Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC RES 83-100RESOLUTION NO. 83-100 r` � I � l. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, CERTIFYING A NEGATIVE DECLARATION OF ENVIRONMEIVTAL IMPACT FOR A PROJECT DESCRIBED AS CHANGE OF ZONE 09-81, VILLAGES OF BELLA VISTA MASTER DEVELOPERMNT PLAN AS MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT OF 1970 AS AMENDED, STATE AND LOCAL GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTAT'ION OF THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT. WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California, did on the 13th day of October, 1983, hold a duly noticed public hearing and continued public hearing on November 10, and December 8, 1983, to consider a request by WESTERN ALLIED PROPERTIES, INC. for preannexation zoning and approval of a master development plan and a Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact for approximately 675 acres located at the southerly boundary of the City of Palm Desert, on the west side of Highway 74, more particularly described as: APN's 635-04Q-001, 002, 004 through 008; 635-Q50-001 through 005; 771-030-009,771-040-001,002,005 WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Palm Desert, California, did on the 2nd day of August, 1983, hold a duty noticed pubiic hearing on this project. WHEREAS, said hearing was continued to the 6th day of September, 1983; and WHEREAS, after completion of an initial study it was determined that the project would not result in any significant adverse impacts on the environment which could not be mitigated; and WHEREAS, an Environmental Impact Report was previously certified in 1978 by the City of Palm Desert Resolution 413; and WHEREAS, said Environmental Impact Report evaluated a project with similar characteristics to the proposed Villages of Bella Vista as currently being reviewed; and WHEREAS, draft Environmental Impact Report SCH ��80120505 was submitted for review to the Riverside County Planning Department in conjunction with an application for a project with similar characteristics to the proposed Villages of Bella Vista as currently being reviewed; and WHEREAS, the above were so referenced and identified; and WHEREAS, potential environmental impacts and related mitigation measures set forth in said reports have been made conditions of approval of the project described herein; and WHEREAS, because of the above recitations a Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact is appropriate and consistent with the written and intented requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act as amended. WHEREAS, there have not been significant changes to the site and environment since said Environmental Impact Reports were prepared; and WHEREAS, the Palm Desert Planning Commission did receive and review said documents; and WHEREAS, the following potential environmental impacts and mitigation measures have been identified. 1. EARTH (grading impacts) As proposed, grading activities will occur on 55% of the site leaving 303 acres in a natural state. Development will occur principally in the flats which have already experienced substantial modification through the construction of the Palm Valley Storm Channel. U►itigation �yleasures: -1- .' . ' RESOLUTION NO. 83-100 a. b. c. The steeply sloping areas in the westerly portion of the site will be offered for dedication to the Bureau of Land Management and retained in its naturalstate. Grading for roads has been minimized wherever possible. Entry monuments and other signs and structures will be of a low profile and designed in such a way that views through the project will not be adversely affected. � � � • - � d. A variety of densities have been distributed throughout the site based on location, topography and accessibility in order to accommodate a mix of residential dwelling units and protect the visual sensitivity of existing features. e. 2. YEAR f. Where development encroaches into the hillsides, grading will be minimized and confined to development areas only. High density land uses are proposed where slopes are gentle and conducive to development which requires larger building pads and, hence, necessitates more grading. g. Areas affected by landform alteration will be adequately landscaped with both native and introduced plant materials identified in the Landscape Concept Plan. Ref. 1980 EIR SCH ��80120505 pgs. 10-23 AIR QUALITY The project will result in the increase of pollutants fcom three sources: 1) Dust from construction 2) Chemical pollutants from automobiles 3) Chemical pollutants from off-site electrical generation Projected auto emission will be as follows: CO THC NOx 1.26 0.15 0.13 1.49 0.17 0.15 1.68 0.19 0.17 1.81 0.21 0.19 1.53 0.18 0.17 SOx 1985 1986 1987 1988-89 1990+ Note: 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.02 % 1975-76 MOBILE SOURCE TOTAL TSP TOTAL EMISSIONS 0.02 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 1.57 0.37 1.85 0.43 2.09 0.49 2.26 0.53 1.93 0.45 All figures in tons per day. A total of 429.5 tons of pollutants were emitted on an average summer day in Riverside County in 1975-76. These figures are based on the latest EMFACS emission factors (October 1979) available from the Environmental Protection Agency and computed by the California Air Resources Board, assuming 100 percent light duty automobile mix, 25 mph average speed and 70°F ambient temperature. Mitigation Measures �� � Project will include community recreational facilities designed to reduce the need for trips to and from the project. The project sponsor will work closely with Sunline Transit Agency to expand public transportation to the area. -2- 1 0 RESOLUTION NO. 83-100 c. Project will employ all feasible energy saving designs to reduce the need for additional electrical generation. d. In order to reduce short-term air pollution impacts which result from grading and construction activities, the following measures are recommended: �� - Keeping the site and area traversed by vehicles, including trucks and other construction equipment and machinery sprayed and watered _ sufficiently to suppress dust. - Restricting all such vehicles and equipment to travel along established and properly watered roadways. - Requiring that all vehicles hauling dirt or other particulate material be sprayed and moistened prior to their leaving the construction site. Ref. 1980 EIR SCH ��80120505 pg. 41; 1978 EIR pg. 62 3. WATER (drainage) The increase in impermeable surfaces will result in an increase of 141 CFS or 5% in the tributary area based upon a 100 year storm. Mitigation Measures a. Water will be conveyed by streets and a series of channels to the Palm Valley Storm Channel. b. Pro ject sponsor will dedicate all necessary rights-of-way and monetarily contribute to the construction of the Palm Valley Storm Channel. c. Project sponsor will contribute a sum of $2.4 million to City of Palm Desert Drainage Fees. The fees will be kept in trust pending a study by the city engineer to determine how the project will relate to the Palm Desert Master Plan of Drainage. Ref. 1980 EIR SCH ��80120505 pg. 30; 1978 EIR pg. 22 4. PLANT LIFE Development and associated activities will eliminate natural flora on 55% of the site. None of the species involved are listed in the Inventory of Rare and Endangered Piants of California published by the California Native Plant Society. Ref. 1978 EIR pg. 19 and l980 EIR SCH 4�80120505 pg. 24 No mitigation measures required. 5. ANIMAL LIFE Natural fauna will be eliminated or greatly reduced on 55% of the site. The steep southernwest corner of the property has been identified as a marginal bighorn sheep habitat. The flats are likely to provide habitat for the desert tortoise, a protected reptile as classified by the California Department of Fish and Game. Mitigation Measures � a. 45% of the site will be preserved as natural habitat. This area includes the bighorn sheep habitat. b. Prior to any grading, a qualified biologist shall survey the site and trap any desert tortoise found and relocate to other appropriate protected areas. Ref. 1980 EIR pg. 26; 1978 pg 20. -3- RESOLUTION NO. 83-100 6. 7. TRANSPORTATION/CIRCULATION The project with hotel alternative will generate 8540 trips assuming a worst case of simultaneous 1009�6 occupancy of all residential and hotel units. These trips are projected to be divided in the following manner: a. b. c. 80% (6830 trips) will proceed northerly along Highway 74. 59�6 (430 trips) will proceed south. . � 15% (1280 trips) will be internally directed. The total projected volume on Highway 74 would rise from 4500 to 11760 daily trips. The ultimate Highway 74 design capacity is 24,000 ADT leaving 12,240 slack capacity. The Highway 74/ 111 intersection will continue to provide a C level of service. (Source: Kunzman Associates). Miti�ation Measures In order to facilitate circulation in the area of the project, the following mitigation measures will be implemented as the project is constructed. 1. Improvement of Highway 74 to its ultimate half cross-section (50 feet) will be provided where the site abuts that roadway. 2. Gated entrances to Villages of Bella Vista will be located at least 60 feet from the nearest ultimate travel lane to provide off-street storage for a minimum of three vehicles attempting to enter the development. 3. Entrance gate areas will have a turn-around lane for vehicles inadvertently turning into the gated community. Ref. 1980 EIR pg. 36; 1978 Pg. 29 PUBLIC SERVICES a. Fire. The new Mesa View Station will provide 5 minute response service. Mitigation Measures The incremental impact will be mitigated by the $100 per unit fire fee and fire assessment payments generated by this development. b. Police. The project will result in an incremental increase in the need for expanded patrol service. As growth continues, the city's Riverside County Sheriffs' contract for services may need to be expanded. c. Schools. The proposed development will potentially generate 939 pupil enrollment in the Palm Springs Unified School District and 318 in the Desert Sands Unified School District. Ref. 1980 EIR pg. 52 Mitigation Measures Necessary arrangement shall be made between the Palm Springs Unified School District and the city to enable the collection of school impact fees. Accompanying their request for an enabling resolution, the school district shall include a program for the expenditure of the funds to mitigate the projected impacts. d. Parks and Recreation. The development will provide for most of the recreational needs of prospective residents on-site. Additional impacts will be mitigated by payment of in-lieu park fees. e. Maintenance of public facilities including roads. All roads will be private; no impact. L - �, , -4- RESOLUTION NO. 83-100 f. Governmental Services - no significant impact. 8. PUBLIC FISCAL BALANCE As part of the Palm Desert Redevelopment Agency the tax increment generated by development will make a substantial contribution to the repayment of the flood controlbonds. 9. UTILITIES The various agencies supplying utilities have advised the city that they are capable of serving the development. All feasible conservation measures shall be employed to reduce demand on scarce resources. 10. AESTHETICS The development of the property will alter the foreground view. This area has already experienced modification as a result of the Palm Valley Storm Channel construction. Views of the mountain backdrop will remain unchanged. The aesthetic quality of the new development will be similar to that of luxury resort developments built recently throughout Palm Desert. Miti�ation Measures a. Several view corridors have been established and integrated into the design of the specific plan. These wide openings occur between development areas along the scenic highway corridor as well as along the northern property boundary. b. In those areas where buildings will obstruct views, several measures will be implemented, including the following: - Building setbacks will vary along those areas abutting Highway 74 and the residential development to the north. - A landscape �oncept plan will be implemented which effectively screens buildings from the views of motorists and residents. - Undulating berm/wall combinations will provide additional visual relief from the dwelling units. 'fhe use of wrought iron fencing will allow increased visual penetration. 11. LIGHT AND GLARE Street and landscape lighting will increase night illumination levels above the existing condition. City ordinances controlling level and design of outdoor lighting will reduce impacts to an acceptable level. 12. ARCHAEOLOGICAL/HISTORICAL An archaeological study done by the University of California, Riverside, in 1978 identified 3 sites of which two are located in areas to be left undisturbed. The third site will be destroyed. The study concluded that the information relevant to prehistory does not appear to be of significant level. a Mitigation Vleasures During the 1978 field survey, each archaeological site was noted as to its constituent components and setting, photographed, and plotted on a U.S.G.S. 7.5 minute series topographic map. The following mitigation measures will be implemented prior to development of the property. Two sites will be preserved without any impacts occurring to them as a result of the proposed development. -5- RESOLU'TION NO. 83-100 The third, located in the east-central portion of the valley floor will require the following mitigation measures to be implemented. 1. Further detailed recordation, where necessary, including photographs, measurements and drawings shall be performed as described above. 2. The site shall be tested to ascertain if subsurface archaeological resources exist. A report of the findings shall be submitted to the � city with recommendations for further mitigation if the test reveals significant resources are uncovered. Ref. 1980 EIR pg. 28; 1978 EIR pg. 45 WHEREAS, said Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact concludes that the project will not have a significant adverse impact on the environment. WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Palm Desert did on the 20th day of September, 1983, adopted Resolution 885 recommending to Palm Desert City Council certification of a Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact for said project commonly referred to as the Villages of Bella Vista. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Palm Desert: 1. That the above recitations are true and correct and constitute the findings of the Council in this matter. 2. T'he Council does hereby certify said Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact as having been completed incompliance with the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970 as amended; and, state and city guidelines implementing said act. PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED at a regular scheduled meeting of the Palm Desert City Council on this 8th day of December, 1983, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: JACKSON, KELLY, WILSON, SNYDER NOES: PULUQI ABSENT: NONE ABS"TAIN: NONE � {� �(ti WALTER H. SNYDE ayor ATTEST: , � �, , � SHEILA R. GI IGAN, i Clerk City of Palm Desert, ifornia /lr -6-