birds and other small insects be- cause the watering and landscaping will increase the food supply. Despite the displacement of some wildlife due to construction, this development's effect will be minimal because of the surrounding existing developments and the availability of desert areas to the north, east and west. —84— THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 4�u_� 684p0 MOONLIGHT DRIVE, C.ITHEDRAI CITY, CALIFORNIr1 94434 (714) 329.7427 Community Resources General Plan The subject site will be designed to meet all zoning and General Plan requirements. Park and Recreation Facilities The proposed development will indirectly affect the demand for recreation facilities. Although it will not provide these facilities for the general public, it will provide them for its residents. Ergo, the resultant demand for facilities will not increase because of these residents. As compared with a development which would not provide recreational facilities, this development is a benefit to the existing recreational plan. Traffic The development will generate additional traffic on Bob Hope Drive and Country Club Drive. Community Services The construction and habitation of the subject site will not require the addition of police officers if the present service requirements are maintained. No significant impact is expected on the school system due to the adult family nature of the project. The project is expected to contribute to all areas of community service including the County Free Library, County structural fire protection, road districts, school systems, cemetary district, hospital district, water districts and other miscellaneous —85— THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP azu�Vw 58a40 MOONLIGHT DRIVE. CATNEDRA� CITY, CAUiCRNIA 9443a to a 348-7441 services, such as physical and mental retardation and regional occupational programs. It will be a consumer of few, if any, of these resources. Economics Local Tax Base There will be primary impact on local tax revenues and a secondary impact through increased retail sales and visitor attraction. The assessed value of the completed project is estimated at $14,000,000, based on current development costs. This value would have produced $1,304,000 in tax reve- nue in 1976-1977 fiscal year. These are direct benefits to the tax revenue. There is an indirect benefit discussed in the section on the influence on the local economy in this study. On balance, it should be pointed out that the cumulative effect of increased develop- ment inevitably leads to the need for capital outlay for public service facilities such as increased sewage capacity and water facilities. However, the proposed development has been anticipated and provided for in the long range plans of these agencies. IV. ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS WHICH CANNOT BE AVOIDED IF THIS PROJ ECT IS IMPLEMENTD The project will add further urbanization of the area. There will be some loss of open space through construction. There might be some growth inducing impact; however, it will be slight and general in nature if it occurs at all. A major roadway will be opened which will provide some stimulus for additional growth. The project will generate construction and trucking noise. —86— DTHE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP �/ 68420 MOONLIGHT DRIVE, CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA 92234 17141328-7497 There will be some increased demand for utility services, which will place some in- creased pressure on the current revenue system. When viewed from a cumulative pers- pective of other projects and other demands, this could have a significant impact over the very long term. The fauna present on the site will be displaced by the construction of this project. V. MITIGATION MEASURES PROPOSED TO MINIMIZE THE IMPACTS Restrictions During Construction Noise Equipment and construction will be limited to daytime working hours. Mufflers will be required on all equipment. Certain additional restrictions may be necessary as the project progresses and new residents occupy the area: The proposed guidelines of the Riverside County Noise Control Regulations will be followed. Traffic Heavy vehicles; workmen and service transportation will be routed to the site from Highway 111 and Interstate 10 to avoid aggravation and inconvenience to the neighboring residences along the alternate routes. Dust The guidelines of the Riverside County Dust Control Ordinance will be followed. Grading operation will include wetting of soils and curtailment of operation during excessive weather conditions. —87— THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 69420 MOONLIGHT DRIVE. CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA 92934 r714) 328.7427 Sanitation Controlled disposal facilities will be provided during construction to meet ail standards for protection of. public health with the State Health Department Rules and Regulations. Archaeological Commitment for preservation of discovery of any evidence of early man in the form of artifacts shall be guaranteed by curtailing construction activities in the area and notifying the head of the Archaeological Research Unit of the University of California at Riverside. Visual Unsightly conditions along the exterior borders shall be restored as quickly as possible to lessen visual impact of new construction. Landscaping along exterior borders has a high priority level among new construction. Wildlife Construction will commence at centralized areas and expand outward, thus allowing animals to leave the activity center gradually. If prime nesting areas are observed, local wildlife authorities will be contacted. Services Advance notice will be given the supplier of fuels, energy, manpower, living require- ments and other goods in order to provide for advance planning. This includes major services such as energy, communications, transportation, water supply, sewage dis- posal, solid refuse collection, construction materials as well as the labor and trade unions. MIUM D THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 68440 MOONLIGHT ORIVE. GITHEDRAL CITY, CAUFORNIA 94434 �7�a1348.7447 Recreation Facilities Recreation facilities will be provided, operated and maintained exclusive of any ex- pense to the community or public. Adherance to Standards All building, planning, flood control and zoning codes will be followed to insure the highest standard of construction. This will minimize the effect of earthquakes, erosion and flooding. Also, architectural standards will guarantee not to give aesthetic offense to neighboring property owners. The enforcement of state and federal air quality standards will lessen the amount of air pollution caused by automobiles in the development. Wind Erosion Control System A wind erosion control system will be designed and implemented to protect the pro- posed development and the surrounding area. This system will be jointly designed by the project's landscape architect and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Con- servation Service. VI. ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT Five alternative concepts for this site were examined and evaluated: (1) A project with higher residential density with recreational facilities. (2) A project with a lower residential density, without recreational facilities. (3) A project with a lower residential density with recreational facilities. IIME D THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP \��% 684g0 MOONLIGHT DRIVE, UTHEDRAL CITY, CAUFORNIA 9443t 1714) 328.7427 (4) A project with recreational land use (5) No project, merely continuing present land use Higher Residential Density With Recreational Facilities This alternative could be a planned unit development which would be similar to the proposed project except that units would be clustered together. Since a higher density could be planned, the burden on public service would be increased. The adverse impact on the environment would not be decreased: This type of de- velopment conforms to the zoning for the area and is consistent with the land use around the golf course. Lower Residential Density Without Recreational Facilities Most of the benefits associated with the proposed project would be applicable to a lower density development without recreational facilities. Such a development would consist of single family homes on individual lots with public streets. Since a lower density could be planned, the burden on public services would be reduced and less congestion might result. The adverse impact on the environment would not be diminished. There would be an increase in the demand for such public facilities as recreation and schools. The. demand on the Public Works Department would rise substantially because the streets would be public. The total value of the homes would necessarily be less and would generate less tax revenue. There would be more people per dwelling unit and hence a reduced number of dwellings might not result in a reduction in total population. The marketability of such a development would be questionable. Many persons buy- ing in this area are retired or seeking a second home and professional maintenance is a major influence in purchasing. —90— THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP � Y 68490 MOONLIGHT DRIVE, CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA 99234 014) 328.7497 Lower Residensity With Recreational Facilities All the benefits of a single family residential development accrue to this type of development plus the benefits of a lesser population, less traffic, noise and burden on public services. However, market demand for such development is lukewarm. The same utilization pattern for public services would be manifested as with the previous alternative. Recreational Land Use Recreational land use would also affect the habitat because many of the animals can survive only in a native desert environment. Depending upon the nature of the rec- reational development, it could enhance the enjoyment of the residents of the area. In order to be economically feasible, a recreational theme attraction would have to be developed on the site. Such a theme attraction might have some of the character- istics of an amusement park but the site is generally too small for this type of de- velopment. The impact of such a development would be more significant than the proposed development. No Project No project is the lease severe of all alternatives but would require compensation for development rights, outright purchase or some other form of acquisition with recompense. VII. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LONG-TERM AND SHORT-TERM PRODUCTIVITY The short-term construction impacts are necessary to effect the proposed long-term use. —91 — D_� THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 68440 MOONLIGHT DaIVE, UTHfDRAI CITY, C.1LtfORNtn 94434 (714) 328.7427 VIII. IRREVERSIBLE AND IRRETRIEVABLE RESOURCE COMMITMENTS The resource which will be irreversibly committed on this project is the land. The land will be dedicated to this residential -recreation -oriented development. Other obvious resources are the building materials used in the construction process. IX. GROWTH INDUCING IMPACT OF THE PROPOSED ACTIONS The project will not directly stimulate growth in the area beyond the market's ability to absorb such growth. For reasons stated in previous sections of this report, it is not anticipated that subdivision growth will occur except in response to demonstrated demand. There will be some importation of additional utility resources for this project. . —92— THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP - \�� h8dQ0 MOONLIGHT DRIVE. CATHEDRAL CITY, CAUFORNIA 94434 ma 348-7447 APPENDIX AGENCY LETTERS -93- �D THE KENNETH PHILLIPS CROUP 68420 MOONLIGHT DRIVE, CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA 92234 (714) 328-7427 *015T ESTABLISHED IN 1918 AS A PUBLIC AGENCY COACHELLA VALLEY COUNTY WATER DISTRICT POST OFFICE BOX 1058 - COACHELLA, CALIFORNIA 92236 - TELEPHONE !7141 398-2651 DIRECTORS OFFICERS LEON KENNEDY, PRESIDENT LOWELL O: WEEKS, GENERAL MANAGER-CNIEF ENGINEER RAYMOND R. RUMMONOS. VICE-PRE9IDENt OLE J. NOROLAND, SECRETART GEORGE N LEACN WALTER R. WRIGHT, AUDITOR C i FROST REOW:NE AND SHERRILL. ATTORNEYS WILLIAM E. GARDNER January 31, 1977 File No. 04211 Riverside County Planning Commission 0721,1 4080 Lemon Street Riverside., California 92501 Re: Domestic Water and/or Sanitation Service For area described as West one half Located in Sec.32 , T S, R_E, S,B.BFbMF The information contained in the paragraph(s) checked below is/are applicable to the above described area. XX 1- The Coachella Valley County Water District, in accordance with the District's currently prevailing regulations will furnish these services to this area: I7IWaterSanitation XX 2. The area must be annexed to these Improvement Districts to obtain services: L7 Water I.D. No.16 s 70 II'Sanitation I.D. No 53 s 80 _ 3- Financial arrangements have been made with for the construction of these facilities: 111dater L-iSanitation 4. In accordance with the standard specifications of the District, constru.Ctiorl has been completed for the required facilities to furnish the following service(s) to this area: I`I.Water I1San i tat i on Services) will be supplied in accordance with the District's currently prevailing regulations governing such service(s). 5- The monthly sewer service charge will be $5.00 per lot. This is the pre- vailing charge throughout the District. 6. Other Ve ` tru'iy.youurs owe i 0. We s 8H.: vh Gene ar ) Manager -Chief Engineer cc: Mr. Erwin Shuman Riviera Hotel 94 — 1400 N. Indian Ave. Palm Springs, CA 92262 TEIE'vQnE 398 2211 I R wwaa • W E R D 1 V 1 5 1 O N I f C O A C H E L L A. CALIFORNIA 9 2 2 3 6 November 12, 1976 Mr. Irwin Shuman Riviera Hotel Palm Springs, California 92262 Dear Sir: Reference a telephone call this date from your Mr. Don Crabtree and your proposed development of the west one half of Section 32, Township Four South, Range Six East located approximately one mile east of Bob Hope Drive on the north side of Frank Sinatra Road. Please be advised that the above proposed development is within the service boundaries of the Imperial Irrigation District and electrical service would be available subject to approval of the project by the local governmental agency and subject to the rules and regulations of the Imperial Irrigation District governing line extensions. If you have any questions pertaining to the above please advise. Yours very truly A VERNON M. HAIR General Superintendent Coachella Section —95— November 9, 1976 Mr. Irwin S. Schuman Palm Springs Riviera Hotel 1600 North Indian Avenue Palm Springs, California 92262 Dear Irwin: This letter is to inform you that I will dedicate to the County of Riverside the necessary Right of Way for the extension of Frank Sinatra Drive. This extension of Frank Sinatra Drive along the northern boundary of my property is to be at no cost to myself. Kind regards, BOB HOPE BH/ dj m P,O. Bor. Z!:uj Palm. Desert, Califon-tta 922�O December 22, 1976 fdr, ErvLri Schuman, Ri.viera esot-t Hotel I600 Indian Ave Palm Springs, California Dear Ur. Schuman, At your requeat a test vlas made on your dee-p vim_ turbine ptup on December 229 1976. The caa.rges are as follows-, T,ell N0 1 125 Hp •Pulp 50.00 if I can be of further assistance to you please ebntact rte c:t 346-70"29. /Joe LT. T. ms iiyG1^aiili C Test:lc)? rz ,] :4 2 eAft —97— December 22, 1976 well NO.I i:Ir. Ervrin S churtaxn Riviera Resort I -I& -;el I60o Indian Ave Pa],m Springs, Calif o_ La Dear I:Ir. S chuaan, on Decerioer 22, I976, a test rraa made on your deep well t:lro=ile nLLMp. The following ilfornation <as obtained: Equipment Puap: Western No.' 2933 blot or: U.S. 140,I280327 125 Hp, 440 Vol tsy T50 .14%!)s I:Feter: D30-2o0 Test Results Discharge Pressure, Psi 13.E o.I Standing, "Dater Level, . t. c•3 Drawdovm, Ft. j0.0 Dischar; a tread, Ft. 24' 3.0 Puaping 1-: a ter Level-, F t. '�•o Total Head, Ft. _o GP I14.0 hirers Inches I15• 3 Gals per Ft. Drae;do:.n I-tzaped OuiS _ 4.))4 Acre: Ft. .Oper 24 99•3 Ii'ii Input to E'OtOr :h) Input t0 I;:ot0r.. 13ot cr Load in ;, 177 measured `need of ?=1-1) ''!Prl 3 P5 Y�;;:i per Acre Ft. 53,6 over-all. Platt EUiciency in If I c2 be of furt1^.er assistance to You please contact to t 346-7629. Sincerely, 1 i Joe PUMP TESTING CAN SAVE YOU MONEY JOB H. MUMS HYCRAULIC TESTMAN OVER 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE December 22, I9716 .. ell 7,01 I Mr. Ervin Scii :ciz Pl, icra Resort i'otel 2600 Ind'an we Palm SpT=i;;o, ialiforr:_ Dear ;ir. Ch.l�i1, I 1;oLlld lilce t0 C4lI rOC,.r attcnti on to t71.E 10 -) i Ori at L.ie CLT': C11£.1'� a oT t:1i8 n1l:p. ^Tills T3.0 psl is Lr..cticn Caused by a reduction irx the clischlar,;C 11i e =U:.1 ��1 (i 'ili; iC'1 CO ^i:. ].i1CI pipe. I= file pressu;,e 1Ta.s redaced�to zero IJbelieve this pir.,D viould Jr OiltlC3 ^�)i)rC 1:'.l^ted`T C o ir. 41;�' ^ ..c^s� it .. 1.. L. ..3. .. ..J.J jn. '.y J11 {�'lo •J{�e Vl�.�li yiicic' f O^ T1i.J tic roe_ Lb. Ot dr 2l':uOli 1� Ii 17ou in-�tel l cd n test pa:.lp nyid e1-._n�_nC I ^:1 co.-ifi_.deilt t.'_G �.'C:._ l�Oti C. produce r17.1c:1 more water. If you ::Eve anr mi ti ors plea^e Contact �e J6-76v. ' R MP TESTING CAN SAVE vOU MONEY JOE W. bIIDIS HYDRAULIC TESTMAN OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE Imm `iinccrCly, i �✓ Joe _Ydr- ilia TcCt lsn P.O. BOX 2163 PHONE f `o SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA J:flCOMPANY R. W. RIDDELL Eastern Division Distribution Planning Supervisor - .April 25, 1977 Mr. Erwin Shuman Rivera Hotel 1400 N. Indian Ave. Palm Springs, California 92262 State of California Department of Real Estate 107 South Broadway, Room 8136' Los Angeles, California 90012 3700 CENTRAL AVENUE • RIVERSIDE. CALIFORNIA Mailing Address P. 0. BOX 2M. RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA 9M West _91 Sec. 32, T4S, R6E Re: Tract/PM - SB.B & M Area - Palm Desert Location of Nearest Gas Plain - Desert Greens Dr. @ North Fork Dr. This letter is not to be interpreted as a contractual commitment to serve the proposed project; but only as an information service. Its intent is to actify you flint the Southern California Gas Company has facilities in, the area Gihcre the above named project is proposed. Gas service to the project cart be pro- - vlded without any significant impact on the environment. The service would be in accordance with the Cou:pany's policies and extension rules on file with the California Public Utilities Commission at the time contractual arraaements 4 rs :aide. The availability of natural gas service, as set forth in this letter, is basttd' upon present conditions of gar, supply and regulatory policies. Its a public u:il.ity, the Southern California Gas Company is under the jurisdiction of the Califotnia Public . Utilities Commission. 'We can also be affected by actions Ds federal regu'.atu+y aggrcies. Shouid these ngencies take any action which affccts gas supply or the condition under which service 'is available, gas service will be provided in accordance with revised conditions. We have deve101:nd several programs which are available, upon request., to provide assistance in selecting the moat effective applications of energy conservation techniques for a.particular project. If 'you d-2sire further information on any of our energy conservation programs, please contact our Area Market Services t•Lrnnger, A. Clausen, P.O. Box 2200, Riverside, California, 92506, phone (114) 781-6131. The estimated cost to ia= end our existing gas facilities to serve the most remote lot within this subdivision is ' 5.280' @ $3.80 per ft. _ _ and to serve the nearest lot 400' @ t .80 Der ft. Since cost, are subject to change and the customer might qualify for free footage allowances tinder the provisions of cur extension rules, specific costs may differ at the tlac.: gas fitci.l:ities art! installed. R. W. Riddell Distribution Planning Supervisor DESCRIPTION OF INDIO SUBAREA OF COACHELLA SUBUNIT OF WHITEWATER HYDRO UNIT -100- THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 68420 MOONLIGHT DRIVE, CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA 92234 (714) 328-7427 I c IpLT WIL CONTOUR DATA F1 AAR 91, UVD w Y.IN AV 1l.f .VM."m m % mNIOURS RLLDY YEW Y1 LEAL W 5451 NMAXI) AS .NUS Y+N Mn Rr DYR. MLp COACHELLA SUBUNIT OF 11f1/1TEWATER HYDROLOGIC UNIT and GROUND WATER CONTOUR LEVELS of the valley floor is underlain by coarse alluvial fans of Recent age. To the southeast, Recent deposits are con- fined to stream channels cut into the Mecca Hills. Information on groundwater occurrence in this subarea is very sparse. Recent investigations indicate only two active wells, pumping water for domestic and irrigation use. Indicated groundwater movement from the northwest- erly portion of the valley floor is southwesterly, and the groundwater is probably unconfined. Thousand Palms Subarea This subarea extends from the watershed ridge of Indio Hills - Edom Hill, southwesterly for a distance of about three miles, to a southwest boundary in the valley floor which is determined by tracing the limit of destructive groundwater chemical characteristics. water in the Thousand Palms Subarea is sulfate -bicarbonate in character whereas water in the Indio Subarea is bicarbonate in character. The water quality differences suggest that recharge td the Thousand Palms Subarea comes primarily from the Indio Hills and is limited in supply. The relatively sharp boundary between chemical characteristics of the groundwaters on either side of the boundary suggest that there is little intermixing of groundwater between these areas. Indio Subarea This subarea comprises the major portion of the floor of Coachella Valley, and has the greatest quantity of avail- able water in the entire unit. The subarea extends from the east boundary of San Gorgonio Pass, southeasterly about 46 miles to Salton Sea. Approximately half of the subarea is contained within the non -water -bearing San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mountains. The most easterly por- tion on the subarea contains the Mecca Hills, and a southerly portion contains the Oasis Piedmont Slope. Both of these latter hills are composed of conglomerate water -bearing materials of generally moderate permeabili- ty. The remainder of the subarea is essentially valley floor, and constitutes the groundwater storage basin. The Indio Subarea's valley floor may be divided into three zones, viz: forebay-recharge area, Central Plain, and Pressure area. - 101 - The forebav-recharge zone is the northernmost of these divisions, and extends southerly to just south of Cathe- dral City. The major sources of recharge include infiltra- tion of stream runoff from San Jacinto Mountains and Whitewater River, and surface inflow from San Gorgonio Pass. The Valley fill materials within this area are essentially heterogenous alluvial fan deposits exhibiting little sorting, and with little content of fine-grained material. The thickness of these water -bearing materials appears to exceed 1000 feet. Depth to water ranges from 100 feet near Cathedral City to over 500 feet at the northwesterly boundary. The Central Plain extends from the southerly limits of Cathedral City southeastward to approximately the Coachel- la Canal's crossing of the valley floor. The broad allu- vial fans of Palm Desert and La Quinta penetrate far northeasterly and easterly into this plain. These fans contain unconfined, or free water conditions. Valley ma- terials range from wind-blown coarse sands at the north- westerly boundary to fine sand in the vicinity of Coachel- la Canal crossing. Groundwater of the forebay-recharge area moves southeastward into the interbedded sands where the predominant permeabilities are parallel to the bedding of the deposits. Depths to groundwater generally range less than 100 feet, and are about 50 feet in the vicinity of the Coachella Canal crossing. The Pressure zone extends from the Coachella Canal's val- ley crossing southeastward to Salton Sea. Valley mater- ials vary from fine sands at Coachella Canal to silts and clays near Salton Sea. A predominant feature of this zone is the presence of two aquifers separated by a depth of finer -grained aquatard materials. Waters in the lower aquifer are under pressure, such that a few artesian wells are flowing in the southeast portion. The lower aquifer is the most important source of ground- water in Coachella Subunit. Depth to the top of this aquifer ranges from 300 to 600 feet. The thickness of the zone ranges from at least 500 feet to over 1000 feet. The aquatard overlying the lower aquifer is generally 100 to 200 feet thick, although in some areas on the periphery of Salton Sea it is in excess of 500 feet in thickness. In the area of Coachella Canal crossing the aquatard is apparently lacking, and no distinction is made between.upper and lower aquifers. -102- The upper aquifer is about 100 to 300 feet thick; and since it is relatively impermeable, subsurface inflow into it is less than that into the lower aquifer. As water levels in the forebay-recharge area continue to drop, the cross -sectional area available for recharge from this source is reduced. Capping the upper aquifer is a shallow fine-grained layer in which semiperched groundwater is present. This sur- ficial layer consists of Recent silts, clays, and fine sands and is relatively persistent southeast of Indio. It ranges from zero to 100 feet thick, and is generally an effective barrier to deep infiltration. However, north and west of Indio, the layer is composed mainly of clayey sands and silts, and its effect in retarding deep percola- tion is limited. Water in this layer is maintained essentially by imported irrigation water, some of which is applied to control salt balance in the soil. Drain- age of at least the top 6-foot portion of this zone is encouraged via a comprehensive drainage system which dis- charges to Salton Sea. The Oasis Piedmont slope straddling the Riverside -San Diego County boundary along the east slope of the Santa Rosa Mountains contains water -bearing materials under- lying highly permeable fan deposits. Groundwater data suggests that the boundary between this slope and the aforementioned pressure zonf- is formed by a buried fault extending from Travertine Rock to the community of Oasis. The remainder of the boundary is a lithologic change from the coarse sand deposits of the Slope to the interbedded sands, gravels, and silts. The water -bearing materials are estimated to be in excess of 1000 feet thick. Very few wells exist on this slope. The limited hydro- logic data indicates that a source of recharge is from the aquifers of said pressure zone. Surface runoff from Santa Rosa Mountains also contributes to recharge. Move- ment of groundwater in the slope is considered small. Depth to water ranges from near ground surface along the pressure zone boundary to over 160 feet at water well No. 6S-GE-31R1. Existing Waste Discharges Sewage Table 1 summarizes the existing community sewerage facilities in the Whitewater Hydro Unit as of April 1, 1971; and the - 103 - BIBLIOGRAPHY LIMP] INTERVIEW LIST -104- THE KENNETH PHILLIPS CROUP Azu��, 68440 MOONLIGHT DRIVE. C.ITHEDRAI CITY, CAUFORNIA 94434 O'l4� 348.7i47 BIBLIOGRAPHY California, State of "Environmental Quality Act" "Assembly Bill No. 1301, Chapte 1446" Code, Title 4, Register 70, Number 48, Subchapter 6, "Noise Standards" California Department of Water Resources Bulletin No. 108, "Coachella Valley Investigation," July,1964 Bulletin No. 116-2 "Crustal Strain and Fault Movement Investigation" Bulletin No. 132-71, "The California State Water Project in 1971 " California Division of Highways Materials Research Department, Ca-HWY-MR 6570825, "Air Quality Manual, Motor Vehicle Emission Factor for Estimates of Highway Impacts on Air Quality," April 1973. "1971 Traffic Volumes on the California State Highway System" California Division of Mines and Geology "California Geologic Map, Santa Ana Sheet," 1965. California State Controller "Financial Transactions Concerning Cities of California, 1970-1971 " California Water Resources Control Board "Water Quality Control Plan (Interim) West Colorado River Basin," June, 1971. Coachella Valley Association of Governments "Blowsand Control and Protection Plan, Draft," March, 1977. Coachella Valley Soil Conservation District "Coachella Valley Wind Erosion Problem," December, 1967. Coachella Valley County Water District "Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan," March, 1967. Commercial Atals and Marketing Guide, Rand McNally "Sales Data for Counties," 1973 Costello, David "The Desert World," Thomas Y. Crowell Co., New York, NY 1972. Drucker, Peter F. "The Age of Discontinuity," Harper & Row, Publishers, New York, NY, 1969 —105— [3� THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP - 9\ \J 684p0 MOONLIGHT DRIVE. CATHEDRAL C{TY, CAUfORPdA 94434 Vtu 348.7447 Herman, Harold and McKay, Mary Elizabeth: U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Community Health Services, "Environmental Health Services and Programs," 1968. Jaegar, Edmund "Natural History of Southern California," University of California Press, Los Angeles, California, 1966. "The North American Deserts," Stanford University Press, Palo Alto, Calif- ornia, 1957. Jones and Stokes "Final Environmental Impact Report On Utilizing Colorado River Water To Recharge Upper Coachella Valley Groundwater Basins," June, 1973. Kahn, Herman "The Year 2000," The MacMillan Company, New York, NY, 1967. Larson, Peggy "Deserts of America," Prentice -Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NY,1970- Leopold, Luna B., et. al. "A Procedure for Evaluating Environmental Impact," Geological Survey No. 645, U.S.G.S. Mockel, H.R., "Mockel's Desert Flower Notebook," Twentyine Palms, California, 1971. Palm Springs Desert Museum "Birds, Mammals and Reptiles of the Living Desert Reserve," May, 1971. Riverside, County of Air Pollution Control "Stationary Sources, Transportation Sources," January, 1971. "Air Monitoring Report," 1970. Planning Department Interim Guidelines for Preparation of Environmental Impact Reports," October, 1972 "Cove. Communities Preliminary General Plan," October, 1971. Zoning Ordinance No. 348. Romero, John B. "The Botanical Lore of the California Indians," Vantage Press, Inc., New York, NY, 1954. Schaldack, William J. "Path to Enchantment — An Artist in the Sonoran Desert," The MacMillan Company, New York, NY, 1963. —106— THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP �� 5as40 MOONLIGHT DRIVE, CATHEDRAL GTY, CAUFORNIA 04434 �71s1 348-7s47 Strong, William Duncan "Aboriginal Society in Southern California," Malki Museum Press, Morongo Indian Reservation, Banning, California, 1972. Toffler, Alvin "Future Shock," Bantam Book, New York, NY, 1971. Urbanomics Research Associates Palm Springs Economic Review, "Environment, Ecology and Economic De- velopment in the 1970's", June; 1970 Palm Springs Economic Review, "The Economic Impact of the Visitor and Permanent Resident of the Palm Springs Economy," December, 1970. United States Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Volume No. 76, "Climatological Data, 1970" INTERVIEWS Imperial Irrigation District, Mr. Vernon M. Hair, General Superintendent, Coachella, California. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, Mr. Norman Elam, District Conservationist, Indio, California Southern California Gas Company, Mr. John Thalis, Market Services, Palm Springs,. California. California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Colorado River Basin Region, Wil- burn C. Ponder, Senior Engineer. Coachella Valley County Water District, Mr. Bruce K. Clark, Sanitation Engineer, Coachella, California Coachella Valley County Water District, Mr. Dalve V. Bohnenberger, Urban Water Engineering, Coachella, California. Coachella Valley County Water District, Mr. Ole J. Nordland, Secretary, Coachella, California Coachella Valley County Water District, Mr. Kirby Hester, Administrative Engineer, Coachella, California —107— THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP �`�—,��/ 68a40 MOONLIGHT DRIVE, C.ITHEDRAL CITY, C/�UFORNIA 9443a 0141 328-7447 Coachella Valley Association of Governments, Mr. Steven Birbeck, Palm Desert, California Desert Sands Unified School District, Mr. Roger Harlow, Palm Desert, California Palm Springs Unified School District, Keith Willis, Palm Springs, California Riverside County Road Department, Mr. B. Douglas Powell, Commissioner, River- side, California Riverside County Road Department, Mr. Paul Stout, Administrative Engineer,. Riverside, California Palm Desert Disposal, Customer Services, Cathedral City, California Mr. Thomas McCabee, Herpetologist, Indio, California. Riverside County Tax Assessor, Palm Springs and Indio, California. �D THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 68420 .MOONLIGHT DRIVE, CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA 92234 U141328.7427 THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP -109- THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP &us� 69ap0 MOONLIGHT DRIVE. UTMEDRAL CITY, ULIFCRNIA 9443a i71 a! 348.7ap7 SCOPE The Kenneth Phillips Group has conducted many studies concerning the feasibility of developing projects in Southern California, with particular emphasis on the Palm Springs -Palm Desert area. In addition to planning and analysis, the company has developed a copyrighted procedural outline for preparing environmental impact assessment reports. The Kenneth Phillips Group prepared land development plans for over $200 million worth of projects, including condominiums, theme attractions, shopping centers, single and multiple -family homes and apartments, mobile home parks, recreational vehicle parks, country clubs and golf courses. The land planning concept used to prepare projects includes land use programs, design factors, environmental factors, zoning factors.and general and special plan compliance. Additionally, market feasibility and economic forecasts are integrated with the planning. The company has also developed many environmental impact assessment studies for major projects. The environmental impact studies have been carried out by developing a pre -planning system with appropriate agencies. It is this pre -planning sequence which puts the de- veloper into direct contact with planners from all utilities, including sewer, water, electricity, phone, gas and solid waste disposal. This process helps the developer to gain insight into the project's impact and what the developer will be required to do to mitigate the impacts. During the pre -planning steps, the Kenneth Phillips Group routinely includes examination of circulation, fire and fireflow requirements, archaeology, biology, seismic, flood control, water systems and reclamation, schools, taxes and public services. Ancillary Professional Relationships The Kenneth Phillips Group works on the Harvard Business School concept as an —110— THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP auzsoe 68s40 MOONLIGHT DRIVE, C.ITHEDRAI CITY, C�UfORNIA 9443a Uta 348-IJ47 interdependent group of independent professionals. It has working agreements with public and private institutions in geology, geophysics, planetary physics, biology, anthropology, archaeology and city planning. In addition, it has working -relation- ships with specialty firms representing such specific study areas as trade, market and economic area analysis. CURRICULUM VITA Mr. Kenneth W. Phillips received a Bachelor of Education degree from Chicago Teachers College, studied Business Administration at Northwestern University and completed three years of post -graduate study at the University of Chicago, Institute for Continu- ing Education. He is a graduate of the Naval School of International Communications and is honorably discharged from the United States Navy, Naval Security Group. Mr. Phillips has a varied background in market research, general planning and finance. He has completed land planning, market and economic feasibility and environmental impact reports on many projects in Southern California. These included studies on condominiums, theme attractions, apartments, tennis clubs, office buildings, golf courses, mobile home parks, a condominium hotel, professional office condominiums, shopping centers, apartment conversion to condominiums, motels, country clubs and subdivisions. In the role of financial manager, he investigated application of funds to recreational land development for capital appreciation and further tax -sheltering possibilities. As president of a computer software firm, Mr. Phillips was responsible for general administration and finance. He developed private placements including original corpor- ate financing with venture capital for common stock. He developed a capital stock offering to a large insurance company which was purchased. He has consulted with state, regional and federal securities exchange commissioners on development of debenture prospectuses. Mr. Phillips, as vice president of a national prepaid insurance association, developed —111 — D THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP �� 69440 MOONLIGHT DRIVE. GITHEDRAI. CITY, CAUTORNIn 9R434 ntu 348.7447 the market research and feasbility for national participation of voluntary health carriers in a major government medical care program. As assistant director with a national medical association. Mr. Phillips wrote the long- range plan for participation in area -wide facilities and services planning. He developed guidelines for area -wide planning. Mr. Phillips has published articles in major trade and professional journals in the fields of real estate, banking, health care, insurance, data processing and education. He authored two books on area -wide planning. The following is a partial list of projects completed by The Kenneth Phillips Group. �D — 112 — THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 68420 MOONLIGHT DRIVE, CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA 92234 1714) 328-7427 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORTS Cathedral Canyon Country Club An environmental impact assessment report of a residential -recreational complex in- volving a private country club, 18-hole championship golf course, nine -hole executive golf course, 808 condominium homes, 272 mobile home sites, 276 apartment units and 574 hotel units on 360.8 acres in Palm Springs, unincorporated Riverside County, California. Sunrise Vista Plaza An environmental impact assessment for development of.a neighborhood shopping center on 10 acres in Palm Springs, California. Pueblos De Las Missionbelle An environmental impact assessment for a 90 unit condominium subdivision in un- incorporated Riverside County. Sun -King Mobile Home Country Club An environmental impact assessment for development of a 3944ot mobile home sub- division addition to a 285-lot recreational -residential mobile home subdivision and golf course on 80.13 acres in Palm Desert, unincorporated Riverside County. (This project has since annexed to Palm Desert.) Andreas Spa -Condo An environmental impact assessment report for development of a 75-unit condomin- ium complex in Palm Springs, California. Presidio Del Mar An environmental impact report on the San Dieguito Basin for development of 400 condominiums, 15 private homesites, a planned commercial development, a tennis club and equestrian facilities in the cities of San Diego and Del Mar, California. Los Pueblos An environmental impact assessment for development of 96 condominiums and an environmental lake system adjacent to the fourth fairway of the Palm Springs Munici- pal Golf Course. Foothill Estates Mobile Home Park An environmental impact assessment for development of a 102-space mobile home park with recreational facilities in unincorporated Riverside County, near Palm Springs, California. Travel -Aire Park An environmental impact assessment report on the addition of spaces to an existing recreational vehicle park in unincorporated Riverside County near Indio, California. —113— D— THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP A1 � 68t40 MOONLIGHT DRIVE. CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA 94434 �714i 348.7a47 Hacienda del Sol An environmental impact assessment for development of a 98 unit garden apartment complex containing 10 buildings, in Palm Springs, California. Schuman Properties An environmental assessment for the development of 960 condominiums in residential -recreational complex in unincorporated Riverside County. — 114 — THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 68420 MOONLIGHT DRIVE, CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA 92934 010 328.7427 LAND PLANNING PROJECTS Orange Tree A land planning market and economic feasibility study for development of a theme attraction on 33 acres at the intersection of Interstate 10 and California Street in Red- lands, California. Theme center contains the new San Bernardino County Museum, two service stations, coffee shop, twin cinema theaters, 84-room motor hotel, restaurant, offices, I novelty stores and a historical village recreating turn -of -the -century Red- lands. Sherwood Village A market feasibility and comparable study on converting Sherwood Village Apart- ments into condominiums in Redlands, California. University Apartments A land plan and market study for developing 96 apartment units near the University of Redlands, Redlands, California. Lincoln Rnaches A land plan and market feasibility and comparable study for developing 156 Van-R Cluster condominiums in Redlands, California. Highland Acres A land plan and market study for development of 14 Van-R Cluster condominiums in a planned residential development in Redlands, California. Town and Country Mobile Home Park Evaluation of development potentials and market evaluation for a 40 acre property in Palm Springs, California, as a 237-site mobile home park. Aquarius Condotel A land plan and market and economic feasibility study for the development of a 128- unit condotel and restaurant at the corner of Sunrise and East Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs, California. North Shore Mobile Country Club A land plan and market and economic feasibility study for development of a 285 acre property as a 1,300-lot mobile home subdivision and nine -hole golf courase, North Shore, Salton Sea, California. Red Carpet Motor Hotel A land plan and market feasibility study for construction of a 1 64-unit motor hotel in Palm Springs, California. El Dorado Racquet Club A land plan, market and economic feasibility study for developing 90 condominiums and a tennis club on 26 acres in Indian Wells, California. — 115 — �D( THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP �_\ �� 68440 MOONLIGHT DRIVE, CATHEDRAL CITY, ULIiORNl,1 94434 niu 348N47 Park West Indio A land plan and market study for developing 44 acres as 156 condominiums, 270 apartments and 78 professional office condominiums in Indio, California. Hemet Apartments Evaluation of the market potential for development of a 12 acre executive golf course and driving range into an apartment recreational complex in Hemet, California. Wonder Palms Market and economic evaluation of a 10 acre commercial property as a community 1hopping center on Highway 111 in the country club area adjacent to Cathedral City, California. Villa Mesa Grande A land plan and market feasibility study for developing 10.96 acres as a 96 unit con- dominium complex in Calimesa, California. Palms and Sands A market and economic feasibility study for development of a seven acre improved parcel into a recreation oriented 48 unit planned development near Cathedral City, California. Rialto Real Apartments An appraisal and comparable study on converting Rialto Real Apartments to condo- miniums, Rialto, California. Ralston Arms Apartments An appraisal and comparable study on converting Ralston Arms Apartments to con- dominiums, San Bernardino, California. Tyler Business Plaza A land plan and market and economic feasibility study for the development of an industrial business plaza on 9.2 acres of MP land in the City of Riverside, California. This business plaza will contain 11 combination industrial/office buildings and a four -building, two-story office complex. —116— THE KENNETH PHILLIPS GROUP 68420 MOONLIGHT DRIVE, CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA 92234 (714) 328.7427 PLANNING MATTERS: (Other Planning items may be listed on Consent Calendar.) 4.1 ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 348.1652 relating to zoning. 4.2 CHANGE OF ZONE CASE NO. 2374 - West Coast Investment Company - Pedley District: Board Decision on a change of zone from W-2 and R-2A to R-A. (Continued from 6-13-78) 4.3 Recomm. on the area wide policy alternatives for Water Quality Management, SCAG 208 Program. PERSONNEL MATTERS: 5.1 HEALTH: Recomm. for approval of additional employment. 5.2 HEALTH: Request authorization to compensate at advanced step Licensed Psychiatric Technician. 5.3 HOSPITAL: Request authorization to employ Assistant Head Horse on advanced step. 5.4 PERSONNEL: Recomm. regarding several proposed positions for the newly department, Comprehensive Health Plan. 5.5 PERSONNEL: Recomm. regarding classification of proposed position of Senior Plan Checker for the Building and Safety Department. 5.6 ROAD: Recomm. for approval of reinstatement of accrued sick leave and hours of Equipment Operator II. 5.7 SHERIFF: Request authorization for continuation of one (1) Sheriff's Investigator presently scheduled for termination. 6.1 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE: Proposed Budget for County of Riverside - 1978-1979 Fiscal Year and recommendations. 6.2 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE: Recomm, concerning adequate physical therapists for the Katherine Finchy Orthopedic Unit in Palm Springs. 6.3 AIRPORTS: Recomm. for approval of three (3) leases with FAA for small parcels of land on the Blythe and Thermal Airports. 6.4 AIRPORTS: Race=. approval of lease between Merwyn R. 6 Ella M. Emmett and County at Blythe Airport. 6.5 AIRPORTS: Become. concerning flight operations at/from Morton Air Academy property 6 miles northwest of Blythe. 6.6 AGING: Reco=. for approval of amendment to Agreement for Hispanic Research Services with Dr. Alfredo Miranda. 6.7 AGING: Recommit. for approval of amendment to current Title III Agreement for Older Americans Funds with Experience, Inc. of Palm Springs. 6.8 AUTOMOTIVE SUPERINTENDENT: Race=. for approval of vehicle service agreement -Air Quality Management District. 6.9 BUILDINGS 6 GROUNDS: Request authorization to cancel lease for District Attorney Offices located at 4075 Main Street, Riverside. 6.10 BUILDING AND SAFETY: Report concerning ad hoc committee to analyze and study proposal on regulating dams and reservoirs. 6.11 DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT: Request approval of the Riverside County 1978-79 Annual Overall Economic Development Program. 6.12 DISTRICT ATTORNEY: Request authorization to send Investigator to Fire Investigation III Course at Pacific Grove, June 26 to 30, 1978, MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS: continued 6.13 FERN VALLEY WATER DISTRICT: Letter on estimate of Fern Valley Water District of amount of money required to be raised by assessment for fiscal year 1978-79. 6.14 HEALTH: Request for transfer of funds within Comprehensive Health Plan Budget 0415, and authorization to purchase additional equipment. 6.15 HEALTH: Request approval to increase appropriations to Health - Humane Society -Kennels budget. 6.16 HEALTH: Request approval to submit a proposal to the National Center for Health Services Research to develop and review and evaluation system for county -level health program planning. 6.17 HEALTH: Request authorization to approve in principle the lease negotiations for Children's Therapeutic Group Homes Program, Woodcrest. 6.18 MUNICIPAL COURT: Request concerning parking privileges in those areas adjacent to the County Administrative Center in Indio. 6.19 PARKS: Request approval of Sale of Property within Joshua Tree National Monument to the National Park Service. 6.20 Letter from Parkview Community Hospital concerning coat per Emergency Room case at Riverside General Hospital, and etc. 6.21 SUPERVISOR YOUNGLOVE: Request to permit the establishment of charges for services provided by CSA 93. 6.22 ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT - FIFTH DISTRICT: Recomm. for authorization to advertise for bids for improvements to Sunnymead Park, CSA 93. 9:55 to 10:00 RECESS 10:00 A.M. HOUSING AUTHORITY - Request for continuance of regular meeting to Tuesday, June�l7-iglu. 10:00 a.m. (continued) FLOOD CONTROL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT: 7.1 COUNTY COUNSEL: ReCOmm. concerning amendment to the Rules Implementing the CEQA for the District. CONSIDERATION OF TENTATIVE SUBDIVISION MATTERS: 8.1 TRACT NO. 10408 - Revised No. 1 - Roy L. Nelson - Rubidoux area - Second District: Recomm. approval of Planning Commission for 94 lots, 26 acres - R-1 zone - Schedule A subdivision. 8.2a PLANNING: Recomm. for development standards for the North Perris Study Area. 8.2b TRACT NO. 10193, Amended No. 2 - Howard R. Pooley - North Perris area - Fifth District: Further consideration on recommendation of approval of 76 lots, 57 acres, R-R zone, Schedule B subdiv. 8.3 Hearing on Intention to form an Adult Day Health Planning Council. 10:30 A.M. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE ON ANY MATTER: (Note: If you wish to speak regarding a particular item on this agenda you may give your name and the item number to the Clerk.) 10.1 JUNE 20, 1978 - Page 3 JUNE 20, 1978 - Page 4 11:00 a.m. SPECIAL HEARINGS: 11.1 Presentation of the County Corrections Committee's Correctional Facilities Program. CONSENT CALENDAR: continued 2.17 AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION: Recomm. for approval of Commissioner's Salary Agreement with the State. (APPROVE) 1:30 P.M. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1.1 CHANGE OF ZONE CASE NO. 2162 - Irwin Schuman - Cathedral City -Palm Desert District - Fourth District: Further hearing on application for zone change from W-2-20 to R-1-12,000 (continued from 4-18-78) and Report of Monterey Avenue from Road. 1.2 ORDINANCE NO, 449.132: Consideration for extension of time on interim zoning in the University zoning District. 1.3 ORDINANCE NO. 449.129: Consideration for extension of time on Interim zoning in the South Hemet zoning District. 2.18 AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER: Monthly report for May, 1978. (FILE) 2.19 AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER: Request approval for the 1978-79 FY Camelthorn Agreement between the County and State. (APPROVE) 2.20 DATA PROCESSING DEPARTMENT: Report on overtime in excess of 40 hours. (FILE) 2.21 HEALTH: Request authorisation to send Communicable Disease Specialist to attend a Syphillis Epidemiology III conference in Los Angeles, June 26-28, 1978. (APPROVE) 2.22 REGISTRAR OF VOTERS: Results of election held June 6, 1978 in the Riverside Community College District. (ACCEPT AND FILE) 2.23 ROAD: Request concerning abandonment of Villa Vista Avenue in the Second District. (REFER TO PLANNING) 2.24 ROAD: Recomm. for acceptance of right of way deed for E. 6th. Street, Corona area. (APPROVE) 2.25 ROAD: Recomm. adoption of Resolution No. 78-186 declaring Sixth Street no longer a county highway in the Banning and Beaumont area. (ADOPT) 2.26 REGISTRAR OF VOTERS: Recomm. for approval of School District Election Billings. (APPROVE) 2.27 ROAD: Recomm. for adoption of Resolution No. 78-190 giving notice of intention to change the name of Wonder Palms Road to Frank Sinatra Drive and setting a hearing. (ADOPT RESOL. NO. 78-190) 2.28 TRACT NO. 9846-1 in the City of Indian Wells: Recomm. for approval of tax bond. (APPROVE) 2.29 ASSESSOR: Letter from Dana A. Fisher on claim for refund of property taxes. (APPROVE) ROAD MATTERS: (Other Road items may be listed on Consent Calendar.) 3.1 Recomm. for approval to declare miscellaneous parts surplus. 3.2 Recomm. authorization for the payment of two trees from Road Department right of way account. 3.3 Recomm. approval of Newport Road Right of Way Certification in the Third District. 3.4 Recomm. concerning proposal of Century Research, Inc. for Waste Resource Recovery Demonstration Project. 3.5 Recomm, concerning extension of Chalon Road and removal of barrier strip in the Lake Mathews area. 3.6 Recomm. concerning letter from the City of Indio regarding Sunday closure of Indio Sanitary Land Fill. 3.7 Recomm. of Advisory Traffic Committee on reduced speed zones in the Lake Elsinore and Glen Avon Areas. JUNE 20, 1978 - Page 5 JUNE 20, 1978 - Page 2 AGENDA TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 1978 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS - COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE 14th Floor - County Administrative Center 4080 Lemon Street, Riverside, California (Clerk 787-2717) 9.00 a.m. Invocation by Reverend Carl Rea, Faith Baptist Church. Pledge of allegiance to the flag. CONSENT CALENDAR: (The Board of Supervisors may act on the Consent Calendar items in a block with a single vote and without discussion.) 2.1 Petitions for correction/cancellation of assessments and/or taxes. (APPROVE) 2.2 Claims for allowance. (APPROVE) 2.3 Affidavits of proof of publication of ordinances. (FILE) 2.4 RESOLUTION NO. 78-196: Notice of Intention to abandon unnamed alleys in the Murrieta Area, R-833. (ADOPT) 2.5 RESOLUTION NO. 78-198. Notice of Intention to abandon unnamed alleys in the El Cerritos, R-796A. (ADOPT) 2.6 RESOLUTION NO. 78-200: Notice of Intention to abandon unnamed alleys in the Glen Avon District, R-847. (ADOPT) 2.7 RESOLUTION NO. 78-202: Notice of Intention to abandon unnamed alleys in the Perris Area, R-834. (ADOPT) 2.8 RESOLUTION NO. 78-192: Notice of Intention to abandon unnamed alleys in the East Palm Springs, R-841. (ADOPT) 2.9 RESOLUTION NO. 78-214: Amending Resolution No. 73-140 and Resolution No. 75-40 establishing Advisory Committee for County Service Area No. 93 in the Moreno Valley Area and recomm. for approval of alternate members. (ADOPT s APPOINT) 2.10 SUPERVISOR RECORD: Request for preparation of Distinguished Service Award for Board of Trustees of the Perris Valley Cemetery District. (APPROVE) 2.11 SUPERVISOR RECORD: Recomm. to accept resignation of Trustee to Banning-Cabazon Cemetery District and appointments. (APPROVE) 2.12 SUPERVISOR RECORD: Request concerning preparation of Distinguished Service Award for County Housing Authority member. (APPROVE) 2.13 SUPERVISOR SCHROEDER: Recomm. reappointments to the Park Advisory Commission. (APPROVE) 2.14 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE: Recomm. for approval on extension of agreement with Office of Emergency Services for Temporary Transfer of Vehicle. (APPROVE) 2.15 ADVISORY TRAFFIC COMMITTEE: Recomm. on no parking zones in the Hemet and Glen Avon Areas, 2nd 6 3rd Districts. (ADOPT RESOL. NO. 413-133) 2.16 ADVISORY TRAFFIC COMMITTEE% Recomm. concerning various roads in the Idyllwild area. (FILE) JUNE 20, 1978 AGENDA TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 1978 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS - COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE 14th Floor - County Administrative Center 4080 Lemon Street, Riverside, California (Clerk 787-2717) PUBLIC NOTE: If you wish to speak on a particular agenda item please give your name and agenda number to the Board's Clerk. 2.37 SHERIFF: Report on overtime worked in excess of 16 hours limitation. (FILE) 2.38 SHAPIRO, JIM: Letter regarding assessments on parcel heard before the Assessment Appeals Board. (REFER TO CO. COUNSEL FOR REPORT) 2.39 TRACT NO. 11202 - City of Rancho Mirage: Recomm. to accept Instrument of Credit for security for payment of taxes. (ACCEPT) 2.40 TRACT NO. 9377-2 - in the City of Palm Desert: RCCOmm. to accept Tax Bond. (ACCEPT) 2.41 TREASURER/TAX COLLECTOR: Treasurer's statement of County 6 School funds as of March 31, 1978. (FILE) 2.42 VAL VERDE SCHOOL DISTRICT BOND SALE: Resolution setting sale for $33,000 election 1963, Series B on May 30, 1978. (ADOPT) 2.43 VAL VERDE SCHOOL DISTRICT BOND SALE: Resolution setting sale for $330,000 election 1974, Series B on May 30, 1978. (ADOPT) 2.44 REGISTRAR OF VOTERS: Resol. 78-121 declaring elected candidates for Central Committee. (ADOPT) ROAD MATTERS: (other road items may be listed on Consent Calendar) 3.1 PROPOSED AMEND. TO ORD. NO. 348: Race=. concerning amendments to the land use ordinance. 3.2 ORD. NO. 499: Race=. regarding proposed change to fee schedule. 3.3 SPEED ZONE - LOCUST STREET: Recomm. concerning speed zone in the Sunnymead area. (Continued from March 14, 1978) 3.4 SKYLINE DRIVE: Reconm. on closing Skyline Drive, Riverside/Orange County Line and Corona City Limits in the First District. 3.5 SUPERVISOR YOUKGLOVE: Request concerning realignment of Gavilan Road in Harford Springs area. 3.6 THIRD STREET ABANDONMENT: Race=. concerning petition from residents for abandonment of Third Street in the Cathedral City area. 3.7 MARKHAM STREET: Recomm. to adopt Resolution No. 78-124 giving notice of intention to purchase the Saul parcel for a material site. 3.8 GIBBEL ROAD: Recomm. concerning letter from Ray Riley requesting assistance to rebuild a dike damaged by flooding in Hemet area. 3.9 LOCUST AVENUE: Recomm. concerning reduced speed zone in the Sunnymead area. PLANNING MATTERS: 4.1 SUPERVISOR YOUNGLOVE: Petition requesting interim zoning from R-3 to R-1-80 and Board initiation of a request for a permanent change of zone in the University City area. 4.2 CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 1924: Request of The EPIC Group, Inc., Land Planning and Development for extension of time on a permit. APRIL 18, 1978 - Page 3 PERSONNEL MATTERS 5.1 BUILDING AND SAFETY: Request for increase in authorized personnel, equipment purchase and adjustment of appropriations and anticipated revenue account. 5.2 DISTRICT ATTORNEY: Request for permission to employ Sr. District Attorney Investigator on advanced step. 5.3 EMPLOYEE RELATIONS DIRECTOR: Recomn. concerning A.B. 2659 a major labor bill. 5.4 MUNICIPAL COURT: Request for authorization to employ a retired employee on temporary basis. 5.5 PERSONNEL: Recomn. concerning a classification study of the class of Auditor/Appraiser 11. 5.6 PERSONNEL: Recomm. regarding the classification of the Agricultural Biologist IV positions in the Agricultural Commissioner's office. 5.7 PERSONNEL: Recomm. concerning classification review of two Sea^.stress positions at Riverside General Hospital. 5.8 PERSONNEL: Race=. concerning classification study of a Senior Accounting Clerk position in the Treasurer and Tax Collector's ^.ffi-e. 5.9 SHERIFF: Request to employ Deputy Sheriff on advanced step. 5.10 SHERIFF: Request re-employment of Deputy Sheriff on advances step. 6.1 SUPERVISOR ABRAIIAM: Request for a resolution in support of California's Forgotten Victims Week. 6.2 SUPERVISOR SCHROEDER: Race=. endorsing a pilot program wherein the California Highway Patrol could use radar in selected areas of the county where excess speed plays. 6.3 COUNTY COUNSEL: Introduction of proposed amendment to Ordinance No. 558 relating to Bingo Games. 6.4 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE: Analysis of Increases in Fees for Service to replace property tax loss due to the Jarvis/Gann Initiative. 6.5 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE: Recomm. regarding amendment to Ordinance !:0. 460 on regulation of gift divisions of land in Riverside County. 6.6 AUDITOR -CONTROLLER: Request authorization to file a 1978-79 Fiscal TDA (SS-325) Claim. 6.7 FIRE WARDEN: Request to declare surplus property of automotive equipment. 6.8 BUILDINGS 6 GROUNDS: Request for approval of lease agreement for space for the District Attorney in the downtown and transfer of funds. 6.9 BUILDINGS a GROUNDS: Request for approval of plane and scecificaticns for replacement of Parks Department Headquarters Air Conditioning and Clerk to advertise for bids. 6.10 COUNTY COUNSEL: Report on recovery from third parties of search a expenses. 6.11 TAX BOND - TRACT NO. 10896: in the City of Corona - Reconm. for acceptance of Bond. 6.12 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: Recomm. to modify the Quail Valley CC.='Jnity Development Plan. APRIL 18, 1978 - Page 4 .-.a a�ca.aw..-wun cwn u..u=u 6.13 FAIR: Request permission to change the County's Parade Policy to allow for the display of the American Flag. 6.14 HEALTH: Request for senior citizens nutrition program budget adjustment and authorization to purchase equipment. 6.15 HEALTH: Request for crippled childrens services budget adjustment. 6.16 HEALTH: Race=. for approval of new members for Riverside County's Advisory Board for the Child Health and Disability Prevention Program. 6.17 PARES: Resignation of Pete Dangermond, Jr., Parks Director, and recomm_ on appointment for Acting Director. 6.18 PARES: Request for approval of renewal of Toro Equipment Testing Agreement and amendment. 6.19 PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES: Request for approval of working arrangement between the Probation Department and the Department of Public Social Services. 6.20 PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES: Request for approval of adjustments to appropriations to the Inland Manpower Association (Y.E.T.P.) Contracts. 6.21 PROBATION: Request for transfer of funds within the Juvenile Hall Budget. 6.22 PROBATION: Request for approval for the Buildings and Grounds Department on renewal of existing leases of various facilities. 6.23 PROBATION: Request for approval of Office Space for Juvenile Hall Satellite Program lease for trailer to be extended on a month -to - month basis. 6.24 PURCHASING AGENT: Recomm. to accept bid for pumper for Service Area 38 and transfer of funds. 6.25 RIVERSIDE SUBAREA ADVISORY COUNCIL: Recomm. to appoint representative to the IC/HSA Governing Body. 6.26 SHERIFF: Request for approval to purchase replacement radio equipment. 6.27 TREASURER AND TAX COLLECTOR: Recomm. for approval of Claims for refund of taxes from Donald M. Okano and Maxine R. Williamson. 9:55 to 10:00 a.m. RECESS 10:00 a.m. HOUSING AUTHORITY - REGULAR Meeting 10:00 a.m. (continued) 8.1 Letter from Colonial Manor Halfway House, Incorporated on appeal from Denial of Bingo License Application. 8.2 ORDINANCE No. 455.63: Proposed Amendments to Ordinance No. 455 Relating to Barking Dogs. 10:30 a.m. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE. AUDIENCE ON ANY MATTER: Note: If you wish to speak regarding a pars cu ar item on this agenda you may give your name and the item number to the Clerk.) 10.1 2.17 HEALTH: Request authorization to send Occupational Thera n izt for Children's Mental Health Services, to the Americar. occupa:ioca. Therapy Association's National Convention to be he:d in Can -ego, May 7-12, 1978. (APPROVE) 2.18 HEALTH: Request for approval of Teen Mother Support Project Agree^eat between the County and State Department of Health providing for prenatal and postpartal advice and referral services to teenage mothers in the area of City of Riverside. (APPROVE) 2.19 HEALTH: Recomm. for approval of personal services agreement aith Donald R. Wells and Lisa P. Welts providing for services as child care workers. (APPROVE) 2.20 HOSPITAL: Race=. for approval of Amendment to Agreement for professional services. (APPROVE) 2.21 LAKE HEMET MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT: Request to appoint me::Sers to the Board of Directors of the District. (APPROVE) 2.22 MARSHAL: Report on overtime worked in excess of 40 hours. (FILE) 2.23 MUNICIPAL COURT: Report on overtime worked in excess of 40 hairs. (FILE) 2.24 PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES: Race=. to pay overtime to DPSS personnel working in flood -caused disaster relief. (APPROVE) 2.25 REGISTRAR OF VOTERS: Resolution No. 78-120, establishing Central Counting Places for Primary Election on June 6, 1978. (ADOPT) 2.26 REGISTRAR OF VOTERS: Resolution No. 78-123, establishing a Central Counting Place for Val Verde School District Recall Election, ::ay 16, 1978. (ADOPT) 2.27 PLANNING: Report of overtime worked in excess of 40 hours. (FILL) 2.28 ROAD: Recomm. for acceptance of miscellaneous right of way deeds. (ACCEPT) 2.29 ROAD: Tract 7309-1 - in the Mira Loma area: P.ecomm. to release performance bond. (APPROVE) 2.30 ROAD: Tract No. 4636 - in the Beaumont area: Recorn. to release material and labor bond. (APPROVE) 2.31 ROAD: Tract No. 4636-1 - in the Beaumont area: Recomm. to releas^ material and labor bond. (APPROVE) 2.32 ROAD: Tract No. 5884-1 - in the Hemet area: Reconn. to release material and labor bond. (APPROVE) 2.33 ROAD: Tract No. 7536 - in the Hemet area: Recomm. for release o`_ material and labor bond. (APPROVE) 2.34 ROAD: Parcal Map 10284 - in the Winchester area: Recur.-... `_or ap_Lr:al of map. (APPROVE) 2.35 SHERIFF; Race=. to appoint Sergeant Don Bender as represer.tative to the Drug Abuse Advisory Board. (APPROVE) 2.36 SHERIFF: Report on overtime worked in excess of 40 hours. (FILE) APRIL 18, 1978 - Page 5 APRIL 18, 1978 - Page 2 AGENDA TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 1978 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS - COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE 14th Floor - County Administrative Center 4080 Lemon Street, Riverside, California (Clerk 787-2717) 9:00 a.m. Invocation by Father Michael Flahive, Sacred Heart Church. Pledge of allegiance to the flag. CONSENT CALENDAR: (The Board of Supervisors may act on the Consent Ca e-n ar 'items in a block with a single vote and without discussion.) 2.1 Claims for allowance. (APPROVE) 2.2 Petitions for correction/cancellation of assessments and/or taxes. (APPROVE) 2.3 Affidavits of proof of publication of ordinances. (FILE) 2.4 RESOLUTION NO. 413-131: Establishing No Parking Zones in Cathedral City and Rubidoux Areas. (ADOPT) 2.5 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE: Request from City of Riverside concerning Public Utility Easement in Reynolds Road for Water Main adjacent to Arlington Branch Office of D.P.S.S. (APPROVE) 2.6 BUILDING AND SAFETY: Monthly Analysis of Building Permits issued and valuations for March, 1978. (FILE) 2.7 COUNTY SERVICE AREA NO. 117 (Good Hope/Mead Valley Area): Adopt resolution amending resolution 78-111 calling an election to establish a maximum property tax rate. (ADOPT) 2.8 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: Recomm. concerning Federal Environmental Review Requirements and release of funds for various activities. (APPROVE) 2.9 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR: Request for authorization to attend the seminar/training session on Leveraging Public Funds being held in San Francisco, California, May 6-9, 1978. (APPROVE) 2.10 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: Recom. concerning Federal Environmental Review Requirements and release of funds for Temecula street lights. (APPROVE) 2.11 COUNTY COUNSEL: Recomm. for approval of By -Laws of Rancho California Water District. (APPROVE) 2.12 COUNTY COUNSEL: Request for rejection of Claim. (REJECT) 2.13 COUNTY COUNSEL: Request to deny Application for Leave to Present a Late Claim. (DENY) 2.14 COUNTY COUNSEL: Request to deny Application for Leave to Present Late Claim. (DENY) 2.15 EASTERN MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT: Request to appoint member to the Board of Directors of the District. (APPROVE) 2.16 FIRE WARDEN: Report on Fire Department's activities in relation to the joint Russian Thistle project with the Agricultural Commissioner's Office. (FILE) APRIL 18, 1978 10,55 - 11:00 a.m. RECESS 1:30 p.m. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1.1 CHANGE OF ZONE CASE NO. 2335 - Daniel A. Colangelo - Meadowbrook Area - First District: Further hearing on application for zone chance from R-R to C-1. (Comm. Denial) (Continued from 3-28-78) 1.2 CHANGE OF ZONE CASE NO. 2162 - Irwin Schuman - Cathedral City -Palm Desert District - Fourth District: Application for zone change from W-2-20 to R-1-12,000. 1.3 CHANGE OF ZONE CASE NO. 2231 - William E. Colwell - Santa Rosa Rancho area - First District: Application for zone change from R-A-20 to R-A-S. 1.4 CHANGE OF Z014E CASE NO. 2312 - Merle Long - Little Lake area - Third District: Application for zone change from A-1-5 to R-A-20,000. 1.5 CHANGE OF ZONE CASE NO. 2327 - Robert H. Bourret - Aguanca area - Third District: Application for zone change from R-R to C-P-S. 1.6 CHANGE OF ZONE CASE NO. 2296 - Harold and Elaine Geffen - Ramona area - Third District: Application for zone change from A-1-5 to R-2. 1.7 CHANGE OF ZONE CASE NO. 2379 - G. M. Leatherby - Edgemont-Sunnymead area - Fifth District: Application for zone change from R-4 to C-P-S. 1.8 CHANGE OF ZONE CASE NO. 2354 - Commission Initiative - EdgemOnt- Sunnymead area - Fifth District: Recommendation for zone change from C-P-S to R-A-1. 1.9 COUNTY SERVICE AREA NO. 104 (Sky Valley): Resolution No. 78-86 - Resolution of Intention to provide additional extended service of Road Maintenance in Sky Valley Area. APRIL 18, 1978 - Page 6 AGETIDA TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 1978 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS - COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE 14th Floor - County Administrative Center 4080 Lemon Street, Riverside, California (Clerk 787-2717) PUBLIC NOTE: If you Wish to speak on a particular agenda item please give your name and agenda number to the Board's Clerk. M r `7 COACHELLA VALLEY ACSOCIATION of GOVERNMENTS y 41 a NNIVM11i; M A R C H, 1 9 7 7 cents INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . :CONTRIBUTING FACTORS . . . , . , _ , , CONTROL METHODS , , , . _ , , , , , , , BLOWSAND CONTROL ORDINANCE BLOWSAND HAZARD ZONES. _ , . . . _ . , . BLOWSAND CONTROL DEVICES , , _ , _ _ . CRITICAL TRANSPORTATION CORRIDORS_ , , . FINANCIAL RESOURCES Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RECOMMENDATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Elements of this regional plan for blowsand control and protection include: an overview of inter -related factors contributing to current blowsand con- ditions; an evaluation of direct and indirect, vegetative and mechanical blowsand control mechanisms; a Model Blowsand Ordinance establishing devel- opment standards for proposed projects within an identified Blowsand Hazard Zone, together with suggested design specifications and typical plans; an examination of critical transportation corridors, recommended blowsand pro- tection measures designed to protect motorists, cost estimates and potential revenue sources and recommended legislative actions and programs suggested for implementation throughout the Coachella Valley. -1- Y COACHELLA VALLEY ASSOCIATION of GOVERNMENTS IL `' • • , :'' Blowsand has always plagued man whenever he has been forced or has elected to con- front it. Few societies have chosen to exist in active blowsand areas. And few, if any, outside the Coachella Valley have tried to claim significantly large areas from established blowsand regions. Historically, man has been forced to fight the battle alone, by whatever methods he was intellectually capable of devising and physically and economically able to employ. Within the past 40 years, truly scientific investigations have been made. However, useful information pertinent to Coachella Valley blowsand conditions is scarce or difficult to obtain. Substantial research has been undertaken by large private forces, by petroleum related industries with facilities scattered in blowsand regions throughout the world, by educational institutions, by governmental agencies and by individuals combating natural forces within desert environments. While man may be praised for his persistence and character in challenging blowsand in the Coachella Valley, he has not widely distinguished himself in terms of success. Recognized room for improvement exists. With this acknowledged, the Ad Hoc Task Force recognizes the need for cooperation and coordination among governmental agencies. Despite a growing array of new, modified or improved technologies and methodologies for controlling wind-blown abrasive soils as a result of research, development and testing, the key to significant, long-term mitigation and improve- ment of the current blowsand conditions lies in coordinated land -use planning and policy development from a regional perspective. Then, mutually supportive local government actions are needed. Representing an effort to identify local government prerogatives, the BLOWSAND CONTROL AND PROTECTION PLAN contains a series of recom- mendations for CVAG member agency coordination. -2- i F Blowsand and its control have involved controversy, interest and public involve- ment as long as man has inhabited the Coachella Valley. Related surveys, studies and reports dating back to the 1850's have thoroughly documented the frequent destructiveness of harsh, abrasive wind-blown sand and its accumulation. "Several factors -- both natural and human -- contribute to the blowsand problem. In simplest terms, the phenomenon of blowing sand is nothing more than the natural physical interaction of sand and wind, influenced by the environmental setting. Thus, sand and wind, plus those natural and human elements which directly or in- directly affect their interaction, constitute the contributing factors. A. HISTORICAL DOCUMENTATION Previous reports and investigations have tended to describe these factors in general terms, but have offered little information regarding their relative im- portance and interactions, or of the activity which actually takes place in the Valley. Most of the recent reports of a non -technical nature have been oriented primarily toward recommendations for various control measures and, for that reason, .will be taken up in the CONTROL METHODS section of this report. Technical reports and investigations addressing blowsand in the Valley either wholly or in part have <,&voided almost completely the issues of control and protection. Brief descriptions AwC comments regarding the most significant of these follow - Blake (1856) was the first geologist to visit and describe the Coachella Valley region. His writings remain one of the most complete and eloquent accounts of its physical features. Mendenhall (1909) described the supplying of sand by the Whitewater River to the floodplain extending easterly from Windy Point where most of the Valley's blowsand first becomes subject to wind transport. Kocher and Harper (1923) updated an earlier government soil survey of the Valley. This survey has again been updated by the U.S. Soil Conservation Service and is scheduled for publication later this year. Information from this up -dated survey was utilized in development of the Hazard Zone Map presented later in this report. Russell (1931) studied and reported on landforms and sand formations in the upper part of the Valley. Reed (1933) reported on the composition and texture of sands sampled from various locations in the Valley. Division of Highways (1963) reported on sandstorm frequency and duration, and on abrasive damage to vehicles between Garnet and Thousand Palms. -3- J Sharp (1965) reported on abrasion testing and sampling of airborne parti- cles conducted over an eleven year period at a site on the floodplain approximately one mile southwest of Garnet Hill. Coachella Valley Soil Conservation District (1967) reported on the problem, its history, past activities relating to it, potentials and alternatives, and suggested steps to place a complete program of control into effect through- out the area. This report provided a wealth of up-to-date information and is the most comprehensive report specifically addressing the problem. Beheiry (1967) described existing sand forms in the Valley and discussed the sand movement pattern in the area between Flat Top Mountain and Seven Palms Valley. Proctor (1968) reported most extensively on the overall geology of the Upper Coachella Valley - Desert Hot Springs area, but touched only briefly on blowsand. Division of Highways (1970 - report unpublished) reported on the effect of the tamarisk tree row along Interstate 10 in the Garnet - Thousand Palms area. It should also be noted that the Division of Highways (now CALTRANS) has monitored sand movement and direction, and storm frequency and duration in this area since 1958, though no formal reports have been issued. Although a number of other technical reports afford valuable information and in- sight into the blowsand activity in the Valley, none match the importance of the above relative to factors contributing to the problem. B. CURRENT RESEARCH Only in relatively recent years has scientific attention been directed toward analyzing or controlling blowsand. The most important concept which has evolved from studies in other blowsand regions is that of considering blowsand activity in quantitative terms, or rate of sand transport." Since, over sufficiently long periods of time, both sand sources and wind patterns associated with any given location tend to be relatively consistent, it can be considered that there exists at any location an average rate at which sand movement takes place.. Another way of viewing this is that any particular location can expect to receive a certain quantity of sand within a given period of time. A common means of express- ing "rate of sand transport" is in terms of cubic yards per one -foot wide path of sand movement per year, (CY/ft/yr). The usefulness of this concept in defining and describing the intensity of blowsand activity and in considering means of controlling or protecting against it can readily be appreciated. Blowsand problems and damages associated with abra- sion and accumulation in undesired areas bear almost a direct relationship to the rate at which sand movement takes place. The active blowsand area boundary indicated on the Blowsand Hazard Zone Map contained in SECTION 5 of this report and some of the information which follows represent early determinations of this methodological approach. Upon comple- tion it will provide a detailed description of blowsand activity in the region and include mapping of sand movement patterns and rates of sand transport. Accordingly, it should prove valuable to future Valley planning and, hopefully, will serve to entice funding of further technical research. -4- C. CURRENT BLOWSAND CONDITIONS AND INFLUENCES Good descriptions of the Valley's physical characteristics, its drainage, sand, meteorology, climate and other factors relating to blowing sand are contained in a number of past blowsand reports. owing to the ready availability of past re- ports and the summary nature of this report, this information will not be ex- panded here. However, a brief description of actual blowsand activity in the Valley is in order, as it may prove helpful in considering other portions of this report. GEOLOGIC SETTING In terms of a blowsand setting, the Valley constitutes a trough, bounded by high terrain, narrow at its upwind end, gradually expanding out to a width at its downwind end roughly one-third that of its 30 mile length, and longitudinally sloping downward at a relatively constant 35 feet per mile. Wind and sand are incessantly fed into it at its narrow, upwind end. ,As the grind proceeds down the Valley .it gradually spreads outward and upward until its velocity at the surface diminishes to a point where, near the downwind end of the trough, it is no longer capable of moving significant quantities of sand. Thus described, the basic overall move- ment of sand in the Valley is easily visualized. And the result is ob- vious. WIND INFLUENCE More specifically, most blowsand in the Valley initially becomes subject to the wind's influence on the Whitewater River floodplain, just east of Windy Point. From there the sand is transported down the valley in what can be thought of as an intermittently flowing river of sand, or sand - stream, which is confined in its course primarily by the trough shape of the Valley (as is the wind), and which displays relatively distinct bound- aries. SANDSTREAM BOUNDARIES The northeasterly boundary of Whitewater River sand movement extends roughly along Varner Road from Garnet Hill to its intersection with Date Palm Drive and from there in nearly a straight line to Point Happy near Indian Wells. Thus, the Indio Hills, Edom Hill and the Little San Bernardino Mountains are presently responsible for all sand and sand mn.e- ment northerly of the Garnet Hill to Point Happy line. RATES OF SAND TRANSPORT Prior to man's influence, maximum rates of sand transport extended down the core of the valley along a line crossing Indian Avenue about 3/4 mile south of the Southern Pacific railroad, passing to the north of the railroad a maximum distance of approximately 1/2 mile about midway between Palm Drive and Date Palm Drive, thence crossing the railroad again about 1 mile north- west of its intersection with Ramon Road, and thence, influenced by the added supply of sand from the north, bending easterly again and paralleling the railroad at a distance of from one to two miles into the Indio area. Rates of sand transport along this line ranged from near or above 40 CY/ft/yr upwind of Indian Avenue, to about 20 CY/ft/yr at Date Palm Drive, 15 CY/ft/yr near Bob Hope Drive, and 5 CY/ft/yr at Country Club Drive. Moving away from this line, rates fall off rather rapidly, approaching zero at the boundaries of the active sand movement area. Although these figures and des- criptions represent only preliminary determinations of studies of sand move- -5- ment patterns and rates which are presently underway, and do not take into account man's influences, they are believed to be sufficiently accurate to help convey a clearer understanding of the overall blowsand activity in the Valley. MAN'S ACTIVITIES Man's influence on blowsand conditions in the Valley over the past century has been both beneficial and adverse. In most instances, and particularly in the less severe southeasterly and southwesterly regions of the Valley, man has been able to stabilize, protect and hence claim relatively large areas for agricultural and other uses. However, in the upper, generally more severe reaches of the Valley man's efforts to claim and utilize land and to protect developments have commonly met with lesser degrees of success. Control methods will be taken up in a separate section of this report. It is their effect and the effects of other human activities which contribute to the blowsand problem that are of concern here. For example: A. Construction of various flood control works has resulted in a dispersal of flood waters laden with deposits of sand over new areas. Also, the construction process itself has resulted in the freeing of loose sand. The net result of man's alteration of natural drainage patterns to date has likely augmented the blowsand problem and will continue to do so. B. Highway and other major construction related activities have been responsible for the scarring of large land areas and the freeing of sand that would have otherwise remained stabilized. Proper precautionary measures, if known and required, could have prevented much of what has taken place. C. General land development commonly carries with it the connota- tion of aiding the overall blowsand control effort -- which it generally does, once the development is successfully established. However, during the development process itself, activity adverse to the Valley's welfare normally occurs simply through inadver- tence and the lack of knowing what precautionary measures to take. Developments lacking the incorporation of adequate control and protection measures, stood no chance of constituting anything other than a problem and, lacking blowsand control measures, should probably not have been premitted to take place -- for the sake of all concerned. This includes not only large land developments in general, but also individual developments, roads and highways, piecemeal settlements and other facilities as well. D. Indiscriminate activity in large open areas within the active blow - sand region, particularly by off -road type vehicles (including motor- cycles), has contributed substantially to the overall problem. Any disturbance of the desert pavement breaks the natural crust, exposing otherwise stabilized sand to wind action. E. Indirectly contributory to the problem has been man's lowering of the natural water table, adversely affecting the growth of natural vegetation (besides increasing the amount of energy required to obtain water, an important element in his blowsand control efforts). F. Efforts to contral nr protect against blowing sand have in some instances contributed to the problem by concentrating and otherwise altering natural patterns of sand movement and surface drainage. Growing awareness of what to expect in this regard and what can be done to alleviate it will help in the future planning of such measures. The factors -- both natural and human -- contributing to the blowsand problem are numerous and complex. And in many ways man has been responsible, at least .in part, for the problems experienced. COACHELLA VALLEY ASSOCIATION of GOVERNMENTS " • �. A general lack of understanding as to how to achieve effective blowsand control has persisted in the Coachella Valley. Previous studies and reports have tended to focus on various methods available without providing adequate information or instruction as to their limitations or the conditions under which each is applicable or appro- priate. To consider alternative methods without first having properly analyzed the conditions involved is much the same as considering answers without first having heard the question. Failure to engage in the proper, yet simple reasoning processes required has led directly to repeated failures to effectively control blowing sand in the Valley, not to mention the consequent millions of dollars in damage, wasted years and unnecessary suffering. Planning for effective blowsand control requires orooerly analvzina the conditions involved and from that analysis The importance of this statement cannot be Accordingly, this section focuses heavily upon the methodology involved in ade- quately analyzing conditions at any site or location, upon the basic objectives of blowsand control, the general methods for achieving those objectives and lastly, specific methods available in the Coachella Valley, their selection and use. Blowsand control methods can be categorized as direct or indirect. Direct methods are those relating to a specific area, site, location, facility or other singular purpose. Indirect methods include those oriented toward overall general control or toward reduction of damages and losses sustained as the result of blowing sand. A. DIRECT CONTROL METHODS Success of various control and protection measures undertaken in the Valley has been largely dependent upon the severity and intensity of the blowsand activity to which control measures have been subjected. To be successful, blowsand control. measures must effectively deal with sand which is already within the area as well as sand yet to be transported to it. An important consideration relative to proposed developments or changes in land use within the blowsand hazard zone is the possible diversion and concentration of sand movement and the potential adverse impact on downwind properties and facili- ties. The effect of sand movement proceeds at a speed about one half that of the wind. Thus, the impact of newly exposed loose sand can extend several miles down- wind within a few hours of normal blowsand conditions. This indicates that the oncoming sand to be dealt with need not be in existence immediately upwind, but anywhere upwind -- extending clear to the original source, and the source itself, or to the first upwind barrier, if one exists. Failure to recognize this last point has no doubt been responsible for most of the past less -than -successful attempts to control or protect against blowing sand 10 in the Valley. Awareness of the rates of sand transport to which a site or facility is subjected should tend to preclude this oversight in the future. The effectiveness of any type of direct protection measure is clearly dependent upon its ability to serve as a barrier to sand movement and to accommodate the impoundment of sand. Here, the rate of sand transport affords the indication of how much sand to expect over a period of time. FUNDAMENTAL CONTROL OBJECTIVES Direct blowsand control has four fundamental objectives: 1. Stabilizing loose sand accumulations, to prevent their movement; 2. Diverting sand from its normal course, such as around areas for which protection is intended; 3. Directly or permaruantly stopping,or impounding sand along its present course, before it reaches areas to be protected; and 4. Providing deliberate aid to sand movement to prevent or remove its accumulation within a given area. Of the 'four, the first three constitute ways of actually preventing sand from reaching an area. Sand can only be stabilized, diverted, or directly stopped (or a combination thereof). There are no other direct ways of controlling or achieving protection against blowing sand. GENERAL APPROACHES General methods which can be employed in achieving the four objectives of direct control can be grouped into the following categories: transporting, planting, panelling, fencing, surface treating, diking, paving and wind baffling. A. Transporting, the hauling or other mechanical movement of sand, is generally considered to be neither a practical nor an economical method of control. Obviously nothing is gained by transporting sand directly back upwind. Likewise, disposal anywhere within the blowsand hazard zone contributes nothing toward overall control and acts as a form of diversion, altering the natural sand movement pattern and likely adversely impacting downwind properties. Also, disposal in wind sheltered locations is not necessarily safe. For example, storage in a canyon automatically subjects the sand to being washed back out into the hazard zone again. All of which tends to lead to the conclusion that the most practical and economical place for storage is exactly where it is initially accumulated. Accomplishment of this requires proper utilization of other direct control methods, a worthwhile goal for all future direct control and protection efforts. Unfortunately, many of the control measures now in existence do not conform with this approach. Consequently, considerable transporting of sand is required and will likely continue to be required. Accordingly, the careful selection, authorization and care of several disposal sites in conjunction with the banning of all other off -site disposal would be a worthy step in the over- all control effort. However, it should not be allowed to obscure the fact that transporting of sand is neither desirable nor necessary and that future efforts should be planned so as to preclude or minimize sand transport activities. -9- B. Planting is a method appropriate for the achievement of the first three of the four fundamental objectives of blowsand control. Vegetative plantings has been the most extensive and effective of all mehtods to date. Accordingly, it is generally deemed the best, most desirable method of direct blowsand control and protection. Planting can be considered to be two basic types: ground covers and larger shrubs and trees. Ground covers serve to stabilize loose sand areas, though their long-term effectiveness generally requires that no further appreciable sand transport from upwind be permitted. Little planting has been done in the Valley for the expressed purpose of stabilization, although large areas have been stabilized in the form of golf courses and in the lower portion of the Valley, commercial crops. The planting of trees and shrubs, on the other hand, has most often been for the purpose of achieving protection from oncoming sand. Tamarisk trees have been used primarily and the use of oleanders has been steadily increasing in the lower, less active blowsand areas of the Valley. Several other trees and shrubs have been or are now being tried which may prove to have some advantages over tamarisks and oleanders. Tamarisks, aside from their functional effectiveness and general acceptance, offer little else of positive value. They are relatively expensive to establish and maintain, particularly in the severe blowsand areas of the upper Valley. Watering is required to achieve sufficient initial growth, which in turn requires that they be watered throughout their mature life. In the upper portion of the Valley watering requirements range from about 75 acre- feet per mile of tree row per year to over 200 acre-feet per mile per year, depending upon location. Accordingly, water is a resource requirement of major importance in their use as a direct control method. The development of any blowsand control and protection plan of any magnitude calling for or per- mitting more than limited use of planting as a direct method of control should include careful consideration of the future availability and cost of water and of its impact on the Valley's water resources as a whole. At present, there are approximately 150 miles of effective.tamarisk tree rows in the valley, a majority located in the lower portion. By far the most extensive, singly -owned installation is that of the Southern Pacific Trans- portation Company, which consists of two, twenty mile rows, one along each side of its facility roughly between Indian Avenue and the Whitewater Channel near Indio. Several comments are in order regarding both the effect- iveness of these trees and their impact upon the Valley conditions as a whole. For the most part, the railroad's trees are performing the job for which they were intended: protection of the railroad's tracks and other permanent facilities, rolling stock and (perhaps of greatest economic importance) ex- posed cargoes. Prior to the effective establishment of most of the trees in the early 1960's the railroad had suffered through over 80 years of sand damage and frustration. (Another of the railroad's efforts will be dis- cussed briefly under the direct control method of diking). Two problem areas have developed for the railroad. The most acute extends from near Garnet Hill to approximately Date Palm Drive. Here, the southerly tree row confronts the most severe sand attack of any trees in the Valley. All foliage is stripped from the lower several feet of these trees by about May or June of each year, only to reappear during the less severe fall and winter months. Severe sandstorms commonly fill the area between the tree rows with several feet of sand, which must then be transported out immediately. -10- The second problem area is in the Ramon Road vicinity where the railroad's " trees preclude sand from following its normal course on to the south of the railroad. Accumulation in the area is increasing rapidly and resulting in more and more frequent deposition on the through lanes of Interstate 10 (which CALTRANS is required to remove immediately) and within the railroad's trees themselves. Unless some measures are taken farther upwind to halt the movement of sand into this area in the near future, either removal of a stretch of the trees or extensive transporting will be necessary to provide some relief. The railroad presently engages a full-time sand maintenance crew and equip- ment operation along its facility. Without considering economics, likely the best that can be said.from the railroad's viewpoint is that it has successfully converted its problem of property damage to one of maintenance. Regarding the impact of the railroad's trees on the natural movement of sand in the Valley, the trees act as an impassable barrier, preventing sand from passing to their north near Garnet Hill and later, to their south near Ramon Road. Thus, they have effectively cutoff that .portion of the natural s:cad- stream lying to their northeast. Deprived of its natural continuing flow of new sand, the area is gradually being swept clean by scouring, unladen winds of high sand transport capacity. However, accumulations of sand within the area bounded by Date Palm Drive, Varner Road and Interstate 10 appear sufficient to furnish all the sand that the winds are.capable of transporting for many years. On the southwesterly side of the railroad, the trees and their attendant dikes act to deflect some of the sand, thus concentrating the flow in the main sandstream. The new load added to the natural rate of sand transport is spread over a fairly wide path of the sandstream and carried on downwind. Although numerous other planted barriers exist in the Valley, both more and less successful, the railroad's trees have been described here as they represent the most extensive and agressive confrontations with blowing sand to date. C. Panelling is a direct method of control for diversion or direct stoppage of sand. This is achieved by means of solid barriers or walls erected up- wind of the area or objects to be protected. Their intent and use is (or should be) as impassable barriers. Thus, their use is limited to conditions of extremely low rates of sand transport, since once the upwind accumulation reaches the top the only practical alternatives are transporting the sand away or permitting all further sand to pour over the top. If any substantial impounding is to be permitted, the panelling or walls must be substantially constructed and adequately braced to withstand not just the initial wind pressure, but that of the sand as well. Walls higher than six feet to eight feet are seldom used due to the cost of such structural requirements. D. Fencing is also a direct method for diversion or direct and permanent stoppage of blowsand. As opposed to panelling, fencing is intended to act as an expendable impounding device. Left in place when submerged, fences serve as.the direct contrast to the solid, bulky, massive and expensive permanent barriers involved in panelling. snow fencing is generally con- sidered the least expensive type of installation. Countless miles of snow fence have been installed in the Valley over the years. Before long (commonly less than a year, depending upon location) fences became filled to capacity, submerged and stabilized, with all subsequent on- coming sand passing over and into the temporarily protected area. -11- Several observations can be drawn regarding these efforts: First, those persons involved apparently lacked a realistic view as to the nature of sand movement by wind, of the quantities of sand with which their fences would be confronted and the relative impounding capacity of the fences. Second, relatively short impounding barriers have been largely dismissed as viable means of controlling and protecting against blowing sand, both by those who have employed them (and, in some cases, still are) as well as by most observers. Finally, no one has yet discovered how to successfully impound unlimited quantities of sand through the use of short fences. Measures incorporating the utilization of fence -type barriers, the concept of incremental height additions, and the placement of barriers in series have been researched and developed to a point of providing satisfactory protection and used extensively in other blowsand regions. Notwithstanding the high degree of acceptability and effectiveness of planting - type barriers, several important points of direct comparison (between measures affording equal effectiveness, impounding capacity and land area requirement) should be noted between them and fencing -type barriers: 1. Fencing is approximately 1/3 as expensive as planting -type barriers, both in terms of initial installation as well as long-term mainten- ance; 2. Fencing is effective immediately upon installation, whereas planting - type barriers generally require about three years to become effective; 3. Fencing requires no water; 4. Fencing does not run the risk of total loss of investment due to particularly severe early storms -- instead providing protection against just such occurrences -- or due to disease or other unforeseeable con- ditions; and 5. Fencing is easily adjusted or modified, the effects of which are also immediate. Properly planned and implemented measures utilizing fencing -type barriers represent a powerful, inexpensive tool for sand control. It is indeed un- fortunate that improperly conceived applications have made so many people skeptical of their use and potential. E. Surface treating as a subject method of direct control is intended to incorporate all those schemes other than planting by which stabilization of loose sand surfaces can be achieved. It includes various oil and other chemical treatments, watering, paving and other techniques. Most surface treatments have one or more undesirable characteristics. None are known that are economically feasible for large areas. oil and chemical treatments tend to he relatively short-lived, requiring frequent reapplication. oils are messy and dirty, particularly if the treated area must be traversed and can hardly be environmentally acceptable. Watering during sandstorms, though effective, has obvious disadvantages. A surprisingly sparse scattering of gravel, cinders or other heavy coarse material will effectively stabilize a loose sand surface. The technique is used extensively by the railroad to stabilize the upwind faces of its numerous sand dikes. With the relative availability of gravel in the Valley, the method has a potential of being significantly more practical than any of the other surface treatments. However, information as to spread rates -12- required under various conditions is lacking and needs to be developed Compared with vegetative ground cover as a means of stabilization, surface treatments offer the advantage of immediate effectiveness. Thus, their general applicability lies more in the area of short-term, "now" needs for limited areas, such as stabilization at the base of impounding barriers and as interim stabilization in scouring locations until vegetation can become established. Vegetative ground covers offer the advantages of pleasing appearance and general all around acceptability and thus are more appli- cable for inhabited, more commonly traversed and viewed areas. F. Diking as a direct method of control is intended to achieve either the objective of diversion -or that of 'stoppage and impoundment. Documentation of its use in other areas is limited, and considered in conjunction with observation of the railroad's dikes and the short-lived CALTRANS' experimen- tal dike installation along Interstate 10 in the early 1960's, does not appear to substantiate the method's effectiveness or encourage its use. Accordingly, pending additional information or experimentation its pot4ntidl can only be classified as theoretical and its use not recommended. G. Paving and baffling as direct control methods are intended to include all those schemes by which sand movement by wind can be deliberately aided so as to preclude the possibilities of its gathering at areas to be kept clear and to provide means of its continuing across or being removed from such areas. Paving involves increasing the sand transport capacity of the wind by smooth- ing, hard -surfacing or otherwise removing obstacles from a relatively level area. Certain types of surface treating methods serve to both stabilize loose sand and, at the same time, to increase sand -transport capacity across the surface. Baffling involves increasing the wind velocity by gathering or concentrating air currents through the use of a large plate or series of plates or baffles, generally horizontally oriented and focused downwind. The use is specialized and requires field experimentation. A final note relative to direct control methods: any impounding of sand and hence any truly effective control and protection in the active blowsand area, regardless of the method or methods used, requires land area for its im- plementation.Land area :isone of the relatively fixed resources requirements of effective sand control -- fixed primarily by the quantity of sand to impounded or, in other words, by the rate of sand transport and the lengi- of time for which protection is intended. Means are available for determining the land area requirements of any proposals involving impounding by direct _control methods. Land area requirements, along with related legal rights, liabilities and responsibilities are foreseen as being among the major issues involved in the future advancement of blowsand control and protection in the Valley. B. "INDIRECT CONTROL METHODS Indirect control methods are those oriented toward the general overall con- trol of blowing sand, or toward the reduction of damages and losses sustained as a result of blowing sand. Accordingly, indirect control methods includes approaches considered appropriate for actual implementation in the field of planning controls and regulations. -13- REDUCE DEPOSITION OF SOURCE MATERIAL Elimination, reduction or other control of source deposits are generally among the first given to the overall control of blowing sand in the Valley. The construction of a Whitewater River dam several miles up -stream from where the River enters the Valley, which has been contemplated by the Corps of Engineers for several years, appeared to offer some hope of relief. However, closer analysis has indicated that, as proposed, such a dam would hold but a few years' of the River's average annual sediment discharge. In time, sediments would again have to be permitted to enter the Valley; or impounded sediments would need to be transported. Thus, even if constructed, such a dam does not appear to lend much hope of assisting significantly in the overall control of blowing sand. Stabilization of deposits at the source would incur several problems. The area requiring stabilization is several square miles in extent and subject to such severe wind scouring and blowing sand that normal stabilization methods are not considered practical, if even possible to implement. Also, restabili- zation would be necessary with each new delivery of sand deposits and flooding. Combined blowsand control/flood control projects offer interesting possi- bilities affording dual benefits and shared costs. However, no formal move has been made toward the study and development of such a proposal. ENHANCE AND PROTECT NATURAL GROUND COVER Natural vegetation acts to further the blowsand control objectives of stabiliza- tion and impoundment. Increasing the amount of natural vegetation requires an increase in the amount of water at the surface, either in the form of in- creased precipitation or irrigation. Irrigation of areas of sufficient size to result in significant control would be extremely expensive and likely not as cost-effective as planting as a direct method of control. However, natural vegetation is beneficial to the overall blowsand control effort and its protection and enhancement should be encouraged. Weather modification is occasionally suggested as a means of contributing to overall sand control. Realistically it is considered to offer little hope under present day technology. Wind modification is deemed impractical. Cloud seeding, the subject of a symposium sponsored by the Desert Water Agency, was concluded to be unfeasible. Programs aimed at restricting the use and disturbance of open space areas, such as ORV regulations, eliminations of desert entry homesteading and the establishment of non -entry desert preserve areas all offer limited, yet positive contributions to the overall effort and should be encouraged. PLANNING AND PUBLIC SAFETY in general, the most efficient use of land area for the control of blowing sand rests in large-scale measures. Also, individually implemented direct control measures do influence one another. Considered jointly, these two facts point toward the desirability of an overall Valley plan for coordinating all control measures. Of all the various measures which might be proposed and implemented on a valley -wide basis, two: -14- 1. The development and enactment of development standards in the form of ordinances, incorporating realistic policies and standards for the provision of required direct control measures; and, 2. The selection and public protection of all-weather routes across active blowsand areas. are considered most desirable and achievable. Several prior studies and reports on the blowsand problem in the Coachella Valley have offered useful information and recommendations regarding various control methods,.both direct and indirect. Particularly noted are the follow- ing reports: Farm Advisors, Agricultural Extension Services (1952), a pamphlet on wind protection in the Coachella Valley which illustrates methods employed to reduce wind erosion damage. Information included is generally more applicable to the lower portion of the Valley. Assembly Interim Committee on Transportation and Commerce (1963), trans- cript of hearing on sand blasting and blowing on State highways held in Palm Springs 11/20/63; contains many references to control methods. California Agricultural Experiment Station, UCR (1966) report of the blowsand task group containing useful indirect control method suggestions. Coachella Valley Soil Conservation District (1967) comprehensive report referred to in the previous section, includes valuable information relative to planting -type control methods. Essen (1972) report to Congressman Veysey's Committee discusses various control methods. Service (1972) applies regional planning and analysis to the problem. Weeks (1974) presents considerable information relative to the blowsand problem, including detailed information on control methods. Coachella Valley Soil Conservation Service (1975) proposal for protection of Indian Avenue, including design specifications and cost estimates. Riverside County and CALTRANS (1975) project proposal for Interstate 10 - Thousand Palms area project including control method information. Again, a number of other reports on the subject have also included useful in- formation. Also, a limited number of technical papers and reports addressing control methods and related topics have appeared in recent years. A bibliographical listing of the most important of these is available upon request. -15- COACHELLA VALLEY ASSOCIATION of GOVERNMENTS w This SECTION contains a "BLOWSAND CONTROL ORDINANCE." Its ouroose: to establish development standards for all proposed projects within the BLOWSAND HAZARD ZONE identified in SECTION 6 of this report. Its intent: to enable CVAG member agencies to regulate land conversions, thereby protecting the health, safety and general welfare of future residents of proposed residential dwellings within BLOWSAND HAZARD ZONES. Its effect: to encourage well -protected developments while discouraging premature, isolated, under- capitalized residential subdivisions. Additionally, this ordinance is designed to provide for protection of adjacent property owners subject to soil erosion and/or sand accumulation resulting from development activities within the BLOWSAND HAZARD ZONE. Finally, this ordinance is intended to provide procedures and mechanisms to minimize the public cost of removing accumulated sand on public roads within the Hazard Zone and the attendant potential of damage to vehicles traveling along major access roads into proposed developments. BACKGROUND Blowsand control methods have aroused controversy, interest and public involvement for as long as people have been in or traveled through the Coachella valley. References, studies and reports dated as early as 1908 have documented the frequent and destructive capabilities of harsh, abrasive blowing sand and high winds during certain periods of the year. Past efforts to control or mitigate the adverse effects of blowing sand have been re- actionary, physically constructed barriers, windbreaks, fences, etc. Most have been placed as afterthoughts, grudgingly and incrementally. Most have been paid for as indirect, secondary costs. Few blowsand control measures have been designed with the initial proposal, installed before modification of land commenced or financed and maintained by long-term, legally established management entities. Only recently have land use controls been exercised by local governments to reduce impacts of development activities upon adjacent property owners. These regulations, imposed by local governments upon developers, have been based upon two legal founda- tions: A. Chapter 70 of the Uniform Building Code requiring erosion control devices; and, B. State law granting local government perogatives to prohibit nuisances. Both have been cited and used by city and county enforcement officials in regulating development during and following grading operations. aim The BLOWSAND CONTROL ORDINANCE has been prepared to offer CVAG member agencies the legal foundation to control and regulate land development within BLOWSAND HAZARD ZONES. Beneficiaries are future residents, adjacent property owners and the traveling public. During the initial drafting, CVAG member agency regulatory controls rela- tive to blowsand development standards were inventoried. An effort was made to pre- pare a model ordinance applicable to each CVAG member jurisdiction affected by soil erosion and/or sand accumulation. This ordinance is intended for local government implementation. Development standards contained herein represent reasonable and enforceable controls within the power of the cities and the county to exercise. Rather than prescribing rigid, inflexible standards, the intent of the BLOWSAND CON- TROL ORDINANCE is to establish, articulate and enforce a policy of CVAG member agencies to insure long-term health, safety and general welface of Cpachella Valley residents in a manner which enhances communities while protecting property values and public roads. Because land located within the identified BLOWSAND HAZARD ZONE is subject to natural sand movement and the potential modification or disturbances of such land may create or aggravate sand accumulation and/or soil erosion on adjacent properties, Enforcement of the Development Standards contained in the attached BLOWSAND CONTROL ORDINANCE is reasonable and encouraged. -17- COACHELLA VALLEY ASSOCIATION of GOVERNMENTS D R A F T MODEL BLOWSAND CONTROL ORDINANCE ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY/COUNTY OF REGULATING THE ISSUANCE OF BUILDING AND/OR GRANDING PERMITS FOR WORKTOBE 'PERFORMED WITHIN DESIGNATED BLOWSAND HAZARD ZONES, SETTING FORTH STANDARDS FOR DEVELOPMENT WITHIN SUCH ZONES AND PRESCRIBING LIABILITIES, BONDING REQUIREMENTS AND PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF THIS ORDINANCE. The City'Council/Board of Supervisors of the City/County of California, does ordain as follows: SECTION I - Chapter of the Municipal/County Code is hereby amended to read as follows: ARTICLE PAGE 1 Short Title 2 Purpose and Intent 3 Definitions 4 Scope 5 Exemptions 6 Power of the Administrative Authority 7 Blowsand Control Plans 8 Development Standards 9 Property Management Entity 10 Liability 11 Deposits 12 Emergency Action 13 Inspections 14 Penalties 15 Severability 16 Appeal a 1 MODEL BLOWSAND CONTROL ORDINANCE SECTION 1 - SHORT TITLE This Ordinance shall be known, and may be cited, as the "BLOWSAND CONTROL ORDINANCE" of the City/County of SECTION 2 - PURPOSE AND INTENT The purpose of this Ordinance is to establish regulations to control development within Blowsand Hazard Zones as defined by SECTION 3 of this Ordinance. Regula- tions are hereby established requiring implementation and maintenance of Blowsand Control Devices for the protection of property and public roads. Additionally, this Ordinance regulates the issuance of Building and/or Grading Permits, pre- scribes application procedure and appropriate mitigation measures for conditioning 'Vermit issuance, sets forth standards -for development within designated Blowsand Hazard Zones, establishes bonding and liability requirements and prescribes penalties for violations of its provisions. The intent of this Ordinance is to enable the City/County of to protect the health, safety and general welfare of future residents of proposed residential dwellings to be located within an identified Blowsand Hazard Zone, to provide for protection of adjacent property owners subject to soil erosion and/or sand accumulation resulting from development activity within an identified Blowsand Hazard Zone and to minimize the public cost of removing accumulated sand in public roads located within the Blowsand Hazard Zone. It is not the intent of this Ordinance to prescribe rigid, inflexible standards. Rather, it is the policy of the City/County to insure the long-term health, safety and general welfare of its residents in a manner which enhances the community and protects property values and public roads. Because land located within the Blowsand Hazard Zone is subject to natural sand movement and the attendant potential exists for such lands to create or aggravate more than normal sand movement conditions in adjacent proper- ties, enforcement of the provisions of this Ordinance is reasonable and within the ,power of the City/County to exercise. 'SECTION.3 - DEFINITIONS For purposes of this Ordinance, the following terms, phrases, words and their derivations shall have the meaning given herein. "ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY" shall mean the City/County Engineer, Public Works Director, Planning Director, Community Development Director or other Person or Department designated by the City/County of to administer and enforce the provisions of this Ordinance. "BLOWSAND CONTROL'PLAN"shall mean a document containing information as to the nature of a proposed project and shall specify the time and manner in which compliance with SECTION 8, Development Standards shall be ac- complished. -19- "BLOWSAND HAZARD ZONE" shall mean all land, by nature of its location or soil characteristics, subject to real or potential sand accumulation and/ or abrasion damage or land which may cause sand damage on adjacent property. Land subject to blowing sand damage, either through sand abrasion, soil erosion and/or sand deposition, is within the Blowsand Hazard Zone. "SLOWSAND CONTROL DEVICES" may include, but are not limited to: vege- tative barriers, walls, screens, fences, vegetative ground covers, tem- porary and permanent ground covers, soil stabilizers and watering tech- niques or other materials or procedures utilized to prevent soils or land from erosion and/or sand from blowing across or accumulating upon the area proposed for development, public roads and/or adjacent property. "PERSON" shall mean any Person, firm, partnership, association, corpora- tion, company or organization of any kind. "APPLICANTS" shall mean any person desiring to obtain a Building and/ or Grading permit from the Administrative Authority for the purpose of modifying any land located within the Blowsand Hazard Zone. "MODIFY" shall mean constructing, paving, grading, excavating, plowing, removing natural vegetation, depositing material or conducting other activities upon property located within a Blowsand Hazard Zone likely to cause, contribute to or aggravate existing wind erosion and/or sand accumulation on such property, public roads and/or upon adjacent property. Additionally,"Modify'shall mean the proposed use of land for recurring vehicular, pedestrian or equestrian traffic; building construction; re- moval of vegetation; establishing structures for erosion control; place- ment of signs sq. feet or greater; soil manipulation of areas greater than 10,000 sq. feet or excavating or filling a combined total of more than 300 cubic yards of soil material. SECTION 4 - SCOPE Provisions of this Ordinance shall apply to those areas within the City/County of identified a Blowsand Hazard Zone. All property located within the Blowsand Hazard Zone shall be subject to the pro- visions of this Ordinance. All Persons who own or control land within the Blowsand Hazard Zone, as defined in SECTION 3, who desire to Modify such property shall obtain a Building and/or Grading Permit from the Administrative Authority of the City/County of In addition to regulations and con- ditions imposed upon the issuance of Building and Grading Permits, specific stand- ards listed in SECTION 8 of this Ordinance shall be imposed by the Administrative Authority. SECTION 5 - EXEMPTIONS Provisions of this Ordinance may be waived by the Administrative Authority for usual and customary agricultural operations conducted in accordance with other applicable codes, ordinances, rules and regulations of the City/County of Activities of single family homeowners may also be waived. Eradication of vegetation or earth movement in vacant lots and roadway right-of- ways for fire protection purposes may be exempt. -20- SECTION 6 - POWERS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY The Administrative Authority shall have the following powers: 1. To issue and charge a fee for supplying and processing Building and/or Grading Permits, conducting inspections, reviewing Blowsand Control Plans for consistency with provisions of this Ordinance and for'development of a wind erosion control fund to be used for installation and maintenance of blowsand protection measures to protect public facilities within the Blowsand Hazard Zone. 2. To waive the whole or part of any provision of this Ordinance for the purpose of meeting any extraordinary emergency or calamity. 3. To deny or revoke a Building or Grading Permit subject to a finding that the provisions of this Ordinance and/or its intent have been violated. The absence or inadequacy of a Blowsand Control Plan shall constitute grounds for the denial of a Building and/or Grading Permit. 4.' To enforce the policy of the City/County of by encouraging the Public, through education and publicity, to become aware of the purpose and provisions of this Ordinance. SECTION 7-BLOWSAND CONTROL PLANS Applicants are required to develop and submit Blowsand Control Plans for Admin- istrative Authority review. Plans shall specify the time and manner in which ccmipliance with SECTION 8, Development Standards shall be accomplished. Before nssuances of any Building and/or Grading Permit, the Administrative Authority shill review the Blowsand Control Plan for consistency with the intent and pur- pose of this Ordinance. Based upon a finding of consistency, the Administrative Authority shall approve the plan and issue the Building and/or Grading Permit, together with conditions imposed thereon. Whdnever significant changes or modifications are made to existing or proposed Blowsand Control Devices, the Applicant shall secure written approval from the Administrative Authority. At its discretion, the Administrative Authority may require re -application if significant changes are made to the Blowsand Control Plan to warrant such action. CONTENTS OF BLOWSAND CONTROL Blowsand Control Devices shall be illustrated and described by the applicant in detailed plans and specifications submitted for approval. Such Blowsand Control Devices may include, but are not to be limited to: vegetative barriers, walls fences, vegetation, temporary and/or permanent ground covers, soil stabilizers and water or other material for holding the disturbed or unstabilized soils in place. e Plans shall be drawn to scale upon substantial paper or cloth and shall be of sufficient clarity and detail to indicate the nature and extent of the work proposed. Additionally, specifications shall be in conformance with all provisions of this Ordinance and all other relevant laws, ordinances, rules and regulations adopted by the City/County of The first sheet of each set of plans shall give the location of the work, the name and address of the owner and the Person by whom they were prepared. Plans shall include: 1. Address and general vicinity of the proposed site. 2. Property limits, accurate contours of existing ground and details of terrain and area drainage. Contours of existing ground shall be shown at a two foot interval unless portions of terrain are so steep that the contours must be omitted. The source of the existing topographical representation shall be referenced. 3. Elevations and finished contours to be achieved by grading. 4. Detailed illustrations of proposed Blowsand Control Devices as a part of the proposed work. Vegetative blowsand control devices shall be described in detail together with provisions for placement, maintenance and irrigation systems. Mechanical control devices shall be described in detail together with placement, maintenance and removal provisions. Sand removal practices along public roads and along Blowsand Control Devices shall be provided. 5. Location of any buildings or Blowsand Control Devices within 1,320 feet of the proposed project. 6. Approximate time frames when work will begin and end. 7. Landscaping plans, including provisions for adequate maintenance and irrigation of landscaping. Vegetation shall be suitable to the desert climate and produce minimal environmental or public health side effects. Vegetation shall be utilized to stabilize soils unless other acceptable alternatives are provided. Shade trees shall be used whenever possible to break up wind patterns. B. Maturation rates for vegetative control mechanisms shall be described, together with water requirements, compatibility with surrounding vegetation, disease and drought tollerance, fire resistance to sand abrasion, toxicity, maximum height and width, susceptibility to insect attacks, limb flexibility, fertility requirements, plant stock availability, root depth, ease of establishment, maintenance and replacement costs, longevity, foliage retention, sprouting ability, rate of growth, ability to withstand sand deposition, wild- life value and special qualities of color, flowers, fruit or foliage characteristics. -22- SECTION 8 - DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS The following development standards and procedures shall be imposed upon any Person requesting a Building and/or Grading Permit for work to be performed with- in a Blowsand Hazard Zone. Such conditions shall be added to the permit consistent with and in implementation of the requirements of this Ordinance. With due consideration given to economic feasibility, the Administrative Authority shall insure that all proposed Blowsand Control Devices are designed to a mini- mum standard in accordance with the "Design Standards and Typical Drawings for Blowsand Control Devices" (adopted herein by reference) and according to the plans and specifications referred to in the Building and/or Grading Permit. A. PERMIT, INSPECTION AND DEVELOPMENT FEES The Administrative Authority shall collect fees for permits and inspections as prescribed by resolution of the City Council/Board of Supervisors. Recoverable costs include administrative expenses relative to reviewing and checking plans for compliance with this Ordinance, on -site appraisals, inspections and processing Building and/or Grading Permits. The City/County may prescribe addi- tional development fees to provide for a Wind Erosion Control Fund. Revenues collected from development fees shall be appropriated for installation and main- tenance of Blowsand Control Devices along unprotected public roadways providing access to the proposed development. B. ASSURANCES Applicants for Building and/or Grading Permits shall assure the Administrative Authority that, in order to mitigate adverse impacts associated with land modifi- cation within Blowsand Hazard Zones, Blowsand Control Devices shall be continually maintained to prevent soil from erosion and to prevent sand from blowing across or accumulating upon public roads and/or upon adjacent property. For all grading, building, transporting, paving, irrigating, clearing, leveling and other operations likely to disturbe existing stabilized vegetation, the Applicant shall insure that no sand, soil or other material is washed, blown by wind or otherwise deposited onto public streets or adjacent property and that all temporary or permanent blowsand control devices are working properly on a continuous basis. C. LOT AND ROADWAY DESIGN STANDARDS Lots and roadways shall be designed to obtain maximum protection with minimum length of required Blowsand Control Devices. Wind direction and sand movement in relation to side lines of lots, buildings, parks, open spaces, parking facili- ties and roadways shall be a determining factor in development design. 1. Design of the proposed development shall mitigate the adverse effect of exposing existing and future automobile movement to abrasive winds by orienting major access roads parallel to wind direction. 2. Streets shall be designed to direct moving sand off roadways and to prevent sand accumulation in dips. Curbs likely to accu- mulate sand shall be avoided. -23- 3. Additional right-of-way shall be dedicated to the City/County along major access roads requiring Blowsand Control Devices. 4. Dead end streets shall be blocked to prevent vehicular access to open desert areas. 5. Major access roadways shall be elevated feet above standard or finished grades of surrounding land. D. GRADING STANDARDS The following provisions shall apply to all Grading Permits issued for proposed modifications of land with Blowsand Hazard Zones: 1. Interim or permanent Blowsand Control Devices, water run-off control methods and flood control facilities shall be installed concurrent with street grading operations. 2. Natural vegetation on lots within the area to be developed shall not be disturbed until Blowsand Control Devices have been es- tablished and approved by the Administrative Authority. Additionally, lots shall not he graded until Building Permits have been issued and construction is scheduled within days. 3. Once disturbed, soils shall be compacted and continuously watered or otherwise stabilized until more permanent stabilizing techniques are implemented and effective temporary or permanent soil stabilization measures shall prevent downwind movement of disturbed soils. 4. No leveling, excavating, grading, paving or soil spreading shall be permitted during periods of prevailing winds in excess of 15 m.p.h., at one foot above ground level, without the expressed written consent of the Administrative Authority and subsequent compliance with Administrative Authority conditions. E. PUBLIC UTILITIES Vegetative Blowsand Control Devices shall not be placed over or under public utilities. Disturbed soils covering underground utilities shall be compacted upon backfill and continuously watered until stabilized. F. DUST CONTROL Applicants shall provide an effective means of dust control including provisions for adequate watering during the grading and soil removal process and provisions for continuing dust and moving sand control after grading. These procedures shall be continued until such time that the graded/altered topography has been stabilized sufficiently to protect proposed buildings, public roads and adjacent property owners against soil erosion or sand deposition. G. TRANSPORTING SOILS Vehicles using public streets in the transportation of earth fills and other like materials for grading or construction shall be equipped or devised to efficiently prevent loss of such material from the vehicle in transit. -H. NOTIFICATION OF COMPLETION The Applicant, or his agent, shall notify the Administrative Authority when the grading operation is ready for final inspection. Final approval shall not be given until all work, including installation of all Blowsand Control De- vices, has been completed in accordance with the final Blowsand Control Plan submitted by the Applicant as approved by the Administrative Authority. SECTION 9 - PROPERTY MANAGEMENT ENTITY For large scale developments of acres or more or developments of units or more, the following provisions apply: Prior to the issuance of a Building and/or Grading Permit, the Applicants shall establish a special district, homeowners association, improvement district, community service district, management company, county service area or other legally established entity empowered, authorized and adequately financed to per- form perpetual maintenance and irrigation of Blowsand Control Devices and to pro- vide for a continuing revenue source for removal of accumulated sand in the vicinity of the Blowsand Control Devices. The legally established property management entity is responsible for removing accumulated sand from public roads within the jurisdictional boundaries of the property management entity. If such entity fails to cause the removal of accumu- lated sand upon public roads within a reasonable and timely manner and upon giving five days written notice to the entity responsible for removing sand accu- mulated upon public roads, the Administrative Authority may abate and remove sand or soil by entering upon the property and take such action as is necessary to prevent the sand or soil from being eroded or blown onto public streets. Upon completion of this remedial action, taken by the Administrative Authority solely in an effort to protect the health, safety and general welfare of the public traveling upon public roads, the Administrative Authority shall cause the :assessment of the costs incurred of removal and prevention of erosion against the legally established property management entity. SECTION 10 - LIABILITY Applicants shall indemnify, defend and save the City/County of , its authorized agents, officers, representative and employees, harmless from and against any and all penalties, liabilities or losses resulting from claims or court action and arising out of any accident, loss or damage to persons or property •happening or occurring as a proximate result of any work undertaken under the permits granted pursuant to this Ordinance. The Administrative Authority may require proof of financial responsibility to meet the Applicant's obligations under this Section. An insurance policy, acceptable to the City/County, naming the City/County as an additional insured may meet the requirements of this Section. SECTION 11 - DEPOSITS If required by the Administrative Authority, Applicants shall provide a cash de- posit, surety bond or other acceptable security in the amount determined by the -25- Administrative Authority as sufficient to reimburse the City/County for costs of removing sand accumulated in public roads as a result of Applicant's non-compliance with SECTION 9, Property Management Entity. SECTION 12 - EMERGENCY ACTION Nothing in this Ordinance shall be construed to prevent the performance of work necessary for the preservation of life or property, or making needed repairs to existing facilities, provided that the Person undertaking emergency action shall notify the Administrative Authority of work undertaken on the first working day after work is commenced and subsequently apply for a Building and/or Grading Permit. SECTION 13 - INSPECTIONS The Administrative Authority shall make inspections and may establish rules and regulations reasonably necessary to enforce and carry -out the intent of this Ordinance. SECTION 14 - PENALTIES Any Person violating any provision of this Ordinance, in addition to the revocation of a Building and/or Grading Permit, is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof, shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed the sum of $500 or imprisonment. Each Person is guilty of a seperate offense for each day during any portion of which any violation of any provision of this Ordinance is committed. SECTION 15 - SEVERABILITY If any provision of this Ordinance, or the application thereof, to any Person or circumstances is found to be invalid, the remainder of this Ordinance and the application of such provisions to other Persons shall not be affected. SECTION 16 - APPEAL Provisions of this Ordinance shall be subject to Appeal in the manner provided for in Section of Article of the City/County Building Code. An Applicant may appeal in writing to the City Council/Board of Supervisors an action of the Administrative Authority to deny or revoke a Building and/or Grading Permit or from the conditions of approval imposed by the Administrative Authority in issuing a permit. The City Council/Board of Supervisors shall promptly fix a date for public hearing and cause at least days written notice to be given to the Applicant and the Administrative Authority. The decision of the City Council/Board of Supervisors shall be final. -26- v Section 5 COACHELLA VALLEY ASSOCIATION of GOVERNMENTS A "BLOWSAND HAZARD ZONE" is defined as: " . . . all land, by nature of its location or soil characteristics, subject to real or potential sand accumulation and/or abrasion damage or land which may cause sand damage on adjacent property." Land subject to blowing sand damage, either by sand abrasion, soil erosion and/or sand deposition, is within the BLOWSAND HAZARD ZONE. Identifying portions of the Coachella valley subject to blowsand damage, the following map has been pre- pared and designed to serve as an attachment to the SECTION 4, Blowsand Control Ordinance. As an attachment, the map identifies the BLOWSAND HAZARD ZONE in each city and county jurisdictional planning area. METHODOLOGY USED TO IDENTIFY THE BLOWSAND HAZARD ZONE Blowsand Hazard Zones shown on the following map were determined by two methods: soil characteristics and wind activity. The larger hazard area includes erodable soils; those areas susceptible to wind erosion due to unstable characteristics of fine, loosely packed surface soils. Erodability was determined from maps recently prepared by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service. These reference maps categorized surface characteristics from depths of zero to two inches. Land included within the larger boundary is assumed to be barren and unsheltered. Within the larger Blowsand Hazard Zone, a very active, highly erodable, severly hazardous area is identified. This inner zone represents an area of erodable soils and high velocity winds. Determined through the use of aerial photography and field observations, the smaller Blowsand Hazard Zone represents an environmental hazard to the health, safety and general welfare of potential residents. The map is included for general planning purposes and should not be considered or used as a indicator of soil erodability or blowsand activity at specific sites. -27- Ks a 0 COACHELLA BLOWSAND VALLEY REGION BLOWSAND HAZARD ZONE Legend Blowsand Hazard Area Boundary Active Blowsand Area Boundary SAND MOVEMENT DIRECTION Scale : f 1 Mile Jan 1977 �, aY+Yk � I. 1 •iP ;...::. VARNER ROAo� OWk A 1000 1 e s C0ACHELl.A VALLEY -ASSOCIATION of GOVERNMENTS "BLOWSAND CONTROL DEVICES" are defined as: " . vegetative barriers, walls, screens, fences, vegetative ground covers, temporary or permanent ground covers, soil stabili- zers and watering techniques or other materials or procedures utilized to prevent soils or land from erosion and/or sand from blowing across or accumulating upon the area proposed for develop- ment, public roads and/or adjacent property." The following standards, specifications and typical drawings for BLOWSAND CONTROL DEVICES are available in Appendix A of this report entitled "Design Standarda. and Tvnical Drawings for Blo sand Control Devices," These standards and typical drawings are designed to serve as guidelines by which developers can plan their proposals and the criteria by which local government can evaluate each proposal. Preliminary and final plans for each development proposal within the BLOWSAND HAZARD ZONE can be reviewed by city/county planning staffs and by local planning com- missions. Legislative bodies can approve, conditionally approve or deny proposed projects on the basis of findings and conclusions reached after proposal evaluations pursuant to the design standards included in Appendix A of this report. CONTENTS OF APPENDIX A I. CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS A. Ponds, United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conserva- tion Service, No. 378. B. Irrigation Pipelines (Concrete) and Non -reinforced Precast Pipe, United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, No. 432 - C. C. Irrigation Pi2elines(Stee1), United States Department of Agri- culture, Soil Conservation Service, No. 432 - F. II. ENGINEERING STANDARDS A. Irrigation System (Sprinkler), United States Department of Agri- culture, Soil Conservation Service, No. 443 - 1. B. Irrigation System (Surface and Subsurface), United States De- partment of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, No. 445 - I. C. Irrigation Water Management, United States Department of Agri- culture, Soil Conservation Service, No. 449 - 1. D. Irrigation Pit or Regulation Reservoir, United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, No. 552 -A- 1. III. MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS A. Irrigation. Pipeline (Asbestos Cement), United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, No. 432 - B. B. High Pressure Underground Plastic, United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, No. 432 - D. C. Low Head Underground Plastic, United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, No. 432 - E. D. IrrigationPipeline(Reinforced Plastic Mortar),.United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, No. 432 - G. IV. STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS A. Dust Control, Standard Specifications, State of California, Business and Transportation Agency, Department of Transportation, January, 1975, Section 10. B. Watering, Standard Specifications, State of California, Business and Transportation Agency, Department of Transportation, January, 1975, Section 17. C. Dust Palliative, Standard Specifications, State of California, Business and Transportation Agency, Department of Transportation, January, 1975, Section 18. 'D. Earthwork, Standard Specifications, State of California, Business and Transportation Agency, Department of Transportation, January, 1975, Section 19. E. Erosion Control and Highway Planting, Standard Specifications, State -nf California, BusinessandTransportation Agency, Department of Trans- portation, January, 1975, Section 20. F. Fences, Standard Specifications, State of California, Business and Transportation Agency, Department of Transportation, January, 1975, Section 80. V. TYPICAL DRAWINGS A. Typical Planting Plan, Blowsand Design Specifications, Coachella Valley Associations of Government. B. Devices, Blowsand Design Specifications, Coachella Valley Association of Governments. C. Irrigation Components (Control Stations), Blowsand Design Specifications Coachella Valley Association of Governments D. Irrigation Components (Emitters), Blowsand Devices, Coachella Valley Association of Governments. -29- COACHEL.L.A VALLEY ASSOCIATION of GOVERNMENTS One of the primary objectives of this report is to suggest measures for control of sand movement and deposition along critical transportation routes throughout the Coachella Valley. In addition to the direct benefits of improving traffic ability along selected roadways, blowsand protection measures will aid in re- lieving hazardous conditions in areas adjacent to the transportation routes. Specific recommendations for mechanical and vegetative Blowsand Control Devices along selected roadways throughout the Coachella Valley have been identified in this SECTION. The following projects have been established for installation and maintenace of Blowsand Control Devices: PROJECT CORRIDOR DESCRIPTION AND REMARKS A Interstate 10 Extending northwesterly from Ramon Road, install vegetative or mechanical blow - sand control devices as appropriate. B State Highway Ill Extending northwesterly from Windy Point, provide vegetative protection measures as required to fill gaps in existing blowsand control devices, develop ade- quate water supply, install necessary irrigation systems and provide protective measures. C Date Palm Drive Extending north from Ramon Road to Inter- state 10, provide oleanders for two mile portion partially protected by up -wind developments and tamarisk tree rows for the remaining roadway, develop adequate water supply, install necessary irriga- tion systems and provide protective fencing measures. D State Highway 111 Extending east from Jefferson Street to Washington Street, provide oleander vegetative barriers, develop adequate water supply, install necessary irriga- tion systems and provide protective fencing measures. E Palm Drive -30- Extending north from Vista Chino to Inter- state 10, provide tamarisk tree row, y PROJECT CORRIDOR DESCRIPTION AND REMARKS develop adequate water supply, install necessary irrigation system and pro- vide protective fencing measures. F Palm Drive Extending north from Interstate 10 to Varner Road, provide additional tamarisk tree row, develop adequate water supply, install necessary irrigation systems and provide protective fencing measures. G Ramon Road Extending east from Date Palm Drive to Interstate 10, provide tamarisk tree row, develop adequate water supply, in- stall necessary irrigation systems and. provide protective fencing measures. H Bob Hope Drive Extending north from Annenburgs Estate to Ramon Road, provide tamarisk tree row, develop adequate water supply, install necessary irrigation systems and prc,Tide protective fencing measures. I Monterey Road Monterey Road is presently unconstructed north of Country Club Drive. Proposed projects include provisions of tamarisk tree row, development of adequate water supply, installation of necessary irri- gation systems and protective fencing measures when and if Monterey Road is constructed. J Interstate 10 Extending east from Date Palm Drive to Garnet Hill, provide tamarisk tree row, develop adequate water supply, install necessary irrigation systems, and pro- vide protective fencing measures. Obviously, blowsand protection measures would be desirable for all hazardous corri- dors throughout the Coachella Valley. However, rational, realistic, economic principals prevent unlimited roadway protection. Economics, rather than reason, preclude an inventory of all Coachella Valley transportation corridors subject to the hazards of windblown sand movement or accumulation. Therefore, in consideration of the above recommended projects, the following factors were initially considered in consideration of each proposed roadway improvement. Further evaluations are continuing. A. The nature and extent of current or potential blowsand hazard to motorists along each corridor. .B. Growth patterns, general plans and future development potential in the vicinity of each roadway, both up- and down -wind. c. Circulation characteristics, carrying capacities and average daily traffic, both current and projected. -31- D. Right-of-way constraints, easements, utilities and other physical facilities ' which may effect or preclude the location of Blowsand Control Devices. E. Official federal and/or state designation as "primary" or "secondary" road- ways. F. Emergency vehicle access, public transportation routes, truck routes and other specialized corridor uses. The following table represents estimated protection costs in 1977 dollars, exclusive of right-of-way acquisition or easement. Costs are based on plantings (as described) and include development of adequate water supplies. Development and operation of a new well was considered the least expensive, long-term means of supplying water for each project. Accordingly, combining two contiguous projects could result in a savings of $50,000 to $100,000 over the total project estimate. Necessary irrigation, snow fences, normal replacement, maintenance and up -keep are also included in project costs. Regarding rights -of -way, an additional 100 feet (fee or road easement) will generally be necessary along the upwind side of the corridor, plus rights -of -way (sand impound easements, or greater) extending up -wind an additional 200 feet to 600 feet measured in the direction of sand movement, depending upon the location in the Valley. -32- CRITICAL TRANSPORTATION CORRIDORS - ESTIMATED PROTECTION COSTS TOTAL COST TO ANNUAL MAINT. INITIAL ESTAB. EFFECTIVENESS COST AFTER PROJECT CORRIDOR LENGTH PROJECT COST 3 YEARS 3 YEARS A Interstate 10 - extending 1.4 mi. $195,000 $340,000 $ 15,000 northwesterly from Ramon Road B State Highway 111 - extend- 2.5 mi. $180,000 N/A $ 50-,000 ing northwesterly from Windy Point C Date Palm Drive - from Ramon 2.3 mi. $175,000 $340,000 $ 20,000 Road to Interstate 10 D State Highway 111 - from 1.7 mi. $150,000 $260,000 $ 15,000 Jefferson Street to Washing- ton Street E Palm Drive - from Vista Chino 2.4 mi. $235,000 $520,000 $ 50,000 to Interstate 10 F Palm Drive - extend E north to 0.8 mi. $ 50,000 $140,000 $ 15,000 Varner Road G Ramon Road - from Date Palm 2.9 mi. $240,000 $590,000 $ 40,000 Drive to Interstate 10 H Bob Hope Drive - from Annenburg 2.6 mi. $210,000 $480,000 $ 25,000 . Estate to Ramon Road I Monterey Road - from Whitewater 4.4 mi. $310,000 $720,000 $ 40,000 River to Interstate 10 J Interstate 10 - from Date Palm 5.7 mi. $550,000 $1,250,000 $ 85,000 Drive to Garnet TOTAL 26.7 mi. $2,295,000 $4,640,000 $355,000 COACHELLA BLOWSAND Legend VALLEY REGION CRITICAL TRANSPORTATION CORRIDORS Scale : 1 1 Mile Jan 1977 Section 8 COACHELLSA VALLEY ASSOCIATION of GOVERNMENTS FINANCIAL RESOURCES FEDERAL GRANTS The following represents revenue options for installation and yearly maintenance expenses. While Federal funding is identified by various agencies and categorical grant programs, no assumption is made regarding appropriations, applicability or eligibility of fund prerequisite for blowsand control devices. Blowing sand, with its attendant abrasion and accumulation problems, is a lacalized problem. A problem of unique environmental factors compounded by human interaction. No Federal grant program specifically identifies blowing sand as an eligible, fund- able abatement project. However, the following Federal programs are available for soil erosion and public safety programs. SOIL A. To assist local communities in initiating, long-range programs of resource conservation and to construct erosion control projects. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, CFDA *#10.901. B. To plan and carry out soil conservation programs. U.S. Department of Agri- culture, Soil Conservation Service, CFDA #10.902. C. To assemble, evaluate, select, release and introduce into new and improved plant materials for soil conservation. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, CFDA 10.905. PROTECTION OF ESSENTIAL HIGHWAYS A. To provide bank protection of highways endangered by flood caused erosion. Department of Defense, Department of the Army, FCDA #12.105. B. To assist state highway agencies in fostering safe highway design. Depart- ment of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, CFDA #20.205. C. To provide coordinated highway safety programs to reduce traffic accidents, deaths, injuries and property damage. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, CFDA #20.600. *CFDA = Catelogue of Federal Domestic Assistance -34- PROPERTY TAXF.S Representing local funding options, the following tax programs could be initiated by Coachella Valley cities and the County of Riverside upon all or upon a restricted group of property owners. Revenues received could be used to defray the cost of installing or maintaining blowsand control devices. Pay- ments could be spread over a number of years for long-term repayment of capital improvements or assessments could be levied for yearly capital improvements and maintenance expenses. A. Road Tax District B. Improvement District C. County Service Area D. Community Service District POTENTIAL REVENUE Based upon 1975/76 assessed valuation of the Coachella Valley (Palm Springs, Desert Sands and Coachella Valley Unified School Districts): A. An increase of $.01/$100 assessed value = $57,825.36 per year with a.$40,000 homeowners financial impact = $1.00 per year. B. An increase of $.10/$100 assessed value = $578,253.64 per year with a $40,000 homeowners financial impact = $10.00 per year. COACHELLA'-VALLEY RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT As a legally established subdivision of State government, the Coachella Valley Resources Conservation District (CVRCD) was organized to promote conservation of land and to protect land resources. CVRCD has a maximum taxing authority of $.02/$100 assessed value of land, excluding improvements. Since the district's boundaries do not include all incorporated areas and since the district's board would ..like to expand services, LAFCO has been presented with a proposal from the CVRCD Board of Directors to annex previously excluded city property into the districts revenue base. Based upon 1974/75 assessed valuation of Coachella Valley (Palm Springs, Desert Sands and Coachella'Valley Unified school districts): A. Existing tax base, an imposition of the maximum $.02/$100 assessed value = $17,969.38 per year with a $10,000 lot owner financial im- pact = $.50 per year. B. Proposed tax base, an imposition of the maximum $.02/$100 assessed value = $38,971.71 per year with a $10,000 lot owner financial im- pact = $.50 per year. GASOLINE TAX: Currently undergoing debate and legal interpretation in Sacramento, local govern- ments may be permitted to level an additional gasoline tax on each gallon sold. Pinal determination of local government prerogatives will be settled by legisla- tion or judicial decision. In the interim, the legislature has directed the Auditor, Contorller to distribute a recently completed report on this option. Dated February 27, 1977, this report indicated that while cities and counties Y may not impose additional sales tax without special legislation, in the opinion of the Legislative Council (not the Attorney General) cities and counties may levy per/gallon taxes on gasoline. POTENTIAL REVENUE Based upon estimates provided by CALTRANS and SCAG, a $.O1/gallon tax on gasoline would yield $470,000 and $600,000 in yearly revenue for the Coachella Valley. The impact upon the average 12,000 miles per year drives, in a car averaging 12 miles per gallon = $10.00 per year. A. Development Tax B. Motor Vehicle In Lieu Tax -36- COACT- 21-1-A VALLEY ASSOCIATION of GOVERNMENTS 1. ADDRESSING THE BLOWSAND HAZARD IN GENERAL PLAN ELEMENTS A. SAFETY ELEMENT: GOALS: To encourage implementation of development standards to mitigate blow - sand hazards by amending City/County ordinances, subdivision regulations and building and grading codes. To continue to support other community ordinances aimed at reducing prop- erty damage resulting from blowing sand. To identify and evaluate potential damage to property and vehicles caused as a result of development within the BLOWSAND HAZARD ZONE. To propose programs for the abatement or reduction of potential blowsand damage to downwind or adjacent property as a result of development activities within the BLOWSAND HAZARD ZONE. To develop an adequate, acceptable, achievable, economically feasible alternative set of vegetative and/or mechanical Blowsand Control Devices to abate or mitigate existing and potential blowsand conditions and to improve traffic safety and mobility along critical roadways. To recognize potential hazards of development within blowsand areas and to establish policies, enact ordinances and implement regulations designed to control development within hazard zones. BACKGROUND Currently, Riverside County and twelve cities are cooperating in a joint program to prepare Safety Elements for their respective general plans. While these elements are being prepared in accordance with adopted State Council on Intergovernmental (CIR) Guidelines, safety concerns may be, but are not, expanded to include "blowsand" chapters. While blowsand may be considered as a "constraint" which should be con- sidered in the planning process, damage to vehicles and property resulting from wind-blown sand is not specifically mentioned in the CIR Guidelines. Additionally, limited staff, time and money prohibit inclusion of a Blowsand Chapter in the City/County Safety Element now being prepared by the Riverside County Planning Department. -37- Through efforts undertaken in the development of the BLOWSAND CONTROL r AND PROTECTION PLAN, significant data exists and is included in this report - maps have been prepared identifying the Blowsand Hazard Zone; standards, designs and typical engineering drawings have been developed for Blowsand Control Devices; funding sources investigated; alternative blowsand abatement mechanisms identified; and capital cost and maintenance estimates prepared for specific pro- grams designed to reduce blowsand damage to vehicles along selected critical transportation corridors throughout the Coachella Valley. B. OPEN SPACE ELEMENT: GOALS:' To inventory land, determine capabilities, limitations and hazards and to establish appropriate classification system for utilization. To designate as open space those areas found to be hazardous to public health, safety and general welfare, i.e., fire or flood prone, geologically hazardous, noise impact and Blowsand Hazard Zones. To suggest regulatory mechanisms to restrict, prohibit or control development activities in areas not appropriate for urbanization. To actively pursue public land acquisition, exchange or easement procurement programs to assure full or partial development rights of land within hazardous blowsand areas. BACKGROUND Blowsand Hazard Zones are identified in SECTION 5 of this report. Blowing sand damages land, residential and commercial buildings, motor vehicles, trailors, traffic signs and utility poles by abrasion. Blowing sand accumulates in roads, driveways, yards, carports and patios. Individuals, organizations and local county and State govern- ments spend large amounts of money each year for sand removal and re- pair and replacement of damaged property. In addition to the development standards proposed in the Model BLOWSAND CONTROL ORDINANCE, blowsand control measures include indirect regula- tory mechanism designed to discourage or prohibit development in extremely hazardous areas. Designation of hazardous areas as OPEN SPACE may require compensation to private property owners. While acquisition expenses may discourage public ownership, less than full public ownership options remain. Long-term public expenses associ- ated with frequent and continuous sand removal along public roadways may justify denial of proposed developments. C. CONSERVATION ELEMENTS: GOALS: To prevent the erosion of soils due to water, wind and development ac- tivities. To recognize soil erosion potential and establish policies to prohibit, restrict, control, discourage or otherwise regulate land conversions. 591-T To provide maximum protection to areas of highly erodible soils by containing future development within the limits of delineated, urban boundaries within which public facilities and services can be provided efficiently and economically and to prevent future encroachment of urban activity in severe soil erosion/blowsand hazard areas. To designate and protect natural desert areas in order to preserve habitats of animals and plants which may possess unique qualities, are rare or endangered, have a,sethetic attractions or provide sta- bility and natural ground cover. To develop protective regulatory mechanisms to minimize human inter- ference with natural fources stabilizing natural ground cover. Extensive areas within the BLOWSAND HAZARD ZONE may be identified as conservation areas. Proper stabilizing, shielding and other erosion control measures would be appropriate. Soil stabilization techni- ques included within the Model BLOWSAND CONTROL ORDINANCE may provide cities and the County sufficient leverage in insuring adequate soil erosion protection to potential residents and adjacent property owners. Respecting environmental constraints, extreme hazard areas may not be appropriate for any development, or possibly a limited range of uses. Land as a resource should be used within its -capabilities and limita- tions. While some areas may not be appropriate for any development, other areas may require control devices to off -set environmental hazards. Vegetative wind -breaks have the dual effect of up -grading the appearance of new developments while protecting residents from blowsand hazards. When designed and installed in conformance with high standards of design and efficiency, blowsand control devices may insure quality development in a manner which enhances the communi- ty, protects future residents and may alleviate existing hazards along roadways. Rather than permiting random, scattered isolated developments, cities and the County should encourage developers to tie into already developed areas. 2. IMPLEMENTATION OF SAFETY, OPEN SPACE AND CONSERVATION POLICIES THROUGH ORDINANCES: With allowable densities in BLOWSAND HAZARD ZONES lowered to one unit per five/ten/twenty acres, the random subdivision of land would be discouraged. Optional density allowances could increase for large-scale clustered de- velopments financially capable of installing and maintaining Blowsand Control Devices. Blowsand Hazard Zones could be identified in each General Plan, with standards for blowsand control appropriately applied. 3. REGULATION OF PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN BLOWSAND HAZARD ZONES BY ADOPTION OF THE MODEL BLOWSAND CONTROL ORDINANCE: Wind erosion control is an important consideration facing developers in the Blowsand Hazard Zone. Unfortunately, past efforts to control or mitigate the adverse effects of blowing sand have been reactionary, physically constructed barriers, wind -breaks, fences, etc. Most have been placed as afterthoughts, grudgingly and incrementally, most have been paid for as indirect secondary costs. Few blowsand control measures have been designed with the initial proposal, installed before modification of land commenced or financed and maintained by long-term, established manage- ment entities. The BLOWSAND CONTROL ORDINANCE has been prepared to offer CVAG member agencies the legal foundation to control and regulate land development within Blowsand Hazard Zones. Beneficiaries of the local adoption and implementation of this ordinance are future residents, adjacent property owners and the traveling public. 4. ESTABLISH BLOWSAND CONTROL DEVICES ALONG CRITICAL TRANSPORTATION CORRIDORS: Certain definate steps must be taken to place a complete program of wind ero- sion control devices along the CRITICAL TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR identified in SECTION 7 of this report. 1. Responsibility for and active leadership by a public/lead agency to coordinate planning, secure funding, establish priorities, initiate programs and maintain installed publically owned Blowsand Control Devices. 2. Secure regulatory authority and financial resources to acquire necessary rights -of -ways. 3. Provide technical assistance to develop and design appropriate con- trol mechanisms. 4. Coordinate joint projects with property owners along Critical Trans- portation Corridors. S. SUGGESTED ROLE FOR THE COACHELLA VALLEY ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS: To collect, assemble and evaluate technical information for consideration by member agencies. This technical assistance is needed for use in making decisions, formulating plans and alternatives, and in developing recommendations which will implement recommended programs contained in the BLOWSAND CONTROL AND PROTECTION PLAN. To serve as a focal point, a clearing house, a coordinating agency for multi -jurisdictional programs contributing to the control of wind erosion in the Coachella Valley and to make recommendations to member agencies regarding organization structures required for executing plans. To participate in the development of guidelines for member agency consi- deration designed to direct the timing and location of urban development within the Blowsand Hazard Zone. 6. SUGGESTED ROLE FOR THE COACHELLA VALLEY RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT: To continue to provide technical assistance to individual homeowners, groups of landowners, cities, the County and other private organizations or public agencies for development of plans for wind erosion control and soil conservation. To request other agencies and organizations to provide information and planning assistance in their fields of responsibility. Such interests include management or development of land for homesites, for recreation use, for cemeteries, for water conservation, for flood control, for transportation and for tourist trade. To develop a homeowners brochure to inform homeowners of affordable, easily installed blowsand control mechanisms. 7. SUGGESTED ROLE FOR THE RIVERSIDE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT: To investigate the health effects of blowing sand and find particulate matter upon Coachella Valley residents. -8. SUGGESTED ROLES FOR COACHELLA VALLEY FLOOD CONTROL nISTRTCT4; To evaluate activities with respect to drainage patterns alternatives, grading operations, natural ground cover removal, channelization.and flood control device alignment with respect to blowsand conditions, both existing and as a result of facilities development. 9. SUGGESTED ROLE FOR THE RIVERSIDE COUNTY PARKS DEPARTMENT: To evaluate the feasibility of acquiring open desert dune lands as a county park, habitat preserve, downwind storage area of sand, natural area or interpretive center. Areas difficult to stabilize, such as water spreading grounds, may necessitate downwind storage areas for sand. Sand dunes already exist, their stability threatened by development activity. Designed as "wilderness" or "natural" areas, dune areas could provide a natural attraction for visitors, residents and researchers. 10. SUGGESTED ROLE FOR THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION: To evaluate the feasibility of providing additional prewarning devices and as- signed, emergency parking areas along Interstate 10. 11. SUGGESTED ROLE FOR THE U.S. CORP OF ENGINEERS AND LOCAL FLOOD CONTROL AGENCIES: To evaluate potential construction of a extensive retention basin in the Whitewater River flood plain west of Indian Avenue, thereby reducing the source of blow - sand material, reducing flood hazards and increasing percolation of impounded water. 12. SUGGESTED ROLE FOR THE RIVERSIDE COUNTY ASSESSOR: To upwardly re -assess adjacent property within feet of any publically installed and maintained Blowsand Control Device. To investigate the feasibility of -providing taxing incentives for private property owners to provide blowsand control devices. 13. RECOMMENDED NXASURES TO ENHAVCE AND PROTECT NATURAL GROUND COVER: While the installation of physical structures, devices and plant materials may partially solve blowsand conditions, the most significant corrective measure will occur through man permitting, not interfering with, the natural environment. Protection of plant cover is a necessary measure to use in combination with all blowsand control measures. Protection is necessary if the existing ground cover is not degraded to the point that its effectiveness in con- trolling sand movement is decreased or lost. Additionally, protection is a preventative rather than='a responsive blowsand control measure. The following actions are recommended: -41- r 1. That the Riverside County Sherrif's Department and Bureau of Ij Land Managz�nent actively, strictly and punitively enforce off - road vehicle restriction. 2. That the Bureau of Land Management seek the removal of abandoned. homesteads. 14. SUGGESTED ROLES FOR COACHELLA VALLEY WATER DISTRICTS: To establish policies and special rates for water delivered to publically owned, installed and maintained vegetative blowsand control devices. -42- r- A Cuf:aZr off IF81nnm 45-275 PRICKLY PEAR LANE, PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA 92260 TELEPHONE (714) 346-0611 October 20, 1977 Planning Director County of Riverside County Administrative Center 4080 Lemon Street, 9th Floor Riverside, Ca. 92501 Re: Palm Desert Planning Commission review of County Referral Case No. 2162 Dear Sir: As requested the Planning Commission of the City of Palm Desert at their regular meeting of October 19th, did review the request for change of zone noted on Case No. 2162 which is a change of zone from W-2-20 to R-1-12,000 on a 320 acre parcel located at the northeast corner of Frank Sinatra Drive extended and Monterey Drive extended. By a unanimous minute motion they did direct me to notify you that said rezoning is in conformance with the City's adopted General Plan and Land Use Map and assuming that the matter of ade- quacy as to the environmental impacts of said project can be determined, said rezoning appears appropriate at this location. I wish to thank you for giving us the opportunity to review this matter and hope that these comments will be of use to the Commission. Very truly yours, Paul A. Williams, Secretary Palm Desert Planning Commission cc: County Referral file R. Cipriani PAWJks NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE nIE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, ON A CHANGE OF ZONE IN THE r, T)pj,t" r)rcrn•r DISTRICT • r; NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing at which all interested persons will be heard, will be held before the Board of Supervisors of Riverside County, California, on the 14th Floor, County Administrative Center, 4080 Lemon Street, Riverside, California on Tgesday, April 10, 1978 at 1:30 p.m., on the Auplication of Irwin S. Schuman in Case No. 2162 for a change of zone from Zone w.-2-20 (Controlled Development Area -Twenty (20) Acre Minimum Lot Area) to Zone R-1-12 000 (One Family Dwellinqs - 12,000 Sq. Ft. I•Animum Lot Area) or such other zones as the Board may find appropriate, on property located on the northerly side of Frank Sinatra Drive, one mile easterly of Bob Hope Drive, and more particularly described as follows: The west half of Section 32, T.4S, R.6E, SBB & M. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DATED: march 21, 1978 DONALD D. SULLIVAN, CLERK Byt AGNES HUGHES, Deputy V Fourth Supervisoria7. Rlstri:t Change of Zone 216:2, t.4A. No. 4d83 Irwin ;1. Schuman, Applicant L11� City of Palm Desert and Richard M. EzEC7 Service, Jr,, Appellants MAY 16 1977 Planning Commission: 5-19-77 (Ganz. from Agenda Item: 1 4-6-77 S 5-4-.77, P S-FT CITY HALL RIVERSIDE COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT STAFF PePORT 1. Pro eat Description: Change of Zone 2162, 320 acres from W-2-20 (Coatrolled Development area, 20 acre minimum parcel size) to R-1-1.2,000 (One Family Dwellings, 12,000 sq. ft. minimum parcel size). North side of the easterly extension of Frank Sinatra Drive, one mile easterly of Bob Hope Drive, Cathedral City -Palm Desert District. 2. 9ac&ground- On Jauuary 20, 1977, Change of Zone 2162, Environmental. Assess- ment No. 4883 received a Positive Declaration which was appealed by the applicant on January 21., 1977. On February 2, 1971 the Planning Commission determined that the project would not have a significant effect on the environment and instructed staff to file a negative declaration. Sub- sequent to the determination;, the City of Palm Desert and Richard M. Service, Jr. filPd.letters appealing the filing of a Negative Declaration. Normally an appeal period would not accompany a Comm.'.:;lion•-determined negative declaration. Nowever, Lec:ause these eveuts occurred during a period of administrative transition relating to the California Environ- mental Quality Act (CEQA), it was determined that an appeal period should follow the negative declaration and the new procedure should govern this Case. Thus, a Nctira of Intent to File a Negative Declaration was published, and on March 21, 1977, the negative declaration ,aas filed. The letter of appeal from PaJm Desert was con- sidered filed ou the same date, and the case was scheduled for hearing on April 6, 1977 3. Basis for A veal: The City of Palm Desert indicates that the project could have serious euviroamental ramifications. The EIF Would provide a concise document to establish mitigation measures. 4. Analysis, a. General. Plan (Cove Communities) Land Usc: "Open Space and Planned. Development." b. Circulation: Frank Sinatra Drive - Major street, 100' right-of-way; Monterey Avenue - Secondary street, 90' right-of-way c. 2pen_S2ace end Conservation: "Rural" d. Surrounding Land Use: Fast, West, and North - vacant sand dunes; south - mobilthome country club. a. Rxistiu�Lo_ning_ W-2-20 f. Sorroundin&Zvninpti W-2-20 JAR/pap 4-1-77 Enclosure - Previous staff raport. ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS: On April 27, 1977 the applicant submitted additional information in the form of an "eaviron- i -��, — /�� p � ' ' �✓/�. �2��/���<;. '�/_,.T/�,�1.{./s/'1 � •.c� //ter ,F�. CFIZ w'-+r—C}iti -,�'�^ � erti 47r�yi,Lq � �i�. � � c.� � o� S ✓t /✓�. l ��-�.. %�� mil. 6�zl-:IZ74- O TO �� 6 Q"GLL%Z (OFFICE SUPPLY OMANUFACTURERS REPRESENTATIVE • MILL AGENTS GENERAL OFFICE 5061 SANTA FE AVE. • LOS ANGELES, CALIF. 90058 • (213) 588-9241 WILSHIRE BRANCH 3089 WILSHIRE BLVD. • LOS ANGELES, CALIF. 90005 • (213) 383-1141 is reasonable. I also think i by law," he said. ize, Bill," responded Helen nmissioner, we like lower .Is our problem. That is the e area and we had been eep that low density. Can't. i it to have lower density?" s are not set up for that," ded. Idn't make them a little ;ers asked. s not in the concept of the plans. Rogers concluded, "Bill nough physically and men ;e V' n to change the zoning the split two -two. Commis deFadden and Louis Smith rove, and Commissioners 'a and Michael Wolfson iy. Commissioner Gerald ent. ission then voted to post. ration of Bone's final de- an until April 27 when the could be reconsidered. But for some resolution at that ing that he had to begin derground utilities almost to gain construction on June. ssion's attorney noted that cold be interpreted as`9 it basis Bone could appeal to the City Council at its Thursday. Such As Me i inge-Toed Lizard, ine Impact On Rare .Species (EDITOR'S NOTE: This Is the last of three articles discussing environ. mental impact reports.) By PETER ALESHIRE Staff Writer t RANCHO MIRAGE —The fringe -toed lizard had some cause to feel smug about environmental impact reports (EIRs). But any smug lizard is reckoning without the Riverside County Planning Commission. The fringe -toed lizard, with its neigh- bor, the horned toad, is. being consid- ered for classification as a rare or endangered species. Stale guidelines implementing legislation requiring reports on environmental effects of new development require that EIRs be done when an endangered species is involved. But recently the county planning commission ignored both its own staff and the fringe -toed lizard in waiving requirements for an EIR before consi- dering a zone change in the desert near Rancho Mirage. - But a bigger question than the fate of the fringe -toed lizard in this case is such considerations as blowsand, sewer hook-ups, access roads, traffic patterns, water consumption, and fire protection. In neighboring Palm Desert another housing project ran afoul or the EIR process, but this time the requirements for an FIR were applied. And the devel- oper claims it cost, him thousands of dollars. In the conclusion of this three part series on environmental impact reports, the gleanings from these two cases can serve as a metaphor for the whole process. Back in December Erwin S. Schuman, owner of the Riviera Hotel, sent a re- quest for a zone change on 320 acres of windblown desert on the north side of the easler)y extension of Frank Sina- tra Drive, one mile east of Bob Hope Drive. He wanted the zoning changed from a minimum 20-acre lot size to a minimum 12,000-tool lot size. The change would allow him to subdivide and build up to 960 single family homes on the property. The county planning staff spent a month mulling over the proposal, and decided Schuman should do an environ- mental impact,report before the plan- ning commission considered the zone change. The staff ticked off a list of concerns. The primary one was the blowsand problem in the area. One planner told the Desert Sun that blowsand problems could be handled with careful design of the project, but without an EIR it is difficult to gauge the blowsand im- /� Are ///��� i A 200%VICTilable pact. The staff also listed a host of other considerations, from the effect of the /7 I (�j r p possible 2,668 population increase to fire protection. seven inches in loam, and ,hes in day. . in how fast they absorb much they store and how n it" icfently, "water deep and allow, frequent watering allow roots, more evapo. id reduces the moisture e son, mults," the leaflet says, mg it takes to soak the me and how long this last. Don't apply water It faster than soil can absorb. Water early in the day to reduce evaporation loss." Alternatives to saving water include: —Save water for plants that can't survive without it.. —Reduce watering of other plants to subsistence level. Lawns can do without water for a long time and green up again when moisture is available. —Don't plant annuals when water shortage is imminent. To request free copies, call the Soil Conservation Service office at 81-711 Hwy. 111. They ,also were worried about the fringe -toed lizard. This rare lizard scuttles through the empty sand in the area now, occasional- ly bumping into the somewhat less rare horned toad. "(The environmental planning sec- tion) had a list of environmental con- cerns an arm's length long," said one Riverside County planning staffer. The developer appealed the decision of the staff to the planning commission on Jan. 21. On Feb. 2 the planning commission heard the appeal and agreed with the developer that no EIR was necessary before the planning cum -- mission considered the zone change. "I guess they knew him (Schuman)," one planner said, "They just waved the environmental considerations aside." But the planning commission's deci- sion doesn't mean that an'EIR won't be done — eventually. Kay Olsen, plan. ning commissioner for the desert fourth district, said the project will require an EIR when it comes up for approval on the final plans. But be refused to talk about why the planning commis- sion decided an EIR was not required at the earliest stage. "I don't. think it's good to have it in the newspapers," he said. "It will be coming up in a public bearing,- that's the time to talk about it ... I don't want this in the papers." The county has recently adopted procedures, in cooperation with new stale guidelines on EIRs, which will keep the subject alive a while longer. The new policy calls for public hearings whenever 'a staff recommendation on the need for an EIR is overruled. After the commission waived the EIR, an appeal of the commission's decision was filed by both the city of Palm Desert and Richard Service, of Palm Springs. That appeal now will be set for public hearing. 1. 1- On`April 6 in Indio, Palm Desert and Service will ask the planning commis. sion to reconsider. Strangely enough, it has worked out that the Planning Commission will decide on an appeal of its own decision. If the appealers- don't like the decision this time, they can take the case to the Board of Supervisors. Palm Desert and Service are saying the Planning Commission violated state guidelines in waiving the EIR. The guidelines say an EIR should be done at the earliest possible point in the planning process, if the habitat of a rare or endangered species is involved, or if the project arouses public contro- versy. (Continued On Page B-2) li tell 6. JbdT I>, II • .I, he honor durng the recent mnual dinner meeting of .mployes of the three Carr (ranches. Johnson also received the ;ame honor in 1972 and 1973. ie has been a sales repre- writative with the firm's Indio branch for seven years. Johnson, his wife and nine NIAren reside in Indio. iinalra Special raping For ABC HOLLYWOOD (UPI) — Frank Sinatra returns to '.elevision musicals April 21 with "Sinatra and Friends" for ABC-TV, with guest stars Dean Marlin. Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole, Loretta Lynn. Robert Merrill and John Denver. (Continued From Page B-1) In this case, the question is why an EIR was not re- quired, but another develop- er in Palm Desert wants to know why an EIR was re- quired. Fred Rice is building 100 housing units on 20 acres of land between Hwy. Ill and Avenue 44 on Portola. He claims doing an EIR, and the delays that went with it, lacked $5,000 to the price of each of his $40,000 to $45,000 homes. But Paul Williams, Palm Desert planning director, says the EIR was necessary, and Rice snarled himself in delays by appealing the staff decision. It went something like this. On April 7, 1975, Rice filed a request for a conditional use permit along with a pre- liminary assessment of the environmental impacts. The planning department staff pondered it until April IS. when Rice was told he needed a full-fledged EIR. ARTISTS — Dolly Glum (right) of Palm Desert, member of Coachella Valley Chapter of California Women for Agriculture, was on hand at the Indio Fashion Mall, Saturday, 'to present checks to two of the win- ners of the Farm Picture Drawing Contest. Pictured (center) is Mark Hedquist of Rancho Mirage, who won a first place and $10 in the 11-13 age group and (left) Janine Brown of Indio, who won a $5 third prize. Second place winner in that age group was Debbie Saldivar of Palm Desert, not pictured, who won $7.50. Four ®rug Arrests Reported THERMAL — Two men and two women were arrest. ed on alleged narcotic viola- tions Tuesday after a small quanity of marijuana, heroin, and pills were atle- gedw confiscated by a com- bined team of narcotics officers. Rice thought his prelimi- nary assessment was good enough, so he appealed the staff decision to the City Council on April 23. The council first heard the appeal on March 8, and gave Rice an extension to beef up his preliminary report. But at the council meeting If June 12, the council decid. ed he still didn't have enough information, and required that he do a full dress EIR.; Four months later, on Oct. 8, Rice submitted the F.IR. Copies were put on public display and the city staff sent copies to other affected agen- cies (like the water district or the school district) and asked for the opinions of offi- cialdom. _ On Dec. 2, nearly two months after the EIR was submitted, the council grant- ed the conditional use per- mit. On the face of it, then, the EIR held up the project fur more than seven months. However, the appeal process Booked into county jail in Indio for sale of marijuana - and heroin were Ophelia Pena, 41, of Avenue 61, Via - cent Pena Jr., 20, of Coachel- la, Ramon C. Palomeres, 30, of Thermal, and Joanne Jackson, 18, same address as Pena. Officers from the Coachella Valley Major Crimes Task Force, the sheriff's Special Investigation Unit, and Indio and Coachella Police Depart- ments entered the Pena resi- dence on Avenue 61 just west of Pierce with a search war- rant. ' accounted for two of those months. Actualpreparation of the EIR, which was up to Rice, took four months. Pub- lic review took the remaining two months of delay. Rice maintains it was all.. a waste. "The first I;IR (the preliminary assessment) , was like 40 pages long," Rice said. "We just took that same report and extended it to 375 pages and really didn't give them any more information except to give them some pretty charts to look at." Bice agreed that all major projects should have some sort of an environmental ' study made, but claims he got caught in the revolving doors of the bureaucratic process. Re says the report cost $11,600 fe write, and more than $2,000 to make copies of. The real expense, he says, was in the construction delay, which ran up costs. However, some of that in. crease is undoubtedly cover-. ed by the rapid increase in _ home prices which wi net him a higher sales price when the homes go on the market. Rice's EIR is now on file at the city hall, and can be used by other developers in preparing their EIRs, Rice says the city is the main beneficiary of an EIR. "I think that the city should enter into the contract iwith th e consultant) and the city should pay for it, or at least a portion of it," he said. But Williams, the planning director, said the city did a major EIR in preparing the general plan, and other de- velopers make reference to that EIR in their plans. William's pointed out that Rice's project was in a dale grove, which the city wanted to preserve. He said there were also problems with utilities, traffic, and the im- pact on schools. Rice maintains there were no significent changes in the project as a result of the EIR, w• xrsVinclude state Sen. Job I Stull, R-Escondido, and Assemblyman Tom Suitt, D- Indian Wells. The two legislators are also the target of a still separate ALRB investigation. This in. vestigation centers around charges filed by the UFWA accusing Stull and Suitt of acting as "agent" for Larson and a farm management, company in Indio. These charges were filed With the ALRB shortly after the t,co legislators toured several :alley .ranches, in- cluding Larson's, last month. 'II sr ❑ and other growers had asked Stull and Suitt to come down and look into the farm labor situation here, an ce am y o can which could not have been required without the full EIR. But Sam Freed, of the Palm Desert planning department, says -the point of the EIR was information. "It diitprovide the council a lot of reassurance (on the -im- pact of the project.) A lot of the justification for -the EIR is not self-evident;' Freed said. These case studies show that, for better or worse. EIRs have been institu- tionalized by the beaucracy. The fringe -toed lizard may not have the vote, but the state has decreed be should be heard from. More impor- tant, the EIR process in fo- cusing attention on the fur- ther ripples of plopping development into the com- munity pool. Developers may fume and fret over the costs and delays but ii looks like they'll have to add EIRs to the list with death and taxes. AEN:71508 May 18, 1977 RIVERSIDE COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT PLANNING COMMISSION ELMER M. KATZENSTEIN, Chairman, Rubidoux KAY S. CENICEROS, Hemet JOHN H. WAGNER, Cherry Valley JESS E. LILLIBRIDGE, Corona RUSSELL E. CAMPBELL, Blythe KAY H. OLESEN, Palm Desert MARION V. ASHLEY, Perris A. E. NEWCOMB — PLANNING DIRECTOR 4080 LEMON STREET, 9th FLOOR, RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA 92501 TELEPHONE I7141 787.e1e1 Mr. Paul A. Williams Director of Environmental Services City of Palm Desert 75-245 Prickly Pear Lane Palm Desert, California 92260 Dear Mr. Williams: Reference is made to your telephone call of May 11, 1977, when I was attending a County Planning Directors conference. As you requested, enclosed is a copy of the letter submitted by Ronald A. Schulman, Attorney for Irwin Schuman, along with copies of an environmental impact report for a proposed condominium development on property located on the northerly - side of the extension of Frank Sinatra Drive and easterly of Bob Hope Drive in the Palm Desert area, Change of Zone Case 2162. I understand, also, that you inquired about the appeal of Alan C. Witnauer of the staff's recommendation for an environmental impact report for Change of Zone 2166 from R-1-1 to R-1-12,000 on approximately 200 acres located easterly of Monterey Avenue and on the northerly and southerly sides of Hovely Lane and that you asked to go on record as supporting the staff's recommendation. The Planning Commission at their meeting of May 11 continued the appeal on this Environmental Assessment 4960 to June 1, 1977. If we can be of any further help regarding these matters or any other matters, please feel free to give us a call. Very truly yours, RIVERSIDE COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT A. E. Newcomb - Planning Director AEN:rd Enc. l Riverside County Planning Commission 4080 Lemon Street, Ninth Floor Riverside, California 92501 Gentlemen: 420 South Beverly Drive Beverly Hills, California 90212 May 5, 1977 ,"�—j�, .I? MAY tY Ij199777 RIVERSIDE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION RE: Environmental Assessment No. 4883 Change of Zone 2162 The applicant, Mr. Irwin Schuman, has employed me as his representative for thei above referenced matter. It is his decision to withdraw his appeal which is pending on Environmental Assessment No. 4883 relating to Change of Zone Case 2162 on property located on the northerly side of the extension of Frank Sinatra Drive and easterly of Bob Hope Drive in the Palm Desert -Rancho Nirage area. We are today submitting 70 copies of an environmental impact report for the purpose of proceeding with the requested change of zone and in requirements with the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970. We will appreciate it if you would expedite the review of this document, and if there are any questions or comments relating to this matter, please contact the undersigned. Very truly yours, P Ronald A. Schulman, Attorney at Law 1MV45=1 SUBJECT: PRESENTATION TO THE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION REGARDING ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT NO. 4883 (C/Z NO. 2162) HONORABLE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION: C PAVAsd) I AM PAUL WILLIAMS, DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES FOR THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, I HAVE BEEN DIRECTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL TO APPEAR ON BEHALF OF THE CITY ON THIS MATTER, I HAVE WITH ME A LETTER SO AUTHORIZING, I AM HERE SPECIFICALLY TO ASK THE COMMISSION TO RECONSIDER ITS DECISION NOT TO REQUIRE AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR THIS PROPOSED REZONING, THIS REQUEST IS MADE WITHOUT REGARD TO THE ACTUAL MERITS OF THE PROJECT BUT ON THE BASIS THAT FOR SUCH A MAJOR PROJECT, AS POINTED OUT BY THE COUNTY PLANNING STAFF REPORT, THERE WILL BE SIGNIFICANT EN- VIRONMENTAL IMPACTS THAT SHOULD BE KNOWN TO THE COMMISSION AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE DATE, FURTHER, THIS REQUEST IS BASED ON THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT POINTS: PAGE Two THIS DESIGNATION UURELY POINTS OUT A CONCERN FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT IN THIS AREA, FURTHER, THE EXISTING ZONING OF CONTROLLED DEVELOPMENT - 20 ACRE MINIMUM LOT SIZE INDICATES A CONCERN FOR DEVELOPMENT IN THIS AREA. THE APPLICANT HAS REQUESTED THE HIGHEST DENSITY PERMITTED UNDER THE GENERAL PLAN, THE Pt*liliifiro COMMISSION SHOULD WEIGH THE RAMI- FICATIONS OF THIS REQUEST AND CONSIDER THE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS NOW. SECONDLY, THE APPLICANT AND THE COMMISSION BOTH( HAVEINDICATED THAT AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT CERTAINLY IS NECESSARY, BUT THAT IT 1+ HOULD BE AT A LATER DATE, SUCH A DETERMINATION APPEARS TO BE CONTRARY TO THE STATE LAW; WHICH ENCOURAGES THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT ON A PROJECT AT Ili€ EARLIEST POSSIBLE DATE, I SUBMIT TO YOU THAT THE APPLICANT IS REQUESTING A SPECIFIC ZONE WHICH WOULD ALLOW FOR A DEVELOPMENT OF 960 DWELLING UNITS ON THE PROPERTY. IT HAS BEEN TNTITrATFT1 RV THE APPLTCANT THAT SPFCTFTC IMPROVEMENTS ARE CONTEMPLATED. PAGE THREE THE REZONING IS NECESSARY IN ORDER TO BEGIN DEVELOPMENT OF THE IMPROVE- MENTS ON THE PROPERTY, JE THIS la ALLOWED IQ OCCUR WITHOUT ADEQUATE REVIEW OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL RAMIFICATIONS, A SUBSEQUENT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT WOULD BE MEANINGLESS, IT MUST BE DONE BEFOREHAND, AS AN ALTERNATIVE, THE STATE LAW PROVIDES THAT STAGED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORTS CAN BE DEVELOPED ON A PROJECT, HOWEVER, THE LAW WOULD SEEM TO IMPLY THAT ONCE A NEGATIVE DECLARATION IS ISSUED ON A PROJECT, IT IS FOREVER EXEMPT FROM FURTHER ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERA- TIONS UNLESS A SUBSTANTIAL CHANGE OCCURS IN THE PROJECT, AGAIN, AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT IS NEEDED PRIOR TO REZONING, THIRD, I AM AWARE THAT THE COMMISSION MUST WRESTLE WITH THE QUESTION OF WHAT IS SIGNIFICANT, THE COUNTY PLANNING STAFF HAS ACCURATELY DESCRIBED THE RAMIFICATIONS, SIZE, AND SCOPE OF THE PROJECT, FROM THE CITY'S STANDPOINT, SUCH A PROJECT REPRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT CUMULATIVE PAGE FOUR THAT IS SIGNIFICANT, THE DEVELOPMENT OF 960 UNITS REPRESENTS Z_4 YEARS OF THE AVERAGE GROWTH OF THE CITY, ANALYZING THE REQUEST FROM ANOTHER STANDPOINT, 960 DWELLING UNITS REPRESENTS 14% OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF DWELLING UNITS THAT PRESENTLY EXIST IN THE CITY, THAT IS A SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT, FOURTH, AS A PART OF THE REZONING MATTER, THE COMMISSION WILL HAVE TO WRESTLE WITH MERITS OF GRANTING A REZONING AS REQUESTED BY THE APPLICANT AT 3 UNITS TO THE ACRE, SOMETHING LESS, OR EVEN MORE, AS A PART OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT, THE ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES WOULD GIVE THE PLANNING COMMISSION INSIGHT INTO THE EFFECTS OF VARIOUS DENSITIES, AND ASSIST THE COMMISSION IN ITS DECISION MAKING. FIFTH, THE CITY'S GENERAL PLAN POINTS OUT THAT THE BLOWSAND HAZARD PROBLEM MUST BE ADDRESSED ON AN AREA -WIDE BASIS PARTICULARLY FROM A FINANCIAL POINT OF VIEW, THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED IN THE MOST SEVERE BLOWSAND AREA IN ALL OF THE COACHELLA VALLEY, SINCE WIND PROTECTION PAGE FIVE SIXTH, THE EXISTENCE OF THE SOUTH PASS FAULT IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE SUBJECT PROPERTY INDICATES A POTENTIAL GEOLOGICAL HAZARD WHICH SHOULD BE ADEQUATELY ANALYZED PRIOR TO GIVING A GREATER RIGHT TO DEVELOP. SEVENTH, THE PROPERTY ABUTS THE NOISE, CORRIDOR FOR ONE OF THE BUSIEST RAILROAD LINES IN THE STATE. SHOULDN'T THE POSSIBLE IMPACTS ON RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT BE AN L� YZ�ED_ AND MITIGATION MEASURES CONSIDERED BEFORE THE REZONING IS CONSIDERED? I COULD GOON, BUT THE COUNTY PLANNING STAFF REPORT ADEQUATELY INDICATES THE MAGNITUDE OF THE IMPACTS ON UTILITIES, ROADS, ENDANGERED SPECIES, ETC., WHICH TAKEN IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE DEVELOPMENT GOING ON IN PALM DESERT, RANCHO MIRAGE, AND THE ADJACENT UNINCORPORATED AREA MAKES THE ENTIRE AREA ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE. THE STATE LAW REGARDING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF A DEVELOPMENT WAS CREATED SPECIFICALLY TO ASSIST LOCAL AGENCIES IN WEIGHING THE RAMI- PAGE SIX YOUR SEAT TODAY, I WOULD BE EXTREMELY CONCERNED OVER THE MERITS OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROPERTY WHICH IS DESIGNATED IN THE COUNTY'S GENERAL PLAN AS EITHER OPEN SPACE, 1 UNIT TO THE ACRE, 2 UNITS TO THE ACRE, OR 3 UNITS TO THE ACRE; IN AN AREA WHERE NO PREVIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS HAS BEEN DONE; AND IN AN AREA WHERE UTILITIES MUST BE EXTENDED ONE MILE TO SERVE THE PROPERTY. FOR THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, WHICH WILL ca V" ULTIMATELY INHERIT THE P089MMS, I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION RECONSIDER ITS FINDING ON THIS MATTER AND REQUIRE AN ENVIRON- MENTAL IMPACT REPORT. I WOULD BE GLAD TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME. ew. RIVERSIDE COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT couxrr,,,� PLANNING COMMISSION ELMER M. KATZENSTEIN, Chairman, Rubidoux c'- - KAY S. CENICEROS, Hemet JOHN H. WAGNER, Cherry Valley JESS E. LILLIBRIDGE, Corona RUSSELL E. CAMPBELL, Blythe KAY H. OLESEN, Palm Desert MARION V. ASHLEY. Parris AEN:70697 A. E. NEWCOMB — PLANNING DIRECTOR March 15, 1977 4080 LEMON STREET, 9th FLOOR, RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA 92501 TELEPHONE (7141 787.e1e1 Mr. Paul A. Williams Director of Environmental Services City of Palm Desert 75-245 Prickly Pear Lane Palm Desert, California 92260 Dear Paul: As requested in our telephone conversation of this date, we have attached a copy of the minutes of the meetings of the Planning Commission on February 2 and February 23, also our staff report, Environmental Assessment No. 4883, and a letter from Mr. Schuman relating to the environmental issue. We hope that this is the information you desired, and if we can be of further help, please let us know. AEN:rd Enc. Very truly yours, RIVERSIDE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION A. E. Newcomb - Planning Director RECEIVED MAR 13 1977 ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES CITY OF PALM DESERT (Iusu) DISCUSSION: j CHANGE OF ZONE CASE NO. 2162 jt Irwin S. Schuman W-2-20 to R-1-12,000 Cathedral City -Palm Desert District Fourth Supervisorial District On February 2, 1977 the Planning Commission upheld Mr. Schuman's appeal of Environmental Assessment No. 4883 for Change of Zone Case No. 2162, which covers property located easterly of Bob Hope Drive, northerly of the extension of Frank Sinatra Drive in the Palm Desert Area. Since that time, Mr. Newcomb had received telephone calls from Mr. Paul Williams, Planning Director for the City of Palm Desert, and Mr. Richard M. Service, both of whom felt there should be an appeal procedure for appealing this decision. Mr. Service had also written to the Board of Supervisors. Since the Com- mission's decision was final under CEQA procedures, Mr. Newcomb was extremely concerned. He advised a Notice of Intent to File A Negative Declaration could be filed, but he was hesitant to do so without bringing the matter back to the Commission. (1063) Mr. Geerlings advised this particular case was caught in the middle of the change in rules and regulations. Under the new'rules, the Planning Director must file a Notice of Intent to File a Negative Declaration; the public and public agencies must be notified and may appeal if they wish to do so. The new rules became effective January 1, 1977, and the Commission's action was on February 2, 1977; therefore the new Guidelines were in effect but not followed inasmuch as the public and the public agencies had never been notified of either the hearing for the appeal or that a i` FEBRUARY 23, 1977 Since the public and public agencies had not been notified, the CEQA procedures had not been followed with regards to Change of Zone Case No. 2162. Mr. Geerlings there- fore felt that if this case were brought to court, it could be held there for a con- siderable length of time, and the court would rule against the Planning Commission's action. Mr. Geerlings therefore advised it would be necessary for the Planning Director to file a Notice of Intent to File A. Negative Declaration for this case, and any other appeal which had been upheld between January 1, 1977 and February 22, 1977 (when the Board of Supervisors had adopted the new rules). In this way, the public and public agencies would be notified and given a chance to appeal the Negative Declaration, thus ensuring compliance with the procedures of CEQA even if the final 'decision of the Planning Commission is not changed. Chairman Katzenstein asked whether any action was required by the Commission, and was advised by Mr. Geerlings that no action was required, but that the records should be noted that the Commission's action on February 2, 1977 in upholding the appeal by Mr. Schuman of Environmental Assessment No. 4883 for Change of Zone Case No. 2162 was equivalent to instructing the Planning Director to file a Notice of Intent to File A Negative Declaration. It was the consensus of the Commissioners that any appeal of the Negative Declaration should be held as soon as possible. SUMMARY OF HEARING RIVERSIDE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION APRIL 6, 1977 HnEm-u- I MAY 4 1977 - RIVERSIDE COUNW PLANNING CQAAMISSIM DESERT OFFICE P e by the Commission. Normally a negative declaration of that type would not have an appeal period. In this case, be<cauaa of the trarw itiou between the old and the now CEQA Guidelines, it was felt that the case should go through the new procedures, and a Notice of Intent to File a Nesative Declaration was publishall. The =Sative declaration was filed on March 21, 1977s and the letter of appeal from the City of Palen Desert was considered filed on the same date. (2090) Paul Williams, Director of Eaviroemeutal Services for the City of Palm Desert, 45-275 Prickley Pear Lana, Palm Desert, requested that the CmMissnion reconsider its decision not to require an environmental impact report. This request was made without consideration of the merit of the proposed project, but on the basis that such a major project would have a significant impact on the area. Their request is based on the following points: 1. The Cove ComRunities General Plan designation of Open Space, and the existing aouing both indicate concern regarding development of the area. The applicant has requested the highest density permitted under the General Plan, and he felt the Commission should consider the environmental effects now. 2. Both the applicant and the Commission have indicated that an environmental impact report will be neceasary, but that it may be prepared at a later date. He felt this datetmination was contrary to State law, which encourages an environmental impact analysis at the earliest possible date. 3. Applicant has indicated the rezoning is necessary so they may begin develop- ment of improvements. I£ this is allowed, the subsequent environmental Impact report would be meaningless. The environmental impact report can and should be required prior to consideration of rezoning. The State law provides that staged environmental impact reports can be developed on the property. However, State lace would seen to imply that once a negative declaration is issued, no further environmental consider- ations may occur unless the project is substantially altered. 4. The City of Palm Desert feels that this project represents a significant accumulative effect in terma of just magnitude. The information furnished in an environmental impact report would aid the Commission in its conside%- ation of the zone change. 5. Blowsand as a problems must be addressed on an area -Ada basis, particularly from a financial standpoint. Since wind protection improvements on subject property would benefit adjacent areas, they felt it was unfair to place the full burden of the costs involved on prospective buyers of the property. Reasonable and equitable solutions could be analyzed as part of an euvirou- mental impact report. 6. There exists within the area, in cloae proximity to subject property, the South Pass Fault, which indicates a possible geologic hazard which should be analyzed prior to allowing a higher density development. 7. The property abuts a noise corridor for one of the busiest railroad lines in the State. The possible impact on residential development should be analyzed and mitigatiin measures considered before rezoning is permitted. The State law regarding environmental impacts of development was created to assist planning commissions in weighing the ramificat"onsof de°.velopment. He requested that the Pl_annivg Commission reconsider their finding on this matter a -Lid require an Environmental Ympact Report. In answer to questions by Coemmiscioner Wagner and 0..,'..,4...,4---- u- 724194,..... a..a ,.ems _.a.a__.. a_ r _e.__ APRIL 6, lz i' i to provide public goods and eerview, , (a) ej.j oad fear additional public facilities such as parka, schools, fire and pulle,.a protection, aalid (6) meeting the incremed demand for water and energy. They :felt Cho pnoj«:a:t should not be allow to proceed until a complete study has been imade. (2194) Mr. Richard dio p, 1237 Pass Tlnmpo Road, a:alaa :Springs, advised he was a Vice President of The Desert People Uni°tmi, &nd Wanted to confirm that Mr. Harris was speaking for that organisation. In answer to a question by Commissioner Oleaen, :2r. Harris advised that approxi- mately 2000 people belonged to The Desert People United; however, the decision to Protest the filing of a negative declaration W been reached by the Board of Directors and had not been diacussed with the msrbership at large. (2198) Richard Service, 648 Monterey Road, Palm Springs, felt that the statements presented by Mr. Sdilliams of the City of Palm Desert were valid, and that an environmental impact report should be required before any rezoning is considered. He also questioned whether CLQA procedures had been followed adequately, particu- larly with respect to the notification of interested agendas, the validity of the Commission's findings in upholding the applicant's appeal of a positive declaration, and the filing of a negative doclaration on a standard form which referred to the initial study when that initial study indicated a need for an environmental impact report. He suggested that if the Commission ►should deny this appeal and approve a negative declaration, the proper list of extenuating circumstances should be attached to the record. It was explained by Mr. Geerlings that the project had been initiated under the old CBQA Guidelines, and therefore a decision had been made to file a Notice of Intent to File A Negative Declaration (se required under the new CBQA Guidelines) in order to assure that the public received adequate notification and that all of the CEQA Rules were being followed. (22a5) Lloyd Tevis, 76205 Clancy Lane, Rancho Mirage, felt teat an euvironmental impact report was necessary at this stage of the project because of its magnitude and location. (2294) OPPO5T3TOds Dome Crabtree, representing fa. Schuman, advised he had presented a letter earlier that day from a herpetologist regarding the fringe -toed lizard, and had nothing further to add. He felt that all the necessary documentation had beer presented at the previous hearing. 11r. Geerlings advised documents presented at that previous hearing would not be applicable to the current hearing; it was com- pletely separate and would requi:^o separate testimony from the applicant. Mr. Crabtree adw:Ued he had not realized this and was therefore not prepared to present his case; he requested a continuance. Mr. Crabtree asked about the Cxraissmion'a decision at the February 20 1977 meeting, and we advised that under that d"ainioA staff had filed a Notice of Intent to File a Negative Declaration. It heed a:�&&:n decided to file this notice before filing a negative declaration in order %,� be assured of compliance with CRQA Rules since the case had been initiated wider tze old +wideliness. Under the CEQA Rules, anyone has the right to appeal the filing of the na atk�,a declaration; that was dons, and the current bearing %eas being held to consider the appeal of the filing of the n gative declaration. (2329) Mr. Richard Schuman, an attorney for Irwin S. Schuums% felt that since this haaeing was an "Deal from the nrevioua case. everothinsa that took mass at the nriar h mq,, - RIVERSIDE COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT CUUNTY_�,`,t,-'.' PLANNING COMMISSION 1. RIVERS/DEt ELMER M. KATZENSTEIN, Chairman, Rubidou% KAY S. CENICEROS, Hemet JOHN H. WAGNER, Cherry V61I6y �• �� JESS E. LILLIBRIDG E, Corona RUSSELL E. CAMPBELL, Blythe JAR: 70799 KAY H. OLESEN, Palm Desert MARION V. ASHLEY. Perris A. E. NEWCOMB — PLANNING DIRECTOR 4080 LEMON STREET, 9th FLOOR, RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA 92501 Marna-1, 21, 1977 TELEPHONE 014) 707.6162 The Honorable Noel J. Brush Mayor of the City of Palm Desert 45-275 Prickly Pear Lane Palm Desert, California 92260 Dear Sir: (jAR 2 3 l9// I 117 CdTY MALL Re: Appeal of Environmental Assessment 4883 This is to advise that a hearing has been scheduled before the Riverside County Planning Commission at 2:45 p.m., April 6, 1977, in Room 403, County Administrative Center, 46-209 Oasis Street, Indio regarding your appeal of the negative declara- tion for Change of Zone No. 2162 (Environmental Assessment No. 4883). It is suggested that you be present or represented at the hearing, as failure to do so may be construed as a waiver of your right to provide additional evidence. In the event you appoint someone to represent you, a letter signed by yourself giving such authorization must be on file with the Planning Commission at the time of the hearing. Very truly yours, RIVERSIDE COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT A. E. Newcomb, Planning Director es L. White istant Planning Director JLW/ls cc: Planning Director, City of Indio Richard M. Service, Jr. Irwin Schuman JAR: 70799 March 21, 1977 RIVERSIDE COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT PLANNING COMMISSION ELMER M. KATZENSTEIN, Chairman, Rubidoux KAY S. CENICEROS, Hemet JOHN H. WAGNER, Cherry Valley JESS E, LILLIBRIDGE, Corona RUSSELL E. CAMPBELL, Blythe KAY H. OLESEN, Palm Desert MARION V. ASHLEY, Perris A. E. NEWCOMB — PLANNING DIRECTOR 4080 LEMON STREET, 9th FLOOR, RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA 92501 TELEPHONE ITle) 787.0181 kAR 2 3 W1 The Honorable Noel J. Brush Mayor of the City of Palm Desert 45-275 Prickly Pear Lane Palm Desert, California 92260 Re: Appeal of Environmental Assessment 4883 Dear Sir: This is to advise that a hearing has been scheduled before the Riverside County Planning Commission at 2:45 p.m., April 6, 1977, in Room 403, County Administrative Center, 46-209 Oasis Street, Indio regarding your appeal of the negative declara- tion for Change of Zone No. 2162 (Environmental Assessment No. 4883). It is suggested that you be present or represented at the hearing, as failure to do so may be construed as a waiver of your right to provide additional evidence. In the event you appoint someone to represent you, a letter signed by yourself giving such authorization must be on file with the Planning Commission at the time of the hearing. Very truly yours, RIVERSIDE COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT A. E. Newcomb, Planning Director Z4.11 L L. White tant Planning Director JLW/ls cc: Planning Director, City of Indio Richard M. Service, Jr. Irwin Schuman PALM SPRINGS Oj \3 HOTEL 1600 North Indian Avenue •7 Palm Springs, California -- 92262 7fA-327-8311 January 21, 1977 Riverside County Planning Department Riverside, California Ri. Wj section 32 - Assessment *4883 Gent le., -.an: I wish to appeal the finding of the Planning Department as per zoning on the above section and respectfully request a hearing before the commission at the earliest possible date. our reason for this appeal is that we feel there are no environ— mantal concerns relating to this property as described in your recent corimunication and during conversations with your office. I remain sincerely_,,,,s, IN S. Lj Iss: SS .1Arl 4 1 1977 no RIVERSID_ COUNTY PLANNING COlaWSSION -x" -Z FEBRUARY 2, 1977 (1831) 2:30 p.m. APPEAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT NO. 4883 Irwin S. Schuman Change of Zone Case No. 2162 W-2-20 to R-1-12,000 Cathedral City -Palm Desert District Fourth Supervisorial District Change of Zone Case No. 2162 is a request for a change of zone from W-2-20 to R-1-12,000 on approximately 320 acres located on the northerly side of the easterly extension of Frank Sinatra Drive, approximately one mile easterly of Bob Hope Drive in the Cathedral City -Palm Desert District. Environmental Assessment No. 4883 was submitted and a Positive Declaration was filed on January 20, 1977. The applicant appealed this finding on January 21, 1977. Staff recommended that an Environmental Impact Report be prepared before a change of zone is approved on the basis that the proposed change of zone project could significantly affect the environment in the following areas of concern: Magnitude (the project could result in 960 dwelling units), Water Consumption, Sewage Generation, Extension of Public Services and Utilities, Blowsand Hazard, Biological (project is located within the limited range of an endangered species, the Fringe -Toad Lizard), Access, Traffic, Schools, and Growth Inducement. Staff felt that an E.I.R. should be prepared to determine the extent of the impact and identify mitigation measures. Commissioner Campbell mentioned that other developments in the area had resolved the blowsand problem, and that there were thousands of acres the fringe -toad lizards could migrate into if this project were developed. Mr. Manning advised that the new guidelines stated that a project will have a significant effect on the environment if the project will reduce the number, or restrict the range of a rare or endangered plant or animal. Commissioner Ceniceros disagreed with Commissioner Campbell's statements, and felt that the questions raised in the staff report should be answered before any change of zone is approved. Commissioner Ashley commented that if an E.I.R. is required at this time, it may not cover the specific project when it is presented and another E.I.R. would have to be prepared at that time. An E.I.R. will be re- quired at some stage of the project development, but he felt it might be better to require it when a specific project is submitted. (1982) Mr. Don Crabtree, representing Mr. Schuman, advised this would be a very costly project. He realized that an E.I.R. would be required at some point in the proceed- ings, but they did not want to proceed with the project until they were assured that they would obtain the R-1-12,000 zoning. Due to the cost of the development, it would not be economically feasible if they were not allowed a high density. Respond- ing to some of the issues raised by staff, he advised this would be a retirement oriented project with no impact on the local schools. A well on the property would provide more water than needed to develop the project, and this well would eventually be turned over to the water district. This well is in the center of the property, and there is an 8 inch line through the middle of the property to Palm Desert Greens, as they had furnished water to Palm Desert Greens when they were developing the property. There is a 6 and 8 inch water main the full length of subject property on the west side. Letters had been received from the Imperial Irrigation District and the Coachella Valley County Water District guaranteeing them power, water and sewage, and therefore the utilities present no problem. The developer was proposing to pave Frank Sinatra Drive for one mile in accordance with County standards. The blowsand problem would be addressed as soon'as the requested zoning was obtained. Mr. Crabtree requested that the appeal be upheld and the change of zone granted so that they could proceed with the land planning, which would include an Environmental Impact Report. j FEBRUARY 2, 1977 (2094) Mr. Crabtree advised they felt there would be no problem in meeting the requireJen of an E.I.R. They would like to go ahead with the project planning, the necess engineering work, protecting the property from blowsand, etc. at the same time were preparing the E.I.R. However, they wanted the assurance that they would be allowed a density of 12,000 square foot minimum lot area. (2154) Commissioner Ceniceros commented that (1) the E.I.R. would require the kind of definitive information necessary to aid in planning the project and also help the Commissioners make an intelligent decision regarding the change of zone application, (2) the General Plan designation had been upgraded to 0-3 dwelling units per acre on the basis that there would be an investigation of all the problems involved in any proposed project, and (3) she felt it would not be possible to make a finding that this would not have a significant impact on the area. (2175) Commissioner Olesen felt the appeal should be upheld inasmuch as there was already electricity to the property, there was a well on the property, the Imperial Irrigation District and the Coachella Valley County Water District had agreed in writing to furnish electricity, water and sewage, there were water mains on the property, the developer was proposing to pave 1 mile of Frank Sinatra Drive, and the blowsand problem could be resolved with proper planning. He felt this was a good project which was much needed on the tax rolls. Commissioner Lillibridge agreed with Commissioner Olesen's statements, and stated that at least 6 of the staff's 10 points of concern had already been answered. (2208) Commissioner Ashley commented that the well on the property would not only furnish sufficient water for the project, but would have a surplus which could be sold; the project would not have an impact on local schools since it would be a retirement community, and it would create a greater tax base to help subsidize schools; he felt that the previous farming operation on the property had already affected the fringe - toad lizard population; and that any project in that area had faced and solved these fsame problems, which were inherent with developing the area. An Environmental Impact I Report can be required later, at which time there will be more information available for preparing a better report. FINDINGS: The Imperial Irrigation District and the Coachella Valley County Water District have agreed, in writing, to furnish electricity, water and sewage; the road and traffic problems have been addressed in that the applicant is proposing to pave 1 mile of Frank Sinatra Drive and there are two other access roads to the property; there is ample water to resolve the blowsand problems; and the project will not have a significant impact on the surrounding area. MOTIONS Upon motion by Commissioner Olesen, seconded by Commissioner Lillibridge and duly carried (with Commissioners Wager and Ceniceros voting no), the Commission granted the appeal of Environmental Assessment No. 4883 by Irwin S. Schuman. CERTIFIED MAIL DATE: January 20, 1977 TO: I rvlr. '54:hwwn do 'RATUrs 30tel Ii+,nt� R, xtwia.•� Are PLANNING DEPARTMENT ELMER M. KATZENSTEIN, Chairman, Rubidoux RUSSELL E. CAMPBELL, Blythe KAY S. CENICEROS, Hemet MARION V. ASHLEY, Parris JESS E. LILLIBRIDGE, Corona KAY H. OLESEN, Palm Desert HAZEL I. EVENSEN, Planning JUSTIN BACA, Banning Commission Administrative Secretary A. E. NEWCOMB — PLANNING DIRECTOR 4080 LEMON STREET, 9th FLOOR, RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA 92SOI TELEPHONE (714) 787.8181 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT NO. RELATED FILE 418 RE: Evaluation of Environmental Assessment PROJECT TITLE AND DESCRIPTION: :ilia AeraM iron Sr d..20 tc i.l 13,:Ji1 F.'eat 1/4of I.eg as U, T4$, UK uet.. 61,Iv of tte ,:aatarly 'r:Yt+zauiov of r. Sinatra -rive. 1 smile kly of lob ?;ape 7sln ,fsc,rt ai tT1 rt Pursuant to the Rules to Implement the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970, whenever it has been determined that a project may have a significant effect upon the*enviroument, the Planning Department will prepare or cause to be prepared an Environmental Impact Report which shall be considered as part of the record for authorization of the public project of the County or for the application for a permit. It has been found that the above project may have a significant effect on the environment and an Environmental Impact Report is required for the following reasons: Plata. 440 the Atta.'_40d aboatt. APPEAL: An appeal from a determination that a project may have a significant effect upon the environment shall specify the grounds for the appeal and shall be filed with the Planning Department within L5 days of the mailing of the Planning Department's evaluation report to the project sponsor. The appeal shall be set for hearing before the body to which the appeal vas taken at the earliest date convenient to the hearing body. For any additional information not explained on the reverse side of this correspondence, please call this office. CC: Stteater. i9a00rt utfiec Very truly yours, RIVERSIDE COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT PD-75-61 AEN:pmp 12-75 A. E. Newcomb, Planning Director C .4 I. Preparation of Environmental Impact Report: The project sponsor shall submit to the Planning Department a draft environmental impact report whenever the Planning Department is required by these rules to prepare an environmental impact report. The draft environmental impact report shall not be accepted for filing unless it is in the form and content specified in Sections 15141-15145, Title 14, California Administrative Code. An EIR outline prepared by staff may be obtained from the Planning Department. Two (2) copies of the draft report shall be submitted initially for preliminary staff review to determine the overall adequacy of the report. The project sponsor and/or his designated representative shall be notified as to the acceptability of the report within seven (7) days of the initial submittal. A) If the initial draft report is determined to be acceptable, the project sponsor shall provide the Planning Department with sixty (60) copies of the draft EIR for distribution to public agencies, state and other appropriate organizations for review and comment. B) If the initial draft report is determined to be inadequate, the project sponsor shall 1. amend the report according to the requirements of staff; or 2, meet with the staff to discuss and correct problem areas. The sponsor shall have an unspecified time period to correct inadequacies. The amended report shall be re-evaluated by staff within seven (7) days of resubmittal to insure completeness. If determined adequate, the project sponsor shall provide the Planning Department with sixty (60) copies of the revised draft EIR for distribution to public agencies, state and other appropriate organizations for review and comment. C) A fee of $200.00 shall be paid upon submission of the accepted draft environmental impact report. II. Preparation of Environmental Impact Report for General Plan Amendments: When it has been determined that a proposed General Plan Amendment may have a significant effect on the environment, the draft Environmental Impact Report will be prepared by the Staff of the Planning Department. In certain cases, specific information will be requested of the applicant to aid the staff in acquiring sufficient data. Following the preparation of the draft EIR, the information contained therein will be used to aid the staff in their analysis and report to the Planning Commission. Upon completion of a draft environmental impact report, the Planning Department shall prepare and file a Notice of Completion of the draft environmental impact report with the Secretary of Resources and the County Clerk. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT NO. 4883 CHANGE OF ZONE 2162 Page 2 III. 2(a) 1: The proposed project could generate a considerable amount of pedestrian traffic, although the project is not at this time located within walking distance of amenities. III. 2(a) 2: The project could generate up to 8,928 vehicle trips/day (9.3 TE X 3 D.U. X 320). The present vehicle loads on local streets are as follows: Vista Dunes = 30 A.D.T. (South)Bob Hope Drive = 5900 A.D.T. (North)Bob Hope Drive = 3520 A.D.T. Country Club Drive = 4170 A.D.T. III. 2(c) 1: Utility lines such as gas, electricity, water, etc., will have to be extended as much as 1 mile to the project. A sewer line will have to be extended up to 1 mile to serve the project, also. IV. l(b): The extension of utilities, especially the sewer line through the undeveloped desert acreage, will tend to increase the development potential of adjacent property (on either side of the extended sewer line) and could thus tend to encourage growth and further environmental impacts. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT No. 4883 CHANGE OF ZONE 2162 PAGE 3 A) MAGNITUDE: The proposed project, if developed to maximum permitted density, would result in 960 dwelling units. Based upon a population factor of 2.8 persons/household (U. S. Census of Population and Housing: 1970, Census Tract 449), the proposed project could generate up to 2,688 inhabitants. B) WATER Based on an ultimate population of 2,688 inhabitants and a water CONSUMPTION: consumption factor of 265 gallons per capita per day (Comprehensive Water and Sewer Element), the proposed project could consume up to 0.7 million gallons of water per day. The impact of this demand upon local water sources is unknown. C) SEWAGE Based upon a wastewater generation factor of 127 gallons per day GENERATION: (Comprehensive Water and Sewer Element), the proposed project could ultimately contribute 0.34 million gallons of sewage per day to the Cook Street Treatment Plant. The impact of this larrge volume of sewage on the Cook Street facility is unknown. D) EXTENSION The size of the proposed project, and the distance of the project from OF PUBLIC established residential areas, will necessitate an extension of SERVICES 6 utility lines (gas, electricity, water, sewer, etc.) of up to 1 mile, UTILITIES: and will require local government agencies (e.g. fire, police, welfare, road, health) to expand their areas of coverage. The impacts of these new demands upon public services and utilities are unknown. E) BLOWSAND According to the Coachella Valley Wind Erosion Study (Soil Conservation HAZARD Service, 1967), the proposed project is located in a "very severe" wind erosion/blowsand hazard area. The impact of this natural hazard upon the proposed residential development is unknown; mitigation measures to lessen this hazard should be developed. F) BIOLOGICAL: The proposed project is located within the limited range of the Fringe - Toed Lizard (a State -designated "Endangered Species") and the Flat-Tailei Horned Lizard, a species which is known by biologists to be threatened with extinction. The impact of the proposed project upon these reptiles and their habitat is unknown; mitigation measures to lessen such impacts should be developed. G) ACCESS: The proposed project is not accessible via established streets or County - maintained thoroughfares. It would appear that a substantial amount of road building and upgrading will be necessary to provide access to a project of this magnitude. The feasibility of such construction is unknown, and the impacts associated with such road building need to be discussed. CHANGE OF ZONE 2162V PAGE 4 H) TRAFFIC: Based on a traffic generation factor of 9.3 trip ends/dwelling unit (CALTRANS), the proposed project could ultimately generate up to 8,928 vehicular trips per day. The current traffic volumes on streets in the project vicinity are as follows: Vista Dunes Road, 30 A.D.T.; Country Club Drive, 4170 A.D.T.; Bob Hope Drive (South), 5900 A.D.T.; and Bob Hope Drive (North), 3520 A.D.T. Thus, the proposed project could increase traffic volumes on these thoroughfares by at least 100%. The impact of such traffic, in terms of noise, congestion, safety, etc., is unknown. I) SCHOOLS: Based on a generation factor of 0.68 schoolchildren per household (U. S. Census of Population and Housing: 1970, Census Tract 449), the proposed project could generate up to 653 students. School official; at Abraham Lincoln Elementary, Palm Desert Middle, and Indio High Schools indicate that these facilities are currently at capacity. It would appear that an addition of 653 students to these schools could significantly increase class sizes, lower the student -teacher ratio, and place added burdens on school facilities (including busing systems). J) GROWTH The proposed project will necessitate the extension of public utility INDUCING: lines (in particular, the sewer line) of up to 1 mile in length; this cot promote increased development of the area by saving adjacent landowners the expense of bringing such utilities to their property. The extension of the sewer line from Country Club north to the project (probably along Vista Dunes Road) will upon up Section 6 (which is now vacant) to urban -type development. The impacts of project -generated growth could be significant, and should be inuestigated at length. CAM/pmp 1-77 Staff Only File No. = Sf?� r Receipt No. Received by ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FORM RIVERSIDE COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT TO ACCOMPANY APPLICATION FOR ZONE CHANGE ?%i © 74 Ere - Type of Permit & No. ./-- 11-Av R� APPLICANT ,Zi-w/.a Sc�iaer��r-� �%i'./�'r/9 %�'07'�%�°,�r�•':,tys (Please Print) NAME ADDRESS ZIP TELE. NO. I. Background Information 1. Briefly describe the nature of the project or activity. Change of Zone 2. General Location. Upper Coachella Valley's 3. Legal description of project site. W 1/2 Section 32,T 4S R.C.E. S.B.M. 4. Describe the project area, including distinguishing natural and manmade characteristil Existing natural desert 5. Is the project a phase or a portion of a larger project? If so, identify larger project. No 6. Has an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Report previously been prepared that includes the project? If so give date submitted and title of project. No 7. List every other public agency from whom a lease, permit, license, certificate, or other entitlement for use is necessary before completion of the project? County of Riverside 1. Planning Commission - 1 - II. Assessment of Environmental Impact. Please answer the following questions by placing a check in the appropriate space. (The applicant should be able to explain or substantiate his response to every question.) A. Characteristics of the Natural Environment. Yes No County Use 1. Land (Topography, Soils, Geology) — a. Does the project site involve a unique landform or biological area, such as beaches, sand dunes, marshes, etc.? — b. Will the project involve construction on slopes of 25% or greater? — c. Is the project to be located in an area of soil instability (subsidence, landslide or severe erosion)? — d. Is the project site located on, or adjacent to a known earthquake fault? 2. Water a. Is the project located within a flood plain? b. Does the project involve a natural drainage channel or stream bed? 3. Flora and Fauna a. Are there any rare or endangered species of plant life in the project area? — b. Will any mature trees be removed or relocated? — C. Is the project site adjacent to, or does it include, a habitat, flood source, water source, nesting place or breeding place for a rare or endangered wildlife species? _ d. Could the project affect fish, wildlife, reptiles, or plant life? — e. Is the project located inside or within 200 feet of a fish or wildlife refuge or reserve? 4. Potential Alteration to Natural Features a. Will the project result in the removal of natural resources for commercial purposes (including rock, sand, gravel, oil, trees, or minerals)? b. Will the project involve grading in excess of 300 cu. yds.? — - 2 - v Zotential Direct Impact of Project. Yes No 1. Impact on Existing physical surroundings. a. Pollution (Air, water, noise, land) j (1) Will the project create dust, fumes, smoke or odors? u (2) Will the project involve the burning of any material, including, brush, trees or construction materials? I_ (3) Is the project expected to result in the generation of noise levels in excess of those currently existing in the area? T b. (4) Will the project involve the application, use, or disposal of potentially hazardous materials, including pesticides, herbicides, other toxic substances or radioactive material? Will the project require a permit or other approval from any of the following agencies? State or Regional Water Resources Control Board _ County Health Officer Air Pollution Control District City or County Planning Commission U. S. Environmental Protection Agency _ County Airport Land Use Commission _ (2) Does the project require variance from established environmental standards (e.g., air quality, noise, water quality)? _ 2. Impact on existing facilities and services. a. Circulation. (1) Is the project expected to cause noticeable increase in pedestrian traffic or a change in pedestrian patterns? _ (2) Will the project result in noticeable changes in vehicular traffic patterns or volumes (including bicycles)? (3) Will the project involve the use of off -the -road vehicles of any kind (such as trail bikes)? b. Water Supply and Sewage Disposal. (1) Will the project entail the acquisition of water from wells or surface sources for commercial and/or non -domestic use? (2) Will septic tanks be utilized for sewage disposal? County - 3 - Yes No County 1 c. Demand for Service from Special Districts and/or Municipalities or County. (1) Will the project require the extension of existing public utility lines? (2) Will the project require public services, from an agency, district or public utility which is currently operating at or near capacity? — 3. Miscellaneous a. Will the project employ equipment which could interefere with existing communication and/or defense systems? — b. Is the project located within the flight path or noise impact area of an airport? — C. Potential Indirect Impact of Project. 1. Land Use a. Is the proposed project expected to result in other changes in land use either on or off the project site? b. Could the project serve to encourage development of presently undeveloped areas, or increase in development intensity of already developed areas (examples include the introduction of new or expanded public utilities, new industry, commercial facilites or recreation activities)? — c. Is the project adjacent to or within 500 ft. of an existing public facility or site for same? — d. Is the project inconsistent with any adopted general plan, specific plan or present zoning? e. Does the project involve lands currently protected under the Williamson Act or an Open Space Easement? 2. Visual Impact a. Is the'site for the proposed project adjacent to a designated Scenic Highway or within a Scenic Corridor? b. Will the project obstruct.:any scenic view from existing residential areas, public lands, or public roads? 3. Social/Cultural Impact a. Will the project require the relocation of housing or business in order to clear the project site? — b. Does the project site include or affect a known historical or archeological site? - 4 - Statement as to Significant Environmental Effect. If you haye answered yes to one or more of the questions in Section II, but believe the project will have no significant adverse environmental effect, indicate your reasons below. The proposed zone change will have no effect on the environment. When a project plan is developed, an environmental assesment form for the proposed project (based on the zoning) will be prepared for the tentative map which will be submitted. To the best of my knowledge the above information Date: TFB: pmp 10-4-73 PD 73-52* Title 5 - ems, /• tJ IVERSIDE COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT T cooxrr�: PLANNING COMMISSION R/VERS/DE ur i.,:�;1 ELMER M. KATZENSTEIN, Chairman, Rubidoux c'-- KAY S. CENICEROS, Hemet JOHN H. WAGNER, Cherry Voll-y JESS E. LILLIBRIDGE, Corona RUSSELL E. CAMPBELL, Blythe KAY H. OLESEN, Palm Desert MARION V. ASHLEY, Perris AEN:70595 March 8, 1977 A. E. NEWCOMB — PLANNING DIRECTOR 4090 LEMON STREET, 9th FLOOR, RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA 92501 TELEPHONE 17t41 707.0111 Mr. Noel J. Brush, Mayor City of Palm Desert 45-275 Prickly Pear Lane Palm Desert, California 92260 RE: Change of Zone Case_2162, Schuman Property Located Easterly of Bob Hope Drive and Northerly of the Eastern Extension of Frank Sinatra Drive in the Palm Desert Area Dear Noel: Reference is made to your letter of February 24, 1977, addressed to Supervisor Clayton Record and concerning the recent Commission action on a change of zone application for the development of property located in the area described above. As you are undoubtedly aware, it was the finding of our staff that an environ- mental impact report should be prepared in conjunction with the processing of the application of this proposed change of zone. A positive declaration was given to this project, and this was appealed to the Commission by the applicant. This appeal was heard before the Commission at their meeting of February 2, 1977, and the Commission by vote of five to two upheld the appeal. It was the Commis- sion's findings that the Imperial Irrigation District and the Coachella Valley County Water District have agreed, in writing, to furnish electricity, water and sewage; the road and traffic problems have been addressed in that the 7 applicant is proposing to pave_one mile of Frank Sinatra Drive and there are �t O� er access roads to the _property; there is ample water to resolve the blowsana problems; and -the project will not have a significant impact on the surrounding area. Shortly after the Commission's action regarding this matter, this office received a telephone call from Mr. Rick Service of the Palm Desert area and also from Mr. Paul Williams, Planning Director for the City of Palm Desert, asking what appeal procedures were available to them for appealing the decision of the Planning Commission. These people were both advised this project was being processed under the guidelines adopted by Riverside County for implementation of the Environmental Quality Act of 1970, and under the old guidelines there Mr. Noel J. Brush - 2 - March 8, 1977 was no appeal to the Commission's findings. I did advise them since new guidelines had been adopted that I would check with the County Counsel's office and discuss this matter further. After discussing the matter with the County Counsel, I felt it was appropriate to bring this matter back to the Planning Commission for discussion of the possible notice of intent to file a negative declaration under new guidelines. The Commission at their meeting of February 23 felt that if the City of Palm Desert was concerned with the findings of the Commission that possibly we should process this project under the new CEQA Guidelines and ordered staff to file a notice of intent to file a negative declaration. This filing was made and published '7 __-on Wednesda ,,March 2� This assessment is now at the serge where comments --- can be received and evaluated a e�ma be made. As soon as this deter- minat on wi—r &d e, not ied Mr. Paul Williams by telephone so that he would be aware of the appeal procedure and the time constraints involved in that procedure. Inote in your letter that you have indicated that the City of Palm Desert as not notified of this change of zone application or of the appeal of the / 0 �4, note assessment No. 4_8833.. This is difficult for me 'founders'taitd ` UT since in accordance with our -Joint City/County Agreement for Cooperation in Matters of Land Use Planning this department furnishes every city within Riverside County with copies of our agendas and other -information which they may desire_ -pertinent to any particular case. I find that copies of our agendas were transmitted to the City eight days_ in advance of the item ,being discussed by the Commission. We did not, of'course, send a persona note to the Planning Director, but with the other cities we find that the information which we are providing is adequate and informs that city of pending action before the Commission or the Area Planning Council. I was so concerned over this cooperative effort that I net with Mr. Bill Northrup of the City of Indio to determine if he had any particular problems with our coordinating efforts, and he informed me that everything that involved that city was in excellent order and the joint cooperative effort was working in an excellent manner. I would appreciate it if you would review your records and determine if sup- porting data for this case was not received in the City's office since our records indicate that it was mailed, and, of course, when it had been reviewed additional supporting data would have been furnished by this department upon equest. I wish to assure you once again that it is the desire of this department to make sure that all of the cities of Riverside County are informed of any actions which are made within the sphere of influence of that city which is being considered by our Commission, or Councils, or Board of Supervisors. Mr. Noel J. Brush - 3 - March 8, 1977 If there is some way that we can further coordinate our efforts, I would be happy to meet with you or any members of your 'staff so that this matter does not continue to go on without an appropriate solution. Very truly yours, RIVERSIDE COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT ;'/ 'S�- -2%/"?.>K X" 19/ A. E. Newcomb - Planning Director AEN:rd cc: Supervisor Donald Schroeder Supervisor Clayton Record Supervisor A. A. McCandless PRIVATELY WRITTEN WEEKLY FOR INVESTMENT, BUSINESS & FINANCIAL INTERESTS Subscription $47.50 per year w Wheeler's Desert Letter SINCE 1958 TELEPHONE 325-1882 250 East Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs. California 92262 March 3, 1977 Vol. 19, No. 9 Dear Subscriber: Signs of the times: a man walked into the just -opened sales office of Smoke Tree Racquet Club (the former Palm Springs Aquarius condotel), inquired the price of condominiums; when told they were $31, 000, he said... "I'll take rem.11 He meant -all 128 of -them. - That's the unverified report on the quick sellout of long dormant project. Story makes sense in today's runaway housing market, especially in view of frantic call from the project's PR firm in Tustin to desert news media asking them to change the just -issued news release about sales opening to "all units sold." Reported buyer believed to have represented an investment group. Add runaway market: a developer trying to get county approval for a 240-acre tourist -commercial & residential complex at one of the worst blowsand locations in the Coachella Valley. Proposed site: near Bob Hope Drive and Ramon Rd. near Thousand Palms. Riverside County Planning Commission is recommending denial. Add housing, Rancho Mirage: Linder -staffed city building dept. working hard to keep up with building permit applications from Rancho Las Palmas project. Sunrise Corp. in for another 160 units last month, pushed the city's short - month permit total to approx. $6. 5 million. Palm Springs building permits: best February ever, close to $3 million, mostly single-family homes, did include $550, 000 for Smith's Food King in new Vista Chino & Sunrise shopping center being developed by Roy Carver. Add Carver: his planned downtown P. S. fashion center on prime Great Western S&L -owned corner (Palm Canyon & Baristo Rd.) scheduled to get the acid test this week before the Community Redevelopment Agency. Carver needs considerable agency financial aid to make his deal roll. Downtown Development Advisory Commission is for it. . Surprise opposition came last week froi�T attorney & former P. S. city councilman James Schlecht, who told commission he was against such sizeable aid for a single project, on philosophical grounds. Mayfair Market closed last Friday in Indio, 21 employes affected. Chain spokesman said market was a loser, had been so for several years. New mayor for Palm Desert: drugstore man Ed Mullins, former mayor pro tem, succeeding Neol Brush, who said he was not a candidate for reappoint- menL Some speculation, but no real evidence, of a power play. Developer Bill (Sandpiper) Messenger's plans for a 200-unit "Hidden Palms" north of Hwy. 111, extending from.Deep Canyon to Cook St., running into some delays. Indian Wells planning commission thinks its density a bit much, will so advise City of Palm Desert. Site (47.5 acres) is in P.D. but proposed development would touch western border of I. W. at Cook St. Looks like two "establishment" candidates against the field in College of the Desert trustee election. Incumbent candidate Jack McFadden joined by P.S. automan Andy Jessup, who has announced a powerhouse campaign team headed by Howard Wiefels as general chairman. Some spark of interest could come if communications woman candidate Sandi Craig can pull a "Betty Beadling" with an anti-establishment platform. (Beadling was a come -from -behind winner in the last P. S. city council race.) Add Beadling: her "bunch of rocks" needling in the Tahquitz Regional Park issue might result in a closer public look at the whole concept. It needs more inspection. Forerunner of things to come: Desert Peoples United "water crisis" news media luncheon next Thurs. (Mar. 10) at Spa Hotel in Palm Springs. Robin Reynolds of state Dept. of Water Resources the guest speaker. DPU believes there is a crisis in the desert, is taking direct issue with stand of Coachella Valley County Water District & its head man Lowell Weeks that there isn't. DPU is geared to take its stand to the public, may also use the water issue to press for restrictive measures on population -housing growth. An argument against heavy expansion in the desert resort area already being cited in case of one huge project still on the drawing boards. Critics point to 2, 000 gallons per minute capacity of a single well on Rancho Mirage property of brothers Irwin Schuman & Mark Schulman. Site is SW corner Bob Hope & Frank Sinatra drives. 2, 000 g. p.m. translates into more than one billion gallons a year, or some 3, 200 acre feet... of good underground water. Same critics cite that CVCWD's 1977 entitlement of State Water Project water is only 8,421 acre feet... and that water actually is highly saline water from Colorado River, not "good" water. Their point: a private well in Rancho Mirage could take out nearly 40% as much "good" water as the salty water the agency's customers pay to have put / pinto the underground. Imported water, how much does it cost the desert? Current cost to Desert Water Agency looks something like $100 an acre foot, including the agency's pro rata share of building the State Water Project. A shocker: the untimely death of industrialist -developer Bob McCulloch, a man without whom there might not have been a city of Indian Wells. McCulloch, along .with Johnny Dawson, Jimmy Hines, Ronald Williams and J. Ross Clark, developed Eldorado Country Club (golf course, clubhouse & cottages) on the site of the old Page Ranch. McCulloch later bought out his partners, also controlled the best part of what is now I. W. , from the I. W. Country Club almost to Portola. Fortunately, when talk of cityhood came up, McCulloch favored incorpor- ation. Most of McCulloch's heavy real estate holdings in the area have been sold thru recent years. Ground broken: for 14, 000 sq. ft. Lumbermen's Building Center on N. Indian Ave. near northern P.S. city limits. Bob Slettedahl & Ike Parker are prin- cipal owners. Coble-Bramblett-Snedaker will build. Just in time to give their air conditioning systems a real test: valley - wide bus system expected to start rolling in July. 10 months later than first planned. A loser in his bid to buy the 540-space P.S. Mobile Country Club, mobile - home entrepreneur Bob Strong of Rancho Mirage plans to build a 300-space recrea- tional vehicle park on Jefferson St. south of Hwy. 111 in Indio. Losing the fight: U. S. border patrol in the El Centro area, against flood of illegal aliens pouring across the line. This is serious. WHEELER'S BUSINESS INDEX & WEATHER TALLY FOR DESERT RESORT AREA JUL AUG SEPT I OCT I NOV I DEC I JAN I FEB I MAR APR MAY JUN HEAVY LINE IS THIS SEASON'S One TREND -eighth inch represents about 4% in -comparing wdh previous LIGHT LINE IS HOTEL season period RETAIL TRADE OF LAST SEASON P.S. La,LAST HIGHEST LOWEST YEAR AGO LAST 5 DAYS HIGH72 LOW 57 = SEASON 7.50 5 DAYS HUMIDITY 79 40 .16 Mon. 11% Temp from P.S. Fire Dept. Fractions omitted. Temps by days. not averages P. S. retailer Ray Blumenthal selling out his Palm Canyon men's store (Mr. Ray's) after 26 years, may open up a bank. Desert swan song? PR man Hal Evey sounds discouraged about his Desert County idea, especially since cool reception by officials of C-VAG. Grumbling about desert being neglected by Riverside has been subsided for years, partly due to strong representation from supervisors Al McCandless & Clayton Record. Other factors: growth of Coachella Valley & formation of new cities (Palm Desert & Rancho Mirage) have made desert too strong to ignore. Be prepared: to see the steel skeleton of Bob Hope's unfinished home on Southridge for at least another year, news headlines notwithstanding. New 4-store dry cleaning chain in the desert resort area: put together by Bob Welmeth of Palm Desert. Already owner of Best Cleaners in Cathedral City, Palm Desert Dry Cleaners and Professional Cleaners on El Paseo, Welmeth has just received Valet Cleaners (on S. Indian Ave. in P. S.) out of escrow. Big housing project started in El Centro: Ground breaking last week for Plaza Park subdivision near Waterman & Orange Avenues. 1st phase is 44 apart- ment units, with 188 condos to follow, plus 172 senior citizen units. Feet -dragging in geothermal: TRW cutting way back in Imperial Valley because federal money just isn't there. TRW say Energy Research & Development Adm. is much too slow with the buck. ERDA contracted TRW to develop a $1 million geothermal test facility at East Mesa site for operation by 1979. But says TRW official, plant is "years" away. L.A. Times marketing research sees a growth factor for Riverside County nearly equal to explosive Orange County, 14.2% vs. 19.4% in 5-year period 1975- 1980. Also projected: 22.1% increase in households, 48.1% in effective buying income, 59. 6% more retail sales. Sale rumors current re. block -square Palm Springs Desert Inn Fashion Plaza, being offered at asking price of $8.5 million by owner Home Savings. Report heard by many of the Plaza's 37 retail occupants that deal for the complex was in escrow is unsubstantiated, probably is incorrect. "No comment" from principals of Smoke Tree Realty, involved in current negotiations with possible buyer described as "out of state." Report that offer of $7 million has been made & is being negotiated is not confirmable but is accepted as fact by one or two other local realty firms which have the listing. Yours truly, WHEELER'S DESERT LETTER EDITORS CANNOT BE REPRODUCED IN ANY FORM WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE EDITORS. 45-275 PRICKLY PEAR LANE, PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA 92260 TELEPHONE (TIQ 346-0611 February 24, 1977 Honorable Clayton Record, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors County of Riverside County Courthouse, 1080 Lemon Street Riverside, California 92502 Subject: Recent Determination by the County Planning Commission that an E.I.R. would not be required for a project on property located easterly of Bob Hope Drive, within the City of Palm Desert's Sphere of Influence Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board of Supervisors: The City Council of the City of Palm Desert has learned through the news media that the County Planning Commission has reviewed an appeal on staff requirement for an Environmental Impact Report for a project in excess of 900 units within the City of Palm Desert's Sphere of Influence, located easterly of Bob Hope Drive. The County Planning Commission by a 5-2 vote elected not to require an Environ- mental Impact Report. The City Council of Palm Desert not only questions the wisdom of that decision on a project of such magnitude, but has directed me to write you on a more important point, which is the fact that the City of Palm Desert received no prior notification of the consideration of this appeal by the County Planning Commission. Such an action is counter to our understanding of the Joint City/County Planning Cooperative Agreement which was developed through the auspices of CVAG and ultimately adopted in some form by both the County and the cities in the Coachella Valley. Because of the lack of notification, our City believes that the County Planning Commission failed to receive important input from the very agency which may someday have to live with whatever problems are created. Our Council feels that our input would have been invaluable to the Planning Commission on the basis that the City, because of its close proximity to the ultimate development, may be more sensitive to the environmental ramifications of the project than any other agency, body, or individual. Further, it is clear that the City could have given input to the County Planning Commission with regards to possible cumulative effects resulting from other projects being considered within the present City Limits. Finally, the news media reported that the Planning Commission justified its waiving of the requirement for an E.I.R. on a .. Honorable Clayton Record, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Page two February 24, 1977 the basis that any possible adverse impacts could be mitigated as a part of the development of the project. The Council seriously questions how such mitigation could be presupposed unless these impacts were in some way des- cribed and quantified. The only way they could be described and quantified is through an Environmental Impact Report. In summary, the City must approach any review of such a substantial project by the County without prior notification to the City as being in conflict with the cooperative planning agreement which took years to develop and which was such.an important milestone in relationships between the County and the cities of the Coachella Valley. It is the Council's hope that the County Planning Commission's ruling may be set aside and we are so appealing. This would allow full consideration of our City's input on the subject project, and on subsequent projects within our Sphere of Influence. It is my hope that the Board members will take the Council's concern con- structively and that the resolve of this letter will be greater cooperation between the County and the cities of the Coachella Valley, which we feel will result in a more positive planning effort. Very truly yours, i NOES B USH, MAYOR City of elm Desert, California rc CITY OF PALM DESERT STAFF REPORT To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council Subject: County Referral Case No. CZ 2162 Applicant: IRWIN S. SCHUMAN Date: April 13, 1978 I. REQUEST: Request for a change of zone from zone W-2-20 (Controlled Development Area - Twenty (20) acre Minimum Lot Area) to Zone R-1-12,000 (One Family Dwellings - 12,000 sq. ft. Minimum Lot Area) on property located on the northerly side of Frank Sinatra Drive, one mile easterly of Bob Hope Drive. II. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Direct the Director of Environmental Services to forward letter regarding the request to the Riverside County Board of Supervisors. III. BACKGROUND: A. Description: West 2 of Section 32, T4S, R6#, SBB & M B. Location: North of Frank Sinatra Drive extended and east of Monterey Avenue extended. The project is directly north of the Palm Desert Greens property. C. Size: 323 acres (gross) D. Number of Units: 960 condominium units E. Density: 3 dwelling units per gross acre F. General Plan: Open Space and Planned Development (0-3 dwelling units per acre). G. Zoning: The property is presently zoned W-2-20 (Limited Development, Minimum Lot Size 20 Acres). The applicant is requesting a Change of Zone for the entire parcel to R-1-12,000. H. Utilities: General Telephone - lines on the site. Coachella Valley County Water District (water & sewer) - well on site. Southern California Gas - extend main 2,660 feet from Monterey and Country Club to the site. ( :ff IFI l � IlDcN=�nD'120 45-275 PRICKLY PEAR LANE, PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA 9226O TELEPHONE (714) 346-0611 April 14, 1978 Riverside County Board of Supervisors County Administrative Center 4080 Lemon St. Riverside, CA 92501 Re: City Council review of County Referral Case No. 2162 Dear Board Members: The City Council of the City of Palm Desert at their regular meeting of April 13, 1978 did review the request for change of zone from W-2-20 to R-1-12,000 on a 320 acre parcel located at the northeast corner of Frank Sinatra Drive extended and Monterey Drive extended. By a unanimous minute motion they did direct me to notify you that said rezoning is in conformance with the City's adopted General Plan and Land Use Map and said rezoning appears appropriate at this location. I hope these comments will be of use to the Board of Supervisors in making a determination on this matter. Very truly yours, Paul A. Williams, A.I.P. Director of Environmental Services rjc/pw/ks c G$taZr o nDMn 45-275 PRICKLY PEAR LANE, PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA 92260 TELEPHONE (714) 346-0611 October 20, 1977 Planning Director County of Riverside County Administrative Center 4080 Lemon Street, 9th Floor Riverside, Ca. 92501 Re: Palm Desert Planning Commission review of County Referral Case No. 2162 Dear Sir: As requested the Planning Commission of the City of Palm Desert at their regular meeting of October 19th, did review the request for change of zone noted on Case No. 2162 which is a change of zone from W-2-20 to R-1-12,000 on a 320 acre parcel located at the northeast corner of Frank Sinatra Drive extended and Monterey Drive extended. By a unanimous minute motion they did direct me to notify you that'said rezoning is in conformance with the City's adopted General Plan and Land Use Map and assuming that the matter of ade- quacy as to the environmental impacts of said project can be determined, said rezoning appears appropriate at this location. I wish to thank you for giving us the opportunity to review this matter and hope that these comments will be of use to the Commission. Very truly yours, Paul A. Williams, Secretary Palm Desert Planning Commission cc: County Referral file R. Cipriani PAW/ks NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, ON A CHANGE OF ZONE IN THE CAT`jz DRA TTY-PAT,I' DEcFPT DISTRICT NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing at which all interested persons will be heard, will be held before the Board of Supervisors of Riverside County, California, on the 14th Floor, County Administrative Center, 4080 Lemon Street, Riverside, California on Tgesday, April 18, 1978 at 1:30 p.m., on the Application of Irwin S. Schuman in Case No. 2162 , for a change of zone from Zone w-2-20 (controlled Development Area -Twenty (20) Acre Minimum Lot Area) to Zone R-1-12 000 (One Family Dwellings - 12,000 Sq. Ft. ICJ nimum Lot Area) • or such other zones as the Board may find appropriate,.on property located on the northerly side of Frank Sinatra Drive, one mile easterly of Bob Hope Drive, and more particularly described as follows: The west half of Section 32, T.4S, R.6E, SBB & M. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DATED: march 21, 1978 DONALD D. SULLIVAN, CLERK By: AGNES HUGHES, Deputy o:x �Ilnua 45-275 PRICKLY PEAR LANE, PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA 92260 TELEPHONE (714) 346-0611 March 28, 1977 Honorable Chairman and Members of the Riverside Planning Commission 4080 Lemon Street, 9th Floor Riverside, California 92501 Gentlemen: Pursuant to a unanimous action by the Palm Desert City Council at its regular meeting of March 24, 1977, I have been directed to send a staff person to appear on the Appeal of Environmental Assessment 4883. I do, by virtue of this letter, authorize Mr. Paul A. Williams, Director of Environmental Services, to appear on behalf of the City of Palm Desert If you have any questions regarding this matter, please let me know. Sincerely MARTIN-- . -h MAN CITY MANAGER MJB/srg e11O -",,.. ...--..,,Y In. belww•n very low density and "10 Um to 8 Mrdtum Density Residential . • •woulll dwelllnrs '• (he General flan are either already developed wSt4lb• _ And mobile home parks or are considered to be well 1',l ` Able character for new development of this type unlla per acre and would take up !, lot, Actbacks, landscaping, percentage of open spaoe,`I';1f would be established and maintained for these medium High Density Residential...comprises only 1,0DD f nl• ' a density range of ten to 20 dwelling units per acre. Then„`4 it veryshoumaint ained. al edmedium density category in that high qurty o Residential Goals and Policies The following are the goals and policies which should guide residential development in the Cove Communities. GOAL: To maintain and enhance the natural beauty of the desert through attractive residential developments POLICIES: 1. Develop a Neighborhood Conservation Program designed to upgrade and maintain the quality of residential development 2. Develop a system of local parks 3. Require that tree, shrub, and ground cover planting and maintenance be included as a condition for medium and high density residential development 4. Encourage development of cluster type housing with recrea- tional areas and park -like planting in all residential zones as long as proper densities are maintained S. Encourage flexibility in establishing standards for planned unit developments which exhibit creative use of resources -- such as open space --as long as their gross density does not exceed General Plan requirements 6. Assure that hillside development be done in a way that pre- serves the natural character of the hillsides GOAL: To discourage development in the most severe wind erosion areas and to provide residents of erosion -area developments adequate protection from wind and blowsand POLICIES: 1. Discourage development of less than one -quarter sections in the blowsand areas 2. Permit new developments only if wind erosion controls are to be employed 3. Provide residents with the means of forming special dis- tricts for the abatement of wind erosion by encouraging amendment of the California laws to make prevention and stabilization of soil erosion eligible purposes for the formation of community service and improvement districts 4. Amend the County Service Area District Law to allow expen- diture of funds for erosion control on private properties when easements are obtained where appropriate March 22, 1977 C*O*N*F*I*D*E*N*T*I*A*L COUNTY CHANGE OF ZONE 2162 - IRVIN S. SCHUMAN, APPLICANT MAJOR POINTS I. County Planning Staff Presented the following Potential Environmental Impacts• A. Magnitude - 960 dwelling units with potential population of 2,688 inhabitants. B. Water Consumption - Estimated at 0.7 million gallons per day. C. Sewage Generation - 0.34 million gallons per day. D. Extension of Public Services and Utilities - Minimum extension of one mile. E. Blowsand Hazard - Located in a "very severe" wind erosion/blowsand area. F. Biological - Within range of Fringe -Toad Lizard (State designated "Endangered Species) and the Flat -Tailed Horned Lizard. G. Access - Minimum road extension of one mile from Bob Hope Drive. H. Traffic - Would generate a minimum of 8,928 vehicular trips per day with approximately 5,900 A.D.T. on Bob Hope Drive. I. Schools - Could generate 653 students. J. Growth Inducing - Extension of utilities from Country Club Drive would open up property to the south to possible development. II. Environmental Impacts Not Stated to County Planning Commission: A. Seismic Hazard - Close proximity to South Pass Fault. B. Need for major wind break system on East, West, and South boundary of property and analysis of down -wind growth inducing impacts. C. Designated desert corridors on west and south boundaries of property. D. Extension of Cook Street, along northerly boundary of property. III. County Planning Commission Determined That AN E.I.R. Was Not Necessary At This m, 1 . .. _ _I I . ..- -- - - - -' - ---I-- A. Section 15033 of State EIR Guidelines defines a "negative declaration" as "a written statement by the Lead Agency briefly describing the reasons that a proposed project, although not otherwise exempt, will not have a significant effect on the environment and therefore does not require the preparation of an EIR." Such a determination appears to give the appli- cant a right to develop without further EIR considerations. If this were not the case, then Section 15069 of the State EIR Guidelines would not exist. This section requires that where a project such as a Change of 7_nne is a neceggary nreredent for action on a lareer Droiect or commits JAR: 71573 May 24, 1977 RIVERSIDE COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT PLANNING COMMISSION ELMER M. KATZENSTEIN, Chairman, Rubidoux KAY S. CENICEROS, Hemet JOHN H. WAGNER, Cherry Valley JESS E. LILLIBRIDGE, Corona RUSSELL E. CAMPBELL, Blythe KAY H. OLESEN, Palm Desert MARION V. ASHLEY, Perris A. E. NEWCOMB — PLANNING DIRECTOR 4080 LEMON STREET, 9th FLOOR, RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA 92501 TELEPHONE 171e1 707•6161 The Honorable Noel J. Brush Mayor of the City of Palm Desert 45-275 Prickly Pear Lane Palm Desert, California 92260 Re: Appeal of Environmental Assessment Change of Zone 2162 Dear Sir: On May 19, 1977 the Riverside County Planning Commission reversed its previous decision to file a negative declaration for the subject change of zone and found that the project may have a significant effect on the environment. The applicant has submitted a draft environmental impact report and a copy will be transmitted to the City for review and comment. If you have any questions regarding this matter, please feel free to contact this office. Very truly yours, RIVERSIDE COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT A. E. Newcomb, Planning Director AEN/ls cc: Irwin Schuman Richard M. Service, Jr. Zoning District: Cathedral City/Palm Desert APPML OF T.." VIRON ENTAj. ASSESS2rM' POR: Fourth SupZirvisoria. District Change of Zone zlbz, E.A. No. 4083 Irwin S. Schuman, Appellant Planning Commission: 2-2-77 Agenda Item: 9 R11MRSID3 COUNTY PiAIMNG DEPARME-NT STATE RT1>0= 1. Pro.iect Description: Change of Zone 2162, 320 acres from W-2-20 (Cortrelled Development area, 20 acre min3ram parcel size) to R�-1-12,000 (One Family Dwellings, 12,000 eq. ft. minimum parcel size). North side of the easterly extension of F=nk Si,.utra Drive, one mile easterly of Bob Hope Drive, Cathedral City - Palm Desert District. 2. Ravirormental Enrlroameatal Assessment No. 4883 was submitted an3 a iostive Assessment: DAciara=ion was filed on January 29. 1977, The .,enlZcsr.t apaeaied tbia finding on January 21, 1977. 3. Basis for Appeal: The appellant stated the following in his letter of appeal: "Our reason for this appeal is brat we feel there are no envi.rorrsr_ntal concerns relating to this property as described in your recent COmmuaication and during conversations with , your office." 4. Analysis: a. General Plan (Cove ove Communities) Land Use: "Open Space and rlaun4d De re=opment.,' b. Circulation: Frank Sinatra Drive - Major street, 100' right-of-way; 1-Monterey Avenue - secondary street, 30' right-of-way e. O�*en SAsoe and Conservation: "Rural" d. Surrounding hard Use: East, best., and North - vacant sa_n.0 dunes; sogt_i- mobilahGme country club. e. Existing Zoning: W-2-2.0 f. Suzrounding Zoning: W-2-20 S. Recormpa:dation: DrnTI';L of the appeal barred upon the findings of. S.A.,4833, o --site investigation, and staff analysis. Analysis revaajs that the proposed change of zone project could sigciifica=fitly affect the enrironment in the following areas of concern: a, The proposed project, if developed to maximum permitted density, would result in 960 d-ftelhnZ units. , Eased upon a population factor of 2.3 persons/household (U.S. Census cf Population and Housing: 1970, Census Tract 449), the proposed project could generate up to 2,683 inhabitants. b. ?later Consumption: Based on an ultimate population of 2,68E inhabitants and a water cone=ption factor of 20 r gallons per capita per day (Ccmnrehensive Water and Sevier Element), the proposed project could consume up to 0.7 million gallon£ of water per day. The impact of this - drj.7-qnd upon locals water sources is unknown. - C. Sewage GenEratj.onr Based upon fi Trastevater garleration factor Of 127 gallons per day (Comoreher-sive Water and Sewer - rlement), the proposed project could ultimately centribute 0.34 million gallons of sewaze Der clav to the Cook S=raet_ • � t Page 2 A.PP73AL. OF FNTIROifiLN ZMT. ASSR2c;g% In1 FOH: Change of 2or_e 2162, E.A. No. 4883 e. Hlowbnnd ilazard: According to the Coachella Valley {Ll.nd Erosion Study (Soil Coeae_vation Service, 1967), the proposed project is located in a "very severe" wind erosion/blowsaad hazard area. The impact of this natural hazard upon the proposed ree:tdential develoa�nt is tunkaown; mitigation iteaauras to ?easen this hazard shored be developed. f. Biological: The proposed project_ is 1�cated !;it{' —in the limited range of the F.-inge-Toed Lizard (a State-desif fated "Zn(iangered Species") and the Fla`. -Tailed Horned Lizard, a species which is knoom by biologist to be threate¢fti vith e=tinction. The impact of the proposed project upon these reptiles and their habitat is-atLr-:o,4 r tigtttwan mea3turea to lessen such impacts should be .developed. - g. Access: The proposed project is not accessible via established streets or Counts--aintained thoroug3a£ares. It .routed appear that a substantial amount of road building end upgrading wlil be necessary to provide access to a Project of this =62itude. The feaaibi?ity of such construction is unknown, and Vile Impacts associated with such road building aped to be diacu sed.. h.. Traffic: Based on a traffic generation factor: of 9.3 trip ends/dwelling unit (CALTRANS), the proposed project could ultimately generate up to 8,928 vetdcular trips per day. The current traffic volumes on streets in the project vicinity are as follows: vista Du -As Raady_30 A.D.T.; Country Club Drive, 4170 A.D.T.; Bob Hoare Drive (South), 5900 A.D.T.; and Bob Hope Drive.(Horth),3520 A.D.T. Thus, the proposed p:;oject could increase traffic volunea on these thoroughfares by at least 100%. The impact of such traffic, in terms of noise, congesuio:a, safety, etc., is unknown. I. Schools: Based on a generation factor of 0.68 school- children per household (D. S. Census of Pop-,xlatiaa and Housing: 1970, Censua Tract 449), the proposed project could generate up to 653 students. School officialo at Abraham Lincoln Elementary, Palm Desert Puddle, and Indio H13h Schools indicate that these facilities are currently at capacit7. 11: would appear that an addition of 653 students to these schools could significantly,:. increase class sizes, lower the atudent-teacher ratio, and place added burdens on school facilities (incjvding busing systems). J. Growth Inducing: The proposed project will necessitate t'ue extension of public utility lines (3 particular, the sewer line) of up to 1 mile in length; this could promote increased development o: the area by saving adjacent landowners t o expense of bringing such utilities to thair property.: The extension of the sewer line frrm Country Club north to the project (probably along Vista Dunes Road) v-il3 open up Section 5 (wuich is no-.7 vacant, to urban -type. development. The impacts of project -generated growth could be significant, and shcsld be iLvactignced at length. - _. Aa E.I.R. should by prepared to determine,the extent of the 10:00 a.m. AGENDA APRIL 6, 1977 ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING RIVERSIDE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE CENTER 46-209 OASIS STREET (ROOM 403) INDIO, CALIFORNIA CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL MINUTES - - - - - - - - - - MARCH 23, 1977 MARCH 30, 1977 10:00 a,m. PUBLIC HEARING PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO LAND USE ELEMENT OF RIVERSIDE COUNTY GENERAL PLAN 1., GPA-71-767-L-21 (EA No. 4215) D. L. Mudd, Inc. From: Agriculture Reserve To: Open Spare & Other Agricultural Lands, etc... North Palo Verde Valley Area Fourth Supervisorial District 2. GPA-76-767-L-23 (EA No. 4699) John S. Winter/River City Development From: Water Problem Area To: General Commercial & Low Density Residential (3-5 du/A), etc. North Palo Verde Valley Area Fourth Supervisorial District 3. GPA-80-767-CT-5 (EA No. 4819) Washington Square, Ltd. From: Low Density Residential To: General Commercial, etc. Bermuda Dunes District Fourth Supervisorial District 4. 10:30 a.m. RECEIVED GPA-65-767-CT-4 (coat. from 12-1-76 & 12-8-76) Allen R. Murray APR 1 1977 From: Low Density Residential (3-5 du/A) To: Medium Density Residential (5-10 du/A), etc. ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES Bermuda Dunes District CITY OF PALM DESERT Fourth Supervisorial District 5. 1:30 p.m. APPEAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (,-ont. from 6-9-76, 7-28-76, 8-4-76, Thermal Airport (EA No. 3369) 11-3-76 & 1-5-77) Delmar L. Candy, Airports Director, County of Riverside Thermal Area Fourth Supervisorial District 6. 1:45 p,m. PUBLIC HEARING CHANGE OF ZONE CASE NO. 2179 (EA No. 5072) Northerly of Highway 111, f 1%W AGENDA - 2 - APRIL 6, 1977 9. •45 P.m, A UL OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASSMSMENT N0, 4883 (C/Zone No. 2162) Appellant: City of Palm Desert Richard M. Service, Jr, Applicant: Irwin S. Schuman Cathedral City -Palm Desert District Fourth Supervisorial District 10. DISCUSSION: ABANDONMENT OF WINTON STREET - R-759 El Cerrito Zoning District First Supervisorial District 11. Consideration of Commissioner's Requests for Reimbursements, 12. FINAL ACTION DEFERRED FROM 3-30-77 - HEARING CLOSED MANGE OF ZONE CASE NO. 2159 (EA No. 4817) Northwesterly of the inter - California Properties, Ltd. section of Remude Dune and R-A-10 to R-A-S, etc. De Portals Road. Tommy Rawson (Sage) Area Third Supervisorial District ' r } rid D=: March 3, 1977 To. IRWIN SCHUMAN c/o RIVIERA. HOTEL 1600 N INDIAN AVE PALM SPRINGS, CA :'•.1V''.A$!-2L `ik ti`si`r'l GAF_ N13ivy V4 C�Ai�i l9r"37 -nLAidNING GD;V31SZ,104 £3"Ft'„i. �A:r?•:'.ti.;ST�lfit. i"!'y+rw�t. r'i.:..�tEDDSn� KAV S. 0e;iK;ER%S, 4; w-4 its r m. vzE m t eaasa izw v. ° :t v,�axa A. E. is�'r.::'�A.'3 •,• PL�1WN6:�S, 3J6R�i:ik'3iR b:,`;:;a LI-4PU t GV4,11:4, VTh FLOOR, Nlti2�91CaS, C811.iY�-`3$3iAr36".aN97 92262 vtlxrn�a»a Ow: 4.�saaa L&•Jle'L7Miz" : A 5R3'iU. 4883 ffiM&I'm 71TUP PROJECT TITLE AND Change of Zone 2162, 320 acres from W-2-20 to R-1-12,000, West 1/2 of Section 32, T4S, R6E SBB&M, North side of the Easterly Extension of Frank Sinatra Drive, 1 mile Easterly of Bob Hope Drive, Cathedral City -Palm Desert District Pur.i:uant En Riwe<side C=nty zabas to %mple_-6w_nt zhiD Califorptia Z-szviea —.uktA 04alfty Ls t3 notice la 3ivra that t > Coaantcy Flxis.3n3 `:4 5netar 4nty a to file ra3ativa D .3nra ? srn with the Cmuty Clem ror the ,rn;ect. Aw parties wlz;hinb t* er-s rt v tho ewilrormutal is:plicatioas og yonr c'ro Lnr Tom; ao rra'Yify tho 2lanziin3 1Ss lott�r received oa or c;,for March 1�, I9yi s-a fillus oa eaia m<vatixa c18rations w11.3. bp ber;ean _March 21, 1977' ;d April 1, 1977 A gi g, ' envirfli..�&"' coneornn axe received that of "the projesm. A'j curirant:a received prior to the atorementlo:�sd AaGe tih it be evslu:ated by tr:a yws�j tk Director and is aay ac ?xtY , raise sign8£ictart envirNnz>-&nital iaeaaa net Frielly eva- miderpd m�id At is detc: wined by the : larnin8 Director th::t the 7rojinct All k'aa:a sa te1„ s Zicxat effect, the sie;aYive daclaratio� st:,ll z:j: bo filed r prwvi2y izo MW 4a 21t Rhall be reju3rad. In thg eVaLt 2t is d9-®Az*;1n2d that the do ns�.:siysamy almaficant caviroaxeatal iozuas. a 1scSadive r<A '�li? Ly duriaz tha axzaica31y ssotsd period. Yollwi?�- the flit— UZ ::� n,=EatiHe ezzlCzatiev, theca is a 1�i)-day a pial ��or Ads etV �gpeal of the yzCati"t 11acleratisn rrast be qq"&z2ted to t'_--3 :3s ia$ : ir%-Ctn_r G=Una groar:sa fa; t%z ppt-al. Jt�1xa-�s Vary} eT'tlb )Vur'a, x.ivwsm 4wLlS3 S•.�c.� =Ars=w+`t6X A. N. Diractaar Joseph A. Richards -Associate Planner