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80-72 CHICO AREA GENERAL PLAN 3 OF 5
LEGEND n r ABLY L!~VEt� MODERATELY WELL , GROUP t - AREhS t; �tAai SFT Efa Vit° �ERy GE.. dL � - TO pCICfiLY ORAjt4ED SCAL5 '11*�a 5,r5ck.t�n-;,W�rorric s5ac�c�tlon ar re (Ca SL��H 'tftn ter:r�"f;httrnM IC ivtj iear»xc`u5r,'�tvlrVin 1 yh:i; 4rF'urr;SJtILL LVN�r iCl{'Ibu. GROUP 1- AREA- By vF.`rwY :�FfJr.X,�sr tvIAODERATELY' WELL C,sa-:�s C»^r»fw ..�irrranc#as ��seClalion vra-gid v,nc;-far well'aw)CIntlbn Hu Fa fj,r ,.° . ocivicn GI+I; �lP Z ARE S, D04; INATED COY SHALLOW T4 MCDER; i SLY DEEP, NEARLY L EV EL, t3CMEVVHpT POORLY k;;RA1NE'_; At Jkt�lt�-0,$sociol� n, O tG 9 PerCenf s4A�%. AG F b AREAS ; t f;11NATE0 H7 HAL,LOW TO r�1a.,G � A! ELY D� EP WELL-DRAINED GROL7P i u r t NEARLY ,V. L 1 O t�ATEfwY SiCrr ihly SOILS �6�rnL1 tdr , � �' r�,srcenl ^,lti es A(ry C: I! j, pptcent sIoPel, ,1 C GROUP F EAS L01MIPATI 0 by Vt'°R rE,. !.L.ktW, NEAgl.Y LEVEL 'C0 GENTL.Y ;LOPING WELL DRAINED SUILS YG. TuSaQn t) to 5 per�ont SlMe5 AD , 8L7PINC EpATLy Cr, .P To wCY DEEP, GENTLY GROUP, a AREAS DOMINATED By IVt C To STEEP, r ELLCRYrSOILS i-05 r", arabctCa Oh, "-t EC Atkerr�Go>�a�°,�t -- Ai-C Aiken G hc;set toss eiafian, t5 to 50 rorrrrtf,Ioppi Na .: Neun~z ra scar. to 50 percent slopO 6 av (jWbrSkella srycictian, it bG• percrnl slope DF LG s� a cent sti:rae� N�-L Ahyrul°,ner. aierrca o.,socic�iioa, I"� tr.,� 75 per GROUPAREAS f JMIhJATI*0 By rHAlvOW O VI:PY SHALI.,O' G> f'JT:`t Sl't�l'fNG' I{5 'ERY WELL .RAINED SOILS G ! Vina loan( has a Soil Conservation Service (SO) Clans T rating, ;and composite rating o'f 10,0 on `the Store Index. SGS Class I soils are nearly level, well drained soils, wits ittle or no erosion problems. They are considered good ,•Itivable land with excellent agricultural potential. range of 8o-100 have a grade 1 rating, land th aIndex Storie consideredwell suited for int qsive farming. Although viSafiuingyoamhas aSi3�s Irating, the Stoxiedsisonly (gradeThe shallow depth (fess than 5 feet) of; the soil renders it suitable onlyfoz: limited y Nord loam .ted t pes of crops or or is ,assigned :to the SCS Class II category, with a composit°�" rating of 73 (g)rade 2) on the 5torie Index. The SCS/Stovi.e Index ratings for rodding clay loam is x`/16; This soil YP Y able fo: intensive agricultural. uses, type is not Very sunt Prime Agricultural Land Although many of the undeveloped lands surrounding Chico are suitable for agricultural uses, available evidence suggests the continued Vagricultural viability of all of these soi]s may need to be reassessed. The Soil Conservation Service his issued guidelines that define 'important farmlands" (see Appendix 3)i Important farmlands include the subcategories agricultural "prime'' l land, "unique`' farmland, additional farmland of "statewide importahct" and additional farmland of r►loeal import'anee"'. Any farmlands that may be converted g• anausestion of their pstudied by qualified from a ricultuxal to urban uses should be soducbive capab1l'ity professionals for determ' finder the Soil Conservation Service's criteria for important ,, farmlands. * phur factors ate t0hSidexed in the index rating-, g- (1) soal ' prefile, including depth; (2) texture of the surface layer; p' and () miscellaneous factor-, `siich as drainage, slo e . eontent of salts and alkali and erosion. Soils with grade 1, 80.100 ate best suitod for Intensive agricultural uses; grade 60 0-10; the least suited for farming, 3.5 Hydrology Surface Water. Several stream and drainage channels traverse the project area, generally fallowing ait east -west axis (see Figure 2), Butte Creek, a major year-round stream, flows through southeastern portions of the Project site. Little Chico Creek and Big Chico Creek flow through, the southern and northern sections of Chico, respectively, and ar& also permanent streams The Little 'Chico -Butte. Creek Diversion Canal, Lindo ' Channel: and diversion channel between. Sycamore and.Big, Chico Creeks all serve as flood control facilities for the two major streams flowing through central Chico,. Sycamore Creep and mud Creek, ;which have been channelized in the northorn Chico area, and Commanche Creek south of the project area, 'are intermittent streams' that function as drainage and irrigation channels. These diversion facilities are intended to provide flood protection for Chico and its environs, plows are typically below design standards Groundwater: Tile Ch co region is underlain Uy extensive grouri wiz' sources: Three zones of groundwater availability have been identified at various depths: A shallow aquifer. exists within the recent alluvial materials at varying depths up to 50 feet. Thissourcehas been and is still uti.litee as 'a source of domestic and irriga:tio ;water throughout Chico-, but, .3.8 unreliable due to seasonable fluctuations and sus ceptibility to surface conta.M nation. An intermediate ac{ui£er occurs at depths ranging from $0 to 450 feet in older alluvial depositsut `a�lized for mane y individual, dual:, domestic wells in the Chico re Yioh The Tuscan rormation'located at depth$ of 450 to 1200 Feet is the principle groundwater source for the entire Chico area. Community domestic taells of the California IVater Service Com - pang tap th sa deeper aquifers, csrhich riel.a 1,000 to 20.00 gallons per m%note, The recharge areas for these deeper Tuscan Pot mation aClW fers and the intermediate aquifers of several hundred feet are located in the outcrop areas east of Chico in the foothills. The aq',oifors 0,rerecharged £rem; numarous streams,, emphermeral tributaries on, d direct precipitation, 1' The ptimary streams that recharge the Tuscan are Butte Creek, Big Chico Creek, Little Chico 'Creeks, stud Creek, and Stock Creels, nfomatoninBuletin11,8-G, published by the CaliforniaDepartmentof Resources and U.S. Geological Surve states; fresh groundivater can be found iy n the Tuscan sands to depths of. 450 meters along water movement into east side of the Sacramento Valley. The (Tuscan) Formation acts as a conduit fo.r. ground the valley from the recharge areas in the Cascade Range foothills to the east..,, in the formation is confined under pressure byslayersnoflvater impermeable clay and tuff breccia. (page 22) Only in the area between Oroville and iced Bluff, along the northeast side of the galley, is subsurface xnfle from the Tuscan. pormation. Diose of this pxob'ably occurs io,t possible _ the Chico area, where the formation is composed of the most permeable materials. (page 83 6 Vegetation Ve eaand tiVixdlife: 3 V,-' Most of the open p sand in the project , Lesser area is ount -ie as ag�ca culture or disturbed gra;,sland. of riparian habitat exist along stream channels; foothillwoodlandvegetatiorx �.s east of Chico. found above the valley floor Originally, bunch grasses and forbs le y ss than three feet high occupied much of the open space 'n the northern Sacramento 'Valley., . Vernal pools were also abundant during, the rainy season. Most of this vegetation, however; has been replaced by- a variety of I annuals, or destroyed=by grazing, Urban development, or other a ricin ,lural activities. Many ibf, the animals inhabit ground dwellers. Several mammal pecieznaccur.; includinds ateg or the botta pocket gopher; California meadoir mouse anal Bauer`. 0 bird species have been identified in thy; project More thThe$Canadian goose, prarie falc area. killdeer, horned lark and mourning doveftarehcammonlydfoanc in these habitats: The foothill woodland zone, which 0Xtends from the edge of the valley floor to about 2,100 includes a large nirmber of deciduous trelevation, typically of oak;; buckeyes Calaifornia bay and "di' e Varibus kinds Numerous shrubs, such as the coffeeber -0 pine are common; red- bud and poison oak also grow ;in this habitatih.fanyone ate often densely vegetated, g r particularly on nortli� faciyg s�pes, Theprincipal mammal$ that occur in this habitat are gray s u rre g y �! l.; Hole deer , penyon mouse Common species of birds inc" _e� ''e ring' ledtisandgbidote. frx g �' ee be tlr d tax en eagle, rufour-sided towh lu y crowned sparrow. Cooperis�hawk gandstheewes�tern�blue�ird��ave' had declining populations, Riparian environments are dependent upon high water tablesare and are primarily associated with streams L11 the project cottonwood, Amend the common shrubs are area. Willows, cot.,cnwood sycamore..and vane oakare are dominant in'this enva anc grasses. In sparsely blackberry, poison 11 oak, wild grape g red fox and Tin tail are common. populated areas beaver, Deer, gray squirrel, the cottontail rabbit and deer mouse are also TO of riparian habitat. Many bird species, screech offal, downy woodpecker), such as the California a quai 1 b xshtit, house wren and red-shouldered hawk inhabit these stream areas. Throughout the Sacramento Valley riparian habitat is now Through is considered endangered. This condition no di:f£erent Butte Count , where Urbanian encroaclimentnts and}lcarelessave me fragile and ythrea farm practices pose the most serious threats to riparian g ion. p _plants Tants and wa_ldlife , alon with overuse for recreat 4 Plants. The following rre and/or er►dangexa ree axe �ri vn o occur in the following project areae 0�cuttiA reellei, elliae and S.a clalcea_ ro , .asta num er o Fol gonutri b a dw . oo s are also forme on aped�� each winter and verna P These goal axe,a:; suplaQt a varied and spring near Chico. dux .ngx, °Ire period abundant variety of unique plant like the rare and that high soil moisture is present, °*nclUdiA91 -p , �... 'a��"�...xYt� ccs, endangered 5 ecies Limn f1oc�;.os« 3.7 Acoustics: The principal SO Park � ` h�yise; ort ;+fir near aparke - sate are the result of vehxculai �: rte fa c "h Mi. li�tay Avenue , State „Highways 99 and ;4 , The SrVIlaV -�nA gains passi tg aver Sttuthexn Pacific Knd Sa",t&y;r"-I.,+e, Xnrthern Railroad* rxghto»ways; Secrnd a sour of ttc�ise, ate' generated by- agricuxtuxal • d ma:lufactux rig operations. ounty General plan identifies The Nozs Rem nt an the Butte C iTSt two artceptabl+-a noise levels for the County 6 ** Thi f ccptable noise benchmark indicates thatsa Md iounoaSem;aeenvironmentefor level of L,41140 dB poise indoor acta.vit es.OT outdoor functions backand nmunicationch, 'levels that exceed $0.55 dM interfere faith Spee The, Sacrame�;nto Ncrthorn Railroad is a low-speed train in Y area, most of alae project *A, Noiso is Mdasured in decibeldblmw i using eiequivalent 6Vels and nig (hdn) i or comtnunit noise equivalent ht level's -16— Based on "rule -of -thumb" guidelines, noise levels for variable spa©d roads 1g1th 5,000 to 2[� 000 �averae daily traffic (ADT) coulits, are 'shown below; "Ilig.., Speed" Roadways: Ldn - 70 dB within 100 feet of ( 5-55 MP11) roadway. Ldn - 65 dBbetween 100 and .200 feet of the roadway, Ldn, - 60 dB or less beyond 200 feet of the roadway. 1 Lotypxcall Roadways: Ldn - 65 dB within 100 feet of the y ) roadway, Ldn -' 60 dll less beyond 100 -,wr, feet of the roadway, Source: Butte County General plan. This data suggests that any activity located beyond 200 foot from the edge of roadway would LiXperience noise levels of Ldn-60 dB or less. The Midway', 'OroVillo-Chico Highway` and State Highway 99 aro considered high-speed roads in tihe project area. Similar:noise contours have be.en measured near railroad tracks that lie within tile project area. '' Noise readings fox the Southern Pacific Railroad line are displayed belov., RAILROAD NOzsh ONTOURS* CLewel Grade 5 i * Based on measuements recorded near the Southern Pacific mainlifto in butte County. �17W Noise levels near passing trains are slightly higher (75 dBA) within 100 feet of the tracks than these recorded at the same distance from high speed highways (70 dBA) . Activities must, be located 800 feet or mote from tracks,' however, before noise levels decline to 60 dBA. In summary, the County Noise Element concludes "'There have been few noise complaints in the County and most of these involve in -cite noise problems-. The unin- corporated areas of the County generally have low noise levels and most of the noise producing activities (motor- cycle tracks,_ gravel -crushing operations; etc.) are sufficiently remote from populated areas to cause few complaints. There are very few persons exposed to noise levels above an Ldn of 60 d -B in the unincorporated areas of the County. Railroads, high-speed highways, industries, and airports' currently affect few residential areas or other sensitive receptors." . (page IV -2,2) An exception to this ,general charaotevization of conditions occurs in the northeast portion of the project area inhere Southern PAcific lines pass near the U. 8. plant, Introduction Gardens 3.8 liis:ualg. -The visual quali tyMuh o f they 1,-�nr� under consideeatly of the ro=ect site varies r t rou out the s.% to area, ration is planted in orchards or crops, and is x�ara.'1 in chsacter. Lowdensity residential housing, as well as 'commercial a, d light industrial facilities, also e)tist' over much of theproject site. The Chico Tree xmproventent Centerr operated by the 'U.S porest Service, and Btwell park,provide two excellent park environments in the, site area. Views toward the hills and n the east buttes ' t are panoramic where,, vita corridors exist. ` �e 3.0 Land Use. There are a variety of land uses present throughout t site. A)tliough co, nmercaal and industrial activities are concentrated in central sections of Chico, they are also scattered among other uses in outlying urbanareas. txten,sivo strip caminerci.al enterprises e,cist along lark Avenue, Midway,, the Esplanade, Cohasset R6ad and to a losser extent, Highway 32 West. y1 General Plan: Land Use Map The current General Plaft designates more than 8A,, of the 1b, 875* acres in the project site "Low Density Residential"' (1-4 dwelling units per gross ac:;e) and IW dram Density ResidentiaV' (5-8 units per gross acre), Approximately 3,555acres (33%) of the project site are proposed for agricultural. use- another 3, 090 a.-res (37t) would be converted to Low Vchsity Residential and 2 317 acres would be reserved for Agricultural-nesicdcntial� use, These three proposed land i ) classifications account for more than 90 percent of 'al.l acreage iri the project _site. The,accord ngsto thndtext of the Line" which, p p P y shows "' Flan, "defines the outer edge of all urban development". Oji.May 6, 1980 the City Council adopted Resolution No, 140 79-80, establish- ing the "Green 'Line'' at the location shown on the proposed Cawity General Plan revision for the Chico area (see Figure 2). The resolution specifically ekempted projects tvithi!, the area that were being processed, recogniting them will be adopted as a as viable piojects. Precise designations in these areas p ' result of their respective hearings The South Chico Ceneral. Plan Aimendoert and Rezone, are exempted from the resolution until the project 'is com- meted Relocation of the urban boundary ( Green Line ) y be -deli Gable upon completion of the project.' The City of Chico -Arid Butte County have cooperated 'in eftorts to revise their respective land use maps for tie Cla co area. The final revision of this area depends' in part, upon the information provided', in. the present document. For this reason, current; or. proposed land' use mtip;j for the Chico area should be eomsidered tentative un j.1 these projects and any revision., are approved by local, decision-makers. * Dbds not include the 'areas cont'airred', within the Chico Airport Rezone and ,south Chico project si tos Y i General Plan: Policies and Goals Appendix 1 presents selected sections of the Land Use Element in the County General Plan that describe the County's concerns and policies: As noted in the' General Plan text, ''because... desires for, the future are so numerous, diverse and idealistic, some conflicts "between policies are unavoidable and to be expected. No one policy by itself should always determine County action; decision-makers must coiisidex all adopted policies which are relevant to a particular situation. The continual interpretation and application of policy statements to individual situations will frequently result in compromises reflecting balances and priorities among conflicting policies." The prolex pos1. ed General Plan revision for the Chico area involves com,. , y invoke,con- flicting on- £l�.ct;�n xCountyt�pol�i�:xes,nated above may also P g There are at L_st three primary planning issues related,to the proposed project, They involve: (1) preservation of productive agricultural land; (2) development of similar and/ or compatible land uses in, Pro to one ariotherti and (3) pro provision of a diverse style and economic range of Housing. - tach of these issues is discussed in the following paragraphs. The General; Plan notes the importance of agriculture to the economic base of Butte County: The Plan also observes that '' esidential and commercial devel9pment in commercial crop r areas creates conflicts with rerttuin agricultural activities g;by crop land' and induces, tax pressures and conversion of nevi landsalso results Y.n ermaneltnrestAat,1ons in agricultural uses a p the.. pcitential fo'r crop production.1' 11hero`tile County is unable to maintain It land in agricultural production,; the General Plan recommends deivelopment on "least productive" soils, and rural residential development "as a buffer between urban de�relopment and intensive crop land". The extent of those buffer areas; their spatial, c.+�nfi uration ailed tlyeix size, is not described in the Plan. The above Genetal Pian goals and policies reflect an overall purpose to 'l servo commercial agricultural land in the County, to minimIzc its loss where conversion appears unavoidable; and to reduce conflicts betwoon pXpanding urban uses of former crop land in pv�oximity to e i,st3.ng agricultural activities rt�6 In another section of the General Plan the purpose for separating land uses is discussed, The Plan explains that "land use categories combine similar and compatible activities into groups with differing needs for location and space,.., The various location and space requirements of land uses can only be satisfied by separating uses into categories and attempting to provide suitable sites for each category." The general goals here are to meet the unique requirements of each land use activity, and reduce potential conflicts among land uses in proximity to, oneanother. Where incompatible land uses appear to �e developing near each other, the Plan recommends the adoption of measures that would mitigate 'po- tential;, conflicts. The preferred,goal, hoWeVex_, is to sufficiently separate ;incompa'tible, land uses, to the extent that their activities: will not intrude upon one another. The County recognizes the need for a satisfactory supply and variety of housing for its residents, The General Plan' postulatds that "satisfaction af'iaausing needs are dependent on balancing housing supply and demand.,.. The County can best assist the housing market by assuring enough suitable space "; for new housing ronstxuctaon In other sections the Plan suggests that preservation of existing housing through main-` tenance and rehabilitation programs is also necessary to meet housing needs. The availabili"y of affordable housing has generally not been a problem fox-%aunty=residents. A'variety of styles sizes and price xahges may be found throughout the County... The cost of housing i:s generally higher in tied urban areas of the County., In ,accordance with t.ho relatod goals of agricultural preservation and on.orgy conservation,` the County recommends that Hely housing construction occur Within defined it vban areas. Zoning The profOct site is now zoned for a variety of uses, ranging cnmorcial and industrial to residential and agricultural uses Many of the proposed land use desighation changes will conform to existing zones'; other areas may :require r'ozon ng in o�cde-r to conform to revised General"'Plan classifications. 1 I LIO Circulation, State Highway 90 is the main north-south traftic artery through, the, Chi,c'o urban area, Stats highway trdVOlingr east and west .from Chico, and the Skyway, leading; eastp y . T from south Chaco are other hamar corridors, The Midway; a main access route into. south Chi.ca; and the PCsplanade p�t'�-allellag Highway 99 north of Chz.co are soca, routes - t V.ding access to the project aroa Tahlo 4 identifies traffic volumes for the roads, Le Vel of serve° p yr �, standards are dzs la ed in Tables �,7and 8; 3.11 Public ,Services Fie Protection., Fire prctettion for the Chido area is —:._., provi%e-by the ualifornia D-Oartmert of Forestry/Butte County Fire Department and City of � hico Fire Department, California Department of Forestry/Butte County Fire De- partment units that would respond to fire emergencies include engines from the .word, north Chico y , Chico and Durham stations. Response times would range from 5 to. 12 minutes, with Most times takii« four to six minutes in the urban area. The combined capabilities of these units would enable fire stations to field from one to five engines, '�$�.A salvage truck, one tanker and 2 to 17 regular personnel. f'he number 'of p6ttonne'1 and equipmerit units respunding, would depend on the type!, size and location of the Ali additionai 17 volunteer personnel are attached to the north Chico station and 16 with the Durham Unit. Police 'Protection. The Chico urbtcv area is served by the "xI sDepartment from a sui,stz.Llon located near central Chkco on Bast Park ,Avenue, aritl ,by the City. of Chico Police llepartmen.t. Currently thY"ee sorgeants and 14 deputies P-rovide, field service from the County substation. One depay is also assigned to the Derham area. Six marked patrol cars, one plain unit and two semi plain un'its� also , operate in the Chico vicinity, -e tif one drf The �ptttyfperD1 000mpersonsr ft themfield�nsT�ie� ioaI of e�y y the Department is to reduce this tit 7.0 to one F 1,000. The County's 1J80-81 fiscal budget includc,s ap° rrvtatl6fts fox' augmenting the Sheri f -P s field �° "$Onnol.. An est ima�:ed " deputies , ; C rea b�Y xthe� hand of11981,Thiswouldres.Itr in 0. ratio oicd"t ppp oxiw mately one deputy per 1,300 person: in the 4*Ie,l�'=i The Chaco substation would also receive anothr, two p itv, :frs w Mater.. !Vater to proyeut a oa res�dottt:s is patrt�ia.,tly �aupplied TY -6m gw ',tindwati.r reservOs 'by the d Llin 'bf inda.v04dal wells. Many 61 those wells are at depth, of ` 50` to 100 loet � Water with bo-'tardrinking quali't os, )iowevot.f lies at u depth of 480 fee°4 in the Tusean Forlmation. A greater nutlber of resin' dents it the Chico urban arrea receirte potable W ter 'from Califothia Water Sorvi ce Company,This supplier"now operates 5.9 deep wells in its :disttict;, and serves apprO)dffl .tdl- 11,100 single family resi<dtnces. California Nater Serviee Company records also show another 210' connections for Multi family units (since a certain 'number of these buildings possess master meters, the actual number of individ!Ual units served ;it actually higher) Selvage Dis oral+ Residents who live within the Chico urban area are primarily served by sewer assessment districts, or the City of Chico,. Persons who reside in lt' around Chico frequent nxncorporated areas ly rely upon individual septic - leach - field systems, The sewage treatment plant that five million ga"serves the Chico area has a design capacity that would enable it to treat five 4ris pex da currently amounts to slightlyCmore•than es0 percentatment of of capaci.t . Soliid Waste Di's osal. The disposal of solid waste is accomp-? is e-1y'vate oolong companies, or by individual residents Trash 'is also burned o'lt individual lets; dumped on public Property hSolid waste than: is sanitary landfill on Neal Road„ Highway 99. Slightlynortheastnoxtheastauled to' the uofyState Dlectricit and' Natural Gas. Electric power incl natural as is avaa IT, e�' o resp. end xn t11e Gas and Electric Com an project area from Pacific near Chico that Company. r S has facilities located in or provide these, serv�,ces, Telephone,'e`lep}lone service is available to xesi dents in t i project area from, pacific Telephone Telephone polo exist ori site properties nr on lands adjacent; to Chelines S ate, project Health Cate. The Chico, area is served by two-- largo emery; racy me-Tica � y co Cotllritwtx t Memorial Hospital is hi acSbtCvhsssettaad. lin : - located at loeemorxal, liosp til. Zs located, at the corner o E ti'�est p' Response timet, .t:or emergency ambulanceeservire tvhe” Es�xp`nnnede, fro* 'l to 1 m1rlUt�s throgghput the area. 12ec�'Ca 011 RecreetiOtt is provided by the China Cit �a an ecr ae taiall District, hictvell Park Y parks large parlc �xtld: open spaee area for, localxresidents topen�ally. Schools. The student poiUla.tion an fire pxo�ec area i' ivy' ,'�Y `I..�'icmeritary sc} ools, ttva junior high sch6Ols i tr1 �t;roexvecl seriio- high schools+ are shown in `fable 14, Ct�rX'ent school enrollments axld capacities` * A third s'chaal, l;airviewj provides ; continuing eaucat bti program, r Archae6l24L. The project ,area is located in a region which was once inhatixted by ;the Maidu. Yahi and Winton Indian tribes. These tribes occupied the eastern Sacramento Valley floor and western foothills of the Sierra Nevada and southern Cascade ranges ou h much of the ro osed site has n Although water coursesPinpt}�e are of been surveyed, several r are rated as haV�ng; moderate to high levels of archaeological sensiti,,-ity, These stream channels would include,sections along Mud Creek; the Lindo Channel, :Big Chico Creek Littie Chico Creek, Cvranche Creek and Butte Creek. Places �o,f local, state or national, historical _ scatatere d throughout the Chico area, interest are also. ,All development sites in the vicinity of historical or axchae- ologically sensitive areas shOuld be examined by a professional ar ao- tionseo,foghntland. rio.r to any construction activity, or Altera. 4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AN)) MITTGATIou XMA�qU}tES Individual, and cumulative impacts that are potentiallyAdvo m p adverse, pct mitigations to those impacts, are dscusse `d` belo�vo General Plan amendments are ;not normally mitigable;� except In the zoning ordinances, bym moded ify* enforcing restrictions Gnd can be ccs, orb a r _y m da f: �n Where use of the 1• patterns. Haire_ver,--based qn y g land use ,or density proposed land use classiicatians} pacts to maximum intens.�.tzes are posited; potential l p e identiiod .. acts from tees evaluated: dnveiopmen.t3 axe subsequently 4.1,. Potential tldvevse Si' nifcant and HYti anon Meas u re s Drama e plood Conti ontroe .��tet', major creeks* that pas a1� ,.1nce th t roug7�,� --area are program, the flood hazard t}Ireat to�edevelopmentson management channels i not serious � near these would Occur 'where dwel �,ingsna��u��1�o�xistt���csir�ge�Ixeral cant tion the creek bank g p by edge of of i}ousing, and Urbana beVelopmeat����tdeveln developeddyb the Tlepartmd. ertt zones exist along sections of :ill these crooks l (see�App�ndi� 4 , Any ivestfede construction or acquisition of land within these zones that receives fedo gal indnc1 assast�tnce would rewire flood. insurance. * Little Chico Creek, Chico Creek a td Sycama;r /NjUd Crae �c i Four drainage districts (County Service Areas No. 22, 2130 24 and 25), currently serve the Chico vicinity. m actact l: Development of residential,commercial and industrial of parcels within the project site .will increase storm run off, causing minor flooding in some .areas, and exacerbating existing drainage problems in other locations: Mitigatiofts4. Conform to City, and County urban improvement st rs- 4here applicable; formnew ew drainage districts, car join existing ones whete size of development and/or ;storm impacts exceed the drainage carrying capacity of the land. A drainage study, of target areas would normally precede the for- mation of a district, or extension of an existing one. Impact 2: Development of 'property, along creek banks will ex- pose persons and property to potential hazards frOm boding during the rainy season. "Impact Residences in stream channel flood plains,' wou'id ,be -xp to flood Hazards from 300 year storms. Mitigations: Observe City and County recommendations and re- quirements for setbacks from stream and drainage channels; design site and structures to reduce impacts 'from flood cone ditions. Avold development that would erode stream banks, weaken levees or earthen rums, Avoid construction of permanent dwellings in identified flood plains where no f -food. control measures exist for stream` channelthat cross through or near that plain. Add compact fill and'' raise foundations to'a level above a 500 -year flood elei+atian Surface. tVater/tipari an ttaba tai streamChico Creek, iii Chico Creek„ isthelagegest, perm{�nent Mg p J g r. in t e ro'ect area retaining, a lar.` portion bf its habitat, even irtz the urban. environs. The water qualityof Big Chico Creek is considered excellent. The Kidwell City Park area; which occupies a. majority of the upstream area within the Chico Urban Area, has no heavy disiclaa.rge of subw stances or drabia,ge runoff: to its surface wtater, and summer discharges are not allowed, Though storm drainage is currently directed into tiie creek in the pant, there has Been, no indi- cation of water quality problems associated with this drainage. urban , ,Mutants nay be flushed byth��. �)ruject facilities into Big"Chico Creek along with storm 14'1ter a scharges, collected E)y runoffs waters entering th'e drainage system after flowing along streets within the district. A variety of pollutants could eventually be discharged into the creek, including: oils, paint residues, pesticides and fertilizers fom dome garden use, sediment, rubber and asbestos particles, nitrates, phosphatos, and ether urban chemicals (primarily y Significant pollution effects'on Big Chico Creek, or other similar surface water bodies, from general urban drainage has not been found, primarily as a result of wide dispersal of pollutant components on the land and the dilution effect upon. discharge into the water flow. Any runoffdischarges from the land produces concentrated drainage flow, diluting the limited quantity of pollutants. Once this drainage _enters Big Chico Creek further dilution occurs. Therefore, in a typical period of discharge, pollutant concentrations gen ally are low. Point source discharges and th'� resultant pollutant concoatrations,are of greater concern than is general urban runoff. The California Regional Water Quality Control Board believes that no large-scale or gross pollution impacts are likely to result from urban drainage discharges, into the creek, assuming typical residential and commercial urban developments on the distre.ct lands, rather than intensive industrial uses or other, uses capable ' tai" generating concen- trated contaminants. The primary time during which general urban drainage contami pants are a concern is during the first storms of the autumn seasonafter the dry summer period and during any summer stomps, due to the build up of oil and other surface deposits and residues collecting on streets and lands in the drainage. basin system and because of low volumes o£ natural runoff. During these first periods of runoff generation, the initial conedn- periods 'when: contaminant concentrations arer thag these ns of contaminants are higher than usual. tratiaY►igher than:;usua�, p an adve-se Impact on water quality` is potential Discharge y ish and other,aquatic organisms of solids and sediment ma k.xll f by clogging gills and respiratory passages as well as blanketing the stream Bottom killing eggs, young, and food organisms, Storm_ drainage may contain high levels of B*Oil). which could depress t}te dissolved oxygen -con1. tent in stream water.., The Spillagol of petroleum products from vehicles will also cause waster quality degradation: Oily substances may adhere to the gills cif fi,'A and interfere with respiration as well as inters feting With he naturalprocess of qerationo and possible direct toxic action on fish: king Salmon utiliie Big Chico Creek fo,r migration and spawning purposes, depending on the a.tount of streamflorv: Fish p� ��u* lations ori;gi� Oto from the Sacramento River _ migrating into the trib.utciries when conditions are: dorrtact» Salmon and steelticad will be the most sensitive species to a.ny charges eft water qu laty. (Vater quality could potentially be de raaod (due to this development and cumulative urban drainage into the dr,'tk from all clevel,opmdnt Utilizing Big Chico Creek for drainage discharge) to the extent that migration might cease or the young salmon might not. survivor: This impact would likely only effect the autumn migration period since during the spring migration, streamflow usually is abundant, diluting contaminants and since concentrations of contaminants have not accumulated due to the winter -long runoff floes. The exact impact of urban drainage discharges into the creek is unknown since quantitative studies have not been conductbd The Regional Water Quality Control Board may periodically sample Big Chico Creek water, but they do not conduct routine monitoring. (The California Department of Water Resources conducts bi= Im act 5:' Urban activities in proximity to stream channels ten to ;reduce wildlife in the riparian habitat, frequently remove portions of the habitat, and reduce its capability to replenish destroyed or disturbed vegetation. Overuse or careless behavior in creek areas degrade the quality of riparian habitat; the presence of domestic animals is also a strong factor in the reduction of wildlife levels. impact b: Agricultural practices frequently contribute to the degradation of water quality and riparian habitat where cultivation occurs adjacent to the banks of stream channels. Storm runoffs that carry herbicides and pesticides pose toxic threats to„organic life in the streams, Vegetation removal and disposal ma.y increase erosion and sedimentation. Exotic plants mayalso 'be introduced into the riparian at Mitigations, Consult with the California Fish an Game DF- partmefitBefore developing (or, farming) laid adjacent to streams and riparian habitat to determine appropriate setback distances (the County should consider setback requirements for required; permits). The County should encourage the formation of drainage districts in urbanized areas that, wvhc-re feasible, drain runoff into drainage channels other than big and Little Chico Creeks. Tributary drainage channels should hat,-, filters and traps at the point of discharge into a major permanent channel to reduce or eliminate potential stream polutants-. The County should establish monitoring stations downstream from Chico's urban limits to determine and evaluate stator quality conditions. The City of Chico and County should jointly prepare a stream and riparian manage- ment plan -for, riig C}u.co Creek L and Lithe Chico CreepThe ee County and City of Chico should enforce and where appropriate, riate, vigorously support adherence to the tenets and on in the W 1well'Land Covenant for riparian, land dedicatedto the public. along' Big 'Chico Crook; Loss, of agricultural Land Tmpact 7 Approximately 26.0 acres of laird south of Chico are curiePlan dovdteo to agricultural uses. The proposed Ile s �: den t x a l,n deveiomenamendment Would reserve this area for Agricultural - p ttIxexeby en Go'tir, i,7�� i`cmoval of trio land from production. 'tai ti .,cation: Revise the tUttOnt proposal to conform to the ixo5et oath Chico General Ilan heap adopted by t?ie County Planning Commission. That Lancs t1se Map recommends an "Orchard and Field Crop” domigi a.tio l for this area. p the}lprloposed' projec'Pro Circulation. The Majorcd roads and t be �' include are a that would :imp 99 and 32 (Si�,hth and Ninth Streets izz Chico; State }}lghw ys Nord Avenue west of town ; The Esplanade, Midway and re roads for theme Skyway. and Average daily traffic (AI)T) • is :are shown in Table 4i arteria TABLE 4 TRAPPIC VQUINItS FOR $ELECT D STREETS AND ItIGHII YS Average ` Per EIourl Road IntersectionADT . Hi'ghwa`y 32 Meridian Raaf C 71600 430 10 Z00 Sacramento Ave. 575 100,000 G2 9;400 533 }3xaadti.t (east 9 100 a boutld. � - 536 Elroy. (east 4 700 bound) 2G6 1, X50 105 llumboldt Road 1,015 0 w o Iliour . ADT for 13utto ' aunty+ roads ando�itlll.at"ecor 55v aictxlatred K dcd t:rai�� L from tete follow, ; 'tAsum.t;;xotisr p 6 all S ,m.. 2016 of that amount Volume. `occurs betr�c,, iA a.m. in the Pea itaur l�t�t}+tee► a..�tt� a�tcl 8 a.m.; of traffic occurs an. Peak hour volus are surftracted 6 mo froth and. S p,m. and. fl the:totaX before Vis. t.in atin,g the avoV-1.90 .number of vehicles r 1 �' t l the S a`re: t�{) picas ly, greater per llottx= beak Hour �+oluttios �/ y than d-VCVa9,e. hourly vcii,olao's ♦ �... 42- i Average Road _ Intersection ADT Per Hour Highway 59 Skyway ;�. 15, 700 776 22,600 1 ':281 Junction .32 (north boundj' 16,900 958 Junction 32 (soutki bound) 27,000 1 530 1. First Avenue. 22,700 1,286, Keefer Road 7,300 414 - 7, 200 409 Midway Park Avenue 9s 400 533, titles 5,,350 303 Oro -Chico Iiwy 50,050 173 SkyWay Bridge over Butte Creek 111800 660 HoneyItun 90800 555 The Fiaplariade Ras t Avenue 21, �J0� 1;241 17,100 X69 r Baton 6,000 3J1 7,,00 414 l i Based on an av+ora'& of 1,1 trip Wilds per D/Uy Table 5 projects the increase !(average da;ly t,,-raj J for the project area :and Chico"5 1�,:ban environs TABLE 5 PROJECTED INCREASES IN 'TRAFPIC VOLU�JEs ica " Project Area urban Area Year 1i♦/U AIDT D/U ADT 1980 7 ,•"�9 8003,99 57,202 620,222 1985 8,833 97,823 690594 765,534 1Vn 90 10, Sri �) 11,9, q0 84,671 931, 381 1995 13Olt ()'I 144p793 103, 0.18 1, I.3:a,1n ;r i., y. 3 I LEVEL OF SERVICE STANDARDS* - FREEWAYS AND r. CPRES'SWAY5 WITH RESTRICTED ACCESS TABLE.. 6 Total Vehicles per Hour.4 Traffic Operating Lanes Flow Speed (both dire.ctions) A Free Flow <60 21800 B Stable Flow < S5 4';000 C Stable Flow x:`,50 4, 500 D A �roachinE Unstable Flow -40 6,480 E ' Unstable Plow 30-35 $g X00 TABLE 7 TWO LANE ROADS WITHOUT ACCESS COtJ"T!1tOL Vassin,B Sight Traffic Operating Distance 4 Lanes � Pic.m 0e,d 1 '500 feet s (bothdirections), A Free Flow X6'0 100 400 B Stable Flora 80 700 C Stable Flow 40 60 820 D Apptoachin Unstable Plow x!35 40 000 L Unstable blow 30 Dased on infotmation cobtained in the f1ighwa Capacit'y: hfant�a"1, 10uS, published by the HiBhwaylzesearcl 13nar 35. a Impact _ _8: Based upon projected increase in, traffic in the area, levels of service for sections of State Highway 320 The Esplanade and Skyway would decrease more than one service level standard by 1990. Several local access roads and streets that are currently substandard would also experience a steady decline in service levels from 1985 onv rd. New streets may, be required to serve areas that are now esseatial,ly undeveloped. Several intersections that are presently un- regulated may require either stop signs, or traffic signals. The scheduled re=routing of AMTRAK throu.g}t Chico and increase y r , 'n overall �.n tourism to the area may accelerate the increase x traffic volumes'. Mitis-_. t_ions: 3 Since a substantial portion vt c lico�,s popuilation 15 composed of students, and a large volume of persons commute to or from the Chico vicinity, futt.re transportation plans should incorporate increased opportunities for masstralftsit and multi-modal transportation systems. Such measures could' include park and ride facilities; improved bus facilities special lanes for buses; expanded bicycle lanes and paths �t.o in moped class cycles); bus racks and/or trailers for bicycles; and restricted car and t ruck access to doWntolkt areas. A joint county/c .ty, long; range transportation study would be useful to identify needs for new streets, street improvements and intersectI.nns requiring traffic regulation devices. Suc} a study co+.,la eventually forth the 'basis for a cost allot- cloli schedule for new developments that contribute to the need for 'problem uch developments i ta��helproa,d£nanceathempsol.utio�itfo the ntheyare expected to create. The potential use of an existing fixed; rail system for passengor conveyance might also 'be explored. Any abandoned rail corridors should be considered for use for other modes of tr4 vel. `threats to are and/or, En,aangered Plants, A variety of plant communatles exist throughout or near tTie project area that may support rare and/or endangered, species of plan's. (Refer to and/or rare �akrdoendangerctl p}.antss'joci tt commutrities ,= ated plwi zm act 9; Urban development w� th"n the project area may t Create:. e g ed t�.ants the existence of the taro atici endrn er 51dalced vobusta anti }1)ol,* - p that sct lord mnantltes , * occos�a lir-57nicavand s tte ed, pl �_.�.�'�` tl scattered stands of �'a eY a may a so` e t a;rcatene , 'vernal pools aro considered a fragile vegation area, contining catch and unusual fauna and flora, incic ding the tare grassxcu,tta a, LLefte IE i i r rs cF^k�l°l1 Ku � � `? '•. t - 1 tyi�iY,+ �!% � , �, � s a i w t a x ✓���� ► i' a . 1'.:a.� u it \l�Z 1 ♦ aJ V ti ." Ii • ` ,K,w,;• j ,.. t► es rt iiA 11 t Y 14 rr r rt, u ri �: i» Is Aws.- i ..».w. � 1CrP1 ...�iR•t"n .i. +. '". 1 i" ...Yw..,.a« »......w .. ..",+.rur ,. m".Y .N .... ��.. .,... �„„. w ..,5 .,w"+. ry+�n.w, .k• I� � � Ilt \'� P ,�' •i 1 C • � �: ♦#+ _... C"� \�Y' ..r4,". iM.+�e�Mr. *N'4.c C y R... ,s • .i- w.. �MeY. .N._e.nw-{I.-M. ry.. Na , ti i li ir..ii � �, fw ♦� � tt � " . C*. � � ri, of • to `.ti''� `� i I + �, \ �. � v" t l t ° + ' � e•'4' n � x fi x ° . , 01 n�..r.♦�--ixx•� hL.++'•:.. _7'+»:nhr 3l M�M1n.. ' ,. ,,,7.,,Y C ` k J'yr'�� i i I yr ATF.fY�.x�•++Y .y,.. Y+ t � a, i`° .i ix Y"Y� ` 1 " 1 i �f ww"�.�T Px u� � ' 1{ r► � IY � � , Y •"'"'S'•i `"\ kill 5r _� � � i � . ,/«+�Y" rf'� C � .�._w.«k:w.. t - - it � ..� y.• - ° � ✓ +[�� tt t• � �" 1- P ' •,.F! .` rill,/`... i . '�'�" ��. �.., � .,..«,..r w '`.1`.....,,w... '' -..• CRC:♦.ril, r. y )i r+i, t, .!%,��" � fr--� 'Pal ar�ryi' .wr°'° r, .. !! ; � r , Y►' » "i:i " i•, !► � ► �l w r .1n I r� .. ..ic'.._n_ ''1 •K.«a. •�:... .r,r,.n ,.ti 1. ^ i _ 44. e � v.7�,11 � ' . � mow.-•».` ...w..� .....,+'. «l.u��,'w' "— w:�..++a.... .,.«.-.a,�.yw.. ..:�.r. li. tl`1 `. nM , Y:°'�' Y �q� t i., � ■'j r a lii � ,,. `R Y P . •i 1' .y'gotkvdn l id eJ..L:La i h' . •! e. 4+;Grp' Com" - w Verna , r} t � 71 - INC n t I k Fri. rillaria plu i. it w Orcuttia: p11081q; OF p (v rig, IflG�it7.bt1 ni t +. `DA,�i��I�Z'D PLANTS , t yam. C n V'Iii*w,i71 the, H 1131 fi Miti Mations: Where known locations ofplant communities thatsupport rare and/or endangered plants exist; arrange fora botanical survey of the site by a qualified Professional' botanist 'prior to the initiation of any development. I£ rare and/or endangered plant species are discovered, consult botanist for specific measures necessary to preserve; plants. Protective measures may require a setback from the plant areas,, or adoption of protective fencin design, etc. t�., landscaping, revised site ,t ArchaeologySeveral known archaeological cal sYtesxis intxe iico vIcztity. Sincethe project site encompasses land where other potential sites may exist (eg. , along streambeds) further urban development may occur on or near the sites. Impact 11., Urban development within the Project area may cTJ,tuxi� existing or potential ;archaeological sates, or preclude rnvesiigation of sites. Mitigation., tefore development occurs on a. specific: building site a Professional archaeologist should be consulted. If -, necessary, a survc�a,! of the ptcporty should be conducted. Should be implemented according Protective measures .h�uln to xn- ves a gative recommendat:�ons , g 4.25nificant Adverse. Impacts that Cannot be Avoided if the _ ro j ctIsJ m_ I menta --� - boss of Ag''cu tural Land. From 150 to 200 acres. of agricultural amort i a v I 57—a n apprOxiMatelY 250 acres south of Chico . would be removed from production by the pro cased ' t iou;ia this amount of acreage ropresents only a sMallepercen`t, of land under Gultiration in the Ghico area commercial agri;cul- tre r the primary` industr in 13utte C ` Y ounty, which is dependent upon a fixed rosoured not easily 'restorer) afte urban uses, r conversion to 4*3 Adverse Im ;acts Not Like1 to be Si nfiCant or Flavin' Onl xm�. -ez . x, ni icance. t iat annot eydi e �. t �e ro ect s mp ement a.� S av a L1is' osaI A sewage treatment 1. capacxt�Jv million €1llons p int with a p °oce sing of the incorporated area of Ciziconer day (MCI)), tioiv Serves much Unincorporated areas may also obtain cCon sect ,oris to the sewer system throug}i asse`ssme'nt distrare ts1xnsthe City pofixCliieofor Severalocation of P�o� osed service ...y t ge I�taster I ark i Iesuhxco � plant typically treats 2; $ to 3 y in a re8d-tVe capacityof ,1 8 `ilte *ith to 2;4 �iGb. the oataactya of the plant is enlarged Periodically as demand incrdt es. ilio nisnd dor expat'.sion and schedule for The is norM,,Illy determined in �x 5 -year capitol improvements hlanti ittty op tHIC6 I+i 7 Master PIah Sat-vtco Areas Many new developmo,es, particularly residential ones in unincorporated areas, will rely on septic tank - leach field systeri;s for sewage disposal. Sufficient capacity exists to serve new users during the next five to seven years. Groundwater Quality. Water duality concerns relate to the potential accumulation of nitrates in groundwater from drainage through leach fields, and the prtential discharge of g pollutants and sediments into groundwater from 'urban runoff. The Butte County Environmental. Health Department, however, has recorded no significant buildup of nitrates in well samples, and with one exception*`, no significant measurement of ,any pollutant in Well water. Recent well samples yielde'd nitrate concen- trations of 3-5 ppm,; State standards allow up to 45 ppm for, safe levels, Since Chico expetiences a moderately long rainy season, the buildup of pollutants i,n soils is reduced by flushing action, wh16h eventually carries' storm runoff into drainage channels, and thereafter to the Sacramento }diver. Water duality should, ' i however, continue to be monitored by the County Environmental Health Department. Water Provision, Water O the project site is provided; by 'Individualwells and California Water Service Company, The company generally maintains an average of one well per 300 dwelling units. The number of wellsdurreiit - y -in-operation- 55. The company shows a total, of 14,500 service con- nections; 1,3,453 are recorded as active. California {Fateextr ewater li es and drills new wells according to the size and location of" ,demant, The usersv, shard of cyst fair 00tainin water, including the construction u" capital facilities, is g outlined in Rule 15 of the companyzs nolicy Appendix 5 procedtz%es (dee California Water Service Company anticipates problems in Thoetiitg no future user demand. '#Iclephono Sorvice. ncreinental`incrcasos kt tle'ntn}Ici for telephone service would not seriously reduce the local capa- bility of pacific `fele Nolle to , durisi the �' pro��.de ' adeq'uatc, serv;xce g coming years * A well; operated by California Water Service Company near Mgnzanita Avenue siit.wed, evIdenc,e of C,ollxforM when the Well, was .left inactil'te for a period, Min operated continuously, tza evidence of the bacteria, was dLstected: As a precautionary measure, the well is naw regularly ej'' orinatot, P VO 1 x Exposure to Natural Hazards. Some re.sadPnts would be exposed to rs 's T rom seismic, susidence and soil expansion hazards'. Risks posed by the latter two hazards are minimal, since occurrence of these geologic evQ ni.s has been rare in the I area. Conformance to local and state building safety codes satisfactorily mitigates nazar'ds from seismicity. Nene ;of the Within a Special Studies zone. site Iles. k Loss of Native IV. e'tation and Wildlife Nabi tat. Lxcl u rare p ants an riparia � ltat ver ding ` or. wildlife habitat remains on site. y t^native •Vegetation the project area has been impacted b Most of the and within p siisturbed by a'griculturIctiv.',,,iesy urban development, or Consumption of. Vehicle Fuel. Improved mileage rates on new ve ic es, expansion o ur air services distances > improvement of mass transitjnd�introdt�ccionvof altereduced rnative energy soaxrces (eg, i battery polve•red co Will reduce the overall, rate of :fuel consumptimms►.ter Gars) on. Total fuer Future. consumption will contanu`e to xncre�aso, I',4)Wever, it th,e near Gas and Elects cit The Pacific Gas and Blectric any projects no"Tc x' i•i silty with serving new residents in the Chico area ,during the next In years. Smaller utility companies generating hydroelectric power, may augment services rovided PIM. while PCt',ia May occasionally curtail, electric owe: through roYlitig "brown outs"; this reduction of capacity pri� marily derives from external robledsdevelopmc'ed with supply eine delivery off, operatingfuels ePdl sources) such as :nuclear, s.,tfuel o development of alternative . r solar plant ,e- t �'r►st Dis rsal The The County public iVorks ,'Department has ec t gat t e existing Sanitary: landfill servin Coutt gty residents will reach Capacitybetr+teen 1988 and IJJ� The oty ,un"S in the process of acquiring a new landfill site,, Which would have a design life of 25 to �i) ears, in popul��tion and urban development within the projrrct areaThe ease will marginally reduce the Cap, 40ty Of the exisiing And planned lands i.l.l � Solid waste. collection service is aVa� lal�le to Pro e ' ' donts from iiriva o ,h4ulors P J ct xi.s Tncam atil�tilit with, 11 Proposed -Conotal Plan. uses in he ounty enera an a Ti •co tenerdlpp an con forth With one a,notller for nearly all areas Under consideration (gee j Pi sire 1 - g ROpresenta'tives prom Dutte County and the ' City of Chico ointly worked worked together formulate sitriil�tr land use Proposals for the Chico urban environs, C for further information on joint C ty_CoUntyoaccord,Pend x 6 Lass of Marginal Agricultural Land and 'Urban Open Space. An estimate 4.,' ` res of� widevel,ope an are designated to 600 ac for urban uses under both the existing and proposed Land Use Plan. Much of this land exists adjacent to urbanized areas, and is used for marginal agricultural purposes (farming and grazing), or remains as non -arable open space. The vie'wsheds formed by these open spaces do not exist in unique geologic areas, and Bold no special significance for the Chico area, It should be noted that the proposed land uses would result in a net gain of more than 4,000 acres of Land assigned to the categories Orchard and Field Crops and Grazing and Open Land in. comparison to the existing Land Use Plan far the Chico area (see Table :,l) Balanced against the amount of open space and productive agricultural lands preserved by the proposed p'roect; conver- sion to urban uses of the 400 to 600 acres- ofunieveloped Land described above is not considered a significant resource lass Fire Protection The Butte County Fire Department does not anticipate the 'need for significant expansion to serve popula- tion tion growth in the Chico area,. Most of the growth in the project area will occur in locations having four to eight minute response times frott► e,xistirig fire stations. AM QU,ALIT'Y` - MOBI.tt SOUgCl: ItWS8ION8 Introduction. The analysis of air quality' impad-ts in this report is based upon data derived from a variety of local and state overnment sources. ` � � Three pr�nc�.pal emissio,is from mobile sources (vehicles) were analyzed. These include! g l gases (TOO), carbon monoxide(CO) and oxides of�nitrogen (NOXI) Other mobile emissions, such as sulfur dioxide (SOS) and lead (PB) are frequently not available in 'standard emissions reports, and 1'at►e therefore teen omitted from the pre. discuss on: For the arason data on susp e ded p arta.culates ndye not 'beensdede kothodolo_,y_, This analysisfoj.lb`Ws the methodology set fort n a?i"fn ri a Air Re9ources board tepa21t, "Procedures and Basis for Estimating an Road Motor Vehicle lirttissi.onst'' rIL080) ; The vehicle miles traveled (VMT) approach is used to'determifte total mobile source emissions which could result :from project itnpleme'tati,on, pactors involved in this approAch include L. total. project -generated velAvI.e miles traveled (1 DINT) and a composite emission factot (M -*-P) which is epresentat, of tate vehicular mix i'£ the ,area, ResUIts aro �n the form of avdrage daily emissions for TOG, CO and NOX. L 54: r Total vehicle miles traveled (ADVMT) is based upon the estimated (.f average daily trips (ADT) generated ., for each land u'category and average trip length (ATL) The estimate fo the average trip length in the Chico urban area is 3.23 miles. The average number of daily trips per househr,ld amounts to 11 An estimates. 7,309 dwelling units now exist within the project sites. Approximately 610,114 dwelling units exist in the County, Overall. population and housing growth estimatez are depicted in Table -7If the projected high annual ,applied to rafi.o` for $utte County (3. � 0 percent) * is. . d to the project site, then 13,153 dwelling units would be on the'groundby 1095. This amounts to approxi= mately 58 percent of the theoretical. holding capacity* for the project area under the proposed �1and use classifixcation,s For each dwelling unito the ADT (11) multiplied by ATL (3.23)' yields a WIT of 3$.55 miles per residence per day. This VMT multipl 6,d by thh total number of'dwel'lings in Ithe project site (minus` the 'vacancy rate) yields overall VMT (ADVMT), The ADVMT for countywide residences would also amount to 35.53 miles per residence per day. The ADVMT, multiplied by indi vidual CEp valw ; shown in Table 9 ; determines the 'amount y dentia). development in. a I;iven ducsd b resi ' of emissions 1;'V6 year. R TAB Lt 9 - CorJp4STTL! P$11881'0* PACT 0118 TABU 11 BXHAUST ) DMI$S.IONS IN 1985 Mons/days 'SABLE 13 1.X1,IAtj$T nmj8sTONS IN 1,99 (tons/day Impact: Based on projected growth rates, enrollments at two e Zmentary schools in 1955 will have exceeded their capacities; by 1990 five schools exceed capacity; and by 1995 the number exceeding capacity will have increased to seven.. Chico Junior High School and Pleasant Valley High School will reach capacity by 1990, New schools will eventually be required. Mitigations: (1) Relocate new student's to schools having more reserve capacity; (2) expand capacity of schools through building additions or enlargement of existing classrooms, : (3) require developer fees toward construction of new schools or acquisition of school sites (in Lieu dedication of land -is also appropriate here). Police Protection. Based on an optimal standard of one deputy per ,, popu aEton in the Chico area, the County Sheriff's Department would require 10-14 more deputies 'by 1995, Additional clerical staff and vehicles would also be required, Since a portion of the population increase in the project area will occur within.Chico's city limits, the number of deputies needed may be toward the lower end of the above range: The Sheriff's Department currently plans to add six, more deputies and two patrol cars in the Chico area within the next 12 to 18 months They will be assigned according to population location and crime hazard areas Aiitigation,___ No appropriate m tigation_suggested. Medical Services,. The project. area is served by Chico Community osPc.ta an :n `ce Hosp� ta'! . The former has 1.35 beds and averages 70 '.percont' occupancy, while the latter maintains 121 hods, k"t t ati average occupancy rate of'.85 percent. Enloe Hospital, howover, has inaugurated an expansion program that will increase its capacity to l50 beds: I3aed on standard hospital practiGes o 80 percent of capaeitj is considered fall occupancy. The hoed to isolate patients 1ti h communieable diseases, use of private grooms, room prepa- ration 'and mainten4rnce requirements remove almost gyp` percent of beds From sotvice during a given period; Since bath 1ospi ta15 receive patients from outside the Chico area, a direct per capita estimate of patients/population is not feasible Isere fir projecting future needs. The proposed pro `act will: invariably contribute to Patient populations it , bot hospitals.; though the margin of inevea.se is not known. k Enloe Elos . ita.l also o plans to increase its capabilities in several treatment areas, to an extent that will eventually qualify it as a regional medic.:l facility. Lor1 entail expansion to 6C1 beds ; develo, r1firrt of complete�cancer- Oncology and Cardiovascular centers, increased treatment Capac lty cr Szewborns and prenatal care; and expansion of neurological and advanced diagnostic facilities,. Mitigation:, N.) appropriate mitigation suggested. 4.5 Growth .Inducement. Expected p population increases and industrial growth wi t e y generate expansion in the commercial snxvice p , sector t to `� _t��th is expected compatible thiwitn citconomlan o urban most ere o s "f�'uence, in areas to occur within thr ClliCo urban s here of x'riru y d county general plan, designations, serious impacts induced by the proposed proyect have been'di cussed in a gerexal mannex in this doCi.;,nent, The construct°ior Of i large-scale co project:, such as a regiontrl shopping center., or industrial cO�tplex, would require further assessmont .for potential impacts. TIME LA RI I'ETIEN iONMIP BMLOCAL S c n � • ,� IiOItT "i'FRM USIaS OF Mt�.N' A l+i7CYN�M,VRO.� L i1��3Ii1JZ'�!t ^t nce -large amdunts Of at~rea„go are proposed for agricultural o � �� �e in the Generali PZ�.� amenamen.t_ much of� the. -economic_ produc- t . vi.t a within the , cry ect area x5 assured, �iO�t of the pro - Posed land, use designations v�ill � t-esul.t iIi generally perMane.nt R end residen`Lia?, development within chico�SS Ui annenvirons, From 35U to 450 acres Of agricultural ;land. would be removed Itom production , and cdnVrxted to urban uses (primarily residential),The Continued development of land for urban ptx,ipOse8 near farm and grazing land result infuxt ter conversionOf a ricultural l;t.nijs in the future:. Urban dovelopitent°: near or in riparian habitat in the project dudin plant anti wildli e ecso spoci al, on ironmbnts, re- p urtyer c{r. r�}e species, unless Liana ement controls rols axea ui�tt c f tie implemented, Urban storm rurtOff is an important factor here in: the Potential dog adartzOlt of stt(�aft r{ua.l.aty. 6.0 ANY SIGiVIFICANT IRREVERSIBLE ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES WHICHWi=_T3 i" ; - I . R ,�- .N,E L PLAN AMEND. TTLD`_1 T BE -MP=' Approximately 350 to 450 acres of agricultural land would be permanently lost to urban land uses. Certain sections of ri.pa 1 an habitat =lung Big Chcu Creek acid Tittle Chico Creek would iso suffer .' °om urban encrroa4 ..hment. The rural character of several outlying; areas near Chico's urban boundaries would also acquire more urban attributes with land reserved for fewer agricolturally,related actin ties. 7.0 .ALTERNATIVES TO THEPROPOSED PROJECT ].. No Pro•ect Alternative. This alternative would leave tie et�stn:� Court:tr�.eral Plan unchanged for, the project area. The o-nisting Land Use Plan would result in the conversion oi several: hundred acres of 'agricultural land to residential and industrial uses; generation of large, volumes of traffic, with aroompanying; declines in air quality ,and levels of road service, a greater urban en-, croachment on riparian 11abi.tat, and an increase it urban sprawl. Vol these reasoays, the No Project altere'ativo is not a viable option to the proposed project. 2 Inclusion .of South Chico Proposal. The Butte County Iiannang; Commission, has approved, with modification, the proposed Genoral. Pl.aft- amendment for :land south of Chico, This proposal, would preserve app.ro.xi,matply, '350 acres of orchard and :field crop: under_an agricultural cl,assifica- tion= In the current project proposal for the geriexal Chico area, about 250 acVo's of agricultural lana nos a proposed Agr cul'titraal.-Residential use. If the current proposal were modified to incorporate the South Chico proposal, as roc- itmenued by the Planning Commission,, nearly 250 acres of 11P ria1ltural land Would remain under cul.l;i.va ion. 3."', UY°1;s7�n bev�ilo mr.nt Within the Shasta. (Union Draa` re 0 :�s` ss" ritixt' ►astr t `CI;? , ;14 LI Artoption of . A17,t Certait', propertic s wI , ii the S.U.I).A.lS. lie in "an area desi n4{tecl Orchard arnc� Paeld Crops in the proposed (enoral 1)lan amendment. At least one property, owner, Michael " i. �vlto Clirrei�tly cultivates g r acnes of 1Knd under r iat , a l ill im:.ori Act' Agreement, wishes to wit4c1raw from that contract, and apply fora T.�sllttential desigrtation* Although draina s districts are frequently formed to serve prospective urba"n, deve"lopmont's► 8.U.U.A41). was primarily formed to serve � XpeCted runoff from State F#i ghway 99 doelapinerit�, Drainage ir�t:�ro°tre�menr were origii�,lill;y ado signed to protect farm Soils ftoia erosion and .flooding. •0 ®®. n_ ._ —_ _. \ .a. III. COUNTY CONOERNS ATID POLICIES A. PURPOSE AIM APPLICATION - t When an anal.ysi,j and 2tnde istand inr, of the " Levnlopment Setting" section, especially tha information on recent growth and trends, is comlined with a gflneral. raga°0, for the health sad"ctay .and welt,ax r c ' 3uttc Coun°�y's t'.�..t1jr(_� Jw C] clent;s, rurtber ofmore specific concerns ma ,The many soca.aJ,, f,:�onom c and gore nmontal subjects of cOncerrl Witrhin the scope and the Lana IJse Element are, frit"quontl.y Vetived as debatable pbints or perplexing questicatir,. Thea ircitk"llb of thissis p er+ Mt«r ar5t raa Cicant p rabl emsa-adisues in clear nndconcisr form The idOntif ication o.f roach Iand usG nnue 4a imme-diat;ely followed by . a statement of the County' .3 adopted policies on thn,t; subject. In this context' "',obi. is i es" are Official :i decl.aziations oX ovornment's rules and aoLir cos of action based upon its anal.; sis Ot the lsr uos d, '. acihe materialini;ere: is o the Citic nt,gY. 1 01 icy stat;e�mr n,ts serve as guides for consistent and IOSi MI dt,�c.i Oi,on-makiatr a;nd, to- gether function as an ir),di.c:_qtov cif' r .1 arlO Pri oritics,' a vision of the Suture, dovic,()e fiat a. tt.o����,v�rYzamr�r�tal coordination, and ra irit.a�x7xArzt t.�aci rli s•- cussionn The �tTXoctivoriens a°�" thi's e -le 'ont r1c��acrrd:� lax;�e- ly on thy: public c utaclerstatad rt,$ tir%:cia acceptance and r0pau .ar use OT these adopted' atatemon°t: Ube� ca C' County, 1»l iC x r;s, on land The policies ars: ,stated as incompl of o notztt`.ncos whieh. should be t hough'"� of Sao li(AriB' prOcerltsCl by "The Gaunter should In Iny��/i��khit"7�cyas,rl.�i"�sy�hould" fy�r;�c/�yjh��r;�yyap,} Ie}l``ni.tc prt:fovence fa a ti. o ��;y+Fn x eal)L XWO, 001.1la"N.- oj, Gwcian o developmant pattarn, I10wever lwrcauog Out, desi vosc for the Allure ars set jautttorOU,,t, divorso and ideall-stle, ,tonic conflicts betwoaia iJ�,.I:i��S.t;�; ��"� tXt7t�V��.K��tJ.i.E« tat+d�;. LO Ox_ peotcd. No one p,i�llay by'it;aCl ilio lf'). al.w`�'yn (If.,.�,s�'.tft�.ne County �` 1n dt"w' t; .t') �-Jil t '; 1Til�w;'t f t?ll�;�;i!»i�,Qll� 4 i. �� C'� i' �aC1 policies, C M,, art) a,oJ wrrttt; to n p€ vtj1,11TII. til �t«°iail, The continual ,i.nt(«rprtt t nt,a.oil (111(1, t117M.-I, i ���tit, t O -a of Po J k"'y sta.tctl('M'tn to 1ttct°i.vicival, t ;t l"wa�t�Ioll"I i w u' °i t rt,quon,'I�1y 1,(,,,.. oul.t In com rti.,.rlell tlt�r„(looIt,irar, 1,Al"i�lyWc f 4it.d l)vLot�it�i�� p ` ' t1 among cdnfl i , nr pctl'i:ol ,, u p C RESOURCE Mkr3AGEMM+IT 1. x1> ricultural and Crop hand: Almoot 2 e, of the County's land, mostly i.rrit;ated sitor, z on good soilin the valley and low footahil_ln, was devoted to orchards :and rield crops in 1977*' Crop production Front this, land, wan VIRILIed wrt over 120,000,000 A44 provided an avarrago ?.W6 of the wap;(!-drid--sglary employ- ment in the 0ouxtty in 19'%',x. Tbo importance of ragr;i milture in, the local economy is further e evidenced rand enhanced by, the tremendous public inve st .,-xi-Itt in advino:r:y . aervicee, irrigation, systems, drainage facilities and rural roads. Residential and commercial devLti opment in oothlnorc ial crop areas creates conflict's with certain agrio:ul,tural aetivitios and; induces , tax pressurc;s and conversion )f nearby crop land to non= agricul°turd. u8cs. Urban growth into agricultural lands 'also renults , n permanent Postrict;ion a in tho ,,potential for croproduct iot°>n. To 'coutttnr this, (rt ricul Lural zoning: has been used extensivol.y in the lnoro rural parto %)Ii' the county. This l osr. d3v l.donti cll.ono, to 14ho tivb an arnins` wi, cro. over the yervvs and off'ic:l'.kt°1 nctiong ha•vi: t:ekc,n ixlrlcO ,ghicht ha.n rnado tlf1,'ac;tllt�it_^cid ��,�yxtt at> i.tn �7�rlc�t� r,`�1:, unwipo ,;sand` at bimen an undue t inancAtil. burdon iipon ir°4dividtval, cifizons. dol Nil ritaill a ricul�ti fs• ural c:t'ol) on as r,. m:ajer .source of food, erllial.oytnont; and f ttcorti . b. Retain in on at;'r iculta �l on. tho 6a.ad U.;'o Map areas whore location; nrtd '1sabe;r ti�lt3ilasal3i. lt;y lrtx.ako I mul w(;Q 1, Simi l;nd -to orchard rand Tiold. crop U501 V111111,C! t'm- av on whov, uin ado rrcrwt,'`. � tm�titr ka�1> `a�dotiaroa.�ts CAta . if�7 k 1`1C uti into �=�L.icu1.lY1.ral arens "In.�.t�' YY� oro PtInt, o�.��+.�wo.�'al ac— tiom havo Vlannod areas for dovol opmn kt. df Allow, a wido r anty� of tier o cul. t;uI'nI ws1d Yi ace= r=y at~'oo,", sory us'es, t'� 4i1. rtiw Z:x'oplt�'odtict I'oll niciar. d, Maintain mitlifnum li7x'C' ?tk i C1 C1(F `Ya�if? 11 ' ngri t,'ul t�ur°al grows by t'o",1owi.tlt; rca�cllartFkltrc�sa..v�p �ctrtinC� princ�kpips . Vklc� r n ,e ui-ban e7aii..htt7wavtit,}1EtGEstprJltotive .f. Allow rural l'osidenti t.d. dovol.zsl,rtlf, rlt An I bu.��f yr 'bno- W(w On ur Mbit dovo lojlr�yont and hltgortr;iva prop l,tattd q 2. • Gra � O . y'. zany; sand; About 28% of the Colrnty is used at least of the gear for 'gra,zin cattle, sheep,part' , stock on nater%I vegetatiOn which varesobysseasontand"ele-� ' vat on. Consequently, livestock which graze i.�x the valley and low foothill areas in the winter are i'requ4ntly moved t o cause tpasture on timberland and other mountain az-ens. summer he per M a . Be- p production and Value of grazing land „ s low relative to other uses, it is usually susceptible to development pressures if othor �;re7he ui exist. :An additional 1 of Count I sites for development irrigated y Zane. is developed as g pasture., a much, more intense and productive type of livestock opera'tiot. a. Maintain extensive areas XO:0 pxiimaxy use as live- w stack grazing hand. b. Allow livestock grazing o.Yi all suitable sites not 4 needed for de�relopment or crop production. c. prevent sca'ttoved development in grazing areas. d. Discourage irvittation of grazi �,q landwith poor drainage or which bas a high r sXc , of mosquito pro- du'e ti on. e. Retain in a Grazijig--Open "Land category areas on the Land Use Map where location and natural conditions make lands well ;juitcd for grazxtag ia�id5 while con- si.derilx " far non— ratan M„ l use area, where urban ea croachment has made r�ro whore past off .,,,,L K 4 d. .L!Ri dcw.re.Lopment 3.Timber Bar>d . The extena:i Ve pane and fir fotest3 in the aged,afor the most parltr by e County are o�aied' and -man y th Forast Sexvi e or by SOVeral large timber companies. Muth of the timber is Processed iii large mills in. 4r0ville and Chiao•, The tams-» facturing of IuMber and wood products accounts foo aboutt ,'cy g y employment y of the wa a-arid sal.ar - �cm to - en.t it t., shy, sham of basic income to the Countyl�econo my. ahT ,nbdr-l' land t�lso has signif- icant 'value for wildlife habitat ae, creation and watox hed protection. poll,dwin;g� tyle provisions Of the �1tIhe �'ores�� Taxation. l�oform Act thy: County placed most er the best Taxation tim'borland in a restrictive '!Timberland preserve Z011e". This zoning reduces proporty, taxes and thus anoauragos longer range manage Gent policies. Poli a. Lima.t the use of timberland to forestry activities and compstil,le: txses. b Encourage "Tilaberland proserve zoning ,for all suitable sitob: dc . Encourage 111 arwiga1a meintain IongLterm produotiv "mrlie a3mber and oaten or areas on the IJand Use Map where location and natural oonditiona "Make :lan.d} well tithed for timborio d� wIs�.�.e considering for on�.i imbOr uge areas whore urban encroachment has ,. r y w boon tkde; inreads into timbor aria anti. ,whore past Official AC tions have Planned az et r development, -6U4, w