HomeMy WebLinkAbout84-45B GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 6 OF 21SUMMARY OF PROJECT IMPACTS ANDMITIGATION TABLE' 2.1-1., SU ,ON MEASURES
MITIGATION MEASURES
IMPACT
(Significance After
(Significance)
Mitigation)
-
LA11D USE, PLANT?ING: _ APPLICABLE
pL A.NS AND POLICIES
The proposed project would encourage
Not:mitigable. (S)'
the developments of approximately 270
new dwelling units in 'an area of prime
agricultural land. Loss of this a ri-
cultural land- .Would, represent a 0.875
percent decrease in, the, total amount
of county landused fors fruit, and nut
production. This increr'ental loss and
other incremental losses would be
considered a signif icant cumul ative
impact at -the regional; etate and
-
national level. (S)
The proposed proj�set mould increase
The, City. cf Chico and Butte County
toe, frequency and oAgritude of adverse
with
should support the Chico Area 1
Greenline policy by requiring that•
land usc.eompatibility impacts
agricultural- activities ,;to the north
1) an Agricultural Use Notice be
and hest. (S)
applied to parcels ttithin_ 200 feet
of the Greenline '(refer to Butte
`
c'
County Code Sections- 26-8, 34 i j
34-2, 34-3 and 34-12); 2) new urban
development within _200 feet of the
Greenline.be set back to the maxi-
mum ,feasible distance consistent
With the applicable zoning district
requirements (cluster designs
should be encouraged to achieve
this objective); and D specific
performance criteria be met by
agricultural operations. Examples
of performance criteria include the
following;
ated by fa Noise gene equip -
Noise a
tent should of exceed they
S Significant (Adverse)
NB Not,Sinificant (Adverse)
PS Potentially Significant ( Adverse)
Beneficial
(CONTINUED)
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TABLE 2.1-1 :(CONTINUED). SUMMARY PROJECT IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
�.
ITIGATION MEASURES
IMPACTSi
( gnificance After
(Significance)
Mitigation)
3et by applicable city and
county noise standard noise
generation exceeding 70 LMax dBA ,
at the Greenline should not be
conducted between the hours of
10:00 P. tai., and 7: 30 A.M. , and
physical barriers should be
eheourag ed in all cases and
should b6,----oouired where4
conditions would be expected. to
eXceed tolerable limits. (NS)
The proposed project would alter
This impact is the subject of this
Planned land uses in the pro,feet area.
Environmental Impact Report.
The resulting pattern of land use
Measures to improve infrastructure
designations would not be considered
and serviees.are proposed in other
logical or stable. The subject site
sections of this report to improve
appears to ,he consistent with the five
Consistency with zoning and
site deli ria frsr the
designation criterif ertint
development criteria. For example:
Proposed land use designation,adequate
fire protection would be
,
appears to be inconsistent with
provided with --the proposed
conditional zoning and development
mitigation. (PS:)
criteria. (PS)
1)evelopaent in the project area would
Not mitigable (S)'
not be consistent'ti.th thecity►s .n -
tent to: encourage development in other
locations in the Chico tirbAh, Area. (S)
The Amendment of the Chico Area
Not mitigable (S)
Greenline i.Fould foster population
growth' and would remove A constraint
on -growth in the project area. (S)
The proposed General Plan Amendment
None required or recommended. (B)
Mould increase the supply of and
competition among higher priced
residential units.
S Significant (Add erse')
NS Not Significant. (Adverse)
PS Potentially Si nifieant (Adverse)
B Beneficial
(CONTINUED)
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TABLE 2.1-1 (CONTINUED),. SUMMARY OF PROJECT IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
MITIGATION MEASURES
IMPACT(
Significance After
Mitigation)
I (Significance)
cance?
The 'applicants should be required
to contribute funds for the instal-
lation of traffic signals at the
following .intersections (,East/Nord,
East/Guynn, East/Cussick, and
East/Alamo). The total cost for
these improvements is_epeeted to
be appeqximatay� The
ase
tribuiion isa pro ratash are based
on the projsetfs traffic increment
compared to the total traffic
volume.
The applicants'should be required
to contribute funds for widj.ning,
61-1-
East. Avenue to allow for Panes_
(central continuous left
lane.). Thio requirement Would
involve a 13 foot Widening' from
Alamo half Way to Guynn and'a 26,
foot widening frcm SR 32 half wily
to Guynn. Sidewalks, curbs and
gutters Wov.ld not be required of
the applicants, but a pro rata
contribution of funds (bas .on.
traffic) for a_ Corm drained
-age
culvert Voula be The,
total cost for then improvemens
is expected to be $132,693• (NS)
Aecetis :by,emergency 'vehicles {.large
See previous mitigation measures
intersection realignment. (NS)
five tr ub_ics) Mould be hindered by
for
unconventional intersections. (NS)
The proposed pro eet WouYd Alloit
The applicants should be required
roads in the prd,3ect
`
to imarea
development along narrow substandard
Iprove
standard set by the
roads: (PS)'
ButtetCountyPlanning Comtaission
S Significant (Adverse)
NS Not Significant (Adverse)
PS Potentially Significant (Adverse)
A Beneficial
2-7
TABLE 2:.'I-1 (CONTINUED). SUMMARY,OF PROJECT IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
F-1IMPACT
------------------
MITIGATION MEASURES
(Significance,)
(significance After
Mitigation)
«, The feasibility and desir.,eability of
enue 'Extension throw
The City of Chico and Butte County
the project site irould be altered by
'�
review the Chic Urban Area
Transportation Study's recommenda-
the. proposed project. (pS)
tion for >extending Lassen Avenue.
west to State Route 32 (Funding for
such an Im rovement Wouldbe
difficault without further density
increases or an areawide funding
district). If this proposal is
determined to be a long range
requirement, Butte County should
require property dedications of
right of wa
,_ wayprior to development.
i n the area. (NS)
The proposed project Would allow
Incremental increases in the. demand
Site design criteria which
for transit service for the CATS Route
increase opportunities for transit
patronage should be encouraged
1 and along the East Avenue Corridor.
(NS)
s cifia development 3P
PeProposals were
to involve clusters of development.
(NS)
The proposed land use intensification
would
A Access to the future extension of
A
encourage the extension of Eaton
Road, Which Presents the potential to
Eaton Road should be provided via
make Nord, Guyon and Alamo major north/
Bell 'Road. Intersections with Mord
Guyon and Alamo should not be
south connectors.
'encouraged "unless additional land
use intensification and related
roadxay improvements occur prior
to extension of these roadways,
(NS),
potential for conflicts
Ik=enicycles'; pedestrians, and
Pedestrian,erossinga should be
icles along East ;Avenue. ( S)
considered along East :Avenue where
Primary pedestrian routes. and_
ficant (Adverse)NS
Not Significant (Adverse)tially+
Significant (Adverse)
B Beneficial
(CONTINUED)
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TABLE 2.1-1 (CONTINUE."). SUMMARY OFPROJECTIMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
MITIGATION MEASURES
IMPACT
(Significance After
(Significance)
Mitigation)
.PUBLIC-SER . VICES AND UTILITIES
Development
pm: pare
of ls allowable tinder
A minimum of one new well and a
theelro
proposed projectwould require
85,400
pressurized water systemwill be
gallons of .water per day.. (PS)
required in the area, All Cal
Water requirements shall be met.
The required well and water system
Will cost approximately $775,000,
(NS)
The proposed project would indirectly
Septic tank systFht should be
a
allow additional sewage to be generated
installed in the project area.
in the 'project area. (P
pr S)
Each system should meet the
sw
'L f k
standards and requirements of the
Nitrate Ac
Plan and the County
,tion
Health Department.
-.j
if septic ,tanks, :cannot meet the
standards and, requirt3 ients of the
Nitrate Action County
Health Departmentaim theCfu tore, a
-
trunk. line should be extended to
the Project area from the Chic+.o
Water Pollution Control Plant. The
cost for such an .extension and for
service to the projectarea
(including a treatment plant
ex-pansion
foe) would be approximately
$3,190x500. An Assessment District
should be established oto compensate
the applicants for proXiding, sewer
capacity to ;parcels in the project
Vicinity. (NS)
Development of additional residential.
Butte County should consider cumu-
'uses would incrementally increase,the
lative demands for police services
demand for police ser-Vides. (PS),
and develop an appropriate funding
S Significant (Adverse) NS
kot Signif3cant.(Adverse)
PS Potentially Significant (Adverse)
B Beneficial
(CONTINUED)
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TABLE 2.1-3. SUMMARY OF TOTAL ODST FOR
REQUIRED AND RECOMMEN MITIGATION
t
FIXED COST
ANNUAL COST
( PER ACRE)
( PER ACRE) ,
SCENARIO
1. Proposed Project {270 Units)
$2,287,775
$35,622
SRS -1 :Road Standard,
($8,u73)
f$132)
Septic Tanks, No ,Sewer,
No Stormwater Infrastructure
2. Proposed Project (VOUnits)
$11,189,108
$35,637 0:
RS -2 Road Standard,
($132)
Sewer . :onnection,
Stormwater Infrastructure
1
t Area Alternative
3. Expanded.Project
$2,337,571
$42,627
(330 Units)
($7,083)
($129
8RS-1 Road Standard,
Septic Tanks, No Sewer,
No Stormwater Infrastructure
� rnative
14i,Expanded Project Area Acte
$11,289,904
$42,632
(330 Units)
($3�,2 1'2)
($129)
RS -2 'Road Standard,
Sewer Connection,
Stormwater,Infrastructure'
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�EFFECTS DETERMINED TO "BE SIGNIFICANT OR POSS
EXISTI2IG SETZ'TNG ACTS AND MTTTGATI017 NE ASURESSGNTFTCANTt
�1 LAND USE. PLAt1NT
NG. APPLICABLE PLANS AND POLICIES
EXISTING SETTING
_ nd Uses. Land in thero "ect area -ta is used for agricultural and residential
purposes. The prima
uses such as ry agricultural uses to the area are orchards, but other
pasture land and vineyards are present. Residential uses are -
located throughout the project area. Clusters of dwelli
in four locations (1) along the west side of Rodeo Lrive; )salongarelthetwated west
end of Muir Avenue; (3) along the south half of Nord Avenue; and (4) along.
Bell Road near Gu
yhn. Avenua .
Land uses sur'roilndi
ng the project area are similar to those within the project
area; however; residential uses increase in frequency and density to the south
and east. The main Southern Pacific Transportation Company
forms the project sites wester4, bounds. p Y railroad line
parallel to State Route 2. .7. The railroad tracks are located
developed along. 3 Industrial and commercial land uses have been
ng both sides of State Route 32 west of the
parcels ,north of the project; area are used for agricultural
area. Large
purpose's.
A&ricu.ltural Of
of the ProieCb Area and Vicinit
vicinity contain highly productive sails. —�� The pro�iect area and
as Climate and the availability of inexpensive and his and other factors, such
to make this area and much Of Butte Count highly du quality water, combine
Y Bh Y conducive to `agriculture.
The continued viabilityf
oagriculture, the countyts,biggest industry, is a -
vital component of the zcouhtO s economy. 136th 'the Cit of
Y Chico Ahd,'the Butte.
County Genera] Plans recognize the importance of
Issue with specific land Use lanni agriculture and address the
use planning tool, the citylcounty nGgreenl1ees and procedures. A primary land
follo i General Plan policy, is described in .the
rib discussion- under
Policies. ;
The projeat_.area, currently produc3es al»tGs pecans k
nds, walnuts, "
and other l al products (see Table ! tai, feijoa;
`,
acres) represents O. 3.1-1)• a project area 270
County.. agnea_ ur" 75 percent of the total fruit and nut; acreage e in:
3
The �40p acre area represents 0.555 Butte
acreage in Butte County,. percent of the '.total fru3.t and nut
The charac'ter, of the a
agricultural lands on the edge of urban areas The inject area is typical,. of
..indirect impacts.: o Bi'leiiltural lands 'within the project
three
Of urban activity are affecting the economic viability of
viabilit and,
ty
o production. The following direct and indirect impact's affect the
viability of '
pro rt agriculture on the project site and increase the incentive for
y owner's to discont nue agricultural
on the short tem economic Production in order to capitalize
smaller gain which:caci be realized by urban dev.elopmettt
Parcel sizes, increasing property values; urban nuisari"es;, such as
. , end i"mpa ct s of �
Application a8ricultural activ..tes on
tirban tiles, such as thea.
AitVAnch sm of pesticides and th,e generation of deist
smoke and poise:
pphpcati�e$e impacts are -
hot '
Although
ng agricultural uses: on the site, they have
riot prevented
Present time, project, area for agr'icul'ture to the
Productive us'e of the r
3.i-1
4 ...
1
1,
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
e
General Pian La d Use b �; ; n4,'. Butte Count y s Chico Area Land Use Plan
esinates
g the project site for rtOrchard and Field Crops" uses With five acre
mpinimum aroel sizes. Parcel sues whidh are le��b than 20 acres are
conditionally consistent with this designation. Existing General Plan land
use designations in the project Vtdinity are presented in Figure 3i! -i. One
single family dwelling per parcel with additional houbing for, -oil site,
employees is the required maximum density ror properties subject to this
ne cultiAtionj
droceesssino,
sale and distribution
A� g� d
crops. The five pri�ary criteria for determining whether an area, should be.
subjpct to the Orchard an d Field Crop designation,are as follove:
Oil .conditions well -suited for plant crop operationa,
-preqpate, y ,
pasupply,
cePP
sizes of five acres or' mare;
�minahtrl
Ail usedfor crop production or secondary uses; and:
`ad agent uses compatible with primary and iary Uses.
3,1_2
',�... +�� ! r _�y _/.�.� •..u� —....:_..GLS' ="�= �—a� _— a'�
..�L-- - � ,:...:tom Yw—„—�� "�•'`: " � ` ..• � I
IN
,
-- PR'OJECi SiTE=
�� }-- _ �. ,,�h�"' it � .•� � r •`:. ••,• •.• • ..•..• • •...
a. +� � —•ter Le+-_ ' • . • • • • +
rte— ��.5 •. • •• •. • �.,....���
,
r
r
_'� �.r. � 'L �`- �M_�, •� \III z
— ~' MEDIUM DENSItY RESIDENTLAL '
C.7 , L
•
ORCHARD AND FIELD CROPS
LOW DENSI`T'Y Rt8IDENTIAL
AGRICULTURAL RESIDENTIAL
COMMERCIAL +
,..-• .,>✓ . r ,____. � �`� �
PUB LIC
I'IGURE 3.1-1 CYTY AND COUNTY
G>rNERAL
"",MUM_ PLAIT '.LAND USS D951WT?6N8
earth metrics scALE TN THE PROJECT VICINITY
` t e0-
The three conditional zoning and development criteria for the Orchard and
Field Cropuses are:
- Predominate existing parcel sizes range from 5'o 10 acres;
- adjacent to or in the general vicinity
o, urban boundaries;
- present statusof agricultural, production will not be significantly
impaired.
The six zoning factors for the Orchard and Field Crop uses are:
- existing parcel sizes and dweling densities;
- proximity to urban development;;
,
- effects on adjacent uses
- potential for pest insect breeding,
economic viability;
-, local desires.
The protect site's existing Orchard and Field Crop designation appears' to be
consistent with the five primary`
criteria for designating the site and the
three conditional zoning and development pm criteria.,However, the
;designation _
may not be consistent .with two of the six zoning factors (economic viability,
and local desires). Economic 'viability
heath � was discussed .under the
heading Agricultural.'Character.of the
Jpreviously
Pro'ect Area and via inity^, If nlocal
desires include the desires of local property arners,
then the existing
designation is clearly, inappropriate relative to this factor because the
project applicants are all local property vwriers
oni . The project area is subject to the requirements of the Butte County
Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Number
1150. ,The Butte `County zoning map'
indicates that the requirements Of tWO.zonirig distriets`, (A-S) Agriculture '
and
(S-A)"Suburban Residential, apply to the area within the dark border in Figure
3.1-2. The
parcels affected by the proposed General Plan Amendment are within
the A-5 District. The requirements this
of zone arepresented i
permitted uses are consistent 'with the General Plan Ianduseppendix
designation of "Orchard and Fieli. -Cro n
P The minimum lot area required is
five acres (see
the Pr discussion of zoning Arid development criteria and
zoning factors) .
has been �riament Trends and Patterns.
,,r e_velo Urban development iin the Chico area
en public
and private investment to properutid's within the
aPeA an
existing urban area and to locations north, south
and east of the city core:
In ae.d tion to this investments the Nitrate Action Plan for the Greater Chico
Urban Area
also encourages development in the existing .urban area}
Mrtieularly° within those
areas served by the eityf s sanitary sewer system,
Che Nitrate Action 'Plan recommends that development be limited_
in areas'
rithout sewer connections (Eiitte County and City of Chico; 1985)
Ttio large private 'projects, Foothill Park and Rancho Arroyo, have been
approved in northern 'Chico. The
Foothill Park development includes 551 acres
d units 15
r percent have be
r been
sold)satdn24 acresoofindustrial�usesd(Palma$ Arroyo
project it*cludes
750 acres of residential usesi(4o600)dwelli Rancho
ave beeen e sold at .. i ng unit's, none
this time)
and 25 acres of commercial uses (Padj% '1985) .
1levelo lim
ant in southeast Chico has included residentiali
commercial; and light
8.1-�1
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n � 1 �` '
utriaal luses, primarily south of State Route
industrial 32 and east. of Park Auenue,
-Development west, of Chico has been directed towards
infill, of existing parcels
planned for urban uses by local planning efforts, the lack
of sewer service
connections, and the 'city/county Greenline However, large.'pareels of
underutilized land
are available for development Within the existing Chico
Area Greenline:
The population of the incorporated area of Chico was approximately
1985 according to state De
Department
2.9 in
of Finance calculations dated ,kpril 29,
1985., The '1 85 April
9 population accounted for approximately 44
percent of the total.
Population of incorporated areas of Butte County and 19 percent of the total
county population in 1985 (see
Appendix 16.7) . A summary report of controlled
county population estimates for January 1, 1985, including breakdowns by
r
housing unit type, estimated vacancy rates, and the Aver persons'''
age number of
'per household for incorporated and unincorporated
araas in Butte 'County, is
presented in Appendix 16.8. The population of the incorporated and
unincorporated ^Chico Area was approximately 64,o00 persons in 1985 and was
estimated to increase
_r
to 1,02,000 by the year, 2000 and to 171,000 after
buildout of the General Plan.Land. Use Map, according
r
to the Chico Urban Area
Transportation Study prepared in 1982. Table 3.1-2
presents a more recent
Population forecast for buildout of the Chico Area,
The Population of the project vicinity defined as the area.north and west of
Bell Road, Cussick Avenue, Lindo
Channel (Traffic Zone 30 of the. Chico Urban
,Asea Traffic Study) is expected to increase from 2 006
persotrs to 2,114; by the
year 2000 (Chico Urban Area Transportation Study, 1982).
General Plan Policies
011CO
AREA GREENL'INE. The City of Chicoand Butte County have established a_
boundary to define the limits future
of urban development which may occur on
lagricultural lands in the Chico area of Butte County. The
Greenline is
delineated in Figur;: 3.1-1. The project site is not included within th a urban
(boundary line, but has
been. designated
grated as "Study Area Atumber I. The
a£ Supervisors, after
if ppropriate f3ndingslowatproGoditlr aod making
ng
. ng simple majority vote, to revise the
'location
of the Chico Area Greenline so as to place the affected parcels
Idthin 'Study Area Number 1
, in the Urban portion of the Chico Area Greenline:
However, the special policies and procedures .elated to the
'
, Greenline, as
described in the Butte County General Plan# would apply to any amendmenta
`related to this
area: The Chico Area Greenline Policy is presented in Appendix
13.5. The purposes of the polio and
Y Procedures for amendment, and review of
of
the Greenline are summarized as followsc
- Purposes of Greenline Policy. The purposes of the Chico Area Greehline
are;
a) define the limits Of future urban development whish may occur
`
agricultural on
lands in the Chien area of Butte County.
'
b) 1'o Provide for the hong term protection o agricult�iItal resources P f e s of
the Chico area of Butte County.
r�
3.1-6
is
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_ .
c) To mitigate the threat to agricultural resources posed by urban
of agricultural lands in the Chico
encroachment into and conversion
area of Butte County.
'
d) To .reduce agrcultural/urban conflicts in the Chico area of Butte
'
County.
id use
e) To establish County
rcultural lands located in the Chico with the City of Chico in leo area
c
planning of urban ag
of Butte County.
f)To identify urban development limits in or near agricultural lands
a certain
within the county's Chico area Land Use Plan by use of
bold dashed boundary line.
g)To establish a certain and clear policy text for Butte County's
and the
-
Chico Area Land Use Element which will enhance ,uphold
aforementioned boundary line and policy text.
h) To establish certain land use designations -for the Chico area of
boundary line and
Butte County in conformity with the aforementioned
policy text..
Procedures for Amendment of ,the Greenline Policy: The Butte County
Greenline Policy through a
Board of Supervisors may amend the Chico
adopting written findings of fact, supported by
majority vote after
in the record, showing' the following:
substantial evidence .public
(a) that the public benefits of converting the Agricultural -land to
tie benefits of continued
urban lard substantially outweigh public
agricultural productions and
urban no otheurban or suburbanlands reasoiaable available and
(bt there areother
suitable for the proposed devel.opcent•
;.
- Procedures for Review of the Greenline Policy. The Greenline Policy
Greenline shall be reviewed and
states that the location of the
to insure that local. land use needs of the
evaluated every five years in
being meta The first review" Of the policy is 'duettion
Chico area are
also states that an individual may pe
1987. Hotaever, the polioy
S s foe a General Plan Amendments including a
the Board of upervisor
in accordance With the
change in a l.ocatiori of the Greenline j
Taws and of Butte County snd the State of (:aliforn3a
a pplieable policies
(see Appendix 136).
ggt SING II,gNlENT4 The City of Chico and Butte County have adopted Housing
to ithe
The primary measure
Blements as ;part of their General .Plana. `taplement
reserves lands for'
'General
Hauss'ng Element is the Plan Land emep j nldefines the policiesi
City of Chico Housing
residential uses, The
related to the provision of housing in the city;
progrannsj and recommendations
The following text from the city's Housing Element Was adapted to stmmarite
Chico Housing policies.
3:1-8
i
In planning for the provision of housing for all present and future, Chico
residents tgoalisto provide for a variety of housing
the city's primary r9 g
types an, an atmosphere conducive to the well being of city residents, and
particularly to provide for an adequate supply of housing ranging in cost
to meet the demands of students, low and moderate income persons, the
special needs of the elderly and handicapped, and to provide an
opportunity for first time home buyers.
The Housing Element recognizes the constraints of today's housing market
such as building costs, mortgage interest rates, the preservation of
aarieultural. land,, provision of sanitary sewers, storm drainage and
streets, the provision of other public services suer as police and fire
protection, school facilities and parks, concern for design, preservation
neighborhoodsaf dhistorical es, as well as concern for energy
conservation uhits.The
Housing E oment states that all
of these factors must be consideree in concert with one another, and no
single -item can be emphas_zed at the expense of another if Chico is to
1 pursue a balanced dnd realistic approachto the provision of housing for
current -and future Chico residents (City of Chico, 1985).
The Butte County Housing Element also defines policies, programs, and
recommendations related to the provision of housing. The following po icies
Apply to the project area,
A. governmental framework sha7..1 be established and maintained which
encourages and facilitates maximum. performance of the private
county's
h.6mebuilding, industry in
Band projec�ed populationdating the housing needs of the
r
Planning and zoning considerttions affecting housing production shall be
applied in a manner which seeks to.balance the need for protecting and
enhancing the environment with the need
for housing at, affordable
prices.
New housing construction shall be, encouraged ;in locations with,
reasonable ,proximity to centers of employment and shopping facilities,
and Oich respect the conservation of dnergy. The private homebuilding
industry shall be encouraged to give priority consideration to
.developing Within existing urbanized areas or in locations adjacent: to
such areas ;(Butte county, 198+)
IMPACTS
tand Uses The proposed General Elan Amendment Would not directly affect
existing, developed land uses; however, it Mould encourage private property
ooners to subdivide Pima agricultural land .for residential development. A
maximum of 270 new residential units could be allowed in the pwo,ject area if
the project is approved (T,u, ale, 1985) i, Without approval of the project, only
90 additional residential units could be developed in the project Arear
Doss of, Akrieultural Land. -!The, indebu6ntal loss. ex .the :prune agridVItural
land, in the project area would represent a 0,.375 percent decrease in the total
a1IIG�f"�' of county land used for fruit and nut 'produbtion, This incremental
1 . tild not be considered significant on a countywide basis. However, this
F
increment and otherincremental losses are contributing to cumulative loss of
agricultural land, at the regional, state :and national levels. At the regional:
level. cumulative agricultural impacts and the, loss of agricultural land are
reducing maximum potential yields of agricultural products to the point, where
the economic feasibility of agricultural activities or support services, such
as processing, packagingand transportation, are being threatened. Oboe
regional production reduces to,eertain threshold levels, support .ervices may
be �r-elocated,-"service costs may increase, or services may be reduced. These
'
impacts in Butte County would be considered cumulatively significant due to
the importance of agriculture to the regional economy,
Further 'losses of agricultural land could occur as a result of increased land
use compatibility impacts, as ;discussed in the following section and in
Sect4bh 6, Growth Inducing Impacts of the Proposed Action. Section 4.2,
- Expanded Project Area Alternative, addresses the agricultural impacts -of a
General Plan Amendment which includes all of the parcels in the project area.
LAND, USE:COMPATIBIL°ITY. -The conversion of additional 'Agricultural land -to
residential 'uses .would, increase. the; frequency, and magnitude of existing .land
use 'incompatibility within and, adjacent to the project area. Those
agricultural parcels which; are. contiguous to the converted land would be most
affected (see Figure 1.1-3).. However, the general encroachment of urban uses
presents cumulative; land use compatibility impacts along the Chico Arear
Greenlinu. Increased nuisances (vandalism and: theft of agricultural property
and agrio.+ultUral activities,. suoh as 'applications of pesticides and .the
generation of ;dust, smoke and n?Jl.se) :would increase -'the potential for
conversion of othek"'agrictiltural 'lands to urban uses. The application of
Agricultural use notices would inform future land owners of potential.
problems; but Would not mitigate incompatibility impacts. Agricultural
buffers would not be practical on' a parcel by 'parcel basis. However:.,
agricultural Wffers and !Use notices should b6 utilized by the City sand .county
along .the Chico Area Gr online as a l'ong�rang& program to reduce land use
incompatibility. The appropriate buffer grogram must be developed on '& case
by rase basis using; some combination of the following mechanisms: setbacks,
design constraints (cluster housing), physical barriers, such as roadways,
fences and vegetation, and performanee criteria, such as limits on huisance
generati�,n (noise; dust, ,smoke,: etc.). Recommendations are prtvided under
Mitigation Measures`'in-this sectioni
pj armed Land Vsas. The proposed project would revise the General Plan Land
Useand Zoning designations on the affected parcels. `The designation of
'by
adjaent propertiesandpropepfies almost surroundedthe affected' parcels
would not be changed. The resulting land use ;pattern would not be logical or
stable compared to a project involving all of the parcels in the project area
or, a project with better beunda.ty delineation, :such as roads or creeks (see
'
Section 14'; Expanded Project. Area And Section 6, Growth Inducing Impacts).
The new land use designation fnr the project area would be "Urban:
Agricultural Residebial" with one acre minimum parcel sizes. The applicable
zoning designation could be 8R-1 (see Appendik 16.4). The secondary impacts
ese revisions toland uses are the subject of this
associated with the -s6 planned
rP ort.
p
3.110
,Urban D6velapment Trends and Patterns. The proposed General Plan Amendment
and subsequent development of residential 'uaes in the project area could
result in the development of up to 270 additional residential units and
approximately 648 persons (at 2,.4 persons :per dwelling unit). Development in
this area would not be consistent with the cityis intent to encourage
development in other locations in the Chico Urban Area. The addition of 648
persons to the project area (Traffic Zone 30) would exceed .the population
projected in the Chico Urban Area Transportation Study by approximately 31
pet�cent of the population projected for the year 2000 and wouldrepresent a
SL fold increase in the projected number of people to be added in this zone
by the year 2000 (648 vs. 106). Although the addition of the 6148 persons to
- the Project vicinity Would not be considered asignifcant-adverse impact, the
expansion of the housing market into prime agricultural land at the expense of
focusing development in other areas with existing sewer connections would be
considered a significant,.adverse planning inconsistency (see following
discussion on the Chico Area Greenling),
Chico. Area Greenling.' Approval of the proposed 'General Plan Amendment would
require relocation of the Chico' Area Greenling within study Area Number, 1
The change is shown in Figure 3.1-3This: relocation of the Chico Area
Greenling must be supported by substantial evidence in the ;public record
,showing that the public benefits of converting the agricultural land to urban
land Substantially outweigh the public benefits of continued agricultural
production, and that there are no other, urban or suburban lands reasonably
available and Suitable for theP roposed development (see Impacts on Land
Uses).
These findings are to be made by, the County Board of Supervisors. The
by-
directly i'osteri Chico Area; Greenling could e red
amendment of the bconside
growth inducing by,.
Y ng population grclwth and by removing the Greenling as a
constraint to growth (See Seetiou 6, Growth Inducing Impacts). Reviex of the
Chico Area Greenling Policy is still expected to occur in 1987.
Housing The proposed; General Plan Amendment would increase the supply of
available "residential. land in the Chico Urban Area: The future residential
units would not be expected 'to serve students or low to moderate income
persons, but would increase the supply of and competition among higher priced
units. This impact would be benef ieial. At this ` time, the conversion of this
property from agricultural uses to residential uses may not be consistent with
city or county housing policies; which indicate the need to balance
preservation of agricultural landand/or the enviroiment with 'increasing the
SUPP11,of housing. The previous discussions, Pertaining to Urban'Dev
Trends and Patterns and. the Chico Area Greenline indicate that the loss �ofnthe
subject agricultural land is a significant impact and that the availability of
housing in other areas of eastern and northern Chico may not justifyf the
proposed General, Plan Amendment at this time.
�lT.TiGATI0,�1 �,ASURES., The following mitigation measures are recommended to
reduce: a land use and planning impacts identified in this seetlon.
Land Use Compatibility
"The�Gity�of Chico and-butte County should .support the Chico Area
GreeriLine policy by'equiring to ti?t: i) an Agrictural Use Notice be'
3.1-11
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"00* &IsTiNG GREENLINE
v > AREA Ot G. P t A. BOUNDARIES or REVISED
GREENLINE
res ALTERNATIVE ARDA
ll{rtniQM GREENLINE 'WITH ALTERNATIVE AREA
FZGR3,14 LOCATION Op THE CHZCO ARIA RELINE
SCALE
ea►,th metrics
1
'
C TRAT
TRAFFI��ND Ci1z. Nr
1;XJ Sx=NG SETTING
gh�y,y �vstem. The roadway system within the project area is presented in
include: Muir Avenue, Bell
Figure 1.1-2. Roadwaya serving the project area
Nord Avenue, The primary access roadways
Road, Alamo Avenue, Guynn Avenue,
the project area are East Avenue, State Route 32 and The Esplanade.
two
serving
Muir Avenue, Bell Road, Alamo Avenue, Guynn Avenue and Nord ,Avenue are
is tt two lane arterial south of the project
lane local roadways. East Avenue
lanes just to.the west of The Esplanade intersection.
site, but widens to four
Avenue is the east/west arterial in northern Chico. State Route
East primary
32 is a two lane highway providing access to Hamilton City, Orland, Interstate
Route 32 is a four
5, and southern Chico (see Figures 1.1-1 and 1.1-2). -State
First :Street. The Esplanade or State Business Route
lane roadway southeast of
99 is a north/south arterial leading to State Route 90 which provides
primary
north/south access to Red Bluff, Redding (to the north) and to Sacramento and
The Esplanade also provides access to
Southern California (to the south_).
areas:, including downtown Chico.
ud
.commercial
Mast of the intersections in the project vicinity are the conventio nalf 90
angle of incidence
degree angle type, but some of the intersections have :an
than 90 degrees. These intersections
-which is significantly less ahlethe
construction of the associated roadways are typically to
substandard
an
cnersections And standard
vehicles
galsopresnnt unsafe maneuvering
waoate;fewer
roadYsProdectarearoadwyseaional intersections are roasted in_ and
following unconvent
conditions. The
near the project area: Bell/Muir, Bell/Nord, Bell/Guynn, Bell/Alamo,
Bell/Cussick, East/Kennedy,
/Elkwood, Bell
near/Jones, Bell/Butterfly°o
Rodeo/Nord. The following roadways do not -meet,'
Kennedy/State Route 32, and
,
county roadway. standards: `Alamo, Guynn, NordRodeo, Henshaw and Muir.
Table � a
f volumes
Local Tri 1, o Cond�t�on ��:e� ceP.oreintersections. Existing traffic
�,
description of levels of s ry
table levels of service
. int rod`uce aece
on :roadways within the project vicinity p p
flow•). However+, levels of service txe being iriet�ementEast
(rel'atiVely free East/
reduced by increasing traffic volumK:s at the following inEast�Cohasset and ;The
State Route 32, Ea.W The Esplanade, East/State Route 944
(see Figure 1.1-2). Table 3.2-2 provides the existing PAL
Esplanade/Cohasset
hour levels of service at these intersections. At some locations, the
ons
peak'
level of 'service is estimated based on observations rather than ealculat
T»�Ffe Candi ions. In 19820 the City of Chico prepared an arede
e
transportation study. For purposes of documenting the traffic setting, the
the by JkIK and
C}+� co Urban _A _Tat j.1jt_a ,dy (CATS), prepared for city
The CATS has not been
Associatesi is hereby incorporated by reference;
presented in. CATS'
adopted by the county. Some of the assumptions/findings
be prudent., or accurate. This EIR recognizes and accounts
e
may not current,
for these inadequacies to'the'extent ferasible The QOLinty will cooperate and
encourages the. city to refine the CATS:'
'
the Objective of the Chico Urban Area Transportation.Study `was to predict
transportation
future traffic levels in the Chico area and identify
to this future travel demand.
improvements that will be necessary accommodate
i'
BNM
6
PROJECT
'
AREA
�
I
ri
i
— coal
r.
SOURCR Y "Tax Ass,,
SOURCE!'
nose�ction lanpmer is
Itrrova�
sww■rWlden to 4 Lame
ri.aanes
widen td
--INsvu Artarltdls tvarOnp WIdths) •
Flatt M-1 20�-itAR IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAM 1980 TO YEAR. 2066
'
N
QSt'ti h iTii9t1^ICS lii
SCALE
1 MI.
w
_
------------
The CATS Information is to be updated and revised based upon p the most current
data available and represents a basis from which cumulative traffic, Analyses
can begin. For purposes of cumulative traffic impact analysis in the
area, the 'CATS assumptions represent all reasonably foreseeable projectsoinct
the area of potentially environmental impact (Palmer,, 19$6), Table 3.2-3
presents existing and projected traffic volumes on major streets in the
project area. Figure 3.2-1 shows the major improvements required.by the year
2000 according to the CATs. Figure 3.2-2 shows the major improvements
required by buildout of the General Plan capacity according to the CATS. The
followZng are the primary improvements identified in the CATS for thero e
p ,1..ct
area. These improvements are expected by the year 2000.,
Widening East Avenue to four lanes between State Route 32 and
The Esplanade
Widening of East Avenue td six lanes between The Esplanade and State.
Route 99. (Butte County,questions the feasibility of this improvement.
The maximum feasible width of East Avenue, in this location is expected
to be five lanes. Widening would eliminat-. on ,street parking along Eatjt
Avenue in this location.)
Intersection ap
.improvements at Lassen/The Esl
nade, Lassen/State Route'
99, and The Esplanade/Cohasset..'
The additional primary improvements in thero`ect
P � . area identified in the CATS
for ,buildout of the General Plan capacity would be:
A new four' land connection between State Route 32 and State Route
Lassen Avenue, including a, new nterrha' a at State Route ;gg. 99 via
A new two lane connedtion between State Route 32and ;State Route 99 via
` Eaton Road,
The following
text from CATS i:larii'ies traffic conditions and planned
'vement
'
s in the Northwest Chico Subarea. Generally, the Northwest. Chico
subarea involves the area north 'of 11th Avenue and Kest of Cohasset.
"The major bottleneck in the Northwest Subarea will be East Avenue, there
traffie,of up to 55400 vehicles per day is forecast, East Avenue will
have to carry all east -west traffic between the commercial areas on Nord
Avenuea('Stage Route 32) anis Cohasset Road, To avoid massive Widening of.
made a four lane arterial thro�d be ektended w��
nue Lassen Avenue should st to Nord Avenue and be
throughout.
The existing sections of LAssen
Ave-
asnuev�. .
' would be widened from X10 to 48 feet except for under the freewa
W40116 the bridge abutments are Only 52 feet apart: Such 'a parallel road,,
which 'Would also be linked to the Route 9.9 freeway, would attract as much
an 30% of the. East. Avenue traffic.
Further relief could be provided by extending Eaton Road West 'to Nord
Avenue. This would divert about 5,bo6 external trips ,'day between Route
32 and northeast Chico as well as too to three thousand trips between Route
32
And' the Route 99 freeway. Thus, with the Lassen and Eaton eXtensions,;
about 71000 trips would be diverted to Eaton, and. around 15,006, trips would
B y 000 tri s on Ea Avenue
be diverted to Lassen leaving only around 27, p st
i
ABLH'3.2-2. EXISTING
LEVELS OF SERVICE
AT APPLICABLE'INTERSECTIONS IN NORTH
CHICO DURING THE P.M. PEAK:HOUR
P.Mi PEAKHOUR'
INTERSECTION
LEVEL OF SERVICE '(a)
East/SR 32'
A (b)'
East/Kennedy
A (b)
SR 32/Kennedy
A (b)'
-`
East/The'Esplanade
NA
East/SR 90,
North Ramp
- A (.47)
South Ramp
A (.57`)
East/Cohasset
B (.62)
The Esplanade/West Shasta
A (b)
The Esplanade/fest Lassen
A (b)
The Esplabade/Henshaw
B (b)
'
Th e.-Esplanade/Cohasset
SR 99/Ea ton
B (b)
NA Not Available
�
(a) See Table 3,2-1 for descripbioh6 of
- Y
Eby This
levels of service for intersections,
level of service, is assumed b
the city based on observation's.
rather than. tiiit� movement vol � been
limes, because no recent counts have
performed (Derrick, 1985):;
Source: Derrick, 1986,
1
3.2-6
STREET SEGMENT EXIST7.Nr FUTURE (2000)'
DAILY VOLUME DAILY VCLUME
1981 ('a) 1986 (b)
II
EAST AVENUE
SR2 to Dixoi!Cussck 8,800 9,716 15,504
Dixon/Cussick to The Esplanade 10,400 11,257 26,700
The Esplanade to SR 99 14,800 16,340 29,700
SR 99 to Cohasset 11,300 12,476 18,600
THE ESPLANADE
Eaton to Lassen 7,400 8,170 18,500 '
Lassen to East 131,300' 14,684 26,800
East to Cohasset e3,600 26,056 25,800 (c)
STATE ROUTE 12'
North of East NA NA 12,700
South of East 81700 90606 11,400 '
(a) Source: Butte County Circulation Element, 1984. '
(b) 1981 volumes increased by two percent per year for five years; Derrick,
Ind_
(c) caies underestim^}.ed future volume or, overestimated 19
' t 86 volume,,
NA! Not., Available
Source! Earth Metrics, 1985; -Butte County Circulation Element, 1984; and ,
Derrick, 1+986; Pierce, 19,86:
(:west of The Esplanade). East of the The Esplanade, the traffic on Eaat
will be further reduced by the proprsed Lassen Avenue interchange which
will divert much local traffic., TY.us, traffic along East Avenue between '
Nord and Cohasset Mould probably range from, 25,000 to 30,000 Vehicles per
day, with traffic on Lassen ranging from 15,000 (at Nord) to 25,004 (west
of the freeway) Vehicles per day. IThus; East Avenue taay still be able to '
function as a four, lane road', although it has been shown as a 6 lane
roadway on Figure 19 to be conservative. in any case, the Lassen and Eaton
extension projects should be done firsts and East Avenue only widened to
six lanes if eongestion.on East still occurs.
3.2-7
Other necessary improvements in the Northwest Subarea .nelude widening
Cohasset Road to four lanes between The Esplanade and Mangrove (adequate
right of way exists along most its length), and making Eaton Road a four
lane road between The Esplanade and Cohasset" (City of Chico, 1989.)
Another improvement which is not mentioned in the CATS, buy: is, anticipated by
the. City of Chico, is identified in a CALTRANS`"Route Concept Report" related.
to State Route 32. In the project vicinity, this improvement would involve
the wideningState Route 32 to four lanes, ane; the construction of bicycle
lanes and left turn pockets. This project is at the bottom of the CALTRANS
top ten priorities for construction between 1990 and 1995.
Transnnrta�inn RlPmPn. of the Chino Geberal Plan. The Transportation Element
of the Chico General Plan is directed towards achieving a balanced
transportation system, which ensures convenient access for all Chico
•relsidents, serves the proposed patterns of land use, and minimizes disruption
of the environment. The &Odussions focus ohi 1) the iinplementation of a
coordinated multi modal transportation system accommodating private and public
motor vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians, Z)`the scenic enhancement of the
highway landscape; 3) the abatement of noise generated by transportation,
systems; 4) safety; and 5) separation of modal systems. Noise was not found
to be a significant environmental issue for the proposed project, according to
the Initial Study prepared by Butte County (see Appendix 16.1). The following'
policies summarize the Transportation Element.
Insure that the existing: and proposed circulation systems accommodate
the multi modal traffic functions they are intended to serve 'with a
minimum adverse impact on the environment of the city. Coordinate all
systems to maximize 'safety and efficiency and minimize conflict between
modes (see following discussion on the Chico Area Transportat;.on Study,
Traffic Setting).
Develop a pub3iC transit system responsive to the needs of thee -greater
Chico community. Actively, promote the system as an alternative to
automobiles. .(The Chico Area transit Systemis an existing service).
- Develop a system of bicycle facilities that provides, where possible,,
separate access to major destinations and assures the safety o` all (se:e
discussion on pedestrian and bicycle facilities).
Protect and enhance the scenic qualities of State Routes 32 And. '99 and
other major entry ways to the city. A11 tie' commercial development
adjacent to State Routes '32 and 99 should be adegUately,landscape d.
Circulation $Ieme t of the Butte Cnunty General P1ar,,, The Circulation Element
of the Butte County ;General Plan was prepared in 1984.. The Element is a guide
to managing and developing the future transportation and circulation ;system .in
the 'County. The intended timeframe of the Element carries to the year 2000,
with analysis, evaluation, and planning focused on policies and programs
within,
basiccompoh6nt , timdftabds, The
onent'f Element Is
for Policy, "into three
is intended
to be an analytical and d' p' g
descriptive basis for develo in a transportation,
p y analytical p , th Butte Counbyis
clic Trans ortation Issues and Pol.cies sets for
countywide ane urban area transportation goals, objectives, policibs-, and
programs to the year 2000. The Appendices of the Circulation Element contain
3.2-8:
additional information and data supplements referred to by the previous text,
including the Element's environmental impact report. The Butte County
Circulation Element Diagram is presented in Figure 3.2-3 The primary
improvement shown in Figure 3.z=3 that relates to the project area is the
Eaton Road extension which would be constructed after the year 2000 to provide
additional east%west-capacity in North Chico.
The following policies, programs and requirements of the Butte 'County
Circulation Element specifically relate to the ;project area and proposed
General Plan ,amendment project.'
2.1.2 'Butte County will encourage, and support sincere efforts by county
residents to form assessment districts for road maintenance and road
drainage:
2.2.E The county will. pursue the development of a comprehensive fiscal
impact model or program,, including for traffic or road itpactsj. to
assist in the analysis of cost and revenue balances from proposed
development projects:
2.P Program: The county willstudy, develP
and implement,as feasible,
the folloxingro diprograms,, ov ee
cad asses nee of new development:
1) R assessment districts for maintena
2) Development. fees .for off site traffic impacts caused by neer
sed
chedW es for specific developments that will contribute to the
- impact of circulation in surrounding locations. -A long term -
goal df a countywide developer fee program for traffic simpacts
should be studied and implemented at a Yater date. Comprehensive
road development fee programs should be jointly developed
between the countY and'. the cities of Butte County.
3) Drainage assessment districts in 'problem areas.
4) Enforceable,, road development agreements.
r expansion of existing roads
aso.
4 1.
Right of way needed, for new rod p 8
�+ g y ,
shall be planned for; land uses that would preclude the timely_
development of such right of way shaxi be prohibited. e
4.146 Usable road easements of adequate width shall, be located as to most
beneficially serve the needs of all parcels,
4:1.8 Private subdivision roads will be built to full county standards and
they, will be privately maintained as such through their maintenance
cycle:
4-,<.1.10 Nest land divisions should be held responsible for their fair share
of the offsite road improvements needed to handle the traffic
increases that they cause,
3,,2..69
4'-.1.11 The count should enoura a the utilization of development
Y g
agreements as one wayof ensuring that road development standards
and plans are meta
14.1.1 The county will maintain the integrity of the Chico Area Greenline.
adopted in 1982.
Pedestrian and Biey�rle Fao�,11f��RS, Pedestrian and bicycle activities
generated from within the project area are relatively low due to the low
density of development in the area: No sidewalks or, formal bicycle lanes exist
along roadways in the area, but the low traffic volumes and lowresidential
density make walking and bicycling relatively safe activities. Henshaw
Avenue, Lassen Avenue, and Cussick Avenue, south of Bell Road, are designated
as long range Class 'III bikeways. Class III is equivalent to a bike route
with no on street right of ways or improvements.
Tu§lia Transit. The Chico Urban Area is served by the Chico Area Transit
System. Regular scheduled bus service is provided near the project area by
Route 1, which serves East Avenue and The Esplanade, east and south of the
Project area. The route serves North Valley Plaza Mall, both Chico hospitals,
and the Social Security office.. The capacity of this route I's equaled during
peak hour periods. No route changes are anticipated in the near future.
Intensification of development' along, East Avenue and the increasing importance
of East Avenue as a key arterial, bowever, may result in a modification of
Route 1 or the addition of a new route servin; properties along `East Avenue,
between The Esplanade and State Route 32• No schedule for this improvement
has been adopted (Derrick, 1986x).
The closest bus stop to the perimeter, of the project area is located at the
intersection- of East --Avenue with The Esplanade— approximately one mile eaat'of
the project area. Bus service veekdays is provided between 6:30 A.M, and 7:30
PM. Saturday service is available between 8.30 A.M. and 6:30 P.M. Most
transfer are located the, Regional. transit servioe is
lchdowntown
provided by Y'ButteCountTransit o eratea.
Y , whp s routes from the City of Chico
to Butte College and the community centers'of Oroville and Paradise.
Eme `encu Access. Access routes to and throughout the project area are
presented in Figure 3,2-1. No emergency vehicle access restrictions currently
exist within or around the project area. However, the unconventional
intersections identified previously 1n this section preser.r: minor otjstacles to
large Vehidl6bi such as fire trucks;
ACTS
Trip denerat{on. The proposed Genera]. Plan Amendment would allow up to 270
new residential units to be approved in the project area: These residences
would generate approximately 2,700 trip ends (inbound or outbound) per day,
based upon a trip generation rate of ten trip ends per residence per da?,'
the2itute of Transportation Engineers, 1982). Psak hour trip generation from
70 residential units Would be approximately 270 trip ends during each of,
the A.M. and P.M. peals hour periods, The AM, and P,M. peak hour periods are..
the ane hour periods with the highest traffic volumes betwee- 6:30 and 8:30
A.M. and 4x00 and 6:00 P. M.- Trip generation .frog reasonably, fbreseeabit
Projects in the area 'bounded by, lrindo° Channel3 State Route 32y the proposed
gigaton; Avenue ektofi sioh and Esplanade, (sed Appendix 16-:9), is expeoted,, to ,,be
approximately=17500...trips The trips generated by the projedt represent
app okimately 15'percent of these reasonably foreseeable trips.
3y2-11.
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'"Numm rnetrio
EIC»URE 3.2-+ bfktJ&S PLAN bp "E CHICO GENtAAL PtrAN
1
.
TABLE 3.2-4. ESTIMATED FUTURE DAILY TRAFFIC INCREASE&
ASSOCIATED WITH THE
PROPOSER FROJECT
1
.
PROJECT GENERATED.
r
RoRDWAY<SEGMENT
VEHICLE TRIPS, (a)
EAST AVENUE
500 (b)
SR 32 to Cussick
950
r
Cussiek to The The
0
The Esplanade to SR 99
450
45
�
SR 99- :.to C.ohasset
T1E ESPLANADE
100
Eaton, to Lassen
500
Lassen to East
1040
East to Cohasset
STATE ROUTES 32
135
North of Muir
-
100
Muir to East
South of East
540
270
wzsT SHASTA
- -- -_
270
WEST LASSEN
400
-
HEI�SHAti1
GUYNN (South of East)
70
CUSSYCK
West 'Shasta to Henshaw
270
150
r
Renshaw to East
70
South of East
(A) Represents the incremental increase in
traffic in both directions
by the proposed pro on
develo went
these roadways duQ to the p
allowed
�-
(b') Maximum.
Soirde Earth Metries Yneorporated, 1986.
_
r
1
r
THE ESPLANADE. Theadditional traffic generated on West Lassen, West Shasta,
Henshaw, and East Avenue would affect travel capacity along The Esplanade by
increasing left turn conflicts at main intersections. The impacts of this
traffic at The Esplanade intersections with West Shasta would not be
considered significant and would not require mitigation due to the relatively
low-raffic volumes involved and the .remaining capacity at this signalized
intersection. However, the loss of travel capacity at the intersections of
The Esplanade/West Lassen and Esplanade/Henshaw would require mitigation.
'Coca] 'Transport tj on Pl annnioa. The proposed project does not
present any significant impacts which would substantially alter the land Use,
data bases utilized for transportation p3anning in the Chico area. However,.
the f,xisting.data bases did not anticipate the proposed development density in
the project area.. The construction of the Eaton Road extension would not be
affected by the proposed General Flan Amendment or,related development but
would encourage urbamrdensity and would increase traffic in the project area
in the future. The impacts of the 1.extension would be examined and mitigated
prior to approval o£ such a project. The feasibility alad desirability, of the
Lassen Avenue extension through the project area would The altered by the
proposed projecti Mitigation would be required to address this impact
The proposed Generai Plan Amendment appears to: 'be inconsistent with the policy
in the County Circulation Element which indicates that 'the county will
maintain the integrity of the Chico Area Greenline (see Section 3.1, Land Use,
Planning, Applicable Plans and Policies for a discussion of the Chico Area
Greenline). The, Circulation 'Element ta intent in maintaining the Chico Area
Greenline is probably to reduce trtip generation in areas of low urban density
where roads would require substantial improvements to meet county standards.
Tha remaining policies and requirements presented in the Ekisting Setting of
apply directly to roadway improvements recommended as•m Many of these measures
pp p Y itigation measures in_
this re ort ''address financing of roadway improvement
this report.
_
Padest�riAn and bi�y project would increase'
cycle activities by allowing increased urban density in, the
y ril�i�iee, a proposed rojec
P r expected to create
of be ex
T d n
;project area. The projected increases wool P
significant safety impacts or vehicle conflicts on local roadwaysy such as
Henshaw Avenue. Safety impacts along maj6e'artehials would ''not be
significant.,, however, the project related bicycle activity and motor vehicle
trips would increase the need for appropriate bikeways and pedestrian street
crossings along major arterials, such as East Avenue, especially near schools
such as J: Partridge Elementary,- The Chico bike route along Henshaw Avenue
Would not be significantly affected due to the small increase in traffic
ptojeitbdI for this street.
Elibl.Txa�G.3,t.• The proposed project would allow development which could
increase patronage of Route
1 of the Chico Area Transit System. However,
because the distance between most of the project area a.nd the diosest bus stop
is more thanohe mile, many of the residents may not utili7,e the bus servicei
impacts from the future developtent are not expected td, be signifioant but
would IhOtementally increase transit -demand along the east Avenue corridor:
if cluster development is proposed, measures to encourage transit patronage
should be required during site plan review.
ii 3 —1-'16
Emargann,A. io The additional dwelling units allowed by
the proposed General Plan Amendment would increase the need for emergency
service access to the project area. Unconventional intersedtibhb ,in the
project area should be realigned to improve turning movements.
b `
MITIGATION-MEASURES. The following measures are recommended Y the staff of
Butte County and the City of Chico to mitigate the traffic impacts identified
in this section.
The applicants should be required to pay for all costs.associated withreali'.
nal intersections ln the project
vicinity. 'Timing specific "realigiWentn-thould be determined by the
Y•
ButteCounty Public Works Director as:development progresses.
Realignments at the following intersections should be completed with
- buildout of the .area; Bell/Muir, Bell/Nord, Bell/Guy nn Bell/Alamo° and
Rodeo/tord.` The total, "cost It expected to be approximately $6,250 if
reagnmen`t are coordinated with other road improvements.
- The applicants shouldbe required to improve the reads in the project
area to the standard set by he Butte 'County Plan ning;Commission and
Board of St pervisors. ' The 'applicable 'standard would be SRS--1, if, they
eoun4o requires minimum parcel sizes equal to or greater than 1.001
acresruraldevelopment "standards'. The applicable standard for 1.O acre
parcels and urban standards is RS-2, which includes sidewalks curbs and
gutters (storm drainage infrastrueture). The timing for the required
improvemDirectorentsbproould be vementstodetermined
hefollowing roadwautte y�segmentsunty 'Public
shouldkbe
completed with buildbuti of the area: Muir, from SR 32 to Bell; Rodeo,
from Muir to Henshaw; Nord, Gwynn and Alamo, from Bell; to East; and
Henshaw, from Nord to Alamo. The City of Chico mould request that these
roadways meet the standards�of the city or county`, whichever are more �(
`str ngent.LL The 'total cost is expected' to be approximately $1,i�14°,'125 to ■
achieve the SR8-1 Standard and $2,2621825 to achieve the R8-2 standard.
The11
constructiontofsleftdturnreockets andCforrthe-elimina for 6'f
po q
- p-elimination on street'
parking along Esplanade at Henshaw, and along Esplanade at Lassen.' The
total. cost for this improvement is a
expected to be approximately
$2,0,;,5,00,, An additional $632 would be,'required if signal modifications'
Weeb tgs red. "This 'contribution is a pro rata share based on the
p j rement compared to'th, total traffic volume, and a
$15,1700 cost for signal modification.
The applicants should be required to contribute funds for the
installation of traffic signals at the following intersections
;(East/Nord, East/Guynri, East/Cussick, and East/Alamo). The total dost
for thea ompr6vemehts is expected to be approximately $10,125. The
contribution is ,a pro rata. :share based on the project°s traffic
increment compared to the total traffic volume.;
The applicant's should be rq
e 'uired to contribute funds i for 'widening East
- Avenue to allow for, five lanes (:central continuous left turn lane).
This regniremelt would involve a 13 f oot widening from Alamo halfway to
Gwynn, and a 26 foot widening from SR 32 halfway to Guynn Sidewalks,'
�.2-17
�1
curbs and gutters would not be required of the applicants, but aero-., -.
rata contribution of funds (based on traffic) for a storm drainage
culvert would be required. The total cost for these improvements is
expected to be $132,643.
- Site design_ criteria which increases opportunities for transit patronage
should be encouraged if specific development proposals involve clusters
p p
of development.
- Access to the future extension of Eaton Road should be provided via Bell
Road. Intersections with Nord Ga nn and Alamo should not be encouraged
unless future !and use intensification and related roadway improvements
occur prior to extension of 'these roadways.
- Pedestrian crossings should be considered along East Avenue where,
P rimar y pedestrian routes and bikeways meet with East.,Avenuo.
- The'foXl"owing measure is recomended to mitigate eumulaI'Eve traffic
impacts expected as a "result of development in the project, vicinity and
buildout in the project vicinity, and Chico Urban Area.
- Butte Coudty and the City o'f Chico should acquire appropriate funding
from developers, 'FHWA, and CALTRAM for long irange'traffic improvement
programs as required by the : C,6unty Circ ulation Element and CATS,
- The City of`Chieo and Butte County should review the Chico Urban Area
TransportationStudy's-recommendation for extending Lassen Avenue West
to. State Route 32 Funding for such an improvement Would be difficult
without further density, increases or an "area wide funding district:. If
this proposal is determined to be a long range requiro-menttt Butte County
requires property dedications for'wright-of-way "prior tar development in
the area,
3z�18
GEOLOGY/`HYDROLOGY
F=s"ZTI'iG SBTTZNG _
SLea1s.�X. eat area is located on a broadThe proj alluvial plain known as the
ar
Chico Fan, Which is located in the northern Sacramento Valley between the
Sacramento River to the west and the Sierra Nevada foothills to the east. The
project area is underlain by Recent Age coarse grained alluvium consisting of
unconsolidated silt, sand, gravel and cobbles. The coarsegrained alluvium is
overlain by a loamy surface soil layer and is underlain Sierra Nevada
foothill metamorphic and volcanic rocks.
SOILS. Surficial soils occurring in the project area are composed primarily
of loams belonging to the Vina Farwell association (USDA, 1976)• The Vina
Farwell association is characterized by. good natural drainage, moderaitely, slow
to moderate subsoil permeability, slow o medium runoff and no erosion hazard.
The Vina Farwell association also possesses a moderate shrink/swell
a change
(expansion) potential, a. measure .of .the volume change of a soil with
rating, a measure
In moisture content, and a moderate allowable soil pressure
of suitability of a sol.for foundation pressure.
The Soil Conservation Service identifies and rates the agricultural potential
'
and limitations of soils into eight land capability abilit classifications. Soils in
Classes I to IV are considered agricultural, and soils n ClassesV to VIII
.
and are better suited
possess characteristics which limit agricultural uses,
or recreation. The Vina Farwell soils have been
for forestry, range, wildlife
identified as Class I and II prime agricultural soils.
Portions of'the project area also contain surficial soils composed of clay
The Conejo Beeirendos
loams belonging to the Conejo Berrendos association.
association soils are characterized by good natural drainage; moderately slow
to slow subsoil permeability, slow runoff and no 'erosion hazard. However,
can become highly impermeable (Eiiell,
When these soils are compacted, they
1986).. The Conejo Berrendos soil's also possess moderate to high shrink/swell
potential and moderate allawablesoil pressure. The Cbneja'Ber
are Class III rime a ricultural soils.
SEISMICITY. The Chico area does not have a history of severe seismic activity
faults
(City of Chico, 1976). There are no active or potentially active or
Alquist Priolo Special Studies Zones located in the Chico area which includes
in Chico.'
the project'area There is no record of sUetaae rupture occurring
is no documented history of ground failure, such as
In addition, there
liquefaction# lateral spreading, lurching and differential settlement in
Chico.
The Cleveland Hill fault, the only known active fault in Butte county} is
Movement along
located approximately 30 miles southeast of the project area.
responsible for the 5.7 magnitude (hdhter Scale)
the Cleveland Bill fault was
cake in Au ust,..1.975. The Oroville earthquakP vat fejt n
Oroville easth q g .'
Chico, but no damage 'Was recorded. ,A series of short, north/northwest
].boated approximately ten miles northwest of the
trending inactive faults are
,project area..
3.3-1
v'
In additiOn to the 1975 Oroville earthquake, ground shaking from earthquake
picenters outside the immediate area has been felt previously in the Chico
arca. IHowever, the greatest intensity of group, shaking recorded in 'Chico was
5.0 on the Richter Scale and VWO is no historical evidence of any
significant damage having occurred. A statistical estimation of earthquake
Richter Scale magnitude, as a function of estimated return period for
California, indicates Chico could experience an earthquake of magnitude 8.0 on
the Richter Scale once every 40 years.. Other studies have, however, suggested
smaller .macitnum intensities
(City of .Chico, 1976).
�drolo>?
DRAINAGE. The overall topography in the project area slopes gently t< the
northwest towt�rd Mud Creek, which i$ located approximately, one mile northwest
of the project area: Lindo Channel is located approximately 0.75 miles south
of the project area. At present, there are noL existing storm drainage
facilities within the project area. Overland runoff in the project area ponds
W percolates into the soil. There are no well defined surface drainage
courses in the 'project area. See Section 3.4, Public Services and Utilities,
for a discussion of' existing and planned storm drainage facilities in the
projoi3b area.
A storm drainage study completed for the north Chico area, including the
project area, has recommended installation of collector storm drain lines just
south of the Southern Pacific Rail -road and. along Bell Road iii order to
accommodate potential urban development of the storm drainage study area (seO
Pigure 3.4-1). These collector lines would flow by gravity to Shasta Union
Drainage Assessment )district (SUDA)D) channels which would ultimately *i6charge
into Mud reek.(Rolls, Anderson & Rolls, 3985) The proposed collector lines
have beer designed to carry 1GO year storm flows, i"i� "a�cordt�nee with Butte
County Public Works Department and 1lutte County improvement Standards. The;
development density assumption for the project area was two t,6 ti* a"Ilius
P j
units per acre One or more dwelling units per'acre'(or lot sites of less
than 1.001 acres), is the threshold density at which underground drainage
facilities are neoded (Rolls Ab,,1er�son; Rolls, 1`0851 Edell , 1880) . if storm
drainage nfrastructure is required in the project vicinity, annexation to
SUDAb would be required prior to the use of `416ir fae4ies.
`cels are not located
. et par„ In the 1�!Q yea'r floodplain
FLOODING The sub�e
(U.S. Depa.tment of .Housing and Urban Developmeat, 37�+)• Mud Creek and I,indo
Channel'are modiried ephemeral:chanhols design�ad tr, provide flood control for
Big Chico Creek. The ptojeet area Wray, however, b43 subject to, minor,
localited b ormwater pond "ng 'due to the lack of drainage ;infrastructure and
soil compaction.
l3ROU2iD1ATER. The project area and. Chico vicinity is underlain by extensive
r ifornia
groundwater
supplies roundwater basin ("Card
roundwatt of`WaterRPsouhe Sacramento Valley g3.��..Public 5erviees
Uti ftiea contains
.. the
Sneath Chi
a di.s�ussion�of water�supplyeasndb distribut�oon iThese noires
project area. There are whrde water bearing non
are the shallow intermediate, and 'deep aquifers, Groundf.athe generally moves
~ westerly andr�wnward froi the shallow, to intermediate aquifer and .from the
intercediate to deep agUilerg'
The shallow zone contains, unconfined groundwater at depths 'less than 20 "i'ee
below ground surface in thick alluvial material: The shallow Zane receives
of domestic
.,
reeha rv,e directly for infiltration precipitation,,streamflow;
reaha,4ter from leaehfields, and urban runoff from drainage wells.
wasGroundwater in the intermediate aquifer occurs at depths 20 to 50 feet below,
The intermediate aquifer receives
the ground surface in older alluvium.
incised in older alluvium, through vertical leakage from
recharge from streams
overlyingsaturated alluvium and possible subsurface inflow from the Tuscan
Formation.
The deep aquifer is'located in the sand and gravel of the .Tuscan Formation,
II tuff and r;udf low- layers. The deep
which is coich�yieldsless
!!! largeeam amounts ofgroundwaterto deep irrigation and
aquifer, v�h Y
municipal wells., receives recharge mainly .:from 'streams that drain thefoothill
skrea east' of Chico (;CDVIR, -1984) • -
Since 1961, reebargt: of the load groundwater basin generally has exceeded
to localities in the
local discharges in the Chico region; in contrast other
basin which have experienced an overdraft.
Sacramento Valley groundwater
tables in the Chico ares were.lowered by an estimated 10 feet
Groundwater
1912 and 1.961 as a result of intensified agricultural irrigation, but
between
have since stabilizes, or have 'risen between two and six feet (;Butte County,
1982)"
WATER AIUALITY. Specific water quality data are not available for project area
the "subject parcels would' be
surface water or groundwater. Runoff :'.wo►a
of seditient and contaminants characteristic
expected to contain minor amounts
and turban development ,in the area.
,
of agricultural
Groundwater in the deep aquifer is generally of good, mineral quality'T,
waters in creeks which
-
reflecting the excellent mineral quality of surfs a
groundwater is found in parts of
provide kraundoate" recharge. Poorer quality
with nitrate concentrations exceeding drinking water
shallower aquifers
standards of J!5 :milligrams peliless(than)threeA�:olsix)monthsrolds are toxic
to humans, particularly children
Each area. of high nitrate cone entrations t two of w)l oh are loealed 0.75 miles
esidential
northeast and; south of the project areata underlie; from►ered urbanrilevelopmentareas
the di 4etion of groundwater flow from
and alto: lies in
drainage wells Cas discussed below). Ther numerous individual disposal
and
systems} .whioi ratvrn domestic wastewaterr containing nitrogen, .phosphorus
major source of the elevated
chlorides tot shAllow'groundwater^ zone, area
also more than A1C knotrn drainage wells at
nitrate Concentrato,�s. There are
that return, to the 'shallow groundwater tone surface water
Off site laxations C cD�tR; 1
q` 1084)i
runoff from arias of shade cafe sarfaee water drainage systems..
To resolpe the exibUbg,nit"rate problem in the Chico area and prat+ant
impairment of valu Ole groundwater resources in the
Additional watUr quality
the CD R recommended that ('I) unsewored residential areas in the Chita
C2)
area,
area. connect to the e.'xisti,ng sewex'age system ; s soon as feasible: and
be prohibited and all
ecastr:ioLian of additional d"ainage wells•should
wells shotjld be elitihated as dbon as feasible. Other `study
eg�-,sting drai- ►age
riboo tmendatioe,s pertain i appropriate well construction ani >x?onitoring of
.
shallow ..aquifer groundwater quality CCDM 1984)
7
The City of Chico and Butte County have adopted a Nitrate Action Plan for the
Greater Chico urban Area (Butte County and City of Chico, 1985). The goal of
the Nitrate Action Plan is to prevent further degradation and to minimize the
existing nitrate problem in the groundwater. The primary objectives of the
Nitrate Action. Plan are to jointly develop a Sanitary' Sewerage Plan :and a
Story g
Dra,na e. Plan for the Chico area.
The sewerage plan would include standards and requirements p q s for sanitary
seFrerage facilities, land use designations and densities maximums for
nonsewered areas, and a time schedule for requiring the elimination of septic
tanks-and connection to the sanitary sewerage system. The drainage plan would
Include standards ,for the elimination of all existing drainage wells.and
standards for the installation of tempora"ry drainage facilities, such as leach
fields.three The
hButte County Health Department currently allows no more than
Y
dwelling P erved by septic
tank/leach field systems, acre in the ,proje..t area to be s
A feas:ibilifq study of providing sanitary,sewer service to the north Chico
area, including the project area, recommended installation of a trunk sewer
which would accommodate potential urban development of'the area. The trunk`
sewericonnect the project , which would pass approximately 156 feet Northwest of the project area,
sewe
would
p j area to the sewage treatment plant in'Chieo
However, f
(Tuttle financing for implementation of tris -plan is' uncertain. at this time
980, A position statement from supervisor-Dolan is presented in
Appendix 16,11.
IMPACTS
Residential development allowed As a result of the General Plan
Abeinament and amendment of the Chico Area Green'.L1ne Vould have no significhnt
iapaots on, the. geologic setting of the project area:
Would not present
.significant ft
development constraintsto potential resi htial development
resulting from the General Plan Amendment. Potential impacts due to the
moderate shrink/swell, potential and moderate allowable soil pre sure of the
project area soils (the Yina Farwell and Conejo serrendos associations) could
be reduced to insignificant levels With implementation of standard engineering;
design and construction methods. The loss of prime agriculture soils ,Is
discussed in Secticin 3.1, Land V66i Planning, and Applicable Plans and
Policies.
The Yina Parweli and Conejo Lerrehdos soill do not possess an erosion hazard
due to the level nature of the project area. Potential construction related
erosion. occurring with disturbance of the soils 'couid be reduced` to
insignificant levels With standard erosion control practices, Potential urban
development, on minimum one acre parcels would not involve unubual or'extensive
grading, or 6611 redistribution, further minimizing potential Erosional
impacts, The expected gradin$ and snit redistribution.taould simply involve
cuts for foundations and minor fill for landscape purposes. (See Section 3`.1,
Land `Use;'Planning, Applicable Plans and Poli'eies, for a discussion of
potential agricultural impacts as-'a result of the proposed pro,jeet4)
3,3-,
SEISMICITY. The primary, potential seismic hazard to the project area is
Existing Setting, there is ,a high
,
ground shaking..: As discussed in the
would continue to experience ground shaking in the
probability that the area
utres of ground shaking have been predicted for the
future. Various intensiti
ut depend on a combicaation of
Chicoarea. The intensity of ground shaking,would
to, the earthquake epicenter, the magnitude of
the type of fault, the distance s.nd the
materials between the fault and the: area,
the earthquake, the types of
thickness of the foundation materials at the site. Potential
properties and
ground shaking impacts to residential development and: storm drain or sewer
eering-delign and
and the mmendeconstruction,
al Force
facilities could be 'reduced by standard Cade
Uniform 'Building
In accordance .with the
by the Structural Engineers Association of California.
Requirements prepared
The potential for liquefaction, a process by which water saturated,
-
strength and become liquid during
cohesionl'ess (clay free) .coils. lose
shaking, is moderate ;in the site area (Butte County,
earthquake indueed'ground
1977). As discussed in the Existing Setting, the Chico area has no documented
liquefaction, lateral
history of" ground rupture or ground failure, including
differential settlement. With the adoption and
spreading, lui"eking ;and
'appropriate engineering design and construction
utilization.of standard,
methods which take intoormation
account all knoweaew
residential deve.iopinent in the project a uld befbe eonsistentfwithethe.Butte
Element (Butte Couhty31 977), :and no significant seismii17
County Seismic Safety
hazards would be expsoted.
t
o 0
lawable after approval of the roposed general Plan
nRAINAGE.. Development al P
in the area, but would
Amendment would not a1A r. overall. drainage• patterns
runoff 'generated in the project area. The
incrementally increase stormwater,.
Anderson & Rolls study, identifies one -,,acre parcels as thTechnicallyteif
Rolls ,
limit between natural drainage, and subsurface infrastructure.
than 1.001 acres in size (less than one
all parcels w preequal to or greater
-no storm drainage infrastructure would be required
r
dwelling unit --per acre),
Under this -condition, the applicable road standard would be.
(Edell, 1986).
SRS- and no curbs, -gutters or sidewalks: would be needed.. Natural
from eperoolatoncon
percolation would be utilized to removeem�torincreaset6
implented
tsites. tthisould _
developmen
individual under condition.._
If urban standards are applied to this property; the RS -2 roadway standard
curbs, gutters and storm
would apply• Thin standard requires si.deWalks;
The,requie d storm drainage infrastructure would be'.
dxa?e infract ructure
''al.smot nnti cal to the infr..astt�ucderatture ; e decrease recommended far the area in the Ro11 s,
�t
tha mo:in dens.,. y (Ede11 r 1980
_ evso�R6l s study despite
drainag responsibility 'Of' the
e system would be the
the Dost for the stOrm
apPlic�its.
FLOODING, The project Area is not located within the 100 year floodplain.
create a minor increase
DdV6lopment of tbe;area with impervious suefaoes would
it' are
g enerated from the min r additiostonal not
in the amount of zrunoff unof f would
runoff, t
{
constructed to Collect surfaoe red ,
d6wnstrea0 flooding. If storm drains are hot requi
be expected to cause continue to oeau"r.;
with development, Winor laealikdal stormwater pending may
'any localize8 storon,ir
Development of the area would be able to diree�
and roadways MdAsures to 'encourage on sbite
ponding away Prom resiliences
pereolatior should e6duoe this impact to ;�. i gnif3 cant levels.
GROUttDWATER. By the ;year 2000, groundwater ealthoudhnreduced irrigated' is
not expected to exceed the rate of rin the Ch co area
echarg ,
acreage will reduce the gtrantiti of recharge (Butte county, 1982,)• Future,
development in the project area would replace portions of existing vacant
mental
parcels with impervious surfaces, which would repdue to increased surface
represent an incremental
arge
reduction in groundwater rfiltration uld notrbehexpectedeto result in an adverse
runoff. The reduced recharge
impact to groundwater levels due to the limited c�osutureodevelopmentmaree
acre parcels. Potential sources of water supply
addressedin Section 3.4, Public Services 'and Utilities.
WATER QUALITY'. Develcpment resulting from the ,proposed Genera]. Plana Amendment
would result in minor increases in urban
pollutanrbonnt antities IIiron ), ff
- generated by increased vehiet:]ar
r
and �"ertilzers DeKelopment would no.t and
from application of p
esticides
introducenew Pollutants to area surface waters that are not already
xpected
present. Overall surface water quality impact�s�hebsp��graiscussion,are tot eadverse
P
to be significant. As addressed previnuslY i
erosion 3mpaet`s and; associated water quality impacts from sedimentation are
not expected to be significant.
P e proposed General Plan Amendment could also
Development resulting from the the'release of°wastewater
contribute to water quality degradation through
effluent. The Butte County health Departmene1hdag stemsashouldanot
evelopment
te
increase nitrate contk/leaehfi1 1. Y eases never,
of one acre parce7.s with septic to
substantially amination iii local graundincrr gowev
as'tho nitrate problem Of and further arity seweresystem�jmay become necebsary
�-
approved, connection
of deeradation orithe
aC�'egional basis (see Section 3 )
to reduce water �quality g -
Public Services. and Utilities).
P - -. effectiveness ofzseptic tank
Se tie systems in reoharge areas are not expected to 'result In potential and
public healt1i impacts,, The feasibility and such as soil
leaehfeld systems are dependent upon several constraints, high groundwater,
percolation rate, soil depth, slope, the level of seasonally
and development density. Thi septic system s�tould be located 3n soil's with
adequate percolation rates for the. design hy1.dra of the 'system:
The soil should be of
sufficient deptritegkter�or erslopetshoUldebevAdequatec
material and microorganisms in the'was
to minimize oversaturation. If the groundwater rises to trie lower 'surface of
the leachfied, the soil would become saturated, the effluent would n �.
contaminate the groundwater and effluent may accumulate on the ground sUrAac
The �aaximum number of sail "absorption systems which mays operate sudcessfullq
in a given area is dependent u0on the ability+ of the soil" to absorb septic
su to control tbetment, y of Oil sites of
tank effluent To en, re adequate wastewater tree density of on site disposal
developed areas must be established
systksms, In, general, a standard minimum develo Pt ahe gpilsizOthero�nformation,
reconun+endc:d to prevent ;hydraulic overloading
Iealtb suggests that b .5 to one acre
contained in
a Journal of Environs
lineg
01* ani fc�r leachfield disposal ba s boen determines, to be reasonable or
en toe exceeds three
septic, tanks.in nitrate areas (Reid, 1986) These general gu
he Nitrate Action Plitt which sets a rbid tial density. not
dwelling units per acre (BU and City, of Ghicn„ 1 5)
3 ►3-6
Groundwater quality monitoring as outlined in the Nitrate Action Plan should
be continued to detect potential groundwater quality impacts from on and
offsite activities and to ;identify and implement appropriate mitigation.' -
Future mitigation may
g y ultimately involve connection to the City sever system.
jTIGAIQN M.A5URE5
aAniogy. Residential development of the project area is geotechnically
feasible. The following mitigation measures are recommended to 'reduce
potential geologic ogie and seismic impacts to :insignificant levels.
- Specificengineeringdesign and construction techniques recommended by
the soils engineer should be incorporated; as 'needed, into the project
design.
- Building design should comply with seismic requirements of the current
Uniform Building Code -and the Recommended Lateral Force Requirements
prepared by the Structural Engineers Association of California,
- Foundation supportsand utilities should be designed to resist and
withstand earthquake induced grotnd shaking.
- Standard construction methods and erosion control measures should be
implemented (including dry weather season gradin;, erosion control
plans, revegetation,and devices to retain sediment within the
construction area) to minimize; potential erosion impacts.
1 Drainage/Flooding. The followiq,,measures should be implemented to
-accommodate-stormwater generated on the site.,
If 1•dral !A,r�,tdards (SRS-1 "roadways) are 'required for site development, a
natural stbion, drainage systeth should be utilized and individual review
.of subdiv s:,q.,,,s and site plans should focus on measures to reduce ori.
Performance`-standards for ,,,ecommodAting �tormwater during
,the�runoff."
100 year event sYiould be implemented on a parcel by parcel basis.
Semi eryiaus walkwa s and,.stormwater s ersal strategies should be
p- ,. Y _ � p -g
considered.
Tf urban standards (AS-2 roadways) tte required for siP.e development', a
storm esY drainaggstem capable of accommodating the 10Q ,year flood etr.ent
from the site should 'be constructed, The cost for such a, system would
be.appro�cimatelY r e �� 592 133:
t-pr ouaiijy. 'Tho following measures are recommended in addition to those,
measures identified in Section 3,.4; Public Services/Utilities to maintain
water quality in the 'project area:
Individual. septic tank and 1eachfield systems should be designed to
satisfy county 'health standards and the requirements of the Nitrate
Action Plan.
w � q y `onitoring,,as outlined in the Nitrate. lotion Plan,
Groundwater quality m
should be continued to detect potential groundwater quality degradation
and to identify and implement appropriate :mitigationt'if necessary:
+�s7
alt Pt1AI.IC SE �rTrcre eND UTILITIES
XY'�TTN SETTZHC. Public services provided in the project area include
services such as water supply} sheriff protection, fire protection, education
and road maintenance. Most public services available to resident of
incorporated areas of the City of Chico, such as street sweeping and regular
;ject
police patrols, are not Provided to unincorporated areas, such as the plain
area. The following di.lcussions' describe the primary services available n
the North Chioo Urban Area,
Watei, is supplied to tide project area primarily through private
wells; California water Services Company (CWSC), a private wat utility,
i
serves the, southeast side of the project area with eight ch water mains
Cussiek Avenue. All of Chico and its unincorporated areas receive water from
ke11s; CNSC is cuIrrently looking at 'the purchase oft new well. site near
Guynn Avenue (Grant, 1985);
ti ,Pr SArvi e. The project area is currently served by septic tanks. The
nearest sewer:matn connecting the project area to the; Chico Water Pollution
Control Plant ifs located on the'north edge of East Avenue: This sewer main
can only serve the area located '600 feet north of East Avenue.
The Chico Water Pollution Control Plant is currently operating below capacity,
but the unused capacity already has been allocated for other areas of expectod
ty of 'Chien and Butte County are currently addressing capacity
at the treatmen re Pring �a
rowth. The C3_
t plant and nitrate contamination in groundwater by p p
sever Master Plan,
impl;ementation of the` city and county Nitrate Action Flanrequires Butte
County and the City of Chico to develop thio Master Plan. The Master -Plan
will I-beludet the area to be served and the standards and requirements for
sanitary sewerage :Facilities; the area to be served by septic tanks, with
ination of :septic tank ime
Useand
maximum densities for non
designation of 1"and tis
e for re uiring sand connection
'schedule' q sewered area, and a t:and
sanitary sewerage system.. The Nitrate Action Planindicates that the city
county will develop a financing plan by January,1, 19861 and determine the=
loq interest loans for the extension of +z�ier,
availabilityof grants or
drainage andlo11,Frater facilities to unserved areas to minimize and avoid
Financing Plan
of
the groundwater. The Sewerage Master Plan and
Pli�n.have 'not been completed or approved at this time.: The overall
financial,-feasibil3.ty of this Master Plan is uncertain at this Ut4 (Tuttle,
is6` p ed in Appendix
). A position statement from Supervisor', Dolan is present
or
Rolls, .Anderson, Rolls Civil Engineers completed, -a saaller.scale udy fof` the
Butte County in 19,84 which include the 10raject area., A summary graphic
Robs, Anderson; Rolls plan is 'presented in Figure 3.�-1. The Host 'for a
system to serve the project area and study area-tc-)
expected to be
million in 19$t+; The option. �to elfin"irate service to the
approximately $4.6. y eatn (740 acres) would
project area; defined i,the. study as, Bell Road Ar
have saved approximately $225>
606, Payment of three fees would be required to obtain a eoncieCtioh to the city
sewage collection and treatment system. (1) :a water poll 1 plant
ution control
.�•--= —
���At
• 0:195 •
00
v�
44
O � .`/� a �•%� —�•- •L0. � .:a• • ` : s .• `d
1 �t ,v. I l• ••i •
141Poo
., a ai t it � I .•r.' �;
1 '�—' tit �� �� ��� i� t'e i�l �: �a��' •/, �.�
go
/� IF
�:.� ,_-_�_�++..i��..tJ� - � i ,.{ tN �N 1 ���. ,�r •- F.r'`r .a � .w. ,Y�. ` -
• -C� � .,,. a;�l;°.?�I �•" 4������ �off•+• ��� ' ...� O
•
� ""° � I • (�•~ � •.i- • `fie•! � � I •r. �.� r
• j+ff •
C�•sul , y �•'r1•tt1 4 f r -
`' v.
r
�. ` � ,moo ..t .• fYi • `• �•,
•
lt
��n �� ""•` • + Vr t�_ i � ret
lai
+
. , r
�a • r
M •• •: + z— 'PROJECT AREA (BELL rttilR AREA)
t.• .. rr
p t; ,,�.- r� •"i BELL ROAD AREA
4 �rrrrr ROLLS "ANDERSON ROLLS STUDY AREA
, N
AREA
REQ MP
ci URES UiNG
PLAIT
s� t _- rte' ,r;r , • .,+ + TRUNK tl'NE
j .
'SCALE
3 bOi rIGtJRE 3,4 1 POTENTIAL SEWER EXTENSION'PLAY.
N
fee, (2)�a trunk line capacity fee, and (3) amain line extension fee. The
rates may vary between residential and nonresidential, areas and fees may
_ y
change according to. ,implementation of the Sewer Master Plan. In order to
connect to the city's water pollution control plant, the project area must be
annexed to the City of Chico, or affected property owners would be required to
sign' an annexation agreement. The annexation agreement waives the right to
'opposei i• future annexation actions (Reid,1986, Nunez, 1986).
Storm Drainage. There are no storm trains n the project area. Butte County
- requires' storm' drains on lots witha gross area of one acre or less. Water
es,sily percolates into the sandy loam soil in the project area :and runoff has
not caused significant flooding, The project area ;s not within a 100 year
floodplain, according to the National Flood l.asurance Program (FEMA, 1977).
The cost of storm drain infrastructure generally is paid by either the
property, owner or the developer (Edell, 1986).
Since storm water runoff has been �listed along with septic tanks as being the -
' most contributory and the controllable sources of nitrates, the 'Nitrate
Action Plan has required a sewerage plan and a storm drainage plan for the
greater Chico Urban area. The drainage plan will ineludec the standards for
the elimination of all of the existing off site drainage wells; standards for
the installation of temporory.drainage facilities and leachfields and a
financing plan for construction of ew .drainage facilities. In 1985, a Storm
Drainage Study was prepared for the' North Chico Area by Rolls, ,Anders«,in and
Rolls.This study included 1,338 acres of land in the northwestern portion of
the 'Chico Urban Area., The study area included the project area and pr6vide,1
description of tpecific projects and related costs. The, storm drainage
G� improvements proposed witti`u the project vicinity are shown in Figure 3.4-2.
The costs for these improvements and. others- identified in the. study exceed;
$9,000 000. the Drainerga Master Plan required as a part of the Nitrate Action ]
Plan will supersede 'the 1985 study. The Storm 'Drainage 8aster Plan study ,is /
currently in progress.
Police Serviees, The Butte County Sher iffts Department provides police
service for imincorporated areas of Butte County. Ten deputy sheriffs serve
the northern half of Butte County (approximately 800 square miles), using a
beat patrol system. The nearest station is foul to five miles from the
project area at 475 E. Park Avenue and Highway 99. The avera8e response time
to the project area depends upon the priority of the service call. If called
for a life and death einergeney, response time could tie less than five minutes.
-
,A
department is ^severel tunderstaffe mwit�honly� two patrol officers
A nonur ent call could take as to as three or The count
y d,
at any giventimeserving 65,000 people. Por minimum staffing, the Butte
y , p.
County Sheriff` s Department would need to have �0 Patrol officers based on s
standard `of 'one deputy per 1,000 population. Presently, 'butte County
Sheriff is Department' has only 21 officers (Grey,, 1986). The sheriff's
department has a mutual aid agreement with the City of Chico Police bepartment
Arid the California Highway Patrol (Grey; 1986) Future service expansions are
anticipated, if appropriate funding is (made available.
Fire Protection. The Butte County Fire Department .is respohsible for fire
protection within unincorporated areas of Bttte County: Station 42 at
Frontier Circle and, Cohasset Road serves the project area: The depat-tmehi
operates frith one paid firefighter per station in the winter and an additional
3 `4x3
NORTH
CHICO
AREA
r _
paid firefighter in the summer. The Butte county iFire- bepartment also has
volunteer firefighters who are radio dispatched to'assist paid personnel. The
Chico area has approximately 40 volunteers. Station 4.2 is one of the twelve
"paid" stations in the county. The service ;area of, Station 42 ha- an
Insurance Service Office (ISO) rating of Class 5 when within 1,000 feet of A
fire hydrant and Class 9 beyond 1,000 feet,.
Fire department service levels nationally are rated on a scale of 1 to 10
(best to worst) in an effort to determine the cost of fire insurance for
property owners. Any area not having fire hydrants is automatically rated a 9
on the scale. If` the fire department can pro
vide a water tender, that
classification could be reduced to an 8,.
The county fire department is currently unable to serve the project area
because of the lack of fire hydrants in the area. Anew fire station,
4 adequately meeting fire protection standards (No. 43), is planned near he
project area at the intersection of East kvf3niae and State Route 32. The new
service area is called the West Chico Firs Station Benefit Area and a
mitigation fee of 7r7 dollars per parcel collected from new parcel. divisions to
help support the cost of the new fire station. This sta¢ion is estimated to
cash $400,000, with personnel costs of approximatii).'Y i10;000 to $150,000
annually. Response time to theprs five
���~t area is estimated to be three t
0
' o1•
minutes (Ha skins 19$6; Tiller 19 6
The Chico Unified School Iistrict serves the tiity,of Chino and its
unineorperated areas.' The school'd•istrict has 11 mediuwn sized elementary
schools land three small rural schools offering kindergahten 'through sitth
grade education. The school district employs 400 teachers, 250 staff peg"sons,
and 5.5 administrative or certified mbnteaehing personnel (Greater Chi00_
Chamber of Commerce, 1966) s two junior high
The district also operate
schools and two high schools. These four schools are currently operating
below 'planned capacity; however, several elementary schools are currentl;�
operating above planned capacity. Reloaatables (movable classrooms) are. used
throughout the district at elementary schools and i't is anticipated that 60 -
eeloaatables will be used in the next five years to help meet the demand for
primary education (Matthews, 1966). With the current and projected demands
for educational faeilities,_As a result of approved but not yet built
subdivisiohsylelementarychools studentscould
Wathews ,J�BGdate the expected 1,500
to g,000 additional
The tyY 'of
Chico` 'and Butte, Count, have 'ad-' ted6�ordibaneedr to ''generate revenue
�l Thew fees ar cti""'ti'e n 10*_bcr 9f ro0s i n
to meet future school ;dethhds.
new deVeopmehts (see Appendix 16.10),. The Chico Unified School District hag
reoammended a fee itxerease to inset projected demsnd. The cit?/ and county will
review the recommehdat�ion in. August and September; 1966Y
Neal Dow El'etnentary School serves the project area and s1:L'dents are bused to
ytudents ileo away on east 5th �ivcnue: Neal batt
its location approximatel three miles
School cV.rrently has 411s and has a capacity of 465 students„
fled
Bidw611 duiior'High School serves the 'pro ject area and presently has a total
-W 880 students and a capacity ,of 1,1'i0. Bidwell is localted at Sunset ithd
Third Avenue approximately three miles from the project Area, Chi eo Hitth
School, located at tincalt"and West ispianade Drive, is approximately t, to
miles from the r&ojeet area. With an 6nroliraent of 1,103; Chico High Stihool
r
.__,ice■: ._. . -_ .. _..