General Plan - Part I (Ch. 1 - Ch. 3)

DRAFT CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE GENERAL PLAN

Prepared for: The City of Lake Elsinore 130 South Main Street Lake Elsinore, CA 92530

Completed by: Community Development Department, Planning Division & Geographic Information Systems of the City of Lake Elsinore (951) 674-3124

December 2009

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CONTENTS Chapter

Page

1.0

Introduction……………………………………………………………….

1.1 Setting and Vision………………………………………………..

1.2 Purpose and Nature of a General Plan…………………………

1.3 Overall Planning Approach……………………………………..

1.4 Citizen Input……………………………………………………...

1.5 Organization of the General Plan………………………………

1.6 Relationship to Other Plans and Ordinances………………….

1-1 1-1 1-4 1-5 1-6 1-6 1-7

2.0

Community Form………………………………………………………...

2.1 Introduction………………………………………………...…….

2.2 Strategic Framework for 2030…………………………………...

2.3 Land Use…………………………………………………………..

2.4 Circulation…………………………………………………...........

2.5 Growth Management…………………………………………….

2.6 Housing …………………………………………………………...

2.7 Parks and Recreation…………………………………………….

2.8 Historic Preservation…………………………………………….

2.9 District Plans (Bound Separately)………………………………

2-1 2-1 2-1 2-2 2-26 2-52 2-54 2-55 2-60 2-66

3.0

Public Safety and Welfare……………………………………………… 3-1 3.1 Summary…………………………………………………………. 3-1 3.2 Air Quality………………………………………………………... 3-1 3.3 Hazardous Materials…………………………………………….. 3-4 3.4 Noise……………………………………………………………… 3-24 3.5 Community Facilities and Services…………………………….. 3-33

4.0

Resource Protection and Preservation…………………………………

4.1 Summary………………………………………………………….

4.2 Biological Resources……………………………………………...

4.3 Open Space………………………………………………………..

4.4 Water Resources………………………………………………….

4.5 Cultural Resources and Paleontological Resources…………..

4.6 Aesthetics…………………………………………………………

4.7 Sustainable Environment………………………………………..

CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE GENERAL PLAN i

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5.0

Administration & Implementation…………………………………….

5.1 Introduction………………………………………………………

5.2 Community Form………………………………………………...

5.3 Public Safety and Welfare……………………………………….

5.4 Resource Preservation and Preservation………………………

CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE GENERAL PLAN ii

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TABLES Table

Table Description

Page

1-1 2-1 2-2

General Plan Content…………………………………………………………

City of Lake Elsinore General Plan Land Use Designation Standards…..

Definitions of Level of Service for Uninterrupted Flow (Flow Unrestrained by the Existence of Traffic Control Devices)……………….

Level of Service………………………………………………………………..

Noise and Compatibility Matrix…………………………………………….

Recommended Interior and Exterior Noise Standards……………………

Natural Communities in the City and SOI………………………………....

Special-Status Species that Occur or Potentially Occur in the City and/or SOI…………………………………………………………………….

Previously Identified Prehistoric Archaeological Sites within the SOI….

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2-3 3-1 3-2 4-1 4-2 4-3

CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE GENERAL PLAN iii

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FIGURES Figure

Figure Description

Page

2.1a 2.1b 2.1c 2.1d 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 3.1 3.2

Preferred Land Use Plan…………………………………………………….

Alternative 1 Land Use Plan – Low Density Alternative………………....

Alternative 2 Land Use Plan – High Density Alternative………………...

Planning Districts……………………………………………………………..

Roadway Cross Sections…………………………………………………….

Roadway Classifications Map……………………………………………….

Existing Number of Through Lanes………………………………………...

Airport Influence Areas………………………………………………………

Proposed Bikeways…………………………………………………………...

Elsinore Area Trails and Bikeway System………………………………….

Parks……………………………………………..................................................

Historical Resources…………………………………………………………..

Elsinore Area Plan: Wildfire Susceptibility………………………………..

Approximate Traces of Principal Active Faults of the Peninsular Ranges and Mojave Desert Near Lake Elsinore………………………………………

Seismic Hazards………………………………………………………………...

Liquefaction Susceptibility in Lake Elsinore Area………………………….

Proposed Noise Contours……………………………………………………..

Police and Fire Stations………………………………………………………...

School and District Boundaries……………………………………...………..

Vegetation Communities………………………………………………………

Vacant Land……………………………………………………………………..

Hydrologic Resources………………………………………………………….

Identified Cultural Resources Area…………………………………………..

Paleontological Resources……………………………………………………..

Scenic Resources………………………………………………………………..

Landscape Viewshed Units……………………………………………………

Viewshed and Vantage Points………………………………………………...

Vantage Point Location Photographs………………………………………...

Palomar Lighting Impact Analysis Area……………………………………..

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3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 4.10

CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE GENERAL PLAN iv

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Chapter 1

1.0 Introduction 1.1

Setting and Vision

Nestled beneath the Cleveland National Forest, within the southwest portion of Riverside County, lies the City of Lake Elsinore. The City boasts that Lake Elsinore is the largest natural lake in Southern California, a true recreational paradise for boating, wakeboarding, parasailing, fishing, water skiing, jet skiing, windsurfing, camping at local campgrounds and RV resorts, sunbathing, picnicking, or playing on the beaches. The Lake is bound by wetlands, ancient petroglyphs, sacred burial grounds, and the Diamond Stadium, home to the Lake Elsinore Storm Professional Baseball Team, an affiliate of the San Diego Padres. Its world famous thermal winds create ideal conditions for skydiving, hang-gliding, sailplaning, and hot-air ballooning. Lake Elsinore is rapidly becoming the ideal place to live, work, and play in the Inland Empire. The duality of quality of life and prosperity for all residents is the common vision and goal for the City. As such, this community recognizes its rich history, appreciates its setting amid the rolling hills, and values its resources, while reaching for the future and realizing that its future is today.

1.1.1

Historic Overview

The prehistory of the Lake Elsinore area extends back thousands of years. Some of the earliest inhabitants settled near the lake as long as 6,000 years ago. More recently, around the 12th century, a group of tribesmen called the Pai-ah-che (related to the Shoshone and Pai Utes) inhabited the area around the lake and called it Etengvo Wumoma (loosely translated as “Hot Springs by the Little Sea”). The contemporary identification of these peoples is the Luiseño Indians. (The term Luiseño is used to refer to Takic speaking people.)

The Spanish colonization that began in the late 18th century was short-lived.

By 1820, Mexico was independent of Spain and by 1830 the “Mission period” had ended. Large land grants had been issued as rewards to those friendly to the Mexican cause. However, with the GuadalupeHidalgo Treaty in 1848, much of the land was ceded to the United States, including all the lands around La Laguna, the City’s historic name. In 1858, Augustin Machado acquired La Laguna, renamed it Rancho La Laguna, and became the first landowner to call the lakeshore his family home since the Luiseño Indians. The Butterfield Stagecoach Line used the Machado residence as a rest stop.

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Chapter 1

Hispanic influence rapidly waned in the area, and Franklin Heald purchased Rancho La Laguna and founded the town of Elsinore in 1883. Elsinore was named after the famed lakeside village of Helsingnor in Denmark from Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet. With the construction of the Atchison, Topeka, & Santa Fe Railroad and the discovery of a variety of mineral ores in the late 19th century on what is now known as Pacific Clay Products, immigration began to increase significantly to the lake and mining area, creating support services for these emerging land uses. In 1888 the City incorporated. Many people visited the newly created City of Elsinore looking for recreational opportunities, and stimulating its tourist industry. Elsinore became a popular destination in the 1920’s, for boat races and Olympic swim team training. In the 1930’s, the Hollywood rich and famous came to Elsinore to enjoy grand parties and resort-style living at the Laguna Vista Club and Mount Elsinore Country Club, and the City enjoyed a reputation as a favorite retreat. In 1972, by popular vote, the City changed its name and officially became known as the City of Lake Elsinore.

1.1.2

Demographic Overview

The methods for determining population and ethnic make up have changed since the first state census in 1850. The following discussion is a synopsis of the various census reports. The census reports before 1900 grouped the larger Elsinore area together as a precinct or township.

In 1890 the Elsinore precinct had a population of 475 persons, about the same as other rural Southern California communities including the precincts of Fallbrook, Julian, Oceanside, and Murrieta. In 1900 the census was more specific and showed a population of 279 persons for the City of Lake Elsinore; the 1910 census marked a substantial increase with a population of 488, reflecting a general growth spurt that occurred in most of Southern California. That growth continued with an increase to 633 persons in 1920 and a population in the Elsinore township of 1,496. By 1930 Elsinore had doubled to a population of 1,350 and the township population stood at 2,955. The post-World War II years saw the population of Elsinore expand as a reflection of the overall building and population boom in Southern California, with 2,068 residents in 1950, 2,432 residents in 1960, and 3,530 residents in 1970.

The 1980 census, which was the first to list Lake Elsinore as a city, shows a population of 5,982, a quadrupling of the population in the 40 years since 1940. In 1980 the median household income was $8,925 placing Lake Elsinore in the lower quarter of California communities. The African-American population had risen to 489 or 8 percent, with American Indians comprising almost 3 percent of the population. The decade between 1980 and 1990 represented a trebling of Lake Elsinore’s population. Clearly reflecting the rapid population growth in the Inland Empire and throughout Southern California, the 1990 census listed a population of 18,285 for the City, which was comprised of 4,414 families. Almost 77 percent (14,053) of the population was white (which included 4,757 persons of Hispanic origin or 26 percent of the overall population). The African-American population fell to approximately 3.9 percent. When the Hispanic population is removed from the overall white category, the white population was actually 51 percent.

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Chapter 1

The 2000 federal census listed a total population for Lake Elsinore of 28,928 with a median age of 28.7, a relatively young population for California as a whole and for Southern California as well. The African-American population was 5.2 percent; the Hispanic/Latino population was 38 percent; and the white population (with Hispanic/Latino excluded) was approximately 31 percent.

The California Department of Finance determined that the January 2006 population of Lake Elsinore reached almost 41,000. With an average household income of $64,241, housing in the City remained more affordable when compared to the affordability of housing in other regions.

Clearly, based on its history of growth and the attractiveness of the housing market, the City is poised for considerable increases in population in both its near and distant future.

The State of California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is mandated to determine the state-wide housing need. In cooperation with HCD, local governments and councils of government (COGs) are charged with making a determination of their city or region’s existing and projected housing need as a share of the state-wide figure.

This determination is referred to as the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) and is made by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) for the County of Riverside including the City of Lake Elsinore. As proposed in June of 2007, the RHNA allocation for Lake Elsinore is 5,590 units.

1.1.3

Dream Extreme: A Vision for the Future

This General Plan is based on a vibrant vision for Lake Elsinore for the 21st century. The plan envisions, and plans for, a city that has remembered, retained, and recreated the important qualities of its rich culture and history. An integral part of this vision is that the City serves as both a getaway for those seeking an escape from the adjacent heavily urbanized areas and as a place where thrill seekers visit to take advantage of the wide variety of extreme sport opportunities offered in the City and the surrounding area. In this sense, the City strives to be far more than a bedroom community for Los Angeles and San Diego and more of a balanced multi-land use area capitalizing on its valuable and unique natural resources and the lake as a tourist destination.

The City’s logo and branding slogan, “Dream Extreme” represents this vision. The concept of “Dream Extreme” builds on the efforts of the early pioneers who founded and developed the City for its proximate location to rail, minerals, and lake resources based on their dreams and hopes for the future of the City. The “Dream Extreme” concept fully positions the City for the future, has deep roots in the history and culture of the unique past of Lake Elsinore, and continues to build on those attributes that make Lake Elsinore a viable City.

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Chapter 1

The City of Lake Elsinore carries this vision even further with a desire to develop a sustainable city that will be able to meet the needs of its current residents without compromising the ability to meet the needs of future citizens. Implementation of the vision must ensure that the residents and visitors of the City enjoy a quality of life that meets or exceeds their expectations.

With this vision, there is a strong desire to re-emphasize the importance of the lake by providing increased opportunities for lakeside interaction, from a visual, economic, and recreational standpoint. The uniqueness of the lake, the only natural lake still in existence in Southern California, serves as a symbol for the City and for its citizens. Ensuring that the lake is clean, aesthetically pleasing, open to recreation, and truly symbolic of the City is of paramount importance.

Consistent with modern urban planning, there is increased interest in mixed-use, pedestrianoriented development, which incorporates urban design components to improve the livability of the community. Those components include the paramount need for appropriate public service levels and economic infrastructure, along with regulations and design criteria that address the urban constraints of a live-work environment. Additional components include appropriately scaled landscaping, user-friendly lighting, and public art that reflect the vibrancy of the City. As the City continues to develop, sustainable green building practices are both viable and desirable, with an emphasis on reducing the long-term energy needs of the City, and designing developments with the environment in mind.

1.2

Purpose and Nature of a General Plan

Each city and county in California must prepare a comprehensive, long-term General Plan to guide its future. The General Plan is a city’s constitution for future development. The general and specific policies of the General Plan serve as the basis for the City’s land use decisions and should provide to both the interested public and the decision-makers a practical and implementable policy vision for the future.

This General Plan includes text describing the City’s Goals and Policies associated with each General Plan Element and illustrations mapping the generalized locations of future land uses. State Law mandates that seven elements be addressed in the General Plan: land use, circulation, housing, open space, conservation, noise and safety. Although mandated, these elements do not have to be presented in individual chapters. Since each element is interrelated in some way with another topic, it makes sense to combine them into a smaller number of integrated chapters.

Consistent with the requirements of State law, the General Plan Program implementation status is evaluated annually, usually by April 1, by the Community Development Department, which

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Chapter 1

will present their Annual Report to the Planning Commission and City Council. This report is then transmitted to the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development for their records. This report shall also be forwarded to Housing and Community Development and the Office of Planning and Research (OPR).

1.3

Overall Planning Approach

Natural and cultural diversity is one of Lake Elsinore’s greatest attributes and also one of its greatest challenges.

With a land area spanning 35 square miles, a lake encompassing 4.7 square miles, and a history of over 120 years as a city, Lake Elsinore is unique among Southern California cities.

Essentially, distinct communities and settings make up the City, ranging from the historic downtown commercial district at the City’s core, to a scenic lake shore, clay and other mineral extracting areas, and new tract home developments on the periphery of the City.

The previous General Plan was largely based on future specific planning areas. Approximately 67% of the City was designated as future or approved specific plans in the 1990 General Plan.

This approach was motivated by the desire to encourage creative land planning.

This Plan recognizes the adopted specific plan land uses as well as other existing neighborhoods in the City in a series of District Plans. As the specific plans are built-out, there is a need to recognize these areas as Lake Elsinore neighborhoods with common characteristics, design guidelines, and geographical similarities.

The approach taken by this current Plan is multi-tiered: z

A Strategic Framework Plan that guides the overall development of the City and presents a set of City-wide Goals and Policies by which to analyze future development and redevelopment;

z

A set of District Plans that address the unique neighborhoods and planning areas in the City;

z

A Public Safety and Welfare chapter in which noise and safety concerns are addressed;

z

A Resource Protection and Preservation chapter which addresses the Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP) and balancing open space, conservation, and economic development interests; and

z

A Policy Implementation Plan.

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Chapter 1

1.4

Citizen Input

An extensive citizen input program is an integral part of the General Plan Update process. At the outset of the project, a General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) was formed, comprised of local residents and business owners, to provide needed citizen input for the plan formation.

The GPAC met a total of 14 times between March 2005 and October 2006, and also participated in the public workshops, Joint City Council/Planning Commission/GPAC study sessions and public hearings. Their input was critical to the successful adoption of this Plan. The GPAC meetings were open to the public and a number of residents regularly participated.

A community-wide visioning session was held at the Lake Elsinore Diamond Stadium in June 2005 to explain the General Plan process to participants and to gather input as to what the citizens of Lake Elsinore would like to see their City be in the next 25 years. This communitywide session was followed-up by three (3) neighborhood workshops held in different parts of the City, designed to make it convenient for residents to attend and participate.

As another means of polling the residents of the City, a survey was prepared to affirm the direction from the workshops and GPAC, and to solicit any additional ideas for the preparation of the General Plan. The survey was made available at each of the workshops and participants were asked to either fill out the survey there, or take it and mail it to the City. The questions in the survey focused on land use, quality of life, transportation, economic development, and public services and facilities.

The result of the citizen input process is a General Plan that reflects the vision of those with the most at stake – the residents who live, work and play in the City of Lake Elsinore.

1.5

Organization of the General Plan

The Lake Elsinore General Plan contains an update of the environmental baseline conditions necessary to serve as part of the foundation for the formation of the Goals and Policies contained in this Plan, and also the existing conditions for the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) associated with this effort. The Citizen Input portion of the project serves as the most important component for the establishment of Goals and Policies.

This General Plan contains three (3) major Plan Chapters: Community Form, Public Safety and Welfare, and Resource Protection and Preservation. The required elements are covered in these chapters as shown in Table 1-1. An additional Chapter identified as Administration and Implementation comprises the last chapter of the document.

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Chapter 1

Table 1-1. General Plan Content Lake Elsinore Plan Chapters

Elements Covered

Issues Covered

Community Form (Chapter 2)

Land Use Circulation Housing

Neighborhoods, housing, circulation, urban design, historic preservation, parks and recreation, community facilities and services, special treatment areas, education, utilities.

Public Safety and Welfare (Chapter 3)

Public Safety Noise

Flooding, seismic activity, hazardous materials, fire and police, air quality, noise.

Resource Protection and Preservation (Chapter 4)

Conservation Open Space

Biological resources, MSHCP, open space, greenhouse gas emissions/sustainable environment, energy conservation, and cultural resources.

1.6

Relationship to Other Plans and Ordinances

Long-range comprehensive planning in the General Plan must be linked to the on-going actions of the City, since the State of California requires consistency of certain local actions with the General Plan. An action, program, or project is considered consistent with the General Plan if it furthers the goals and policies of the General Plan and does not obstruct the attainment of these goals and policies.

Following is a list of provisions in State law that requires local actions and documents to be consistent with the General Plan.

1. Zoning Government Code Section 65860 requires that the zoning ordinances of general law cities be consistent with the General Plan. The City of Lake Elsinore is a general law city.

2. Subdivisions Government Code Sections 66473.5 and 66474 require that subdivision and parcel map approvals in a jurisdiction be consistent with its General Plan.

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Chapter 1

3. Reservations of Land with Subdivisions Government Code Section 66479 permits the reservations of land for parks, recreational facilities, fire stations, libraries, and other public uses within a subdivision so long as the reservation conforms to the General Plan.

4. Open Space Government Code Section 65566 requires that acquisition, disposal, restriction, or regulation of open space land by a city or county be consistent with the Open Space Element of the General Plan.

Government Code Section 65567 prohibits the issuance of building permits, approval of subdivision maps, and adoption of open space zoning ordinances that are inconsistent with the Open Space Element of the General Plan.

Government Code Section 65910 requires that every city and county adopt open space provisions in their zoning ordinances consistent with the Open Space Element of the General Plan.

5. Capital Improvements Government Code Sections 65401 and 65402 require a review and report on the consistency of proposed city, county, and special district capital projects, including land acquisition and disposal, with the General Plan.

6. Development Agreements Government Code Section 65867.5 requires that the terms and provisions of development agreements be consistent with the General Plan.

7. Special Housing Programs Health and Safety Code Section 50689.5 requires that housing and housing programs developed under Health and Safety Code Sections 50680 et seq. for the developmentally disabled, mentally disordered, and physically disabled be consistent with the Housing Element of the General Plan.

8. Project Review Under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Title 14, California Code of Regulations Section 15080 requires that, “to the extent possible the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) process be combined with the existing planning, review, and project approval process used by each public agency.�

9. Mineral Resources Public Resources Code Section 2763 requires that city and county land use decisions affecting areas with minerals of regional or statewide significance be consistent with mineral resource management policies in the General Plan.

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Chapter 1

10. Transmission Lines Public Utilities Code Section 12808.5 requires cities and counties approving electrical transmission and distribution lines of municipal utility districts to make a finding concerning the consistency of the lines with the General Plan.

11. Hazardous Waste Management AB 2948 (Chapter 1504, of the Statutes of 1986), commonly known as the Tanner Bill, requires each county to prepare a countywide hazardous waste management plan. Each county plan is then to be incorporated into the general plans of all cities within the county’s jurisdiction.

12. Riverside County Integrated Project (RCIP) The RCIP, completed in 2003, included three components: a.

A Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Program (MSHCP), which forms the nucleus of an open-space plan for the western part of the County (see below). The MSHCP was adopted by the City in 2004 and included a Master EIR/EIS covering a broad range of biological analysis.

The MSHCP provided important approvals for “Covered Activities� such as important transportation corridors and intersections throughout the City.

b.

An updated General Plan for the unincorporated portion of the County; the General Plan addresses land use, circulation, housing and open space, conservation, and other mandatory elements in conformance with state statute. The General Plan includes several innovative programs, such as incentive programs, that will be utilized in implementing the MSHCP, programs to enhance transit alternatives, and programs that will encourage the development of mixed-use centers.

c.

The Community and Environmental Transportation Acceptability Process (CETAP) identifies future transportation corridors in the western part of the County and provides the appropriate environmental documentation to allow early preservation of the necessary rights-of-way for future corridor development. These corridors will be designed to meet future mobility needs, for autos, buses, and trucks, as well as for goods and information. The corridors will allow room to implement transit plans well into the next century. CETAP forms an essential component of the County's circulation element and its arterial highway plan, both associated with the General Plan.

The RCIP is important in that it governs land uses in the unincorporated portion of the County. The areas within the Sphere of Influence in Lake Elsinore lie in these areas.

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Chapter 1

13. Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP) The MSHCP is a multi-jurisdictional Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 10(a) and State ESA habitat conservation plan focusing on the conservation of both endangered and sensitive species and their associated habitat to address biological and ecological diversity conservation needs in western Riverside County. The general goal of the plan is to provide an easier multi-agency permit process for the “take” of threatened and endangered species while balancing the setting aside of significant areas of undisturbed land for the conservation of these threatened, endangered, and sensitive species and their habitats while preserving open space, recreational, and economic land use opportunities. The MSHCP is designed to give the City of Lake Elsinore the ability to control local land use decisions and maintain economic development flexibility, provide streamlined State and Federal “take” authorization, and reduce the City’s reliance on separate, overlapping local, State, and Federal permitting schemes (and associated biological studies) while providing, through a Regional Conservation Authority (RCA), a coordinated reserve system and reserve

implementation programs that will facilitate the preservation of biological diversity, as well as enhancing the region’s quality of life through economic development. MSHCP conservation planning is an effective tool in protecting the region’s biodiversity while reducing conflicts between protection of wildlife and plants and the reasonable use of private and public land for economic development. The MSHCP addresses the potential impacts of urban growth, natural habitat loss, and species endangerment, and creates a process to mitigate for the potential loss of MSHCP-covered or designated plant and animal species and their habitats due to the direct and indirect impacts of future development of both private and public lands within the MSHCP Plan Area. Ultimately, the MSHCP is one of the largest multi-species conservation plans in the nation created with the express goal of expediting infrastructure improvements.

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Chapter 2

2.0 Community Form 2.1

“The purpose of this chapter is to establish a clear course of direction for the City to make future land use decisions.”

Introduction

The character of any community is strongly influenced by the balance, style, design, and interrelationships of land uses as the community develops, evolves, and transitions over time. This chapter of the General Plan focuses on the City’s neighborhoods, commercial and industrial areas, mixed-use corridors, public spaces, parks and recreation, urban design, historic preservation, and mining operations. The City strives for an orderly and attractive physical form and appearance. The purpose of this chapter is to establish a clear course of direction for the City to make future land use decisions. The Community Form Chapter is made up of a “Strategic Framework for 2030” and the District Plans (contained in a separately bound document).

2.2

Strategic Framework for 2030

Lake Elsinore has a well-defined strategy for investing finite City resources for the greatest public benefit. This General Plan provides the framework to help accomplish that objective and ensure the future prosperity of the City and its residents.

The Strategic Framework provides an overall structure to identify policies that guide the City in addressing its challenges to achieve the primary City goal: to improve the quality of life for current and future generations of residents. It provides a mechanism to explain how the individual elements of the General Plan fit together, how the Plan is to be implemented through a regulatory framework that achieves its policies, and provides a vision for the foreseeable future.

The Strategic Framework will include the following elements and topics of the General Plan, which collectively set Community Form:

Maintain Quality of Life

z

Land Use

z

Circulation

z

Growth Management

z

Housing Element (prepared and bound separately)

z

Community Facilities and Services (See Chapter 3)

z

Parks and Recreation

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Chapter 2

z

Historic Preservation

2.3

Land Use

2.3.1

Introduction

In order to maintain a community with a broad variety of economic land uses that provide services and jobs for residents, and accommodations and destination venues for visitors, a diversity of land use designations should be available, including schools, parks (both active recreation areas and passive open space), community centers, residential uses for different socio-economic levels, retail, commercial, employment centers, and industrial/mining operations. The Land Use element and its maps indicate the general distribution, location, types, and relationships of these land uses.

The Lake Elsinore General Plan Area includes all land designated for, or to be considered for, future development, including all land within the existing city limits and areas within the City’s Sphere of Influence that the City may wish to consider for annexation into its incorporated boundary in the future. Specifically, the General Plan Area covers 40,241 total acres including 22,392 acres within existing city limits, 17,849 within the City’s Sphere of Influence. Currently, much of the City’s existing vacant land and open space areas are governed by adopted specific plans and slated for future development. Significant amounts of open space areas and Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan conservation areas have been incorporated in these specific plans, RCA independent land acquisitions, and throughout other areas of the City.

Figure 2.1(a-d), Land Use Plan, designates land uses for the Lake Elsinore area. The Land Use Plan assigns a series of residential and non-residential land use designations. The Land Use Plan identifies locations of the land use designations to indicate where certain types of land uses may occur. In the case of the specific plan areas, the Land Use Plan depicts a Specific Plan Land Use Designation for all areas for which there exists an approved specific plan. Each approved specific plan document governs land uses within its designated boundaries.

2-2

City Boundary Planning Districts Sphere of Influence

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BILLINGS

Extractive Overlay

74

£ ¤

m n

1 CE 0TH N 3 AN RD TR AL EY

Future Schools

CH

m n

RO

Existing Schools

LAKE

15

SHWY-74

n m m n

I 15

§ ¦ ¨

AC

I-15

O EL T

Streams

´

m n 1

2 Miles

m n

City of Lake Elsinore Preferred Land Use Plan Figure 2.1a

m n 0

m n

m n

m n

H

LE H

SI

M

DE

FICUS

BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL FREEWAY BUSINESS

O IS

RYA N

VISTA

D ASTR I

74 HY

n m m n

LA STRADA

m n

MINTHORN FLI NT I 15

LL

m n

A

ELM DIAMON D

HI TE G OR

m n

HID DEN

m nn m

PA

CO RKT R

SA HOLLAN D CORSON

EE

m n

HILLSIDE RESIDENTIAL

MISSION

LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL

m n

ON

TA R

HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL RECREATION OPEN SPACE

CO RY DO

IO

MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL

m n

§ ¦ ¨ 15

N

LOW-MEDIUM RESIDENTIAL

m n

m n

MSHCP CONSERVATION AREA PUBLIC/INSTITUTIONAL Sources: City of Lake Elsinore, County of Riverside

ST

A CH

S RO

N

74

£ ¤

RESIDENTIAL MIXED USE

LO

S ID E

S IO

COMMERCIAL MIXED USE

RAILROAD CANYON M IS

GENERAL COMMERCIAL

H IL L

GE RID MILL

W LAKEVIE

TOURIST COMMERCIAL

R

GREENWALD

m n

m Am n nLD

m n

NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL

ILLIN

LITTLE VALLEY

R

HE

ER

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RI V

LIMITED INDUSTRIAL

m n

ULM ER

LA S

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C KE O L R L IE

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FLOODWAY

LS BA

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m n

Main Street Overlay

DO

Auto Mall Overlay

m n

EWA Y

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GAT

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Extractive Overlay

FIR

TE R DR R A Y D CO EN TTA

Future Schools

m n

AC

Existing Schools

GRAND AS H

n m m n

BILLINGS

SHWY-74

MAURICIO

RICE

I-15

74

£ ¤

m n

1 CE 0TH N 3 AN RD TR AL EY

Streams

RO

m n

CH

15

LAKE

Sphere of Influence

I 15

§ ¦ ¨

Planning Districts

O EL T

City Boundary

´

m n 1

2 Miles

m n

City of Lake Elsinore Alternative 1 Land Use Plan - Low Density Alternative Figure 2.1b

m n

0

m n

m n

m n

H

LE H

SI

M

DE

FICUS

BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL FREEWAY BUSINESS

RYA N

VISTA

D ASTR I

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LA STRADA

m n

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m n

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m n

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MISSION

LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL

m n

ON

TA R

HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL RECREATION OPEN SPACE

CO RY DO

IO

MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL

m n

§ ¦ ¨ 15

N

LOW-MEDIUM RESIDENTIAL

m n

m n

MSHCP CONSERVATION AREA PUBLIC/INSTITUTIONAL Sources: City of Lake Elsinore, County of Riverside

ST

A CH

S RO

N

74

£ ¤

RESIDENTIAL MIXED USE

LO

S ID E

S IO

COMMERCIAL MIXED USE

RAILROAD CANYON M IS

GENERAL COMMERCIAL

H IL L

GE RID MILL

W LAKEVIE

TOURIST COMMERCIAL

R

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GREENWALD

m n

m Am n nLD

m n

NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL

ILLIN

LITTLE VALLEY

R

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UL LA

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LIMITED INDUSTRIAL

m n

ULM ER

LA S

m n

C KE O L R L IE

NEIL

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FLOODWAY

LS BA

EX

m n

Main Street Overlay

DO

Auto Mall Overlay

m n

EWA Y

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Future Schools

m n

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Existing Schools

GRAND AS H

n m m n

BILLINGS

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74

£ ¤

m n

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Streams

RO

m n

CH

15

LAKE

Sphere of Influence

I 15

§ ¦ ¨

Planning Districts

O EL T

City Boundary

´

m n 1

2 Miles

m n

City of Lake Elsinore Alternative 2 Land Use Plan - High Density Alternative Figure 2.1c

m n

0

m n

§ ¦ ¨ 15

§ ¦ ¨ 15

NORTHWEST SPHERE

NORTH CENTRAL SPHERE

NORTH PEAK DISTRICT 74

£ ¤ ALBERHILL DISTRICT City Boundary

MEADOWBROOK SPHERE

Sphere of Influence Planning Districts I-15 SHWY-74 DISTRICT

BUSINESS DISTRICT LAKE VIEW DISTRICT COUNTRY CLUB HEIGHTS DISTRICT

ALBERHILL DISTRICT BALLPARK DISTRICT BUSINESS DISTRICT

LAKE VIEW SPHERE

LAKE EDGE DISTRICT

HISTORIC DISTRICT

RIVERVIEW DISTRICT LAKE ELSINORE HILLS DISTRICT

COUNTRY CLUB HEIGHTS DISTRICT EAST LAKE DISTRICT

BALLPARK DISTRICT

HISTORIC DISTRICT LAKE EDGE DISTRICT

74

£ ¤

LAKE ELSINORE HILLS DISTRICT

EAST LAKE DISTRICT

LAKE VIEW DISTRICT

§ ¦ ¨ 15

LAKELAND VILLAGE DISTRICT

LAKELAND VILLAGE SPHERE

LAKEVIEW SPHERE MEADOWBROOK SPHERE NORTH CENTRAL SPHERE NORTH PEAK DISTRICT NORTHWEST SPHERE RIVERVIEW DISTRICT SOUTHEAST SPHERE Sources: City of Lake Elsinore, County of Riverside

´

0

1.25

2.5 Miles

City of Lake Elsinore Planning Districts Figure 2.1d

Chapter 2

The following is a list of specific plans approved at the time this General Plan document was prepared: z

Alberhill Ranch Specific Plan

z

Canyon Creek “Summerhill� Specific Plan

z

Canyon Hills Specific Plan

z

Cape of Good Hope Specific Plan

z

Cottage Lane Specific Plan

z

East Lake Specific Plan

z

Elsinore City Center Specific Plan

z

La Laguna Estates Specific Plan

z

La Laguna Heights Specific Plan

z

Lakeshore Villages Specific Plan

z

Murdock Alberhill Ranch Specific Plan

z

North Peak Specific Plan

z

Outlet Center Expansion Specific Plan

z

Ramsgate Specific Plan

z

Spyglass Ranch Specific Plan

z

Tuscany Hills Specific Plan

z

Villages at Lakeshore Specific Plan

Example Map of Land Uses

State law mandates that general plans include standards of population density and building intensity for all of the territory covered by the plan. To satisfy this requirement, Table 2-1, Land Use Designation Standards includes standards for each of the land use designations in Figure 2.1. These standards are stated differently for residential vs. non-residential development. The following paragraphs explain how these standards operate.

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Table 2-1.

City of Lake Elsinore General Plan Land Use Designation Standards

General Plan Land Use Designation

No. of Acres

% of Total Land Area

Density Range

Maximum FAR

Business Professional

339.1

0.84%

-

0.45

Commercial Mixed Use

438.6

1.09%

6-18

0.80

Downtown Recreational

34.9

0.09%

-

0.35

767.7

1.91%

-

-

1,387.3

3.45%

-

-

513.5

1.28%

-

0.40

7.8

0.02%

-

2.0

115.7

0.29%

18-24+

0.50

10,974.0

27.27%

0-1

-

92.1

0.23%

0-4

-

634.1

1.58%

-

0.45

Low Density Residential

2,239.8

5.57%

0-1

0.40

Low-Medium Residential

5,477.2

13.61%

1-6

0.40

Medium Density Residential

609.0

1.51%

6-18

0.50

Neighborhood Commercial

44.9

0.11%

-

0.30

3,246.1

8.07%

-

0.01

Public/Institutional

409.4

1.02%

-

0.20

Recreation

640.4

1.59%

-

0.20

Residential Mixed Use

201.6

0.50%

18-24+

1.00/1.2

12,001.5

29.82%

-

-

66.4

0.17%

-

.35/.40

Floodway Future Specific Plan General Commercial Gateway Commercial High Density Residential Hillside Residential Lakeside Residential Limited Industrial

Open Space

Specific Plan Tourist Commercial TOTAL

40,241.1(a)

100.00%

-

-

Total (within City Limits)

22,391.9(a)

65.64%

-

-

(a)

2.3.2

The total acreage within City Limits and Sphere of Influence includes streets and the Lake which are not specifically listed in the table above.

Land Use Baselines

The land area of the City of Lake Elsinore is approximately 42 square miles, with a Sphere of Influence (SOI) covering more than 72 square miles. The SOI, adopted by the Riverside County

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Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), represents the probable future boundaries and service area of the City.

As nearby areas such as San Diego County, Orange County, and Los Angeles County become less affordable, people are beginning to move to cities such as Lake Elsinore for the relatively affordable housing.

Neighborhoods There are a number of distinct neighborhoods within the City of Lake Elsinore often defined by the name of a specific plan. For example, residents describe themselves as being from Tuscany California gnatcatcher Hills or Alberhill Ranch, which are both specific plan areas. Other neighborhoods are defined by the development name, such as Country Club Heights. Neighborhoods are also defined by common characteristics, such as the Historic District, by location, or geography.

Commercial/Industrial Existing commercial and industrial uses are scattered throughout the City. The major commercial centers include the Lake Elsinore Outlets located on Collier Avenue; the Costco/Lowes, Home Depot, and the Target shopping centers at the Interstate 15/Central Avenue intersection; and a development called “City Centre” that has a Wal-Mart and Vons, at the Interstate 15/Rainbow Canyon intersection. Due to the City’s attraction as a tourist and recreation destination, there is interest in developing a strong retail base at historic downtown Main Street.

Lake Elsinore contains diverse industrial uses that include manufacturing, wholesale, and distribution, predominately located within the Business District.

Lake Elsinore has a developing Auto Mall located adjacent to I-15, including Lake Chevrolet, Lake Elsinore Ford, Lake Pontiac/Buick/GMC, and Lake Elsinore Toyota. Additional auto dealerships are slated for future development.

Open Space and the MSHCP Open space is also critical to the quality of life and economic development in the City. Open space on land that contains endangered species and sensitive habitat may be designated for permanent preservation under the MSHCP or granted “take” authorization under the MSHCP, balanced with urban development in these areas. Land on steep slopes may be difficult to develop and could likely remain as permanent open space. In some cases appropriate reclamation planning and creative hillside engineering can correct the impacts of the mining activity and create viable urban land uses. Land within the floodway of local drainages, including

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Lake Elsinore and Temescal Creek, are currently vacant to avoid flooding. Additional open space exists, although much of this land is committed and designated for future development (24.9%).

The above open space areas will be subject to future planning design, balancing MSHCP permanent conservation needs with economic land use programs that will contain permanent open space areas separate from the MSHCP. The MSHCP was adopted by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors on June 17, 2003 and the City of Lake Elsinore in 2004. Countywide, the MSHCP has 16 area plans, including the Lake Elsinore Area Plan, which includes the City of Lake Elsinore and the City of Canyon Lake.

The MSHCP is intended to conserve natural habitat and preserve biological and ecological diversity in western Riverside County. Chapter 4 (Biological Resources) explains the MSHCP in greater detail. It is important to note that the target conservation acreage range, as required in the MSHCP within the City of Lake Elsinore is 4,800–7,800 acres.

Existing endangered and threatened species in the Lake Elsinore Area Plan include the coastal California gnatcatcher, least Bell’s vireo, Stephens’ kangaroo rat, the Quino checkerspot butterfly, and other federally endangered species. The MSHCP has identified particular areas within Lake Elsinore where land should be preserved to maintain core and linkage habitat for the MSHCP-identified species. It is the intention of the MSHCP to set aside land as permanent open space as directed by the City Council to balance conservation with urban economic development. The City of Lake Elsinore has the largest percentage and acreage of MSHCP designated conservation in the region. The City must balance its conservation planning as to not hinder economic development opportunities, particularly along major transportation corridors and intersections. The Riverside Conservation Authority (RCA) is responsible for maintaining and managing the reserve.

Floodplains There are several floodplain areas within the City of Lake Elsinore. floodplain around the lake; the area to the east of the lake in the East Lake Specific Plan; the area along Temescal Wash; the area along the San Jacinto River from Canyon Lake, also known as the Railroad Canyon Reservoir; and along Alberhill or “Temescal” Creek.

These include the

Density and Intensity Standards of building intensity for residential uses are stated as the allowable range of dwelling units per net acre. Net acreage includes all the land, excluding streets and rights-of-way, designated for a particular residential use.

Standards of population density for residential uses can be derived by multiplying the maximum allowable 2-14

Depiction of FAR

Chapter 2

number of dwelling units per net acre by the average number of persons per dwelling unit assumed for the typical residential designation. The assumed overall household average number of persons per single-family dwelling unit in Lake Elsinore is 3.17, and 2.7 per multifamily unit, based on communities with similar demographics in the western Riverside vicinity.

The average person per dwelling unit figures cited do not represent City policy; they simply provide the basis for correlating the permitted number of dwelling units per acre with the potential residents of those units.

Standards of building intensity for non-residential designations in the General Plan are stated as maximum floor area ratios (FAR). A floor area ratio is the numerical value obtained by dividing the gross building square footage on a lot by the net square footage of the lot.

To illustrate, on a lot with 10,000 net square feet of land area, an FAR of 1.0 will allow 10,000 square feet of gross building floor area to be built, regardless of the number of stories in the building (e.g., 5,000 square feet per floor on two floors or 10,000 square feet on one floor). On the same lot, an FAR of 0.5 would allow 5,000 square feet of floor area, and an FAR of 0.25 would allow 2,500 square feet, etc.

Standards of employee population density for non-residential uses can be derived by multiplying one acre (43,560 square feet) by the applicable FAR and then dividing by the assumed average square footage of building area per employee. The assumed average square footage of non-residential building floor area per employee is shown in Table 2-1. It is important to note that the average employee density figures cited do not represent City policy; they simply provide the basis for correlating the permitted building coverage with the potential number of employees in non-residential development.

2.3.3

Land Use Designations

The General Plan includes seventeen (17) residential, commercial, mixed use, industrial, and other land use designations to depict the types of land uses that will be allowed in each General Plan Area. Each land use designation is defined in terms of the allowable uses and density and intensity standards. Table 2-1 summarizes the standards for each land use designation. The General Plan is implemented largely through zoning and its accompanying regulations.

Residential Residential land use designations offer a mix of housing types to Lake Elsinore residents. These designations enable the City to provide housing available to all economic segments of the community, including very low, low and moderate income households. The following residential designations are available: Hillside, Lakeside, Low Density, Low-Medium Density, Medium Density and High Density. Each designation is more fully described below.

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Hillside Residential This designation is intended for low-density single-family residential development and smallscale agricultural uses in areas of steep slopes. Parcel sizes of one-half, one, two, four or ten (net) acres are required for newly created lots depending on the total average slope, and whether the parcel has adequate sewage treatment service from either a treatment plant or from individual septic systems. Development is conditional based upon the ability of the lot to connect to the treatment plant or the soil to percolate. Development of newly created lots would be prohibited in areas with an average slope of 40% or greater. The following are standards for minimum parcel size: Under 15% slope: 1 dwelling unit per acre * 15-25% slope: 1 dwelling unit per 2 acres 25-35% slope: 1 dwelling unit per 5 acres 35+% slope: 1 dwelling unit per 10 acres * Where parcels are served or are eligible to be served by a sewage treatment plan, parcel size may be reduced to ½ acre.

Clustering of development is permitted on areas of level topography and only if adequate sewer is available, to encourage preservation of steep slopes. "Clustering" can be defined as a development pattern whereby structures or building sites are arranged in close proximity to one another in non-linear groups, adjacent to permanently preserved common open space or steep slope areas, so as to make efficient and visually aesthetic use of the natural features of the landscape. In both cluster and non-cluster projects, the actual parcel size may be increased and the number of dwelling units decreased for reasons of environmental protection or for neighborhood compatibility or for other reasons necessary to protect the public health, safety or welfare.

Lakeside Residential This designation provides for custom single family homes that have an orientation and accessibility to the lake for private use only. Residential densities for new subdivisions should not exceed one (1) dwelling unit per 10,000 net square feet. Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and lot coverage shall be calculated on the area of the property remaining above the “Ordinary High Water Mark�. Development should, as much as possible, provide scenic vistas between homes which could be enjoyed by pedestrians as well as local residences. Development proposed within this designation may require additional design and engineering due to traffic safety circulation.

Low Density This designation provides for single-family detached homes, secondary residential units, hobby farming and keeping of animals, public and quasi-public uses, and similar and compatible uses.

Clustered single-family development may also be encouraged within this designation to

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minimize grading requirements and impacts to environmentally sensitive areas. Residential densities shall be between 1 and 3 dwelling units per net acre.

Low-Medium Density This designation provides for single-family detached homes, secondary residential units, public and quasi-public uses, and similar and compatible uses. Residential densities shall be between 1 and 6 dwelling units per net acre.

Medium Density This designation provides for typical single family detached and attached homes, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, multi-family residential units, group quarters, public and quasi-public uses, and similar and compatible uses. Residential densities shall be between 7 and 18 dwelling units per net acre.

High Density This designation provides for single-family attached homes, multi-family residential units, group quarters, public and quasi-public uses, and similar and compatible uses. Residential densities shall be between 19 and 24 units per net acre.

Density Bonus Consistent with the State Density Bonus and Incentive Law (California Government Code Section 65915 et seq.), a developer, upon request, shall be granted a density bonus, incentive, concession, or modification/waiver of development standards if the developer proposes to build a qualified project satisfying criteria set forth in the City’s Density Bonus Ordinance.

Mixed Use Commercial Mixed Use This designation provides for a mix of residential and non-residential uses within a single proposed development area, with an emphasis on retail, service, civic, and professional office uses. Residential uses are allowed in a subordinate capacity. The FAR for non-residential uses is 0.80:1 and a minimum of 50% of the total floor area shall be commercial uses. Residential densities shall be between 7 and 18 dwelling units per net acre.

Residential Mixed Use This designation provides for a mix of residential and non-residential uses within a single proposed development area with an emphasis on high density residential uses. Uses such as retail, service, civic, and professional office are allowed in a subordinate capacity. Residential densities shall be between 19 and 24 dwelling units per net acre with an FAR up to 1.2. With a future adoption of a Residential Mixed Use Ordinance, a density bonus incentive of up to 35 dwelling units per net acre shall be granted where site amenities are provided. Amenities for which a bonus may be granted are defined below. The FAR for non-residential uses is 1.0:1.

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Non-residential uses shall be between twenty percent (20%) and thirty-five percent (35%) of the total building square footage.

Density Bonus Incentives: z

Exceptional Architecture

z

Incorporation of Green-Building techniques

z

Child-care facilities provided on-site

z

Project site is located within 1,500 feet from a regular bus stop or rapid transit system stop

z

Project site is located within a quarter mile from a public park or community center

z

Project site is located within a half mile grounds/facilities open to the general public

z

Project site is located within one mile from a public library

z

Project site is located within a half mile from a full-service grocery store

z

Project site is located within a half mile from a medical clinic or hospital

z

Project site is located within a quarter mile from a pharmacy

z

Provision for affordable housing

z

Aggregate parcels

from

a

school

Commercial Neighborhood Commercial This designation provides for neighborhood shopping centers and small convenience centers which offer day-to-day retail goods and services required by residents in the immediate vicinity. The Neighborhood Commercial designation is intended to provide a concentration of retail uses including, but not limited to, personal services, food and general merchandise stores, eating establishments, and repair stores, and similar and compatible uses. The FAR shall not exceed 0.30.

General Commercial This designation provides for retail, services, restaurants, professional and administrative offices, hotels and motels, mixed-use projects, public and quasi-public uses, and similar and compatible uses. The FAR shall not exceed 0.40.

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Chapter 2

Gateway Commercial This designation is exclusive to the Downtown Master Plan area and is bounded by Spring Street, Flint Street, Ellis Street, and the I-15 Freeway. The Gateway Commercial designation is established to encourage the development of a consolidated office park at the gateway into the downtown that will generate employment, minimize environmental impacts, stimulate nearby commercial uses and create a high quality image for the historic Lake Elsinore town center. Only Class A, mid rise professional and administrative offices and parking structures will be permitted, together with supportive uses such as retail, services, restaurants, hotels and motels, public and quasi-public uses, and similar and compatible uses. Non-office uses shall not exceed 20% of the total building square footage. The floor area ratio for the 7.9 acre area as a whole shall not exceed 2.0 and buildings shall not exceed 6 stories in height.

Downtown Recreational This designation is exclusive to the Downtown Master Plan and is bounded by the Temescal Wash (outflow channel), the Lake Elsinore waterfront, Lakepoint Park, and Lakeshore Drive. The Downtown Recreational Designation is established to create a special lakeside recreational environment that is an extension of the historic downtown. This area will be developed to maximize the opportunity for citizens and visitors to enjoy the downtown together as a destination. This area is set aside for public and private permanent open space, and allows for passive and active recreation combined with limited retail, dining, entertainment, cultural, and lodging uses. Permitted uses are limited to open space, local parks, passive and active recreation, nature/interpretive centers, hotels, open-air markets, restaurants, water-oriented recreational commercial uses and special events. All commercial facility development is required to have exceptional architecture, site design, and amenities. The floor area ratio for the 19 acre area as a whole shall not exceed 0.35.

Tourist Commercial This designation provides for the visitor-serving retail, restaurants and convenience stores, rental shops, hotels and motels, boat sales establishments, museums, gift shops and entertainment centers, and similar and compatible uses. The FAR shall not exceed 0.40, except for hotels and/or motels which shall be allowed up to 1.0 with exceptional architecture and/or site design.

Industrial Business Professional This designation provides for office and administrative uses, light industrial, research and development, office-based firms, including office support facilities, restaurants, medical clinics, public and quasi-public uses, and similar and compatible uses. The FAR shall not exceed 0.45.

Limited Industrial This designation provides for industrial parks, warehouses, manufacturing, research and development, public and quasi-public uses, and similar and compatible uses. The FAR shall not exceed 0.45.

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Public/Institutional This designation indicates areas owned and maintained by public agencies such as school districts, water districts, utility companies, the County of Riverside, and the City. Appropriate uses for this designation include schools, roads, drainage facilities, utility substations, sewage treatment plants, civic facilities and cemeteries, and similar and compatible uses.

Open Space/Recreation These designations provide for public and private areas of permanent open space, and allows for passive and/or active private and public recreation. Open Space and passive recreation areas include State and local parks, Bureau of Land Management lands, the Cleveland National Forest and/or private undeveloped lands. Active recreation includes uses such as golf courses and also allows for commercial recreation facilities such as water-oriented recreational uses. All commercial recreation facility development would be required to have exceptional architecture and/or site design and/or amenities and the FAR shall not exceed 1.0. The FAR for all other uses within this designation shall not exceed 0.35.

Floodway This designation provides for the channel of a river or other watercourse and the adjacent land areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the 100-year flood without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation more than one foot.

Overlays/Special Treatment Areas Overlays/Special Treatment Areas are used in areas within the City with special needs, and either expand or modify the base regulations in an effort to encourage flexibility and high quality developments. The General Plan consists of the following four (4) overlays/Special Treatment Areas.

Main Street This special overlay designation, located in the Historic District, indicates that there is a set of policies that provide additional tools needed to revitalize Historic Downtown’s vision for its Main Street corridor. The overlay designation was established with the adoption of this General Plan to address the specific needs of the downtown area and the need to establish development regulations that will facilitate redevelopment and promote a healthy urban environment. The main focus is to revitalize Historic Downtown as the premier civic, commercial, and cultural destination of the City and the surrounding areas and to provide a strong connection to the lake. Specific goals and policies related to the Main Street overlay and focus are identified in the Historic District Plan and the Downtown Master Plan, both part of the General Plan.

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Auto Mall This special overlay designation, located in the Riverview District, provides for additional detailed design standards necessary to facilitate and accommodate auto mall development and prevent conflicts related to land use incompatibility with surrounding residential neighborhoods. The easternmost areas of the Riverview District have been designated as general commercial with an overlay designation in order to support auto mall uses. It is important to mitigate any land use incompatibility issues such as lighting and hours of operation between auto mall activities in the general commercial designated areas of the eastern portions of the Riverview District with the surrounding residential and recreational uses.

Extractive This special overlay designation, located in the Alberhill District, the Business District, and the North Central Sphere District provides for continued operations of extractive uses, such as aggregates, coal, clay mining, and certain ancillary uses. These areas marked by the extractive overlay are, in some cases, located within close proximity to both residential and nonresidential designations, conserved lands, and open space areas. As such, it will be important to mitigate land use incompatibility issues with surrounding areas. Reclamation Plans are required in conjunction with mining permits as particular projects come forward.

Specific Plan Areas The specific plan land use designation identifies territory whose zoning is governed by existing, approved specific plans. For those areas, the designated uses contained in each specific plan are the governing land uses. Specific plans do not sunset; they remain valid until revoked pursuant to State Law. It is intended that these potential development areas be constructed based on an overall plan consistent with the District Plans and the Community Form Chapter of the General Plan. The plan should include detailed design guidelines, conceptual architecture, site circulation and street improvements, as well as the phasing of the project. The overall plan will be evaluated upon its adequacy in a number of areas that are outlined in the General Plan and Zoning Code. These tools will allow the City the opportunity to consider a well-integrated design that is responsive to the unique location and physical features of a site, as well as providing opportunities for public input.

2.3.4 Goal 1

Land Use Goals and Policies Create a diverse and integrated mix of residential, commercial, industrial, recreational, public and open space land uses.

Policies 1.1

Promote innovative site design; preserve natural features, steep slopes, open space and recreational facilities; and encourage other amenities and facilities within residential development.

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Chapter 2

1.2

Require development of unified or clustered community-level and neighborhood-level commercial centers and discourage development of strip commercial uses.

1.3

Encourage the development of sit-down restaurant establishments and discourage the proliferation of drive-through fast food.

1.4

Encourage development of a mix of industrial uses including light industrial, clean manufacturing, technology, research and development, medium industrial, and extractive uses.

1.5

Encourage the development of large planned industrial and/or professional office parks on large parcels.

1.6

Encourage development of institutions including hospitals and educational campuses and facilities.

1.7

Encourage the use of paseos, green belts, linear parks, and trails within future developments.

1.8

Encourage a jobs/housing balance of one job for every 1.05 households by the year 2030.

1.9

Review and update the land use plan periodically to achieve the desired balance between employment and housing opportunities

1.10 Create incentives for rehabilitation and new construction to replace aging commercial facilities.

Goal 2

Establish and maintain the City as a year-round recreation destination.

Policies 2.1

Encourage recreational uses including parks, beaches, marinas, and a multipurpose trail within the City’s rights of way.

2.2

Continue to pursue the development of a new pier near the end of Main Street to connect the lake with the Downtown area.

2.3

Pursue the feasibility of development of geothermal resources such as a spa or bathhouse establishment in the Downtown area.

2.4

Continue to evaluate the provision of public access to the lake and open space areas when making land use decisions.

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Chapter 2

2.5

Continue to identify the possibility of a pedestrian circulation route around the lake to improve public access to this amenity.

Goal 3

Establish a development pattern that preserves aesthetics and enhances the environmental resources of the City.

Policies 3.1

Consider environmental and geologic features in the planning process.

3.2

Establish hillside grading standards that require preservation of unique natural features and encourage the sensitive treatment of hillsides in the site design and architecture of new construction.

3.3

Require physical and visual buffers between land uses characterized by differing functions and density to ensure land use compatibility.

3.4

Require that new commercial and/or industrial developments incorporate buffers which minimize the impacts of noise, light, visibility, or activity and vehicular traffic on residential uses and MSHCP conservation areas.

3.5

Require onsite lighting be shielded to minimize offsite glare.

Goal 4

Promote development of infrastructure and services that support existing and future land uses.

Policies 4.1

Continuously update the five-year capital improvement program for the improvement of existing public facilities and the development of new facilities.

4.2

Periodically update development impact fees to reflect the increase in costs of improvements.

4.3

Continue to apply for federal and state funds in order to support Public Works projects.

4.4

Continue to evaluate whether existing and new roadways are eligible for Regional Mitigation Fee funding.

4.5

Continue to establish and maintain benefit assessment districts where appropriate for installation and maintenance of sewer, water, and flood control facilities and road improvements.

Goal 5

Develop a viable downtown area that preserves potentially significant historical structures and provides civic and cultural 2-23

Chapter 2

opportunities as well as a destination for shopping, meeting, and gathering for both tourists and residents.

Policies 5.1

Encourage the historic registration of potentially significant historic buildings.

5.2

Require the preservation and reuse of potentially significant historic buildings in and around the Historic District.

5.3

Consider locating additional civic, public, and cultural facilities in and around the Main Street Overlay area.

5.4

Encourage the revitalization of the Historic District through the revisions of the Historic District Guidelines and implementation of the Downtown Master Plan.

5.5

Encourage both residential and commercial mixed uses within the Main Street Overlay District.

Goal 6

Promote land use strategies that decrease reliance on automobile use, increase the use of alternative modes of transportation, maximize efficiency of urban services provision and reduce emissions of greenhouse gas emissions.

Policies 6.1

The City will adopt and implement a development pattern that utilizes existing infrastructure; reduces the need for new roads, utilities and other public works in new growth areas; and enhances non-automobile transportation.

6.2

The City will establish an urban growth boundary (UBG) with related ordinances or programs to limit suburban sprawl; the City will restrict urban development beyond the UGB and streamline entitlement processes within the UGB for consistent projects.

6.3

The City will redirect new growth into existing City/urban reserve areas.

6.4

The City will encourage high-density, mixed-use, infill development with a particular emphasis on the development of affordable housing and creative reuse of brownfields, under-utilized and/or defunct properties within the urban core by providing development incentives.

6.5

The City will maintain a one dwelling unit per 10 acre minimum lot size or lower density in areas outside designated urban service lines.

6.6

The City will increase densities in urban core areas to support public transit.

2-24

Chapter 2

6.7

The City will reduce required road width standards wherever feasible to calm traffic and encourage alternative modes of transportation.

6.8

The City will reduce parking space requirements, unbundle parking from rents and charge for parking in new developments.

6.9

The City will add bicycle facilities to city streets and public spaces, whenever safe and feasible.

6.10

The City will discourage the extension of urban levels of service for new development beyond existing urban service lines, and, if necessary, use zoning to assure that development occurs only if public services are adequate.

Goal 7

Promote infill, mixed-use, and higher density development, and provide incentives to support the creation of affordable housing in mixed use zones.

Policies 7.1

The City will plan for and create incentives for mixed-use development.

Goal 8

Promote greater linkage between land uses and transit, as well as other modes of transportation.

Policies 8.1

The City will implement a Housing Overlay Zone for transit centers and corridors. The Overlay Zone shall include average minimum residential densities of 25 units per acre within one quarter mile of transit centers; average minimum densities of 15 units per acre within one quarter mile of transit corridors; and minimum FAR of 0.5:1 for nonresidential uses within a quarter mile of transit centers or corridors.

8.2

The City will promote the development of brownfield sites and other underused or defunct properties near existing public transportation.

8.3

The City will ensure new development is designed to make public transit a viable choice for residents.

8.4

The City will establish city-centered corridors, directing development towards existing transportation corridors.

8.5

The City will develop form-based community design standards to be applied to development projects and land use plans, using a comprehensive community outreach program, for areas designated for mixed-use.

2-25

Chapter 2

8.6

Affordable housing will be located in transit-oriented development areas whenever feasible.

Goal 9

Promote development and preservation of neighborhood characteristics that encourage walking and bicycle riding in lieu of automobile-based travel.

Policies 9.1

The City will create and preserve distinct, identifiable neighborhoods whose characteristics support pedestrian travel, especially within, but not limited to, mixed-use and transit-oriented development areas.

9.2

The City will ensure pedestrian access to activities and services, especially within, but not limited to, mixed-use and transit-oriented development areas.

9.3

Review fee structures and other opportunities to provide financial and administrative incentives to support desired land uses, development patterns, and alternative modes of transportation.

9.4

The City will use best efforts to mitigate climate change by decreasing heat gain from pavement and other had surfaces associated with infrastructure.

2.4

Circulation

2.4.1

Introduction

The City of Lake Elsinore recognizes that the manner in which people and goods move within and through the City is a major part of maintaining a quality living environment. The City intends to develop and maintain an effective transportation and circulation system that will protect and enhance the environmental quality of the community and the region.

Government Code Section 65302(b) requires that all cities and counties include a Circulation or Transportation Element as part of the required General Plan. This requirement is intended to assure that cities and counties recognize the need to provide a circulation system that is sensitive to land uses and the environment. The circulation system refers to the routes by which traffic moves from one place to another and the modes by which people and goods are transported from one place to another. The Circulation Element of the City of Lake Elsinore’s General Plan is designed to provide mobility for residents and to facilitate business.

2.4.2

Circulation Baseline

The roadway system forms the core of the City’s circulation infrastructure and includes a hierarchy consisting of seven (7) classifications: augmented urban arterial, urban arterial, major, 2-26

Chapter 2

secondary, collector, divided collector, and special new roadway. Figure 2.2, Roadway Cross Sections, depicts the cross sections of the seven (7) roadway classifications. Figure 2.3 is the Roadway Classification Map. While the automobile is the primary form of transportation, the City encourages use of alternative modes of transportation within the City. For that reason, the transportation network for the City of Lake Elsinore includes airports, bike paths, bus routes, sidewalks, trails, and parking facilities.

Roadways Level of service (LOS) is a way of measuring traffic conditions, with LOS “A” representing the best conditions and LOS “F” representing the worst conditions (Table 2-2). The levels of service are defined in terms of average delay at an intersection, as shown in Table 2-3, Level of Service.

The City of Lake Elsinore, in general, requires that peak-hour intersections operate at LOS “D” or better to be considered acceptable. Therefore, any City intersection operating at LOS “E” or LOS “F” will be considered deficient. However, LOS “E” will be considered acceptable in both the Main Street Overlay area and the Ballpark District Planning Districts in an effort to increase activity and revitalize these areas. Any intersection operating at LOS “F” will be considered deficient.

Table 2-2.

Definitions of Level of Service for Uninterrupted Flow (Flow Unrestrained by the Existence of Traffic Control Devices) LOS "A" LOS "B" LOS "C" LOS "D" LOS "E" LOS "F"

Represents free flow. Individual users are virtually unaffected by the presence of others in the traffic stream.

In the range of stable flow, but the presence of other users in the traffic stream begins to be noticeable. Freedom to select desired speeds is relatively unaffected, but there is a slight decline in the freedom to maneuver.

In the range of stable flow, but this level marks the beginning of the range of flow in which the operation of individual users becomes significantly affected by interactions with others in the traffic stream.

Represents high-density but stable flow. Speed and freedom to maneuver are severely restricted, and the driver experiences a generally poor level of comfort and convenience.

Represents operating conditions at or near the capacity level. All speeds are reduced to a low but relatively uniform value. Small increases in flow will cause breakdowns in traffic movement.

Used to define forced or breakdown flow. This condition exists wherever the amount of traffic approaching a point exceeds the amount that can traverse the point. Queues form behind such locations.

2-27

Chapter 2

This Page Left Intentionally Blank

2-28

Figure provided by: Urban Crossroads

City of Lake Elsinore Roadway Cross Sections Figure 2.2

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Chapter 2

Table 2-3.

Level of Service

Average Total Delay Per Vehicle (Seconds)

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D

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F

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Riverside County has established, as a countywide target, an LOS “C” on all Countymaintained roads and conventional state highways. As an exception, LOS “D” may be allowed in Community Development areas at intersections with any combination of secondary highways, major highways, arterials, urban arterials, expressways, conventional state highways or at freeway ramp intersections. LOS “E” may be allowed in designated community centers to the extent that it would support transit-oriented development and walkable communities. LOS “D” with a delay of less than 45 seconds per vehicle (midpoint of LOS “D”) is acceptable to Caltrans at signalized intersections.

This section describes most recent traffic conditions in the City of Lake Elsinore, including the existing roadway features, existing transit services, and the other modes of transportation.

Existing Roadway Characteristics Figure 2.4 depicts the existing number of through lanes on the roadway system. Most of the arterial roadways in the City of Lake Elsinore have not been constructed to ultimate crosssection widths. A brief description of each roadway is provided below. z

Interstate 15 (I-15) traverses in a generally north/south direction along the east side of the lake and the central portion of the City. To the north, I-15 connects with the Riverside Freeway (State Route 91), the Pomona Freeway (State Route 60), and the San Bernardino Freeway (Interstate 10) and is the link to greater Los Angeles and the Inland Empire. To the south, I-15 connects with the Escondido Freeway (Interstate 215) and is the link to San Diego County.

Currently, I-15 has three lanes in each direction within the SOI.

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State Route 74 (SR-74) traverses in a generally east/west direction along the north side of the lake and the central portion of the City. To the west, SR-74 (known as Ortega Highway through the mountainous 2-33

Chapter 2

Cleveland National Forest) connects with the San Diego Freeway (Interstate 5) and is the link to the coast and Orange County. To the east, SR-74 connects with I-215 and is the link to Perris and Hemet.

SR-74 is mostly a two-lane roadway except the segment north of I-15 toward Riverside Street which has been widened to a four-lane divided roadway to accommodate the recent development in the area. z

Lake Street southerly from I-15 to Lakeshore Drive is a two-lane undivided roadway. South of Lakeshore Drive, it has been widened to a four-lane divided roadway. Lake Street is a major access road to northern areas of the City from I-15.

z

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Newport Road, which is an extension of Railroad Canyon Road east of the City of Canyon Lake, currently is a two-lane undivided roadway. Significant residential development is also in progress along both sides of this roadway.

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2-34

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Chapter 2

Bikeways The Bikeway Plan, Figure 2.6, contains five classifications and is aimed at integrating bicycle access into a balanced multimodal transportation system for the City. The five classifications on the Bikeway Plan include the following:

Class I Bikeway Bike paths or trails with a completely separated right-ofway for the exclusive use of bicycles.

Class II Bikeway Bike lanes that provide a restricted right-of-way for the exclusive or semi-exclusive use of bicycles with the permitting of vehicle parking and vehicle/pedestrian cross flows.

Class III Bikeway Bike routes that provide a right-of-way designed by signs or permanent markings and are shared with pedestrians or vehicles.

Multi-Purpose Paths or trails available for joint bicycle, pedestrian, and equestrian uses that may or may not be separated or paved.

2-37

Chapter 2

This Page Left Intentionally Blank

2-38

Figure provided by: Riverside County Integrated Project

City of Lake Elsinore Airport Influence Areas Figure 2.5

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City of Lake Elsinore Proposed Bikeways Figure 2.6

Chapter 2

2.4.3

Circulation Classifications

Public Transportation Network The Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) provides public bus service to the City. Currently, five bus routes along several Lake Elsinore roadways provide alternative intra-City and regional transportation options. Moreover, the Lake Elsinore Dial-a-Ride (DAR), operated by RTA, serves seniors and persons with disabilities with advance-reservation designed to provide curbto-curb transportation.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Trails The pedestrian network (Figure 2.7) consists of all the paved sidewalks and trails in Lake Elsinore. Several local roadways in Lake Elsinore do not have paved pedestrian facilities. In addition, some of the RTA bus stops are not accessible by paved sidewalks, and transit riders must wait along the side of the road in unpaved areas.

The bikeway system encourages bicycling as an alternative mode of transportation, although some terrain makes traversing the City via bicycle difficult. Existing and proposed routes of the City bikeway system are divided into four classifications: Class I, II, III, and Multi-Purpose.

The Bikeway Plan delineates an extensive, continuous network of bicycle routes, with Class II bikeways as the principal provision for bicycle travel through the City. More specifically, a Class I off-street bikeway is designated for Grand Avenue through the SOI. The Class III bikeway along Main Street, Camino Del Norte, Summerhill Drive, and Ramsgate Drive is delineated specifically to emphasize and facilitate the linkage of bicycle routes through the major specific plan areas east of I-15 and the downtown area. The multi-purpose designation reflects the City’s existing dedicated and proposed trail system (west end) available to equestrian, pedestrian, and bicycle users. The existing segments are unpaved; future sections may or may not be paved or separated depending upon design and use requirements.

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City of Lake Elsinore Elsinore Area Trails System Figure 2.7

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Air Transportation Sixteen (16) private and public-use airports are situated within the boundaries of Riverside County. Of these, four public use airports are located within the generalized vicinity of the City of Lake Elsinore, including Perris Valley, located approximately 11 miles from Lake Elsinore; French Valley, located approximately 18 miles away in Temecula; Riverside Municipal Airport, located in Riverside, approximately 20 miles away; and the Hemet-Ryan Airport, approximately 22 miles from the City.

Air transportation systems located within the City and the surrounding region include public use airports and carrier operations. Airports serving the City are tied into the regional air transportation system and operate as an efficient and convenient transportation network.

Skylark Airport is located within the City of Lake Elsinore, in the vicinity of the southern terminus of the lake. This airport provides glider and skydiving opportunities for the community and surrounding region. The runway surface at Skylark Airport consists of gravel and sand; as such, this surface generally does not permit optimal conditions for frequent and convenient airport operations. Skylark Airport is a private use airport with runways that are 2800 feet in length and fall under the category of Short General Aviation Runways.

There are five (5) major commercial airports in Southern California used for passenger service, including Palm Springs International Airport, Ontario International Airport (San Bernardino County), Orange County–John Wayne Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, and Lindbergh Field (San Diego County). Of these, only Palm Springs International Airport, located approximately 70 miles from the City, is located in Riverside County. In addition to the regional air passenger airport facilities, the March Inland Port/Air Reserve Base is located along I-215 in Riverside County, approximately 23 miles from the City. This airport provides regional air cargo service and also continues to function as an Air Reserve Base military installation. A figure of “airport influence areas” identified in the County of Riverside General Plan is included as Figure 2.5.

Park and Ride The Riverside County Transportation Commission provides free “park and ride” sites to encourage residents to carpool or take alternative forms of transportation. Several park and ride lots exist within the City, including the Ortega Market, located at 15887 Grand Avenue; Lake Elsinore Outlet Mall, located at Collier Street and Nichols; and the SR-74 park and ride lot located at Dexter Street and SR 74.

Railroads There are currently no railroad services within the City of Lake Elsinore or its SOI. However, in the past, the Lake Elsinore branch of the Santa Fe Railroad provided rail service for the immediate community as well as the surrounding region. The Lake Elsinore branch railways were located to the north of Lake Elsinore. The dissolution of the Santa Fe Railroad, coupled with continued growth of the City, resulted in removal of those railways and their associated 2-47

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infrastructure. The City continues to be actively involved in establishing future commuter railroad and high speed rail possibilities along the I-15 corridor through regional involvement with WRCOG and SCAG.

Scenic Routes Caltrans has identified I-15 and SR-74 as eligible state scenic highways, but neither one is officially designated. Caltrans outlines an application process for official designation, which the City has not pursued. The advantages of official designation are the ability to promote local tourism in a manner that is consistent with the community’s scenic values, protect the scenic values of an area, enhance community identity and pride, and enhance land values, thereby making the area more attractive to investors.

Safe Routes to Schools The State of California encourages a program called Safe Routes to School to encourage more school children to walk or bike to school. Thirty years ago, 66% of children walked or biked to school; now, the number has dropped to 13%. This has been attributed to parents’ perception that crime and traffic have made roads unsafe, so they opt to drive their children to school instead. To change this, various entities, including the California Department of Health Services, California Highway Patrol, the Center for Livable Communities, the Surface Transportation Policy Project, the California Bicycle Coalition, and the Rails to Trails Conservancy, have been working with local officials, parents, law enforcement officers, and traffic engineers to create Safe Routes to School programs and make streets safer for pedestrians and bicycle riders on heavily used school routes.

2.4.4 Goal 10

Circulation Goals and Policies Provide a transportation network for the circulation of people and goods throughout the City of Lake Elsinore.

Policies 10.1 Preserve the circulation network by requiring development projects to provide right-ofway improvements that mitigate for project impacts and are consistent with the General Plan Circulation Element.

10.2 Schedule street improvement and maintenance projects through the Capital Improvement Program.

10.3 Support the implementation of mass transit projects in coordination with Riverside Transportation Authority, County of Riverside. and the State of California.

10.4 Monitor Level of Service (LOS) on all Circulation Element roads and intersections to forecast and resolve threats in order to maintain the required LOS.

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Goal 11

Provide a regional transportation network that efficiently moves people and goods through, to, and from the City of Lake Elsinore.

Policies 11.1 Incorporate roadway designations and standards used by neighboring agencies to determine consistency with connecting circulation roadways.

11.2 Transmit development proposals to adjacent agencies for review and comment.

11.3 Network with other transportation professionals through participation in Riverside County Transportation Commission, Western Riverside Council of Governments and related meetings.

11.4 Develop Capital Improvement Projects such as overpasses, enhanced intersections, high efficiency interchanges and bus stations that help to sustain the minimum required LOS at the regional transportation connection nodes.

Goal 12

Strive to maintain a Level of Service “D” or better at intersections within the City and a Level of Service “E” within the Main Street Overlay area and the Ballpark District.

Policy 12.1

Implement Capital Improvement Projects and establish requirements in the conditions of approval on development projects that ensure transportation infrastructure is constructed concurrent with development.

Goal 13

Optimize the efficiency and safety of the transportation system within the City of Lake Elsinore.

Policies 13.1 The interconnection and coordination of traffic signals shall be achieved through two processes, namely the requirements in the conditions of approval on development projects and/or through the implementation of Capital Improvement Program projects.

13.2 Enforce and comply with proper intersection “sight distance” requirements as described by the Engineering Division.

13.3 Maximize the use of shared driveways and on-site circulation to minimize conflicts at access points to the roadway network.

13.4 Maintain the system of bike lanes and multi use trails throughout the City.

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13.5 Implement a system of traffic-calming measures, as needed, to address the impact of speed and volume of traffic on public streets.

Goal 14

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing vehicle miles traveled and by increasing or encouraging the use of alterative fuels and transportation technologies.

Policies 14.1

The City will reduce VMT-related emissions by encouraging the use of public transit through adoption of new development standards that will require improvements to the transit system and infrastructure, increase safety and accessibility, and provide other incentives.

14.2

The City will ensure that new developments incorporate both local and regional transit measures into the project design that promote the use of alternative modes of transportation.

14.3

The City shall create an interconnected transportation system that allows a shift in travel from private passenger vehicles to alternative modes, including public transit, ride sharing, car-sharing, bicycling and walking.

14.4

The City will pursue upgrades and maintain transit system infrastructure to enhance public use.

14.5

The City will use best efforts to enhance customer service and system ease-of-use.

14.6

The City will prioritize transportation funding to support a shift from private passenger vehicles to transit and other modes of transportation.

14.7

The City will assess transit and multimodal impact fees on new developments to fund public transportation infrastructure, bicycle infrastructure, pedestrian infrastructure and other multimodal accommodations.

Goal 15

Maximize traffic safety throughout the City.

Policies 15.1. Regularly update speed surveys throughout the City to maintain enforceability of the posted speed limits.

15.2. Review alternative enforcement technologies such as “Red Light Cameras� for critical intersections.

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15.3. Coordinate vehicular circulation with the Lake Elsinore Unified School District to maximize “student drop-off” efficiency and reduce impacts to surrounding traffic patterns.

15.4. Utilize grant funding to construct safe pedestrian routes to schools throughout the City.

15.5. Implement “traffic-calming” measures in residential areas where traffic speed is a concern.

Goal 16

Implement traffic and roadway management strategies to improve mobility and efficiency, and reduce associated emissions.

Policies 16.1

The City shall create an interconnected transportation system that allows a shift in travel from private passenger vehicles to alternative modes, including public transit, ride sharing, car-sharing, bicycling and walking.

16.2

The City will monitor traffic and congestion to determine when and where the City needs new transportation facilities in order to increase access and efficiency.

16.3

The City will monitor arterial roadways to allow more efficient bus operation, including bus lanes and signal priority/preemption where necessary.

16.4

The City will reduce VMT-related emissions by implementing and supporting trip reduction programs.

Goal 17

Support bicycle use as a mode of transportation by enhancing infrastructure to accommodate bicycles and riders, and providing incentives.

Policies 17.1

The City will implement the network of Class I., II and III bike lanes on all development projects through construction of the facility as described in the Bike Lane Master Plan and/or the Trails Master Plan.

17.2

The City will implement a systematic plan to develop the trail system and the bike path system through the Capital Improvement Program.

17.3

The City will pursue funding for bicycle and pedestrian facilities and access projects

17.4

Adopt bicycle parking standards that ensure bicycle parking sufficient to accommodate 5 to 10% of projected use at all public and commercial facilities, and at a rate of at least one per residential unit in multiple-family developments.

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Goal 18

Establish parking policies and requirements that capture the true cost of private vehicle use and support alternative modes of transportation.

Policies 18.1

The City will work toward preparing a comprehensive parking policy that encourages the use of alternative transportation.

18.2

The City will establish policies and programs to reduce onsite parking demand and promote ride-sharing and public transit at large events.

18.3

The City will encourage new commercial and retail developments to provide prioritized parking for electric vehicles and vehicles using alternative fuels.

Goal 19

Support and promote the use of low- and zero-emission vehicles, and alternative fuels, and other measures to directly reduce emissions from motor vehicles.

Policies 19.1

The City will support and promote the use of low- and zero-emission vehicles.

19.2

The City will enforce State idling laws for commercial vehicles, including delivery and construction vehicles.

2.5

Growth Management

2.5.1

Introduction

“Growth Management� is the process of directing the pattern and rate of development for the benefit of quality of life and safety of residents, cost efficiency for the City, and sustainability of resources and services.

The growth management goal is to insure that public services do not lag behind population growth and the concomitant demands created by a larger population.

Growth management is an important regional issue in Southern California since rapid population growth has Residential Construction the potential to cumulatively affect the cities in the region. Rapid population growth can result in stress on public services and infrastructure when the needs of new development cannot be adequately served. The demands for public services and infrastructure need to be anticipated in order to establish adequate services and infrastructure at a rate that meets the rate of new construction.

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The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) covers a region consisting of six neighboring counties: Orange, Riverside, Ventura, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Imperial and encompasses a total of over 38,000 square miles with a Year 2000 population of 16.5 million.

The region is projected to increase to 22.9 million by 2025; adding 6.26 million people, 2.26 million households, and 3.04 million jobs over the 2000-2030 forecast period. Population growth at an annual rate of 1.25% is projected to add about 209,000 people to the region per year. The Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) prepared by SCAG in 1999 identifies a target vacancy rate of 3.1% for its member jurisdictions, including Lake Elsinore.

The City of Lake Elsinore, like any other urbanizing community, has the potential for major impacts to public services and infrastructure with the anticipated increase in growth and development. The adoption of comprehensive goals and policies can mitigate those impacts to an extent that balances the competing demands for development, natural resource protection, and adequacy of services and infrastructure. Achieving this balance increases the quality of life and sustainability for the City and its residents and visitors.

Aside from ensuring sufficient public services and infrastructure, it is also important to achieve an acceptable jobs-to-housing balance in the City. According to a 1997 report on jobs-tohousing balance generated by SCAG, Riverside County had a jobs-to-housing ratio of .93, and Lake Elsinore’s ratio was .72.

The goals and policies in this section are designed to provide the framework for a growth management strategy that promotes and maximizes mobility, livability, prosperity, and sustainability in the City. Decisions regarding growth, transportation, land use, and economic development should be guided by these goals and policies.

2.5.2 Goal 20

Growth Management Goals and Policies Maintain orderly, efficient patterns of growth that enhance the quality of life for the residents of Lake Elsinore.

Policies 20.1 Develop a comprehensive Growth Management Program that addresses the provision of public facilities and services in residential land use planning and development.

20.2 Embrace and utilize the policies and strategy set forth in SCAG’s June 2004 Compass Growth Vision Report in the design of a Growth Management Program.

20.3 Ensure that phasing of public facilities and services occurs in such a way that new development is adequately supported as it develops.

20.4 Encourage mixed-use developments to reduce public service costs and environmental impacts through compatible land use relationships, and efficient circulation and open space systems.

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Goal 21

Promote collaborative support of state, regional, and local growth management efforts with private sector developers.

Policies 21.1 Work cooperatively with state and regional agencies, neighboring jurisdictions and SCAG where proposed new development or planning activities may affect traffic, water supply, air quality, or public facilities on a regional scale.

21.2 Collaborate with private sector developers to maximize development through incentives to meet the public and private needs of the community.

21.3 Ensure that phasing of public facilities and services occurs in such a way that new development is adequately supported as it develops.

21.4 Encourage mixed-use development to reduce public service costs and environmental impacts through compatible land use relationships and efficient circulation and open space systems.

Goal 22

Maintain a water and wastewater infrastructure system that supports development.

Policies 22.1

Require landowners to demonstrate that an available water supply and sewer treatment capacity exists or will be provided to serve proposed development, prior to issuance of building permits.

22.2

Require landowners, prior to issuance of building permits, to demonstrate that adequate wastewater capacity exists to serve proposed development.

22.3

Coordinate with the water and wastewater districts when considering General Plan amendments, annexations, or development agreements, to assist the districts in planning for adequate capacity to accommodate future growth.

22.4

Coordinate with the wastewater district to make reclaimed water available for irrigation purposes in the City.

2.6

Housing

The State of California requires all California communities to prepare a Housing Element every 5 years. Housing element law, enacted in 1969, mandates that local governments adequately plan to meet the existing and projected housing needs of all economic segments of the community. The law acknowledges that, in order for the private market to adequately address

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housing needs and demand, local governments must adopt land use plans and regulatory systems which provide opportunities for, and do not unduly constrain, housing development.

The City of Lake Elsinore adopted its last Housing Element of the General Plan in 2002, including the City’s housing goals, objectives, policies, and programs. In compliance with the SCAG region timeline for revision of the City of Lake Elsinore Housing Element, an update has been prepared for adoption along with the update to the General Plan.

2.7

Parks and Recreation

2.7.1

Introduction

Recreational opportunities are vital to the overall well-being of a community. Activities and hobbies such as sports leagues, biking, walking, and classes at a community center foster healthy social and physical growth in children and enhance social networks and the health of adults. Because of varied interests in diverse populations and the rising popularity of recreational activities in general, demand for recreational opportunities needs to be recognized and addressed.

The relationship of recreation to aspects of social, cultural, and economic benefits to the community should be understood in the planning process for parks and recreational facilities and programs.

Historically, Lake Elsinore has been regarded as a recreational destination for the Inland Empire partly because of the City’s natural resources such as the lake, mountains, and rugged hillsides.

These resources, combined with a rich array of recreational programs and a diverse selection of facilities, have the potential to be a major source of economic growth for the City.

McVicker Canyon Park

The goals and policies in this section are designed to provide the City with the tools and opportunities necessary to create a recreational destination and foster community building for the City of Lake Elsinore.

2.7.2

Parks and Recreation Baselines

Parks There are sixteen (16) parks in the City of Lake Elsinore with twelve (12) additional parks slated for future development (Figure 2.10). Each park has a unique set of features, with a variety of

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passive and active recreation. These features include fields for baseball, softball, football, and soccer; play equipment; picnic areas; barbeque facilities; drinking fountains; tennis courts; dog parks; and grass for passive recreation. A section of McVicker Park is devoted to skateboarding and inline skating.

There are 3,000 sports league participants who use the sports fields throughout the City, including nine local youth and adult sports leagues. Special events are sponsored by the City Parks Department, Lake Community Center, and Senior Activity Center and include the Lake Elsinore Children’s Fair, Kid’s Fishing Derby, July 4th Celebration, Music with a View Concerts, Safe Candy Night, Unity in the Community Parade, and Winterfest.

The City of Lake Elsinore also offers a program called Volunteers in the Park (VIP), which is a partnership with the Community Services and Parks/Open Space divisions and volunteers from the community. Together, the participants clean up parks and open space areas on a quarterly basis.

Further, the City of Lake Elsinore partners with the applicable school districts to allow joint use of facilities where possible, such as active recreational ball fields, playgrounds, or outdoor multi-use areas that can be shared.

Recreational Facilities In addition to parks, the City of Lake Elsinore features the Lake Community Center and a Senior Activity Center. Both centers are very active and provide a large number of programs.

There are more than 40 recreational classes at the Lake Community Center ranging from art, gymnastics, acting, dancing, and music, to martial arts and dog obedience. More than 1,000 people per week currently use the Lake Community Center.

The Senior Activity Center hosts more than 3,500 seniors every month and features clubs, health services, legal services, leisure activities, and a daily nutrition program. Active clubs include the Arthritis Support Group, Bingo Club, Bereavement Support Group, Bridge Club, Elsinore Valley Senior Citizen Club, and Caregivers Support Group. Activities include cards and other games, art classes, singing, exercise classes, excursions, special events, and other programs benefiting the senior community.

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2.7.3 Goal 23

Parks and Recreation Goals and Policies Maintain an adequate quantity, quality, type, and distribution of parks and recreational facilities throughout the City that serve the current and future needs of residents and visitors.

Policies 23.1 Continue to utilize the City of Lake Elsinore Parks and Recreation Master Plan as a guide for decision-making and implementation of the Parks and Recreation Program.

23.2 Use park design and site development to enhance and preserve significant natural features including riparian areas, rock outcroppings, ridgelines, and viewpoints.

23.3 Ensure sufficient parkland and recreation facilities to support new development through acquisition and/or dedication. Meet the requirement of the Quimby Act by acquiring five (5) acres of useable park land per 1,000 population.

23.4 Continue to require all new development to follow the requirements of the Park Capital Improvement Fund, Resolution No. 91-42 (Government Code Section 66477).

23.5 Explore the use of public-private partnerships, corporate sponsorships, and leasing agreements that provide for additional parks and recreational facilities, and other programs including cooperation with applicable school districts to allow joint use of facilities.

23.6 Consider amending Resolution No. 91-42 in order to allow private park acreage to fulfill a portion of the public park dedication requirement for residential projects, when a private park complies with City public park standards.

23.7 Consider the addition of a centralized forum for community activities such as a convention center, amphitheater, cultural arts center, or waterfront promenade.

23.8 Continue to work with the Lake and Aquatics Resources Department to develop public beach lands and recreational facilities such as campgrounds, boat launch areas, and water access to the Diamond Stadium, to complement the state and county recreation system.

23.9 Encourage the development of private recreational facilities within residential and mixeduse developments.

23.10 Ensure that recreation facilities are accessible to the elderly, children, and persons with disabilities as set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act including increased

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wheelchair access, height variations on drinking fountains, and any other requirements necessary to serve these individuals.

Goal 24

Establish a primary trail network for equestrians and hikers.

Policies 24.1 Encourage public and private systems that interface with other existing and proposed trails (i.e., bikeways) assuring links with the City, County of Riverside, and state recreational facilities.

24.2 Encourage the placement of equestrian boarding centers in locations that can easily access the trail system, and ensure that all equestrian boarding centers are required to meet all minimum public health standards for food, shelter, and hygiene.

2.8

Historic Preservation

2.8.1

Introduction

A city cannot attempt to understand its present or to forecast its future if it fails to recognize its past. By tracing its past, a city can gain a clear sense of the process by which it achieved its present form and substance. Lake Elsinore’s rich and varied historical and cultural resources include buildings, districts, landforms, and archaeological sites that possess historical, scientific, architectural, aesthetic, cultural, or ethnic significance. These resources, with their inherent ability to evoke the past, represent important aspects of the history of Lake Elsinore, from the time before and during European contact with Native Americans, to periods of settlement, agricultural and industrial development, and to boom periods with increased leisure time, which made the City a recreational destination.

Preservation of important historical resources enhances the quality of life in Lake Elsinore. It improves the character of the built environment, encourages appreciation for the City’s history and culture, maintains the identity of communities, and contributes to the City’s economic vitality. The identification, evaluation, registration, and protection of these resources are the essential components of Lake Elsinore’s historic preservation responsibilities.

The goals and policies in this section are intended to preserve the City’s important historical connections to the past.

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2.8.2

Historical Preservation Baselines

Cultural and Historical Resources Record Search A records search for the study area was conducted at the Eastern Information Center of the California Historical Resources Information System at the University of California, Riverside on July 12, 2005. The researcher consulted the state’s database of previous cultural resource studies and recorded cultural resource sites as well as the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), the California Register of Historical Resources (CRHR), California Historical Landmarks, California Points of Historical Interest, and local historical registers.

Lake Elsinore Historic Building Chimes (circa 1887)

According to the records search, 194 cultural resource studies have been previously conducted within the study area and 447 cultural resources (buildings, structures, objects, and archaeological sites) have been previously recorded within the same boundary.

Historic Built Environment Two buildings within the City boundaries, the Crescent Bath House and the Grand Army of the Republic Armory Hall, are currently listed in the NRHP. The armory hall is also listed in the California Points of Historical Interest (RIV-070) as is the Elsinore Women’s Club (RIV-071).

California Historical Landmarks lists no properties within the study area.

In the 1980s, the Riverside County Historical Commission designated Historic Downtown Lake Elsinore as a local historic district. Historic Downtown Elsinore encompasses areas of early residential and commercial development within the City of Lake Elsinore, as seen in Figure 2.9 A majority of the district is focused in the areas around Main Street, Heald Avenue, and Graham Avenue where some of the earliest development occurred. The City is working with the County of Riverside to protect its local cultural heritage and structures of merit. The Historic Lake Elsinore District has been officially recognized by the County of Riverside and the City of Lake Elsinore.

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Cultural Center (former Methodist Episcopal Church circa 1924)

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Currently Listed in the National Register of Historic Places: z

Crescent Bath House/Chimes Building (P33-6998)

z

Grand Army of the Republic Armory Hall (RIV-070)

Currently Listed in the California Points of Historical Interest: z

Grand Army of the Republic Armory Hall (RIV-070)

z

Elsinore Women’s Club (RIV-071)

Currently Listed in the Riverside County General Plan as a Significant Historical Resource: z

Lake Elsinore Downtown Historic District (P33-7142) includes:

Masonic Lodge (P33-6982)

Train Depot (P33-6997)

First Presbyterian Church (P33-7040)

Pioneer Lumber Company—127 West Graham Avenue (P33-6996)

Lake Theatre—310 West Graham Avenue (P33-7001)

Unofficially Recognized Significant Historical Resources.

According to the 1990 General Plan, the community unofficially recognizes several sites and structures as significant historical resources. Locally recognized historic resources in the Lake Elsinore area include: z

Delaney Estate—north of Lake Elsinore

z

Aimee’s Castle—Skyline Drive

z

The Adobe Machado House and Butterfield Stage Stop—Riverside Drive, northwest of the lake

z

Alberhill School—Lake Street

z

The Cannery—Spring Street

z

Elsinore Naval Military Academy—Grand Avenue

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Historic Archaeological Sites Lake Elsinore Recreation

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Historic Ranching & Homesteading Approximate Location of Unrecorded Historic Mine Locations

Sources: City of Lake Elsinore, County of Riverside

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Historical Resources Figure 2.9

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Additional Lake Elsinore Historic Homes of Interest:1

2.8.3 Goal 25

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16919 Bell Street, 1930

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219 Riley Street, 1920

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29610 Hague Street, 1928

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29444 Kalina Street

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29431 Kalina Street

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17912 Hamlet Circle, 1929, Bredlau Castle

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17747 Skyline Drive, 1930, Village La Shell

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16921 Holborow Avenue, Journeys End

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17541 Barkshatt Drive

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16685 McPherson Circle, 1926

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17271 Lakeview Avenue, 1929

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226 East Franklin Street, 1924, Scotty’s Castle

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228 Spring Street, 1912, Gardner Home

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257 Hill Street

Cultural and Historical Resources Goals and Policies Encourage the preservation, protection, and restoration of historical and cultural resources.

Policies 25.1 Continue to implement the Historic Preservation Guidelines that guide historic preservation efforts.

25.2 Integrate historic and cultural resources in land use planning processes by promoting early conflict resolution between the preservation of historic resources and alternative land uses.

25.3 Require that all City-owned sites designated as historical resources be maintained in a manner 1

Lake Elsinore City Hall Circa 1930s

Information provided by the Lake Elsinore Historical Society, December, 2005.

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that is consistent with the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.

25.4 Encourage owners of historic resources to utilize federal incentives including Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credits, façade and conservation easements, as well as any other available incentives.

25.5 Consider creating an architectural assistance service to help owners design rehabilitation and/or adaptive re-use plans, or feasibility studies for historically designated buildings.

25.6 Consider establishing an “adopt-a-resource” program that encourages the public and local businesses to become involved in the protection and preservation of historic resources.

Goal 26

Support state-of-the-art research designs and approaches to archeological and cultural investigations.

analytical resource

Policies 26.1 Consult with California Native American tribes prior to decision-making processes for the purpose of preserving cultural places located on land within the City’s jurisdiction that may be affected by the proposed plan.

26.2 Continue to identify, document, evaluate, designate, and preserve the cultural resources in the City.

26.3 Continue to update a citywide inventory of cultural resources in conformance with state standards and procedures.

26.4 Support requirements for the permanent curation of archaeological artifact collections.

26.5 Consider creating a sponsorship program to encourage the public and local businesses to become involved in curation of existing archaeological artifact collections that have no current funding mechanism.

26.6 Increase opportunities for cultural heritage tourism by promoting the history of Lake Elsinore and designated historic sites to attract cultural heritage travelers.

2.9

District Plans (Bound Separately)

The heart of the District Plan approach is its mission: to preserve and build upon what is valuable in each of Lake Elsinore’s unique neighborhoods. The challenges faced by the City are those faced by countless other cities; however, the solutions are local. The solutions must

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capitalize on the unique and treasured assets of the individual communities that make up the City and must strengthen neighborhoods. Each District Plan is different and each potential project submitted to the City will be evaluated against the goals and policies of the District where it is located. Each District Plan that comprises this General Plan is bound separately, but should not be read in isolation. Instead, the District Plan should be reviewed and analyzed in conjunction with all other chapters of the General Plan to ensure that all Goals and Policies of the General Plan are satisfied.

Districts located within or partially within City limits Alberhill District (AH-1) Ballpark District (BP-1) Business District (BD-1) Country Club Heights District (CCH-1) East Lake District (EL-1) Historic District (HD-1) Lake Edge District (LE-1) Lake Elsinore Hills District (LEH-1) Lake View District (LV-1) North Peak District (NP-1) Riverview District (RV-1)

Districts located within the Sphere of Influence but outside city limits Lake View Sphere District (LVS-1) Lakeland Village Sphere District (LLV-1) Meadowbrook Sphere District (MBS-1) North Central Sphere District (NCS-1) Northwest Sphere District (NWS-1)

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3.0 Public Safety and Welfare 3.1

Summary

The safety and welfare of a community and its residents are vital to its growth and quality of life. This chapter of the General Plan addresses public safety and welfare issues, including: air quality, fire and police/law enforcement, community facilities and services, hazards, and noise within the City and the Sphere of Influence (SOI) The focus is on maintaining a healthy and safe physical environment and ensuring community welfare through access to effective and efficient high-quality public services.

3.2

Air Quality

3.2.1

Introduction

Regional Air Quality

The major factors affecting local air pollution conditions in the Lake Elsinore planning area are the extent and types of both region-wide and local emissions, climate, topography, and meteorology. The combination of regional temperature inversions (the warm air mass that descends over the cool marine layer, thus preventing pollution from dispersing upward and creating smog), the Lake Elsinore Convergence Zone (a boundary created by coastal winds that allows for the accumulation of air pollutants within the Lake Elsinore area), and the contribution of any air pollutants from sources within the Lake Elsinore planning area has the potential to significantly contribute to cumulative air quality conditions.

Existing air quality conditions in Lake Elsinore can be characterized in terms of the ambient air quality standards that California and the federal government have established for several different pollutants. The pollutants of greatest concern in the Lake Elsinore area are carbon monoxide (CO), ozone, particulate matter smaller than or equal to 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5), and particulate matter smaller than or equal to 10 microns in diameter (PM10). Air quality in the area does not meet state and federal health standards for ozone, PM2.5, and PM10. The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) is responsible for monitoring air quality and preparing attainment plans aimed at achieving state and federal air pollution standards.

While emission control measures and alternative fuel vehicle purchasing requirements for public agencies and certain private entities have been implemented by the SCAQMD, increased development and segregated land use patterns that require motor vehicle trips threaten to offset these gains.

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Air quality is a regional issue and Lake Elsinore has a role in improving the region’s air quality.

The goals and policies in this section are designed to improve regional air quality.

3.2.2

Air Quality Baselines

Climate and Meteorology Regional (Western Riverside County) Temperature inversions are the prime factor in the accumulation of contaminants in the Basin.

The mild climatological pattern is interrupted infrequently by periods of extremely hot weather, winter storms, and Santa Ana winds. The topography and climate of Southern California combine to create an area of high air pollution potential in the Basin. During the summer months, a warm air mass frequently descends over the cool, moist marine layer produced by the interaction between the ocean’s surface and the lowest layer of the atmosphere. The warm upper layer forms a dome over the cool marine layer, which prevents pollution from dispersing upward. This inversion allows pollutants to accumulate within the lower layer. Light winds during the summer further limit ventilation from occurring.

Due to the low average wind speeds in the summer and a persistent daytime temperature inversion, emissions of hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen have an opportunity to combine with sunlight in a complex series of reactions. These reactions produce a photochemical oxidant commonly known as smog. Since the Basin experiences more days of sunlight than any other major urban area in the United States, except Phoenix, the smog potential in the region is higher than in most other areas of the nation.

Local (Lake Elsinore Planning Area) The major factors affecting local air pollution conditions in the Lake Elsinore planning area are the extent and types of both region-wide and local emissions, climate, and meteorology. The general climate of Lake Elsinore is characterized by sparse winter rainfall and hot summers tempered by cool ocean breezes. The climate in and around Lake Elsinore, as well as most of Southern California, is controlled largely by the strength and position of the subtropical highpressure cell over the Pacific Ocean. This high-pressure cell produces a typical Mediterranean climate with warm summers, mild winters, and moderate rainfall. This pattern is infrequently interrupted by periods of extremely hot weather brought in by Santa Ana winds. Most of the area’s precipitation occurs intermittently between November and April; the area is still dominated by sunny or partly sunny conditions during these months. Cyclic land and sea breezes are the primary factors affecting the region’s mild climate. The daytime winds are normally sea breezes, predominantly from the west, that flow at relatively low velocities.

Just south of Lake Elsinore, the Lake Elsinore Convergence Zone acts as an invisible boundary that obstructs much of the inland basin air pollutants from continuing south beyond the Lake Elsinore area. Coastal winds within the Lake Elsinore Convergence Zone are a primary factor for the obstruction. They allow air pollutants to be dispersed just south of the convergence zone

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and accumulate within the Lake Elsinore area, including surrounding communities to the north and east.

Air Quality Regional (South Coast Air Basin, including Western Riverside County) As California’s largest metropolitan region, the Southern California Air Basin (SCAB) contains some of the highest air pollutant concentrations statewide. The SCAB includes the western portion of Riverside County, including Lake Elsinore. On-road motor vehicles in the SCAB are the largest contributors to CO, oxides of nitrogen (NOX), and reactive organic gas (ROG) emissions; other on-road and off-road mobile emission sources are also significant contributors to CO and NOX emissions. Area-wide and stationary sources contribute to the remainder of air pollutant emissions within the SCAB. While high growth rates are often associated with corresponding increases in emissions and pollutant concentrations, aggressive emission control programs in the SCAB have resulted in emission decreases and a continuing improvement in air quality.

Distant View of Smog Obscuring Scenery

SCAQMD operates a network of thirty monitoring stations throughout the SCAB to effectively monitor twenty-seven source receptor areas (SRA) of the expansive region. The SCAB relies on one or more monitoring stations to document local air pollutant concentration levels within each SRA. Concentration levels vary widely at each SRA depending on location and time of year. The highest levels of ozone and particulate matter recorded in SRAs in the interior valleys generally occur during warm, stable periods in summer and autumn. Recorded CO concentrations are highest near heavy traffic on freeways or near large business districts.

3.2.3 Goal 1

Air Quality Goals and Policies Continue to coordinate with the Air Quality Management District and the City’s Building Department to reduce the amount of fugitive dust that is emitted into the atmosphere from unpaved areas, parking lots, and construction sites.

Policies 1.1

Implement a control plan for areas within the City that are prone to wind erosion of soil and take measures to prevent illegal off-highway vehicle use.

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1.2

Require vegetation stabilization for disturbed land including phased construction projects.

1.3

Require construction equipment used for new developments to be properly maintained according to manufacturers’ specifications.

1.4

Restrict the idling of construction equipment to no longer than 10 minutes.

1.5

Require equipment operators to use only diesel equipment or diesel vehicles with engines built in 1996 or later.

1.6

Require the use of control measures for windborne emissions such as watering active construction areas, covering open stockpiles or vehicles hauling loose materials, and paving or applying non-toxic soil stabilizers on unpaved access roads and temporary parking areas.

1.7

Continue to implement requirements identified in the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).

Goal 2

Work with regional and state governments to develop effective mitigation measures to improve air quality.

Policies 2.1

Support the SCAQMD in its development of improved ambient air quality monitoring capabilities and establishment of standards, thresholds, and rules to address, and where necessary mitigate, the air quality impacts of new development.

2.2

Work with the county and regional agencies to evaluate the feasibility of implementing a special fund and a system of charges (e.g., pollution charges, user fees, congestion pricing, and toll roads) that requires, where possible, individuals who undertake polluting activities to bear the economic cost of their actions.

2.3

Promote programs that educate the public about regional air quality issues, opportunities, and solutions.

2.4

Pursue the purchase of alternative fuel vehicles for official City vehicles.

3.3

Hazardous Materials

The City of Lake Elsinore has some businesses and activities that involve the transport, storage, or use of toxic or hazardous materials. Hazardous materials are defined as those that pose a potential threat to human health, having the capacity to cause serious illness or death. The term

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“hazardous materials” includes radioactive waste and explosives as well as substances such as gasoline, pesticides, and household cleaning products.

While the use of hazardous materials is carefully regulated, the City seeks to reduce the potential for injury or damage in the event of accidents or spills. There are currently no active enforcement actions or violations relating to hazardous materials in the City. The goals and policies in this section are intended to ensure that the appropriate agencies are adequately prepared to deal with a hazardous material emergency and that citizens are protected as much as possible from potential hazards.

3.3.1

Hazardous Materials

Hazardous Sites

Records searches of government databases were performed using Environmental Data Resources (EDR) for the study area, which included the City jurisdictional boundaries and its SOI (the complete report of approximately 668 pages is available for review at the City of Lake Elsinore). The records searches met the government records search requirements of the American Society for Testing and Materials’ (ASTM’s) Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments, E 152700.

There are large numbers of businesses and other entities within the City and the SOI that generate, transport, store, treat, or dispose of hazardous waste as defined by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Action (RCRA). Since almost all fuels, lubricants, solvents, and paints are considered hazardous materials under RCRA, businesses and institutions that use substantial quantities of such materials are required to adhere to very strict requirements in handling, transporting, and storing hazardous materials.

There is a wide range and variety of entities that deal with hazardous materials in the course of their activities. As indicated above, these include but are not limited to: •

Automobile repair facilities

•

Gas stations

•

Automobile service facilities

•

Construction firms

•

Manufacturing firms

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•

Painting contractors and paint suppliers

•

Dry cleaning firms

•

Schools

•

Hospitals and medical facilities

•

Trucking firms.

The City of Lake Elsinore Fire Department provides administration of hazardous materials and regulates permits for the handling, storage, and use of any explosive or other hazardous material. These permits note the location of the user as well as the type of material used. This enables the City to be aware of locations where such uses occur and thus note areas where high concentrations of such uses occur, such as in industrial and manufacturing areas. Hazardous materials also occur in smaller commercial operations such as gas stations and dry cleaners.

3.3.2

Santa Ana Regional Interceptor

The Santa Ana Regional Interceptor (SARI) line is a regional brine line constructed to protect the Santa Ana watershed from various saline wastes. The SARI line collects up to 30 million gallons per day (MGD) of non-reclaimable wastewater from the upper Santa Ana River basin; after treatment, it is discarded in the ocean. The purpose is to maintain the quality of water in the Santa Ana watershed by balancing the amount of salt in the basin. Increased salt in the watershed is caused mainly by industrial and agricultural uses and can affect all water users.

Increased salinity in the water creates problems ranging from decreased effectiveness of laundry detergents to worn out plumbing fixtures and household appliances. It also affects the taste of the water.

A brine line is necessary because industrial and commercial users are able to dispose only a limited amount of saline waste into wastewater plants due to the difficulty of removing salts and minerals from water. Users that produce substantial amounts of saline waste can go through an application process to make a connection to the SARI line; the Santa Ana Watershed Protection Authority (SAWPA) establishes connection fees and monthly rates for using the SARI line. Businesses that do not generate a substantial flow and are not close enough to make a direct connection can haul the waste by truck to a SARI truck collection station. SAWPA has permit fees and fees based upon volume for indirect connection users.

3.3.3

Wildfire Hazards

Much of the area to the southwest, west, and northwest within the SOI supports coastal shrub and chamise redshank chaparral. These are prime fuel sources for wildfire. As shown in Figure 3.1, which is Figure S-11 of the County of Riverside’s General Plan Safety Element, the wildfire susceptibility in this area is defined as moderately high. The steep terrain in these areas also contributes to rapid spread of wildfire when one occurs.

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The danger of damage to natural resources and structures from wildfire is high in California due to a generally dry climate and a preponderance of highly flammable vegetation over much of the state. From 1999 to 2003, wildfires within the jurisdiction of the California Department of Forestry and Fire (CDF) averaged 6,081 fires per year and burned an average of 217,908 acres per year. The number of structures damaged during that 5-year span averaged about 1,560 per year. Average annual monetary damages are estimated to be about $275 million. In 2003 alone, the damage from wildfires, which burned 527,753 acres within the CDF jurisdiction, was estimated at about $950 million. As such, the City has adopted the High Fire Severity Zone Map (Figure 3.1)

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3-8

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Elsinore Area Plan: Wildfire Susceptibility Figure 3.1

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Wildfire susceptibility in the City of Lake Elsinore is defined as moderately high. The combination of Southern California’s Mediterranean climate, with its winter and spring rainfall and hot, dry summers, and the frequency of high wind velocity creates optimum conditions for wildfires. The annual rainfall pattern supports grasses, shrubs, and trees, and the hot arid summers result in dry vegetation. This readily combustible material can be easily ignited and will burn hot and fast, especially during high wind conditions. In fact, Southern California fires, which consumed more than 90% of the wildfire-burned acreage, were accompanied by high-velocity winds.

The City of Lake Elsinore and the SOI are known for periodic high-velocity wind conditions through the Temescal Valley and the steep canyons to the northwest, west, and southwest portions of the SOI. Such winds are due mostly to the area’s topography, which forms a natural wind tunnel along the valley and through the canyons. The area is also subject to occasional Santa Ana conditions.

Past fire management policies mandated immediate fire suppression action for all fires, including those in wilderness areas, but also led to a long-term accumulation of vegetation (fuel) that can be easily ignited. Fire can spread quickly in high wind conditions, which poses a significant hazard in many areas, especially in forested and chaparral areas of rural Southern California. Much of the areas in the Cleveland National Forest and along the Ortega Highway (SR-74) contain large areas of chaparral and oak/pinyon plant communities that are highly flammable in the summer dry season and can promote the spread of wildfires over large distances, especially during high wind conditions.

Chaparral in particular poses unique problems for fire prevention because its components (tough Country Club Heights Fire shrubs such as chemise, manzanita, and sage) are genetically predisposed to burn. Many of the plants in this community need fire to sprout their seeds; chaparral burns naturally every 30 to 100 years. Much of the area within the SOI supports this type of vegetation.

The heavy use of the Ortega Highway and the number of residences in this mountain area pose additional fire risks. Traffic provides a potential ignition source because of tossed cigarettes and vehicle fires; residences provide other potential ignition sources, such as power equipment, barbeques, and residential fires.

3.3.4

Flooding and Floodplains

Development in the 100-year floodplain can increase flooding hazards by raising water levels upstream and adding flow, velocity, and debris downstream (100 year floodplain boundary is

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shown on Exhibit 4.3). Floodplains are the low, flat, periodically flooded lands adjacent to rivers, lakes, and oceans inundated by the 100-year flood and composed of the floodway and the floodway fringe.

The floodway is the channel of a river or other watercourse and the adjacent land areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the 100-year flood without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation more than one foot. The floodway fringe is that portion of the floodplain between the floodway and the limits of the existing 100year floodplain.

Significant portions of the City and the SOI are located within the 100-year floodplain. The City Flooding in Lake Elsinore 1988 of Lake Elsinore has identified flooding sources within the City that include Arroyo del Toro, Channel H, Elsinore Spillway Channel, Lake Elsinore, Leach Canyon Channel, Lime Street Channel, McVicker Canyon, Ortega Wash, Ortega Channel, Rice Canyon, San Jacinto River, Stovepipe Canyon Creek, Temescal Wash, Wash G, Wash I, Murrieta Creek, Wasson Canyon Creek, and potentially Railroad Canyon Dam if an incidence of failure occurs.

The City places a high priority on preventing flood damage and requires new projects to consider flooding and storm drainage effects. Limited encroachment into the 100-year floodplain fringe is allowed in order to permit development of properties within this area.

However, encroachment shall maintain a focus on public facilities such as roads, parks, sewer and water improvements, and pedestrian routes. No development of the floodway is allowed.

The City will review development projects within the floodplain to ensure compliance with City, state, and federal floodplain development projects. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) often have jurisdiction over areas that are located within floodplains.

USACE, through the authority of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, is the primary agency involved in wetland regulation. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the authority to veto any decision by the USACE on Section 404-permit issuance because the EPA has the ultimate authority over enforcement of wetland regulations. Prior to the issuance of a Section 404 permit by the USACE, the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) must issue a Section 401 water quality certification or waiver. In this way, the RWQCB regulates actions permitted by the USACE under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA). In addition, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) must be consulted and may also take jurisdiction if any wetland impacts could affect federally endangered species.

The USACE has jurisdiction over “waters of the U.S.,” including wetlands as defined by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Not all waters of the U.S. are wetlands and not all wetlands are under USACE jurisdiction. The term “waters of the U.S.” covers many types of waters,

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including waters currently or historically used in interstate or foreign commerce (including all waters subject to the ebb and flow of tides); all interstate waters (including interstate wetlands); all other waters, such as interstate lakes, rivers, streams (including intermittent streams), mudflats, sandflats, wetlands, sloughs, etc., the use, degradation, or destruction of which could affect interstate or foreign commerce; all impoundments of waters otherwise defined as waters of the U.S.; tributaries of waters of the U.S.; territorial seas; and wetlands adjacent to waters of the U.S. (USACE 1987). Regulated waters of the U.S. do not include isolated waters. However, isolated waters may be regulated by the RWQCB and the CDFG under the Porter-Cologne Act and the California Fish and Game Code, respectively.

The CDFG has jurisdiction covering lakes, rivers, and streams. Jurisdiction extends across the bed, banks, and channel of these features and includes areas beneath a riparian canopy, even if the canopy areas are well away from the stream channel (such as in oak riparian areas). More typically, the jurisdiction over streambeds is applied from the top of one channel bank to the top of the opposite bank.

Regional flood control planning and facilities construction are within the jurisdiction of the Riverside County Flood Control District. The district is also responsible for the maintenance and operation of flood control facilities, including debris dams, storm channels, and storm drains. The City of Lake Elsinore owns and maintains certain flood control facilities in the City that are constructed generally as part of the drainage plans for individual projects.

3.3.5

Seismic Activity

The City of Lake Elsinore and SOI are located in the Elsinore Valley, a pull-apart depression formed at a right (releasing) step-over in the Elsinore fault system. The Elsinore fault consists of multiple strands, a number of which are recognized as active and zoned by the State of California under the Alquist-Priolo Act (Hart and Bryant 1997). Risk of surface rupture along these zoned active traces is substantial. Although the County has zoned additional faults as active, none of the County-zoned traces is in the immediate vicinity of the City or SOI. The Uniform Building Code recognizes the northern portion of the Elsinore fault as a Type B seismic source (International Council of Building Officials 1997). The Elsinore fault is believed to be capable of generating earthquakes with moment magnitudes in the range of 6.5–7.5, with a recurrence interval of approximately 250 years between major events. Smaller events may occur more frequently. Thus, the City and the SOI are likely to experience repeated moderate to strong ground shaking generated by the Elsinore fault in the foreseeable future. The City and surrounding areas also have the potential to experience significant ground shaking as a result of seismic activity on a number of the Peninsular Ranges’. Other active faults are shown in Figures 3.2 and 3.3.

Although the State of California has not yet issued seismic hazards maps for the Lake Elsinore area, when completed, these maps will be required to delineate areas at risk from secondary seismic hazards. Both the County General Plan and the Elsinore Area Plan delineate areas

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susceptible to secondary seismic hazards. The City has high potential for damage due to liquefaction and slope failure in some areas.

The City recognizes the importance of addressing seismic hazards and taking preventative measures to reduce their negative effects. The following goals and policies are intended to minimize the effects of any seismic events on citizens and property.

3.3.6

Secondary Seismic Hazards—Liquefaction and Ground Failure

The State of California has not yet issued seismic hazards maps for the Lake Elsinore area under the mapping program mandated by the Seismic Hazards Mapping Act. Mapping is in progress in the Murrieta and Temecula 7.5-minute quadrangles to the south and is planned for the Lake Elsinore and Wildomar quadrangles in coming years.

The County of Riverside recognizes the importance of addressing secondary seismic hazards, and both the County General Plan and Elsinore Area Plan include maps delineating areas of known and suspected liquefaction hazard. In general, liquefaction susceptibility ranges from very low in the former lake footprint to moderate on much of the remainder of the valley floor and very high in the valley floor corridor formerly occupied by the axial riverine drainage.

Liquefaction potential is also very high along the area’s principal tributary drainages and on portions of the alluvial fans on the valley’s eastern margin (County of Riverside 2003a, 2003b).

Figure 3.4 presents a generalized map of liquefaction potential based on data on file with the City.

3.3.7

Landslide and Other Slope Stability Hazards

As discussed in the previous section, the State of California has not yet issued seismic hazards maps for the Lake Elsinore Area; when completed, these maps will be required to delineate areas at risk from seismically induced landslides. In the meantime, both the County General Plan and the Elsinore Area Plan include maps showing areas of general slope failure hazard.

As shown in Figure 3.3, a substantial proportion of the City, SOI, and surrounding area are located on slopes of 30% or steeper, and much of the area is at substantial risk of seismically induced slope failure. Non-seismically induced slope failure is also a hazard in these areas, as evidenced by numerous existing landslides (County of Riverside 2003a, 2003b).

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Principal Active Faults of the Peninsular Ranges and Mojave Desert Near Lake Elsinore Figure 3.2

Source: Riverside County Integrated Project

Elsinore Area Plan Seismic Hazards Figure 3.3

Sphere of Influence City Boundary Water Bodies

Liquefaction Potential Very low Low Moderate High Very High Sources: City of Lake Elsinore, County of Riverside

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Liquefaction Susceptibility in Lake Elsinore Area Figure 3.4

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3.3.8 Goal 3

Hazards/ Hazardous Materials Goals and Policies Reduce the level of risk associated with the use, transport, treatment, and disposal of hazardous materials to protect the community’s safety, health, and natural resources.

Policies 3.1

Continue to require hazardous waste generators to implement a waste reduction program per the Riverside County Hazardous Waste Management Plan with necessary inspections per the Riverside County Hazardous Materials Handlers Program.

3.2

Require any proposed development within close proximity to an active and/or inactive landfill to complete a technical analysis that focuses on public safety and hazard issues.

The analysis shall be prepared by a professional consultant.

3.3

Provide for the safe disposal of hazardous materials to protect the City against a hazardous materials incident.

3.4

Continue operating household hazardous waste education and collection programs in collaboration with the Riverside County Department of Environmental Health.

3.5

Evaluate new development on or adjacent to the Santa Ana Regional Interceptor (SARI) line requiring extensive subsurface components or containing sensitive land uses such as schools on a project-by-project basis to determine impacts if an accident occurs.

3.6

Comply with the Riverside County Underground Storage Tank Program and Health and Safety Code Sections 25280-25289 and ensure adequate leak detection, maintenance of records, and reporting of spills.

3.7

Require that all petroleum and gas pipelines are maintained by the owners. In the event of a leak, the City shall ensure that all responsible parties comply with the standards set by the California Department of Fish & Game Office of Spill Prevention and Response.

3.3.9 Goal 4

Wildfire Hazards Goals and Policies Adhere to an integrated approach to minimizing the threat of wildland fires to protect life and property using pre-fire management, suppression, and post-fire management.

Policies 4.1

Require on-going brush clearance and establish low fuel landscaping policies to reduce combustible vegetation along the urban/wildland interface boundary.

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4.2

Create fuel modification zones around development within high hazard areas by thinning or clearing combustible vegetation within 100 feet of buildings and structures. The fuel modification zone size may be altered with the addition of fuel resistant building techniques. The fuel modification zone may be replanted with fire-resistant material for aesthetics and erosion control.

4.3

Establish fire resistant building techniques for new development such as non-combustible wall surfacing materials, fire-retardant treated wood, heavy timber construction, glazing, enclosed materials and features, insulation without paper-facing, and automatic fire sprinklers.

4.4

Establish an education program to inform citizens about the threat of human wildfire origination from residential practices such as outdoor barbeques and from highway use such as cigarette littering.

4.5

Create emergency water supply procedures that allow for immediate access to existing reservoirs, tanks, and water wells for fire suppression.

4.6

Adhere to Chapter 7.1 of the Fire Code pursuant to adopted High Severity Zone Maps.

3.3.10 Goal 5

Flooding and Floodplains Goals and Policies Minimize the risk of injury to residents and visitors and of property damage due to flooding.

Policies 5.1

Continue to ensure that new construction conforms to all applicable provisions of the National Flood Insurance Program in order to protect buildings and property from flooding.

5.2

Continue to encourage floodway setbacks for greenways, trails, and recreation opportunities.

5.3

Reduce the risk of flooding by creating floodway setbacks for greenways, trails, and recreation areas and by prohibiting development within the floodways.

5.4

Encourage that new developments within the floodplain fringe shall preserve and enhance existing native riparian habitat.

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5.5

Continue to require the construction of channel improvements in order to allow conveyance of the 100-year flow without extensive flooding.

5.6

Use FEMA regulations and mapping to ensure that flooding hazards are evaluated during the environmental review process, including placement of restrictions on development within designated floodplain areas.

5.7

Promote drainage improvements that maintain a natural or semi-natural floodplain.

5.8

Utilize the Capital Improvement Program for storm drainage projects and maintenance and improvement of local storm drain systems including channels, pipes, and inlets to ensure capacity for maximum runoff flows.

3.3.11 Goal 6

Seismic Activity Goals and Policies Minimize risk of loss of life, injury, property damage, and economic and social displacement due to seismic and geological hazards resulting from earthquakes and geological constraints.

Policies 6.1

Continue to make every effort to reduce earthquake-induced fire as a threat.

6.2

Encourage programs to assist in the seismic upgrading of buildings to meet building and safety codes.

6.3

Identify the potential for ground shaking, liquefaction, slope failure, seismically induced landslides, expansion and settlement of soils, and other related geologic hazards for areas of new development in accordance with the Fault Rupture Hazard Overlay District adopted by the City of Lake Elsinore Zoning Code. The City may require site-specific remediation measures during permit review that may be implemented to minimize impacts in these areas.

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Activities at Lake Elsinore

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3.4

Noise

3.4.1

Introduction

Noise is defined as unwanted sound. It is part of everyday life in an urban community, resulting from on- and off-road vehicle traffic, railroads, aircraft, construction vehicles and other heavy equipment, other commercial activities, and loud music. The existing background or “ambient� noise level in the community is the product of the cumulative effects of a variety of noise sources that accumulate over a period of time. Exposure to excessive noise has often been cited as a health hazard.

Roadway traffic is a major source of noise within the City. Some other reported noise sources in Lake Elsinore include industrial and manufacturing facilities, Skylark Airport, schools, construction activities, and recreational activities associated with the lake, the motocross park, and Diamond Stadium.

The goals and policies in this section are designed to locate new development in areas with compatible noise levels and minimize intrusive noise from existing and new development.

3.4.2

Noise Baselines

Land uses in the Lake Elsinore planning area include varying densities of both clustered and non-contiguous residential development, different densities and types of businesses and commercial developments, open space, and recreation. The locations and densities of these land uses, in conjunction with major transportation routes and other significant activities within the Lake Elsinore area, such as construction, contribute to the ambient noise conditions, or setting, of the area.

Sensitive land uses are generally defined as locations where people reside or where the presence of noise could adversely affect the use of the land. These land uses include uses such as schools, hospitals, residences, libraries, and recreation areas. The City has designated noisesensitive zones for land uses that require exceptional quiet. Table 3-1 and Table 3-2 provide regulations to ensure noise and land use compatibility and recommend noise standards.

Table 3-1.

Noise and Compatibility Matrix

Land Use Categories

Day-Night Noise Level (LDN) <55 60 65 70 75

Categories

Uses

Residential

Single, Family, Duplex, Multiple Family

A

A

B

B

C

D

D

Residential

Mobile Homes

A

A

B

C

C

D

D

Commercial Regional, District

Hotel, Motel, Transient Lodging

A

A

B

B

C

C

D

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Land Use Categories

Day-Night Noise Level (LDN) <55 60 65 70 75

Categories

Uses

Commercial Regional, Village, District, Special

Commercial, Retail, Bank, Restaurant, Movie Theatre

A

A

A

A

B

B

C

Commercial Industrial Institutional

Office Building, Research and Development, Professional Offices, City Office Building

A

A

A

B

B

C

D

Commercial Regional Institutional Civic Center

Amphitheatre, Concert Hall

B

B

C

C

D

D

D

Commercial Recreation

Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Amusement Park, Miniature Golf Course, Gocart Track, Equestrian Center, Sports Club

A

A

A

B

B

D

D

Commercial General, Special Industrial Institutional

Automobile Service Station, Auto Dealership, Manufacturing, Warehousing, Wholesale, Utilities

A

A

A

A

B

B

B

Institutional General

Hospital, Church, Library, Schools, Classroom

A

A

B

C

C

D

D

Open Space

Parks

A

A

A

B

C

D

D

Open Space

Golf Course, Cemeteries, Nature Centers, Wildlife Reserves, Wildlife Habitat

A

A

A

A

B

C

C

Agriculture

Agriculture

A

A

A

A

A

A

A

80>

Auditorium, Meeting Hall

Interpretation Zone A Clearly Compatible

Specified land use is satisfactory, based upon the assumption that any buildings involved are of normal conventional construction without any special noise insulation requirements.

Zone B Normally Compatible

New construction or development should be undertaken only after detailed analysis of the noise reduction requirements are made and needed nose insulation features in the design are determined. Conventional construction, with closed windows and fresh air supply systems or air conditioning, will normally suffice.

Zone C Normally Incompatible

New construction or development should generally be discouraged. If new construction or development does proceed, a detailed analysis of noise reduction requirements must be made and needed noise insulation features included in the design.

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Land Use Categories

Day-Night Noise Level (LDN) <55 60 65 70 75

Categories

Uses

Zone D Clearly Incompatible

New construction or development should generally not be undertaken.

Table 3-2.

80>

Recommended Interior and Exterior Noise Standards Land Use Categories

Energy Average LDN

Categories

Uses

Interior

Exterior

Residential

Single Family, Duplex, Multiple Family

45 3, 5

60

Mobile Homes

–

60 4

Hotel, Motel, Transient Lodging

45 5

–

Hospital, School’s classroom

45

–

Church, Library

45

–

Commercial, Institutional

Interpretation 1. Indoor environment excluding: Bathrooms, toilets, closets, corridors.

2. Outdoor environment limited to: Private yard of single family, multi-family private patio or balcony which is served by a means of exit from inside, Mobile Home Park.

3. Noise level requirement with closed windows. Mechanical ventilating system or other means of natural ventilation shall be provided as of Chapter 12, Section 1205 of UBC. 4. Exterior noise level should be such that interior noise level will not exceed 45 CNEL. 5. As per California Administrative Code, Title 24, Part 6, Division T25, Chapter 1, Subchapter 1, Article 4, Section T25-28.

3.4.3

Topography and Climate

Noise amplitude and attenuation characteristics are key factors in the establishment of noise conditions and vary considerably according to natural climate and topographical features.

Meteorological factors affecting noise characteristics within the Lake Elsinore planning area include temperature changes, Santa Ana winds, and the amount and duration of rainfall.

Topographical features in the planning area include the steep Santa Ana Mountains and Elsinore Mountains to the south and west; the large centrally located, low-lying Lake Elsinore and surrounding local valley; and the rolling hills throughout much of the area. Man-made features within the planning area, such as buildings and structures, agricultural fields, and roadways, also affect noise amplitude and attenuation.

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3.4.4

Vehicular Traffic

Because two highly utilized transportation corridors, I-15 and SR 74, traverse the City, roadway traffic is one of the more prevalent sources of noise within the area. Traffic noise varies in how it affects land uses depending upon the type of roadway, distance of the land use from that roadway, topographical setting, and other physical land features such as landscaping, walls, buildings, and other structures. Some variables that affect the amount of noise emitted from a road are speed of traffic, flow of traffic, and type of traffic (e.g., tractor trailers versus cars).

Another variable affecting the overall measure of noise is a perceived increase in sensitivity to vehicular noise at night.

3.4.5

Industry

Industrial and manufacturing facilities are stationary noise producers that may affect sensitive land uses. Industrial land uses have the potential to exert a relatively high level of noise impact within their immediate operating environments. The scope and degree of noise impacts generated by industrial uses is dependent upon various critical factors, including the type of industrial activity, hours of operation, and the siteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s location relative to other land uses.

L k El i

3.4.6

M

T

k

Airports

Skylark Airport is a privately owned airport that occupies approximately 150 acres of land located at the southern city limits on Corydon Road. The airport houses 21 single-engine aircraft, five multi-engine aircraft, and four gliders.

3.4.7

Schools

Schools can be a source of nuisance noise for neighboring residential uses. Noise-generating activities include children at play, bells, and public address systems. High schools may include stadiums used for day and evening athletic events, and the use of public address/loudspeaker systems can also generate substantial noise levels during the day and/or evening.

3.4.8

Other Noise Sources

Other sources of noise include recreational boating and personal watercraft on Lake Elsinore, the Motocross Park, Diamond Stadium, and construction activities.

3.4.9

Vibration

As with noise, vibration can be described by both its amplitude and frequency. Amplitude may be characterized by displacement, velocity, and/or acceleration. Typically, particle velocity (measured in inches or millimeters per second) and/or acceleration (measured in gravities) are used to describe vibration. Vibration can be felt outdoors, but the perceived intensity of vibration impacts are much greater indoors due to the shaking of the structure.

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Lake Elsinore Motocross Track

Chapter 3

The most common sources of vibration in the Lake Elsinore planning area are transit vehicles, construction equipment, and large vehicles.

Several land uses are especially sensitive to vibration and therefore have a lower vibration threshold. These uses include but are not limited to concert halls, hospitals, libraries, vibrationsensitive research operations, residential areas, schools, and offices.

Lake Elsinore Motocross Track

3.4.10 Goal 7

Noise Goals and Policies Maintain an environment for all City residents and visitors free of unhealthy, obtrusive, or otherwise excessive noise conditions.

Policies 7.1

Apply the noise standards set forth in the Lake Elsinore Land Use Noise Compatibility Matrix (see Table 3-1) when considering all new development and redevelopment proposed within the City.

7.2

Encourage new construction to incorporate noise-reducing elements that minimize interior noise levels.

7.3

Require that mixed-use structures and areas be designed to prevent transfer of noise and vibration from commercial areas to residential areas.

7.4

Strive to reduce transportation noise on the I-15 through coordination with Caltrans.

7.5

Consider estimated roadway noise contours based upon Figure 3.5, Noise Contours, when making land use decisions along busy roadways throughout their jurisdiction.

7.6

Periodically review noise conditions along public roadways and, where necessary and feasible, construct noise barriers to reduce noise levels received by affected land uses.

7.7

Actively participate and cooperate with other agencies and jurisdictions in the development of noise abatement plans for highways.

7.8

Consult Caltrans Division of Aeronautics and the Riverside County Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan when considering projects that could be affected by the relocation of Skylark Airport.

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7.9

Comsider the establishment of a threshold sound level for pleasure motorboats to control noise on Lake Elsinore.

7.10 Encourage telecommuting to reduce the amount of vehicular traffic on local roadways.

7.11 Limit the hours of construction activities in residential areas, to those hours consistent with, or stronger than the Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s noise ordinance.

7.12 Discourage the placement of residences and other sensitive uses in proximity to commercial and industrial and outdoor recreational uses that feature substantial stationary noise sources.

7.13 Encourage the incorporation of noise reduction technology such as mufflers and temporary noise walls that further minimize construction and stationary noise received within residential and commercial uses.

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3-30

Sphere of Influence City Boundary Motocross Track Elsinore Ready Mix Ballpark Airport

Noise Contours 60 Idn contour pref 65 Idn contour pref 70 Idn contour pref Sources: City of Lake Elsinore, County of Riverside

´

0

1.25

2.5 Miles

Proposed Noise Contours Figure 3.5

Chapter 3

3.5

Community Facilities and Services

City development and community welfare are dependent on a network of public facilities and services. These services provide the necessary components for quality life in the community.

Quality services and facilities are critical to retaining existing households and businesses and attracting future residents and new businesses. The City seeks to ensure excellent services regardless of the provider.

The goals and policies in this section are designed to promote community welfare through responsive city government, efficient and timely emergency response, academic excellence that includes access to quality school and library facilities for all residents, and effective and efficient delivery of services and utilities.

3.5.1

Fire and Police/Law Enforcement

Effective fire protection and law enforcement services are essential to the welfare of a community. Without adequate provision of these invaluable services, the safety of the community could be jeopardized with the rise in crime and risk of fire damage. Long-term effects could result in a decrease in immigration of new residents and a low quality of life for current residents. The following goals and policies are intended to ensure that the community that the City remains safe and protected by fire and police services.

3.5.2

Community Facilities and Services Baselines

Existing Conditions: Community Services and Utilities Fire Protection The City of Lake Elsinore contracts for fire services from the Riverside County Fire Department (RCOFD) and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF).

The RCOFD operates 93 fire stations in 17 battalions, providing fire suppression, emergency medical, rescue, and fire prevention services. Equipment used by the department has the ability to respond to both urban and wildland emergency conditions. Battalion 2 in the Southwest Division of RCOFD services the City of Lake Elsinore.

The following stations are located within city limits: z

Fire Station No. 10, servicing the central area of the city, located on the northeast side of the lake on W. Graham Ave;

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z

Fire Station No. 85, McVicker Park Fire Station, located to the north at McVicker Park, slightly east of the lake on Grand Avenue;

z

Canyon Hills Fire Station No. 94; and

z

Proposed Fire Station No. 97, Rosetta Canyon, located south of Ramsgate Drive will be completed by year’s end 2009.

The following stations are located outside city limits: z

Lakeland Village Station No. 11,

z

El Cariso Station No. 51,

z

Wildomar Station No. 61,

z

Wildomar Station No. 74, and

z

Canyon Lake Station No. 60.

According to the current battalion chief, although the fire stations are operated by RCOFD, CDF provides firefighters and stores firefighting equipment at stations throughout the City, particularly during peak fire season. Both agencies respond to all types of emergencies, depending on the need and equipment available. Emergencies range from wildland fires, residential/commercial structure fires, automobile accidents, medical aid of all types, search and rescue missions, hazardous material spills, floods, earthquakes, and more. Standard response times are established by RCOFD guidelines. One goal in the guidelines calls for the response time to any location within the City to be seven (7) minutes, with the intent to reduce that time to five (5) minutes.

Since October 2003, fire paramedics are required at each station. These specially trained firefighters are equipped to respond to medical emergencies and ride on all calls. Their arrival on the scene can ensure the timely start of emergency medical treatment until an ambulance arrives for patient transport. Each fire engine carries nearly $35,000 worth of state-of-the-art emergency medic equipment.

Police Protection The City of Lake Elsinore contracts for police protection from the County of Riverside Sheriff’s Department. The Lake Elsinore Police Department/Sheriff’s Station is located on the northeast edge of the lake at 333 Limited Avenue. The police department has various programs in place to deter crime, such as neighborhood watch, Crime-Free Multi-Housing program, and community-oriented policing. The police and fire stations are depicted in Figure 3.6.

According to the City of Lake Elsinore Comprehensive Annual

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Financial Report for fiscal year 2009-2010, the total sworn officers within the City equates to 47, or a ratio of 1 sworn officer per 1,000 residents. According to response time data provided by the Riverside County Sheriffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Department, Priority 1 calls average 5.64 minutes. These calls involve circumstances that pose, or did pose in the immediate past, a clearly defined threat to human life or property and which involve a high level of violence or which have the potential for serious injury. There are four levels of Priority Calls. The overall average response time for all calls is 10.68 minutes.

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3-36

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Sources: City of Lake Elsinore, County of Riverside

´

0

1.25

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City of Lake Elsinore Police and Fire Stations Figure 3.6

Chapter 3

As of midyear 2005, the response time was 10.06 minutes and the 2006 response time was 11.53 minutes.

The police department manages the Lake Patrol with 20 personnel who enforce boating rules and regulations on the lake and perform rescues. The Lake Elsinore Marine Search and Rescue (LEMSAR) volunteers who both patrol the lake and assist with boating accidents involving a death or serious injury on the lake augment the Lake Patrol. LEMSAR volunteers are trained in first aid and CPR and must also complete a U.S. Coast Guard auxiliary boating and safety course.

Schools The Lake Elsinore Unified School District (LEUSD) serves most of the City of Lake Elsinore, all of the City of Canyon Lake, and a portion of the unincorporated County of Riverside. The district covers a 140-square-mile area with a population of approximately 70,000. It is the largest employer in the Lake Elsinore Valley, with more than 1,955 full- and part-time employees. District boundaries are identified on Figure 3.7. Menifee Union School District serves a portion of Canyon Hills Specific Plan area.

The LEUSD is composed of 22 schools, including 13 elementary, four middle, two comprehensive high schools, a continuation school, an alternative education center, and an adult education program. The district also provides Head Start programs at four school sites.

There are plans to expand and upgrade/modernize existing facilities and build new elementary, middle, and high schools to accommodate future growth.

According to the latest District-Wide School Facilities Master Plan (Master Plan), existing school facilities are insufficient to house all of the students to be generated from both existing and future residential units. According to the Master Plan, an additional 10,864 students are projected for the school year 2013â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2014. The district does not have sufficient capacity to house the additional students. However, there are plans to expand and upgrade/modernize existing facilities and build new elementary, middle, and high schools to accommodate future growth.

According to the Master Plan, the district will need to house an additional 2,450 elementary students (approximately 2.88 new elementary facilities) over the next 10 years. The district will need to house an additional 442 middle school students (approximately 0.33 new middle school facilities) over the next 10 years. The district will also need to provide facilities for an additional 488 high school students over the next 10 years, which equates to approximately 0.18 new high school facilities.

Examples of future plans listed in the Master Plan to accommodate future growth include expansion of existing facilities, such as adding three classrooms to Collier Elementary School and five classrooms to Graham Elementary School, as well as building new schools, such as Middle School No. 6 and High School No. 5. A full list of future plans is provided in the Master Plan.

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There are two portions of the City of Lake Elsinore that are not within the LEUSD. In the center of the northern part of the City, a small section falls within the Perris Elementary and Union High School District; on the eastern edge of the City, a small section falls within the Menifee Union School District. There is one portion within the northwest corner of the City’s SOI that is not in the LEUSD. This small portion of the SOI falls within the Corona-Norco Unified School District. Figure 3.7 shows the location of the school districts within the City and SOI.

Libraries The City of Lake Elsinore is part of the Riverside County Library System. Residents have access to all 29 libraries and two bookmobiles. There are two libraries within city boundaries, including the Lake Elsinore Library, located on West Graham Avenue northeast of the lake, and Lakeside Library on Riverside Drive, northwest of the lake. The Canyon Lake Library is just outside the city boundary on Railroad Canyon Drive.

3.5.3

Utilities

Water, Wastewater, and Reclaimed Water The Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD) is a public nonprofit agency. It was created on December 23, 1950, under the Municipal Water District Act of 1911. EVMWD provides water, wastewater, and reclaimed water service to the City of Lake Elsinore, the City of Canyon Lake, portions of the City of Murrieta, and unincorporated portions of the County of Riverside. EVMWD is a special district with powers that include provision of public water service, water supply development and planning, wastewater treatment and disposal, and recycling. Currently, the district has more than 35,000 water, wastewater, and agricultural service connections. EVMWD is a subagency of the Western Municipal Water District, a member agency of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

EVMWD’s water supply comes from local groundwater, surface water from Railroad Canyon Reservoir (Canyon Lake), and imported water. On average, half of the water supply is imported, mainly from the Colorado River Aqueduct and State Water Project, but treated and disinfected water also comes from Lake Skinner and Lake Mathews, both operated by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

EVMWD’s Temescal Division was acquired in 1989 when the district purchased the Temescal Water Company. Residential customers are served from domestic wells in Coldwater Basin.

Domestic water supply is also supplemented by imported water from the Lee Lake Water District. Agricultural customers in the Temescal Valley receive water from several wells in the Bunker Hill, Colton, and Temescal Valley basins as well as surface water from Lee Lake, which is fed by Temescal Wash.

The latest Water Distribution Master Plan has a projected need assessment based on future growth projections. Water demands for future scenarios are determined based on water duty factor (WDF) and future projected growth. If growth occurs at a different pace than expected, it is

3-40

Chapter 3

acknowledged that improvements may need to be implemented so that water will be continuously available. The existing system capacities are sufficient for most zones. However, to meet future demand, 21 new pump stations are needed. Pump stations are needed for the majority of new developments located at higher elevations along the hillsides.

To meet rising future demands additional water source capacities are also required. The district is currently planning two groundwater wells in the Lake Elsinore Back Basin. Improvements to fix existing system deficiencies and accommodate future growth are being funded by three different categories, including ratepayers for existing services, future Capital Improvement Programs (CIP), and developers for future development projects.

The EVMWD Sewer District provides service for the City of Lake Elsinore, the City of Canyon Lake, portions of the City of Murrieta, and unincorporated portions of the County of Riverside. The district collects and conveys wastewater generated by homes and businesses to one of three tertiary-level treatment facilities. There are three major operating systems handled by the district, including solids handling and disinfection, preliminary treatment, and secondary treatment. The district uses four wastewater treatment facilities, including the regional wastewater treatment plant, the Horsethief Canyon Wastewater Treatment Plant, the Railroad Canyon Wastewater Treatment Plant, and RCWDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Santa Rosa Water Reclamation Facility by agreement. The EVMWD Wastewater Management Plan makes recommendations for improvements such as gravity sewer mains, force mains, lift stations, and wastewater treatment facilities.

EVMWD also produces recycled water. Recycled water is used to irrigate parks, street medians, golf courses, and wildlife habitat and facilitate lake stabilization. It is the goal of EVMWD to build additional lines and expand recycled water services in order to free up additional water for residents.

The Elsinore Water District (EWD) provides water services for a limited area in Country Club Heights and parts of Lakeland Village. The EWD does not provide wastewater services. Water resources for the EWD are generated from several local wells as well as purchases from EVMWD. EWD supplies water to more than 1,800 customers. According to several studies performed by the City, water service in these areas was identified as a major issue for existing residential uses and a constraint to future development. It is likely that more water will have to be purchased from EVMWD and additional water lines will have to be constructed if additional development is anticipated.

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3-42

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Schools and District Boundaries Figure 3.7

Chapter 3

Electrical and Natural Gas Southern California Edison (SCE), a subsidiary of Edison International, provides electricity to the City of Lake Elsinore. SCE is a provider for 13 million customers, 5,000 large businesses, and 280,000 small businesses in 430 cities. SCE provides a significant amount of energy from alternate and renewable energy and from a variety of other sources. There are 16 utility interconnections, 4,990 transmission and distribution circuits, and 425 transmission and distribution crews.

The City of Lake Elsinore receives its natural gas through the Southern California Gas Company (The Gas Company). The Gas Company is a regulated subsidiary of Sempra Energy and is the nation’s largest natural gas distribution utility, serving 19.5 million consumers through 5.5 million meters. The company's service territory encompasses 23,000 square miles in most of central and Southern California.

Both Southern California Edison and The Gas Company anticipate the ability to accommodate future growth within the City of Lake Elsinore; development proposals will be required to formally request “will serve” letters on an individual basis.

Lake Elsinore Advanced Pump Storage (LEAPS) EVMWD, in conjunction with the Nevada Hydro Company, is proposing the Lake Elsinore Advance Pump Storage Project (LEAPS) and the related Talega-Escondido/Valley-Serrano (TE/VS) Transmission Line Project. LEAPS consist of a lower and upper reservoir and a hydroelectric plan to generate electricity. The Lake serves as the “lower reservoir.” When demand for electricity is low, water is pumped to the upper reservoir in the Cleveland National Forest where it is stored for release to generate electricity during peak demand periods. The project is expected to generate enough electricity to power 500,000 homes. EVMWD is currently seeking the necessary regulatory entitlements.

The project is dependent on adequate water supplies in the Lake. Therefore, according to EVMWD, the primary benefit of the LEAPS project to the Lake will be the stabilization of the Lake level at elevation 1240 MSL. The daily water pumping will affect Lake water quality and potentially impact habitat areas and recreational use on the Lake as the shoreline will be subject to significant variation on a day-to-day basis.

3.5.4

Other Public Facilities

Trash and Recycling CR&R is responsible for trash disposal in the City of Lake Elsinore as well as Temecula, Canyon Lake, and unincorporated parts of the County of Riverside. Residents are provided a 60-gallon trash container for garbage, green waste, and recycling. Trash is taken to either a landfill within Riverside County or the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF). There are no landfills within the

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City. Riverside County Waste Management (RCWM) manages the landfills used by the City of Lake Elsinore. According to RCWM, capacity levels of landfills within the jurisdiction of RCWM are calculated on a system wide capacity level. That is to say that landfills within its jurisdiction adhere to state guidelines, which specify that a minimum of 15 years of system wide landfill capacity shall be provided.

RCWM facilitates waste management services for Riverside County. These services are provided on a countywide basis, and each private or public entity determines which landfill or transfer station to use. Typically, this determination is made according to geographic proximity. The landfills typically used by the City of Lake Elsinore are El Sobrante, Badlands, and Lamb Canyon Landfill.

The El Sobrante Landfill is located east of Interstate 15 and Temescal Canyon Road to the south of the City of Corona. The El Sobrante Landfill is currently permitted to receive 10,000 tons of refuse per day (tpd), of which 4,000 tpd is reserved for refuse generated within Riverside County. The landfill has a total capacity of approximately 109 million tons, or 184.93 million cubic yards. As of January 1, 2005, the landfill had a remaining in-county disposal capacity of approximately 39.613 million tons. The landfill is expected to reach capacity by approximately 2031.

The Badlands Landfill is located northeast of the City of Moreno Valley at 31125 Ironwood Avenue, which is accessed from State Highway 60 at Theodore Avenue. The landfill is currently permitted to receive 4,000 tpd; it had an overall remaining disposal capacity of approximately 10,206,374 tons at the end of 2004. The Badlands Landfill is projected to reach capacity between 2015 and 2016. Further landfill expansion potential exists at the Badlands Landfill site.

The Lamb Canyon Landfill is located between the City of Beaumont and the City of San Jacinto.

The landfill is currently permitted to receive 3,000 tpd; it had a remaining disposal capacity of approximately 12,874,377 tons at the end of 2004. The current remaining disposal capacity is estimated to last until approximately 2017. Landfill expansion potential exists at the Lamb Canyon Landfill site.

As mandated by the State of California, 50% of Lake Elsinoreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trash had to be recycled by December 31, 2005. Due to the extensive amount of new homebuilding in the area leading to excessive construction waste, the City of Lake Elsinore has been granted an extension to comply with the law.

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Goal 8

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions waste through improved management of waste handling and reductions in waste generation.

Policies 8.1

The City will improve emissions control at waste handling facilities, in the event such facilities are constructed within the City’s jurisdiction.

8.2

The City will implement enhanced programs to divert solid waste from landfill operations.

8.3

The City will enhance regional coordination on waste management.

Public Infrastructure and Services The availability and quality of public infrastructure and services are very important to residents and visitors of the City. These services improve the quality of life for residents and attract potential residents to the City. The goals and policies in this section ensure that adequate provisions are made for public infrastructure and services in order to maximize opportunities to enhance the overall well being of the City’s residents and visitors.

3.5.5

Telecommunications

Verizon provides the local “land line” telephone service, although long distance services may also be obtained from a number of other providers. In addition, a number of companies provide wireless or cell phone services. Comcast of Los Angeles provides cable television and high-speed Internet. Many newer subdivisions are fully wired for telecommuting purposes.

3.5.6 Goal 9

Community Facilities and Services Goals and Policies Ensure that water, wastewater, and sewer facilities support existing and future land uses.

Policies 9.1

Continue to cooperate with the water districts to provide domestic water supplies and fire flow water requirements to meet existing and future demand.

9.2

Continue to work with the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD) in expanding the reclaimed water distribution system within the service area to provide reclaimed water used to irrigate parks, street medians, golf courses, wildlife habitat, and for lake stabilization.

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9.3

Work with regional water suppliers to implement water conservation practices such as the use of water-conserving devices and design for buildings and development, encouraging water conserving landscaping, and promoting water conservation education programs.

9.4

Prior to the issuance of building permits, require landowners to demonstrate that adequate water capacity exists or will be provided and provide necessary funding through mandatory development impact fees or capital improvement fund programs to serve the proposed development.

9.5

Prior to the issuance of building permits, require landowners to demonstrate that wastewater/sewer flows will be accommodated for the proposed development and provide necessary funding through mandatory development impact fees or capital improvement fund programs to serve the proposed development.

9.6

Ensure that wastewater/sewer flows are accommodated and provide facilities to meet existing and future development.

Goal 10

Encourage the Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s franchise trash hauler(s) to provide and expand service for the collection, storage, transportation, recovery, and disposal of solid waste to meet the needs of the City.

Policies 10.1

Coordinate with the Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s franchise trash hauler(s) in the establishment of a long-term solid waste management plan that includes goals for recycling and source reduction programs.

10.2

Support a public education program in recycling and source reduction techniques for homes, businesses, and construction.

Goal 11

Ensure that adequate electrical, natural gas, and telecommunications systems are provided to meet the demand of new and existing development.

Policies 11.1 Coordinate with the responsible agencies to provide for the continued maintenance, development, and expansion of electricity, natural gas, and telecommunications systems to serve residents and businesses.

11.2 Adopt an ordinance promoting the under grounding of utilities.

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Goal 12

Encourage all school districts serving Lake Elsinore to provide school facilities that are adequate to serve all students.

Policies 12.1 Coordinate land use planning with planning, financing, and construction of school facilities with the applicable school district for proposed development in the City.

12.2 Pursue the establishment and development of a trade school, junior college, and/or fouryear college campus.

12.3 Continue cooperation between school districts and the City to provide joint use of recreational facilities.

Goal 13

Encourage the County of Riversideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s County/City Public Library System to provide adequate library facilities.

Policy 13.1 Continue to measure the impact of development on library services to ensure adequacy of facilities and resources.

Goal 14

Provide high quality animal control services to ensure timely response and effective control to protect both citizens and animals.

Policies 14.1 Continue to foster and participate in the operation of a regional animal control facility through participation in the South Western Communities Financing Authority.

14.2 Continue to develop an education program in conjunction with Animal Friends of the Valley regarding animal control services, including spay and neuter programs.

Goal 15

Encourage the pursuit of state of the art Information Technology.

Policies 15.1 Encourage the use of information technology as a communication tool to improve personal convenience, reduce dependency on nonrenewable resources, take advantage of ecological and financial efficiencies of new technologies.

15.2 Maintain and update the Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website with information about current events and issues, key leadership figures, community involvement opportunities, and educational tools such as solid waste management techniques and emergency preparedness programs.

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Goal 16

Provide efficient and effective public safety services for the community.

Policies 16.1

Continue to follow Riverside County Fire Department guidelines and work towards achieving standard response times of seven (7) minutes with the intent to reduce that time to five (5) minutes and maintain a staffing objective of one firefighter per 1,000 persons.

16.2

Ensure that all developments maintain required water pressure levels for fire flow.

16.3

Condition new development with payment of Developer Impact Fees and participation in public safety CFD to provide for personnel, equipment, and facilities.

16.4

Provide adequate access for all emergency vehicles.

16.5

Coordinate with the County of Riverside to provide police service aimed at a ratio of 1.2 officers per 1,000 persons.

16.6

Continue to provide Lake Patrol personnel who enforce boating rules and regulations, and perform rescue tactics.

16.7

Promote the establishment of programs such as Neighborhood Watch and Crime-Free Multi-Housing in conjunction with law enforcement agencies to encourage community participation in the surveillance of neighborhoods.

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