CHAPTER PUBLIC SERVICES AND UTILITIES TABLE OF CONTENTS

Transcription

1 TABLE OF CONTENTS 3.10 PUBLIC SERVICES AND UTILITIES Exhibits EXISTING SETTING POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS IMPACT ANALYSIS MITIGATION MEASURES LEVEL OF SIGNIFICANCE AFTER MITIGATION EXHIBIT EMERGENCY SERVICE STATIONS AND FACILITIES EXHIBIT EMERGENCY SERVICE STATIONS AND FACILITIES EXHIBIT EXHIBIT PARKS AND SCHOOLS EXHIBIT EXHIBIT PARKS AND SCHOOL Tables TABLE CRIME STATISTICS FOR THE CITY OF BLYTHE TABLE CRIME STATISTICS FOR UNINCORPORATED BLYTHE PATROLLED BY THE RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF S DEPARTMENT TABLE PALO VERDE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT ENROLLMENT TABLE EXISTING PUBLIC PARKS TABLE STANDARDS FOR RECREATION AREAS TABLE WATER MAIN AND LATERAL SIZE TABLE BLYTHE GROUNDWATER WELL SYSTEM TABLE PLANNING AREA SCHOOL ENROLLMENT AND TABLE NEW SCHOOL FACILITIES NEEDS ANALYSIS TABLE EXISTING PARKLAND VERSUS PARKLAND NEEDED TABLE PARK FACILITIES AND PARK ACREAGE NEEDED BASED ON PLANNING AREA POPULATION INCREASE TABLE PROJECTED PEAK DAY WATER DEMANDS TABLE PROJECTED WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY FLOWS TABLE RESOURCE-BASED STANDARDS AND REVIEW CRITERIA FOR PUBLIC FACILITIES TABLE SOLID WASTE GENERATION RATES BASED ON PLANNING AREA POPULATION INCREASE TABLE ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL SOLID WASTE GENERATION Page 3.10-i

2 3.10 PUBLIC SERVICES AND UTILITIES This Chapter of the Program EIR presents a description of the existing public services and utilities available to serve the General Plan 2025 planning area. Public services analyzed include law enforcement, fire protection, parks, libraries, and schools. Utilities include water, natural gas, electricity, sewer services, stormwater, and solid waste services. This section evaluates the potential impacts of the Proposed Project on public services and utilities service levels and provides mitigation measures to reduce potentially significant impacts of the project. Public services including the provision of public safety, public hazard management and emergency response preparedness are discussed in Chapter 3.9 of this EIR EXISTING SETTING Law Enforcement Services Law enforcement is an essential service for protecting the public's safety in Blythe. Law enforcement services enhance public safety in the City through maintenance of adequate law enforcement services. The City of Blythe and the Riverside County Sheriff s Department provide police protection services to the entire geographic area included in General Plan The City of Blythe Police Department (BPD) is located at 240 North Spring Street in Blythe and its service area covers all land in the City limits which is approximately 27 square miles. The Blythe Police Department service area is divided into a total of four beats. The Blythe Police Department currently employs 25 sworn officers including one chief, one captain, and one lieutenant. There are 13 non-sworn BPD personnel including 7 clerks/dispatchers. Currently the Police Department averages about 2.5 officers per shift to cover the service area. The BPD does not maintain a standard for emergency response times. However, BPD officers respond immediately to all emergency calls. Depending on the location of the officer at the time of the call, response times can range from 1 minute to 10 minutes. Table shows crime statistics from 2005 for the City of Blythe from the Blythe Police Department. TABLE CRIME STATISTICS FOR THE CITY OF BLYTHE Crime Number of Instances Murder 2 Rape 2 Robberies 14 Assaults 388 Burglaries 204 Larceny Counts 441 Auto Thefts 71 Source: Blythe Police Department 2006 Page

3 The County of Riverside Sheriff s Department provides secondary back up to the Blythe Police Department. The Sheriff s Department is divided into six field stations based on geographical location within the County. The Proposed Project area is within the geographic location of the Blythe field station service area. The Blythe Station is located at 260 North Spring Street and currently employs 28 sworn personnel and 8 non-sworn personnel. They have 19 patrol vehicles, two boats (Carney 2006). The Sheriff s Department standard for emergency response time is not defined but as a practical matter the Sheriff responds as quickly and safely as possible (Carney 2006). The total Riverside County Sheriff s service area encompasses approximately 3,000 square miles and the response time directly relates to the distance from normal patrol areas. Table shows crime statistics for the unincorporated areas surrounding Blythe that are under the jurisdiction of the Riverside County Sheriff s Department. Exhibits and show the locations of emergency service stations. TABLE CRIME STATISTICS FOR UNINCORPORATED BLYTHE PATROLLED BY THE RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF S DEPARTMENT Crime Number of Instances Murder 4 Rape 5 Robberies 2 Assaults 80 Burglaries 47 Larceny Counts 77 Auto Thefts 13/13 recoveries Source: Lt. James Carney, 2006 General Plan 2025 contains the following policies to ensure adequate fire and police services and protection: GUIDING POLICIES: Crime Protection and Prevention 14. Policy: Cooperate with the City of Blythe Police Department in periodically evaluating services and service criteria to ensure that the City continues to receive adequate law enforcement services. 15. Policy: Continue to cooperate with the Riverside County Sheriff Department and other nearby law enforcement agencies to provide back-up police assistance in emergency situations. 16. Policy: Promote public education programs involving safety issues. 17. Policy: Ensure through the design review process that developments incorporate safety concerns into the site, circulation, building design and landscaping plans. Page

4 Blythe General Plan 2025 EIR October 2006 Emergency Service Stations and Facilities Exhibit EXHIBIT Page EMERGENCY SERVICE STATIONS AND FACILITIES

5 Blythe General Plan 2025 EIR October 2006 Emergency Service Stations and Facilities Exhibit EXHIBIT EMERGENCY SERVICE STATIONS AND FACILITIES Page

6 Fire Protection Services Fire protection and prevention services are regarded as essential for protecting the public's safety in Blythe. Fire protection services are provided by the City of Blythe Volunteer Fire Department and the Riverside County Fire Department/California Department of Forestry through an automatic aid agreement. The Blythe Volunteer Fire Department station is located at 201 North Commercial Street and is staffed with a full-time fire marshal employed by the City Building Department and 35 trained paid volunteers including a chief, assistant chief, and deputy chief (Peters 2004). Equipment consists of one 50-foot telesquirt, four pumpers, one quick attack truck, one squad truck, and one command vehicle (Covel 2006). The Riverside County Fire Department station is located at 140 West Barnard Street. They provide additional back up to the Blythe Volunteer Fire Department. Substantial improvements to City policy and requirements pertaining to fire safety have been made since the City's incorporation. The following General Plan 2025 policies address fire prevention and protection. GUIDING POLICIES: Fire Protection and Prevention 8. Policy: Cooperate with the City of Blythe Fire Department, Riverside County Fire Department and the California Department of Forestry in periodically evaluating services and service criteria to ensure that the City continues to receive adequate fire protection and prevention services. 9. Policy: Coordinate with the City's Traffic Safety Committee in assessing the impact of incremental increases in development and traffic congestion on fire hazards and emergency response time. 10. Policy: Require new developments to install fire protection equipment/systems. 11. Policy: Require new developments to pay for increased fire protection as necessitated by a particular development. 12. Policy: Continue to support the Fire Department's coordination with surrounding department's to provide fire protection services. 13. Policy: Enforce policies to protect the public's safety from urban and wildland fires. Schools The Palo Verde Unified School District is located within the land planning area of General Plan There are three elementary schools, one middle school, one high school, and one continuation high school for adult education in the City of Blythe. Table shows enrollment at the schools within the Palo Verde Unified School District. Exhibits and show the location of existing schools and parks. Page

7 TABLE PALO VERDE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT ENROLLMENT School Enrollment Felix J. Appleby Elementary School 544 Margaret White Elementary School 694 Ruth Brown Elementary School 654 Blythe Middle School 825 Palo Verde Valley High School 860 Twin Palms Continuation High School & Adult Education 100 Source: Palo Verde Unified School District, 2006 General Plan 2025 contains the following policies to regarding school facilities: GUIDING POLICIES: Educational Facilities 8. Policy: Support efforts by Palo Verde Unified School district (PVUSD) and Palo Verde College to maintain and improve educational facilities and services. 9. Policy: Cooperate with PVUSD in coordinating joint use of school facilities for community recreation. Parks Having sufficient parkland and recreation facilities in the City and the immediately surrounding area is critical to the quality of life enjoyed by the residents of Blythe and visitors to the City. In Blythe, parks not only provide recreational opportunities for residents, but are also central to the City s character and image. Todd Park, the largest municipal park in the City is situated in the downtown core of the City and is a pivotal element of its urban form. The Blythe Parks Department currently operates eight (8) park sites encompassing 74.01± acres (see Table ). The City also operates the Blythe Recreation Center, which provides programs for all residents. Neighborhood Parks: Community Parks: Regional Parks: TABLE EXISTING PUBLIC PARKS Park Type / Park Name Appleby Park Avenue A Park Bommer Park Engevik Park Palm Drive Miller Park Todd Park Quechan Marina Acreage 3.85± 0.12± 0.59± 0.40± 0.46± 16.20± 25.00± 27.39± TOTAL Page

8 Blythe General Plan 2025 EIR October 2006 Existing and Proposed Parks and Schools Exhibit EXHIBIT EXHIBIT PARKS AND SCHOOLS Page

9 Blythe General Plan 2025 EIR October 2006 EXHIBIT Page EXHIBIT PARKS AND SCHOO Existing and Proposed Parks and Schools Exhibit

10 The City currently has eight (8) developed public parks covering approximately acres with a current population of approximately 13,600 (not including correctional facilities). The current standard for parkland per 1,000 city residents is 4.5 acres. Since the City now provides almost 5.4 acres per 1,000 residents, the current level of park service exceeds the City standard.. Other recreational facilities in the area include: the Blythe Municipal Golf Course, the Colorado River, Desert Resource Areas and campground facilities including Mayflower Park, McIntyre Parks, and Blythe Marina. TABLE STANDARDS FOR RECREATION AREAS Type of Park Acres per 1,000 Population Minimum Acreage Playgrounds Neighborhood Parks Play Fields Community Parks District Parks Regional Parks Source: City of Blythe General Plan (1989) AC/2 AC 10 AC/5 AC 15 AC/10 AC 100 AC/40 AC 200 AC/100 AC 500+ AC/Varies In addition to the performance standard for parkland per population, General Plan 2025 contains the following policies to ensure that adequate park facilities exist as well as to determine additional park needs: GUIDING POLICIES: Parks and Recreational Open Space 1. Policy: Develop a diversified, high quality public park system that provides recreation opportunities at a variety of scales for all residents. 2. Policy: Use the canals as a framework for a network of open space. 3. Policy: Locate future neighborhood parks close to where people live, where possible. 4. Policy: Cooperatively work with Palo Verde Unified School District to develop park facilities or improve existing facilities on the school grounds to increase the public recreational use of school grounds. 5. Policy: Whenever feasible, neighborhood parks shall be located adjacent to elementary school playgrounds to increase the potential for multiple use of facilities. 6. Policy: The City shall adopt a Park Acquisition and Development fee, pursuant to Quimby Act Policies, to provide for park expansion since the City s growing population creates a greater burden upon existing parks. 7. Policy: Before any City-owned land is offered for sale, it shall be evaluated by the Planning Division for use as parkland. Water Supply The 1997 Master Plan of Water was prepared for the City to assess the capacity and condition of the City water system. The service area was also analyzed for land use, population, and water Page

11 demands projected to years 2000, 2010, and In addition, recommended improvements and new facilities anticipated to accommodate future growth are included in the Master Plan of Water. The City anticipates updating the Master Plan of Water upon completion of the General Plan 2025 development and approval process. As a part of this Program EIR, a Water Supply Assessment was prepared to document the City s water supplies and demonstrate that the City has adequate water to meet needs of future growth envisioned in the General Plan (see Appendix E). The City of Blythe provides domestic water in the City, currently providing nearly 3,300 water service connections to customers, which are located within the City s municipal boundaries. The City consists of four individual water systems: City of Blythe proper water system, Mesa Bluffs water system, Hidden Beaches water system, and East Blythe County water district (Holt Group 1997). Residents not currently supplied by the City obtain their water through private wells. The Chuckwalla and Ironwood prison facilities west of Blythe operate and maintain their own water system and the City is not responsible for providing water service to the prison facilities. The City s system consists of three separate pressure zones: low, high, and Blythe Airport zones. The distribution pipelines among the four water systems consist of water mains and laterals ranging in diameter from 4 to 14 inches. The water mains and laterals of each water system are shown in Table TABLE WATER MAIN AND LATERAL SIZE Water Main System Area and Lateral Diameter Size Flow Rate and System Pressure Blythe Proper 4 to 14 inches Continuously balanced operating pressure throughout distribution network. Operating pressure increased to provide minimum required fire flow and pressure in areas of network with 4 inch diameter pipelines. Mesa Bluffs 6 to 10 inches Flows exceeding 1,500 GPM produced at 2 hydrants tested. Residual pressure of one hydrant at 20 PSI. The residual pressure at other hydrant was 13 PSI. Recommended minimum residual pressure for flow testing is 20 PSI. Hidden Beaches 6 to 8 inches 1,000 GPM flows at each fire hydrant with residual system pressure of 20 PSI. Source: Master Plan of Water, Domestic water for the City of Blythe is obtained from 14 deep water wells and 5 storage tanks capable of storing 4.0 million gallons of water. Details of the City s water well system are shown in Table The wells pump water directly into the distribution pipeline system and are activated by pressure reductions within the water distribution pipelines of the area surrounding each well (Holt Group 1997). The City supplies approximately 1.75 billion gallons of water per year to the City and Sphere of Influence area (Blythe 2006). The maximum pumping capacity is 7.6 million gallons per day (mg/d) with a peak consumption of 6.6 mg/d. The average consumption is 3.7 mg/d (Palo Verde Library 2004). Page

12 TABLE BLYTHE GROUNDWATER WELL SYSTEM WELL PUMP CAPACITY SYSTEM DEPTH (FT) NUMBER (GPM) 1 Blythe Proper Blythe Proper Blythe Proper Blythe Proper Blythe Proper 725 1,000* 12 Blythe Proper Blythe Proper Blythe Proper Blythe Proper Blythe Proper Blythe Proper * 1 Mesa Bluffs ** 1 Hidden Beaches Hidden Beaches Source: Master Plan of Water, *Approximate ** 2 submersible pumps at 250 GPM each. Normally operated alternately but not believed to be greater than 200 GPM if run simultaneously. The City is constructing a new water production and treatment facility which will provide clarification, filtration, and disinfection of well water for consumers within in the City. The water production and treatment facility s capacity is planned to be 4.32 million gallons per day (MGD). Currently the demand varies between 3 MGD in the winter and 6 MGD in the summer. Various existing large water wells will be used to supplement the Production and Treatment Facility during the hot summer months. General Plan 2025 contains the following Guiding Policies that are intended to ensure adequacy of existing and future infrastructure and service levels: GUIDING POLICIES: Water Supply and Wastewater Service 10. Policy: Promote orderly and efficient expansion of public utilities to meet projected needs. 11. Policy: Encourage water conservation with incentives for decreased water use and active public education programs. 12. Policy: Coordinate capital improvements planning for all municipal service infrastructure with the direction, extent, and timing of growth. 13. Policy: Establish equitable methods for distributing costs associated with providing water and wastewater service to development, including impact mitigation fees where warranted. Water Supply Two pieces of legislation passed in 2002 (SB 610 (Costa) and SB 221 (Kuehl)) require that local governments adequately consider the availability of water resources as one basis for evaluating Page

13 proposed land developments, including plans that guide long term community development. SB 610 requires, among other things, that a water supply assessment (WSA) be included as part of environmental review of such projects. A Water Supply Assessment has been prepared for the General Plan 2025, attached as Appendix E, and summarized below. The City s water supply is dependent upon a part of the Colorado River entitlement of the Palo Verde Irrigation District (PVID). The City of Blythe lies entirely within the PVID, and the City s water use is almost entirely accounted for as a part of PVID s water use. PVID s water supply is unique in California. The District holds the Priority 1 rights to California s share of Colorado River water, and a shared portion of the Priority 3 rights, and their rights are not quantified by volume. Rather, their water rights are for irrigation and potable water needed to serve a total of 104,500 acres in the Palo Verde Valley, and an additional 16,000 acres on the Palo Verde Mesa. The District diverts water at the Palo Verde Dam at the north end of the Palo Verde Valley; agricultural drainage and the City s treated wastewater flow back to the river at the south end of the Valley. Accounting for PVID s water use is done by a simple formula of diversion volume less return volume ( diversion less return ). Priority 1 water is used on up to 104,500 acres on the valley floor; an additional 16,000 acres on the Mesa can be served by Priority 3 water. The majority of water use in the Palo Verde Valley is surface water diverted from the Colorado River by PVID for irrigation of up to 104,500 acres of farm land. Surface water is also pumped up to the Palo Verde Mesa for blending with lower quality groundwater for irrigation use. Uses of groundwater include the City of Blythe s municipal wells, and multiple uses on the Mesa including irrigated agriculture, a well that supports the City's industrial and domestic uses at the airport, a residential well, and other wells more than two miles north of the project area and across the McCoy Wash to supply water to a golf course, the new Community College, and several residential communities. The City of Blythe, as it is served by the PVID, has a secure and adequate water supply to meet its growth needs for the foreseeable future, including projected water needs for growth envisioned in the General Plan Development of water treatment and delivery systems will continue as planned in the City s Capital Improvements Program, and in continued coordination and cooperation with the PVID. Natural Gas and Electricity Southern California Gas Company (SCG) provides gas service to the City of Blythe and surrounding region. The Southern California Gas Company operates major pumping and gas transmission facilities, including the natural gas compression station located at the southwest corner of I-10 and Arrowhead Boulevard. The City also plays an active role in coordinating with the service provider to assure a coherent expansion of infrastructure consistent with the land use pattern set forth in the General Plan. Southern California Edison (SCE) provides electric service to residences and businesses in the City of Blythe and surrounding area. Currently SCE has transmission lines ranging from 500 kilovolts (kv) to local distribution service lines of 12 kv. A major 500 kv transmission corridor Page

14 passes through Palo Verde Valley and connects the Southern California market with generating plants located in Blythe and in the State of Arizona. General Plan 2025 contains policies to conserve energy resources and promote energy efficiency in the Blythe planning area. These policies are provided below: GUIDING POLICIES: Energy Resources 25. Policy: Conserve scarce or nonrenewable energy resources. 26. Policy: Promote energy efficiency in new subdivisions and in building design and encourage use of alternative building materials. Sewer Services The 1996 Master Plan of Sewers was prepared for the City to assess the capacity and condition of the City water system. The service area was also analyzed for land use, population, and water demands projected to years 2000, 2010, and In addition, recommended improvements and new facilities anticipated to accommodate for future growth are included in the Master Plan of Sewers. The City anticipates updating the Master Plan of Sewers in following development of General Plan The sewage collection system consists of three main trunk lines (East Trunk line, West Trunk line, East 15 Trunk line) and several collection lines, branch lines, and laterals. The City operates and owns a Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) located at South Broadway in the City of Blythe. The system operates based primarily on gravity-flow and consists of collection, conveyance, treatment, and disposal facilities with ultimate discharge of treated effluent into evaporation pond/percolation ponds at the WWTP site. The WWTP serves development within and beyond the City limits. The WWTP has an existing capacity of 2.4 million gallons per day (mgd) and operates with current average flows of approximately 1.5 mgd (Blythe 2006). A population of approximately 8,000 is currently served by the WWTP, with average per capita sewage generation of gpd. The ultimate design capacity of the WWTP is 4.8 mgd, which has been designed to accommodate Blythe s 2025 future population of approximately 26,000 (Blythe 2006). Stormwater The City has an existing storm drain system and flood control facilities to provide developed areas with adequate protection from flooding. The Master Plan of Stormwater (1984) identifies localized areas of the City currently needing drainage improvements as well as areas which will require improvements in conjunction with future development. The Master Plan also includes cost estimates and a priority schedule to be included in the City s Capital Improvements Plan. Solid Waste Services Solid waste management and programs to reduce waste are implemented through the Open Space and Conservation Element of General Plan The City s municipal solid waste is collected by the Palo Verde Valley Disposal Company, which also serves the surrounding area. Page

15 Solid wastes, including both construction wastes and long term residential and commercial wastes would be taken to the Quartzite Transfer Station located in Arizona on Highway 95 approximately two and a half miles north of Interstate 10. Materials are sorted at this facility and recyclables are removed. Residual, non recyclable materials are then disposed of at the La Paz County Municipal Solid Waste Landfill located on Highway 95 approximately 10 miles south of Parker, Arizona. The Quartzite Transfer Station is privately owned and operated and is not currently regulated by daily or annual maximum tonnage limits. The La Paz County Landfill is owned by the County of La Paz and is operated by Allied Waste under contract to the County. As with the landfill, there are no daily or annual maximum tonnage limits currently in place. General Plan 2025 contains the following policy to reduce solid waste generation: GUIDING POLICY: Waste Management and Recycling 27. Policy: Reduce the generation of solid waste, including hazardous waste, and recycle those materials that are used, to slow the filling of local and regional landfills, in accord with the California Integrated Waste Management Act of Source Reduction and Recycling Element Goals Promote effective coordination among the public, private and non-profit sectors to insure effective management and administration of solid waste programs; and Support efforts on a local, state and national level for the expansion of recycling markets and increase use of post-consumer secondary materials recovered from the waste stream POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS METHODOLOGY The analysis was conducted to determine potential increases in demand for public services and public utilities within the land area encompassed by General Plan The analysis that follows takes the following into consideration: Interruption in Services Interruption or disruption of utility services could occur as a result of physical displacement and subsequent relocation of public utility infrastructure. Such impacts would be considered significant if the result would be direct long-term service interruption or permanent disruption of essential public utilities; Need for Additional Capacity A significant impact would occur if the Proposed Project results in the need for additional capacity of utility infrastructure or additional services, which would not be supplied by existing service providers; or, Decrease in Level of Service A significant impact would occur if operation of the Proposed Project would result in a decrease in existing levels of service in the project area. Page

16 THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE The significance of potential public services and utilities impacts was determined based on CEQA Guidelines (CCR , Appendix G). The Proposed Project may be considered to have a significant impact on public services or utilities if it would result in: Substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service rations, response times or other performance objectives for any of the public services: Fire Protection, Police Protection, schools, parks, and other public facilities; Exceeding wastewater treatment requirements of the applicable Regional Water Quality Control Board; Requiring or resulting in the construction of new water or wastewater treatment facilities or expansion of existing facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts; Requiring or resulting in the construction of new storm water drainage facilities or expansion of existing facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts; Not having sufficient water supplies available to serve the project from existing entitlements and resources, or are new or expanded entitlements needed; A determination by the wastewater treatment provider that serves or may serve the project that it does not have adequate capacity to serve the project s projected demand in addition to the provider s existing commitments; Being served by a landfill with insufficient permitted capacity to accommodate the project s solid waste disposal needs; and, Not complying with federal, state, and local statutes and regulations related to solid waste IMPACT ANALYSIS Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service rations, response times or other performance objectives for any of the public services: Fire Protection and Police Protection? Adoption of General Plan 2025 would not directly result in adverse impacts to law enforcement and fire protection services. The BPD and BFD service area s may be affected in the future if changes to the City s SOI are made, if the Planning Areas becomes parts of the incorporated City of Blythe or if other annexations occur. Future development that occurs under the land use planning and policy framework provided by General Plan 2025 would result in increased population and therefore an overall increase in demand for fire and police protection services would be expected. As the currently undeveloped Page

17 portions of the City are built out by developments guided by the General Plan, those areas would require fire protection and police services. As a result, new or expanded facilities will be needed in the future to maintain existing levels of service in currently undeveloped areas. It is the policy of the City to require new development to pay for mitigating impacts on existing public services and facilities to maintain service levels. City Implementation Policies include adopting and implementing a development impact fee program beginning in 2007 for fire facilities in outlying areas of the City. Additional Implementation Policies include maintaining land development guidelines which mandate adequate access for fire fighting equipment and appropriate buffer areas for protection of property from wildland fires, requiring fire prevention measures to be incorporated into all new construction, and continuing to have the City Fire Marshal review development plans as part of the development review process. Impacts related to police and fire services are not expected to be significant with the implementation of General Plan 2025 Guiding Policies, Implementation Policies, Development Impact Fees and compliance with City land development guidelines. General Plan 2025 implementing policies for fire protection services include adopting a developer fee in outlying areas of the City; requiring all new commercial and multiple residential developments to install fire protection systems, and encouraging the use of automatic sprinkler systems; and limiting development in areas not served. Implementing policies for police protection services include promoting the use of defensible space, requiring coordination between private security patrol services and the City police department, and maintaining an ongoing crime prevention program offering a range of services. In addition to these policies, City standard practice already includes the police department and Fire Marshal in the development review process to ensure that individual projects provide adequate emergency access, and that the police and fire level of service is sufficient to serve the project. The resource based thresholds in established in General Plan 2025 would require a detailed study if a future individual project is proposed more than 3.0 miles from a fire station. The fire department must be able to reach the individual project site within four minutes. Future individual projects must comply with the General Plan 2025 policies, and requirements as specified by the Fire Marshal must be incorporated into project design to be approved. Future projects will be required to prepare a detailed study for police services if it is not within the department s service area. The individual projects must also comply with development policies and will be approved if adequate police service is available to serve the development. Implementing the General Plan 2025 and CRCP policies and adherence to City standard practices will ensure that fire and police protection service needs are assessed and that adequate levels of service and facilities are available for future developments. Impacts to fire and police protection services are less than significant at the programmatic level. Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service rations, response times or other performance objectives for any of the public services: Schools? Page

18 Adoption of the Proposed Project would not result in substantial adverse impacts to schools. Future development increases that occur over time in accordance with the land use plans and policies contained in General Plan 2025 would result in increased population and therefore an overall increase in demand for school facilities. General Plan 2025 provides approximately 725 acres of land specifically for public and quasi public facilities. This designation includes sites for schools, governmental offices, and other facilities that have a distinct public character and require a minimum of two acres of land. The City maintains ongoing coordination with facilities planners at the Palo Verde Unified School District to ensure facilities are adequate to support the City s growing population. New school facilities would be developed over time to accommodate new population growth in the City consistent with the planning framework provided by General Plan Construction or expansion of school facilities would undergo CEQA analysis on a project-by-project basis at the time the facilities are proposed. Specific mitigation measures for those facilities may be required at that time. Table summarizes current and projected enrollment by school type in the area covered by General Plan Estimates of current enrollment indicate that approximately 3,704 students were enrolled at public schools in the Planning Area in the school year. The maximum enrollment sizes for the various schools are as follows: Elementary School 750 students; Junior High School 1,400 Students; and, Senior High School 1,700 students. Based on current student generation rates, this would increase by about 556 over the Plan period. Table shows projected enrollment in 2025 and the number of new schools needed, respectively TABLE PLANNING AREA SCHOOL ENROLLMENT AND 2025 Grades Estimated Enrollment Elementary (K-5) 2,173 Junior High (6-8) 538 Senior High (9-12) 993 Source: Palo Verde Unified School District, June 2006 Projected Enrollment In , ,142 Increased Enrollment Based on information provided by the Palo Verde Unified School District, one new junior high school is expected to be needed with no need identified for additional elementary or senior high schools through Facilities currently under development include the remodeling and expansion of Palo Verde High School and Blythe Middle School and the replacement of Appleby Elementary School. Page

19 Potential sites for new schools are depicted in Exhibit and with circles to indicate the general location(s) of proposed school sites. TABLE NEW SCHOOL FACILITIES NEEDS ANALYSIS Grade Elementary (K-6) Junior High (7-8) Senior High (9-12) Palo Verde Unified School District, Excess Capacity At Exiting Schools Students to be Accommodated in New Facilities New Schools Needed Development in Blythe, and resultant population increases, through the year 2025 has the potential to generate an additional 326 elementary school students, 81 junior high school students, and 149 high school students by the Year Exhibits and indicate general locations of future school sites within the General Plan 2025 and CRCP planning areas. Implementing Policies contained in the General Plan 2025 include working with the PVUSD to prepare a Twenty Year Student Housing Master Plan to be consistent with General Plan 2025 to be used for securing sites for future junior and high schools; requiring subdivides to reserve school sites for PVUSD acquisition for a reasonable period of time; and supporting PVUSD s efforts to mitigate impacts of new projects on school facilities, consistent with State law. The resource based thresholds established in General Plan 2025 do not require a detailed study for future individual projects school needs. However, PVUSD has established school impact fees which are assessed on new development projects to provide funding to construct future school facilities and improvements. State law established in 1986 limits the fee that can be imposed on residential development to mitigate school impacts and prohibits denial of a project on the basis of the inadequacy of school facilities or school impact fees. Because of this, there is some uncertainty regarding future school construction financing. The General Plan 2025 policies alone may not be sufficient to ensure adequate facilities in the future. Therefore, a mitigation measure has been included at the end of this chapter such that supplemental mitigation fees may be established for future developments. Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service rations, response times or other performance objectives for any of the public services: Parks? As noted in Chapter 3.7 of the Program EIR, adoption of the General Plan 2025 would not result in substantial adverse impacts to parks. The City s parks standard of 4.5 acres of parkland per Page

20 1,000 population number would continue to be met or exceeded until approximately Additional parklands would be needed in the City of Blythe to maintain current park levels of service standards.. Existing and proposed park sites are identified in Exhibits and The General Plan itself would not involve construction or generate an increase in population such that new parks would be required. Construction or expansion of park facilities would undergo CEQA analysis on a project-by-project basis at the time the facilities are proposed. Specific mitigation measures for those facilities may be required at that time. The total park acreage needed in the City based on future population growth is anticipated to be 110 acres as shown in Tables and based on a projected population of 24,563 in the General Plan horizon year of TABLE EXISTING PARKLAND VERSUS PARKLAND NEEDED Existing Parkland Acreage Needed by 2025 Additional Acreage Needed Source: City of Blythe Planning Department, May 2006 TABLE PARK FACILITIES AND PARK ACREAGE NEEDED BASED ON PLANNING AREA POPULATION INCREASE Year Population 13,600 15,766 18,277 21,288 24,563 Acreage Source: City of Blythe Planning Department, May 2006 Future development projects would be required to be consistent with the General Plan 2025 policies, meet the standard parkland performance standard, and adhere to other relevant City standard practices regarding provision of recreational facilities. Implementing the General Plan 2025 policies and adherence to City standard practices will ensure that park needs are assessed and that adequate levels of service are available and maintained for future developments. Therefore, potential impacts to parks would be less than significant with implementation of General Plan Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service rations, response times or other performance objectives for any of the public services: Other public facilities? Page

21 Adoption of the Proposed Project would not result in substantial adverse physical impacts to electric and natural gas facilities. New development guided by General Plan 2025 will result in increased consumption and demand for electricity and natural gas. According to SCG, Southern California operates in an environment of interstate pipeline capacity in excess of anticipated demand (SCG 2005). California natural gas utilities, interstate pipelines, and instate natural gas storage facilities have increased their delivery and receipt capacity to meet natural gas demand growth (SCG 2005). Both SCE and SCG estimate that they have adequate ability to meet the demand for natural gas and electric service within the Planning Area that will be required to serve anticipated future growth (Blythe 2006). In the event that new facilities are needed, the company providing the service and proposing the facility would be required to undergo CEQA and/or NEPA analysis at that time. An existing 520 megawatt combined cycle generating plant is currently operating in Blythe and a second similar power generating station has been approved and licensed. In addition, electrical transmission system and natural gas pipelines system upgrades are also in the planning stages. Therefore, no difficulties in meeting demand to provide electricity for future growth are expected. General Plan 2025 implementing policies would further ensure that adequate energy resources are available to serve future growth, require coordination with utility companies, and encourage conservation and energy efficiency Standard CEQA analysis for future developments requires assessing the project s impacts to electric and natural gas facilities. In addition, implementation of the General Plan 2025 policies, ensuring that facilities are in place prior to the need, and encouraging energy resource conservation and efficiency, will mitigate potential future impacts to electric and natural gas services to less than significant levels. Would the project: a) Exceed wastewater treatment requirements of the applicable Regional Water Quality Control Board? b) Require or result in the construction of new water or wastewater treatment facilities or expansion of existing facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts? c) Require or result in the construction of new storm water drainage facilities or expansion of existing facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts? d) Have sufficient water supplies available to serve the project from existing entitlements and resources, or are new or expanded entitlements needed? Page

22 Would the project result in a determination by the wastewater treatment provider that serves or may serve the project that it has adequate capacity to serve the project s projected demand in addition to the provider s existing commitments? Future growth in accordance with the General Plan would result in increased population and an overall increase in demand for wastewater treatment and water services. As a result, new or expanded facilities may be needed to maintain an acceptable level of service as development occurs. Construction or expansion of new facilities will be required to undergo CEQA analysis on a project-by-project basis at the time the facilities are proposed. Impacts are not significant at the programmatic level. Adoption of the Proposed Project would not result in exceeding wastewater treatment requirements, or directly result in the construction or expansion of wastewater or stormwater treatment facilities. The City is served by a sewer treatment system which complies with the Waste Discharge Requirements of the RWQCB and does not exceed wastewater treatment requirements. Adoption of the General Plan would not directly result in the construction of new stormwater drainage facilities. However, future developments guided by the Proposed Project may require the construction of new stormwater drainage facilities or expansion of existing facilities. Such construction would undergo CEQA analysis on a project-by-project basis at the time the facilities are proposed. Future developments would be required to implement best management practices (BMPs) for erosion and pollution control measures to limit non-point source pollution to the maximum extent feasible. Standard CEQA analysis for individual projects includes assessing potential impacts to wastewater, water, and stormwater facilities as well as determining if adequate service is available for the development. Individual project proponents would be required to obtain an NPDES permit for facilities that would discharge stormwater. Water supply to the planning area would be provided by the City of Blythe. The Master Plan of Water contains peak day water demand projections through year 2020 as shown in Table below. The City has initiated a comprehensive update to the Master Plan of Water to coincide with the land use planning efforts associated with General Plan TABLE PROJECTED PEAK DAY WATER DEMANDS Blythe Mesa Hidden Colorado Airport Proper Bluffs Beaches 500 Mesa Verde Total Year Peak Day Demand Peak Day Demand Peak Day Demand Peak Day Demand Peak Day Demand Peak Day Demand (MGD) (MGD) (MGD) (MGD) (MGD) (MGD) Source: Master Plan of Water, estimated based upon % change 2010 to Page

23 The Master Plan of Water identified various system improvements and expansions needed based on the 2000, 2010, and 2020 projections and addressed existing system deficiencies. In addition to a new water facility, the recommended improvements and expansions include additional supply wells and storage reservoirs to meet the maximum day water demands and fire flow requirements, and expansion of the water system distribution pipeline network. With the improvements, expansions, and new facility, the system is anticipated to be able to provide an adequate level of service for future growth. The Master Plan of Sewers made the following projections through year 2020 of wastewater flows at the treatment facility (see Table ). The focus areas studied within the Master Plan of Sewers include Riviera Drive, Industrial Area, West Hobsonway, Mesa Bluffs, Hidden Beaches, and the Colorado River 500 Specific Plan project. Projected flows for these areas in 2010 and 2020 are estimated at 1.46 and 2.14 MGD respectively. TABLE Page PROJECTED WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY FLOWS Year Flow Increase (MGD) Average Daily Flow (MGD) Source: Master Plan of Sewers, projection based on change between 2010 and By 2010, wastewater flows would be expected to exceed the 2.4 MGD design capacity of the WWTP. However, with the recommended WWTP expansion, sewage collection system improvements, and system extensions for service to the focus areas, the wastewater system is expected to be capable of handling the projected growth. In addition to the recommended improvements and expansions identified in the Water, Sewer, and Stormwater Master Plans, General Plan 2025 contains the following implementing policies to mitigate impacts to water and wastewater facilities to ensure adequate levels of services for future developments : In unincorporated areas, require annexation to the City as a condition of extending City services or charge an outside of corporate limits premium fee. Explore ways to encourage use of reclaimed water for parkland irrigation purposes. Because of availability of an adequate supply of water in the past, the urgency of finding alternative sources has not been great. However, with increased demands on existing finite water supplies comes the need for a better understanding of the safe yield level of groundwater. Explore the feasibility of using reclaimed water for irrigation of residential landscaping in new subdivisions and landscaping at public facilities, including any new golf courses. Establish guidelines and standards for water conservation and actively promote use of water-conserving devices and practices in both new construction and major alterations and additions to existing building. Develop a list of water conservation measures to be imposed on projects in the event that

24 groundwater availability drops below acceptable levels. Ensure that sufficient wastewater treatment capacity is available to serve anticipated growth through effective capital improvements planning and programming. Identify and construct needed local and regional storm drain improvements to prevent local flooding problems in the city. Require stormwater mitigation measures as part of all new development approvals. Implement to the maximum extent possible actions outlined in the Master Plan of Stormwater to eliminate existing and potential flooding hazards in the City. Adopt the Master Plan of Drainage for the City of Blythe as a sub-element of the Public Facilities, Utilities, and Services Element. Land uses and flood control facilities shall be designed so that no structures of substantial value for human use or habitation exist in flood hazard areas. Land uses and flood control facilities shall be designed so that structures for human use or habitation are capable of surviving anticipated flood levels without major structural damage. Construction and preservation of flood retention/detention facilities shall be required as part of all development approval. Future developments proposed within the Colorado River Corridor Plan (CRCP) are also subject to the following guiding policies: Size new infrastructure to support the projected population growth of the community through the 2025 horizon year. As a condition of approval for subdivisions and development projects, require applicants to pay the costs of needed utility services for that development. Establish community facilities districts, maintenance assessment districts or other similar measures to recover the cost of services required by new land development projects. Development should contribute to community service impact fees or dedicate land needed to accommodate necessary public facilities. The availability of public facilities for future development is important. General Plan 2025 has established the policies and implementing policies above, as well as resource-based standards for storm drainage, water supply, and wastewater criteria shown in Table which is part of the development review process. TABLE Service Storm Drainage Page RESOURCE-BASED STANDARDS AND REVIEW CRITERIA Performance Standard No net increase in peak stormwater run-off. FOR PUBLIC FACILITIES Threshold for Detailed Study* All projects in the vicinity of McCoy wash. All projects over 2 acres in other drainage areas. Development Approved Only If Project design incorporates run-off reduction standards, and payment of fee appropriate to run-off.