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RESOLUTION NO. 6335
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE ENVIRONMENTAL
RESOURCES SECTION OF THE ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN TO
INCLUDE WATERSHED AND STORM WATER QUALITY AND
QUANTITY MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS AND POLICIES
PURSUANT TO STATE REGULATIONS
WHEREAS, the Development Services Department and Public Works Services
Department initiated General Plan Change 02-005 amending the Environmental
Resources Section of the Arcadia General Plan to include watershed and storm water
quality and quantity management considerations and polices in the General Plan; and
WHEREAS, on December 10, 2002, a public hearing was held before the
Planning Commission on said matter at which time all interested persons were given
full opportunity to be heard and to present evidence; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission voted 5 to 0 to adopt Planning
Commission Resolution 1683 recommending to the City Council amendments to the
Environmental Resources Section of the General Plan pursuant to State requirements;
and
WHEREAS, on January 7, 2003, the City Council held a public hearing on said
General Plan Change; and
WHEREAS, as part of the record of this hearing, the City Council reviewed and
considered:
1. All staff reports and related attachments and exhibits submitted by the
Community Development Division of the Development Services Department to the City
Council;
2. The record of the Planning Commission hearing regarding General Plan
Amendment GP 02-005;
3. All information and material and documentation presented as part of the
public testimony at the Planning Commission public hearing on December 10, 2002,
including the staff report; and
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6335
WHEREAS, the above recitals are hereby incorporated as part of the findings set
forth below.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA DOES
HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The factual data submitted by the Development Services Department in
the attached report are true and correct.
Section 2. The City Council finds:
1. State regulations require that all cities include watershed and storm water
quality and quantity management considerations and polices in their general plan. The
amendments set forth in Exhibit A to the Environmental Resources Section of the
Arcadia General Plan are reasonable and appropriate and meet the State regulations;
and
2. The most recent permit, issued in December 2001 by Order No. 01-182 of
the State of California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Los Angeles Region,
requires that each local agency amend, revise or update its general plan to add policies
for storm water and urban runoff quality and quantity management; and
3. The approval of the proposed amendments to the General Plan will not be
detrimental to the public health or welfare, or injurious to the property or improvements
in any zone or vicinity.
4. The approval of the proposed amendments to the General Plan will not
have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment and the proposed
amendments are, therefore, categorically exempt from CEQA per Sections 15061(b)(3)
and 15378(b)(2) of the local ~EQA Guidelines.
Section 3. For the foregoing reasons, the City Council approves the
amendments to the Environmental Resources Section of the Arcadia General Plan as
set forth in Exhibit A
Section 5. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution.
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6335
Passed, approved and adopted this 7th day of January, 2003
ATTEST:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
~p/~
Stephen P. Deitsch
City Attorney
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6335
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) SS:
CITY OF ARCADIA )
I, JUNE D. ALFORD, City Clerk of the City of Arcadia, hereby certifies that
the foregoing Resolution No. 6335 was passed and adopted by the City Council of the
City of Arcadia, signed by the Mayor and attested to by the City Clerk at a regular
meeting of said Council held on the 7th day of January, 2003 and that said Resolution
was adopted by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Councilmember Chang, Kovacic, Segal, Wuo and Marshall
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
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4.0 Environmental Resources
INTRODUCTION
To enSl/re General
Plan CO/lSistel1cy, notes
sllch as ,his one will be
provided where issues
contained in the
Environmental
ChapTer are also
discussed ill other
pans ~rlhe Gel/eml
Plan
The availability of a clean, well-managed environment is an important factor in the
desirabilitv of a community. As development of Arcadia has ncared build out the role of
environmental management in Arcadia has been changing. Arcadia's primary
environmental concerns are no longer related to balancing preservation of significant
environmental features with the need for urban residential and commercial development;
today's environmental concerns center on the need to wisely manage the ongoing use of
resources.
Environmental Resources Issue Areas
Air Quality: l\faximizillg the qUQli~v C!.f the air
within the City through the attainment of Stare
and Federal air quality SIandards.
Bitlwgical ResOltrce.f: Preserving Ihe biological
habitats of sensitive, [/lrealened andlor
endangered plalJt Gnd animal species.
IVater Resow.ces: Reducing lhe llse oj: Gnd the
future need for. wafer resources,
~\liJreral Resources: Ensun"/Ig thar any fi/ture
mineral extnrcn'on processes are conducted in
such a way (l.'j to millimize adverse impacts on
the ell\'il'Onmem,
Ope" Space: Idem~ficatioll and presen'att"oll of
open spelce lands within Arcadia
Cul1ural Resources: Preservation of Arcadia's
cullllral and hist01;C resources for fittU1'e
generations.
Ellerg)' Resmuces: Reducing the use and
depletion of non-renewable energy resources
through the use of altemate fuels and energy
reductt"?" programs.
Solid Waste ~\laJrage",ellt: Reducing Arcadia's
input into the regional 'waste stream and
instilling community participan'oll in source
reduction wul recycling.
The environmental issues that Arcadia faces are not unique within the Southern
California region. Many issues require regional or statewide action. Air quality and the
long-ternl availability of adequate water supplies, for example, cannot be resolved by
individual communities acting on their own. The primary responsibility for managing air
quality and water supply lies with Statc and regional agencies. However, local agencies,
such as the City of Arcadia, have the responsibility to assist these agencies in
appropriately managing environmental resources through their local land use planning
authority.
LEGAL AUTHORITY
The Environmental Resources chapter contains policies relating to _ eight major
topics: Air Quality, Biological Resources, Water Resources and ConservatioIJ,,' Minerals
Resources, Cultural Resources and Natural Open Space. All of these topics, with the
exception of SlOrm Water and Air Quality {which is considered to be an optional
ARC4DIA GENERAL PLAN
4-1
Seplember 3, 1996 - (Rev.)
element) are required by the State to be discussed in the Conservation Element of the
General Plan. Under State Law (Government Code Section 65302[d]), the City IS
required to include a Conservation Element:
for the conservation, development and utilization of natural resources including
water and its hydraulic force, forests, soils. rivers and other waters, harbors,
fisheries. wildlife. minerals. and other natural resources. "
. .
Under State rtgulation. INPDES Permit No. C\SOO--IOOL Order No. OI-I~2 Section D.
12-a) all cities arc required to:
"mcllfde CI ri"a{c!/'shed (md storrH WaleI' (//1011/)' (/nJ quoml!)' manugem!!11I
cOl1s"lerO!IOI1.) (fnd policC\' . in lhdr gelleral plan.
Table I-A Index to the Location of State Mandated General Plan Issues Within the
Arcadia General Plan included within the Introduction section of the General Plan
provides an index reference to State General Plan requirements and indicates the section
of the Arcadia General Plan under which each State requirement is fulfilled.
GENERAL PLAN APPROACH
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES GOALS
It is the goal of the City of Arcadia to:
. achieve air quality that is conducive to good health and enjovment of the area's
climatc, and to assist in attaining Fcderal and State air quality standards; and
. ensure the retention and proper stewardship of biologicaL energy, water, mineral and
cultural resources located within the Cit\'.
AIR QUALITY
Issues
Arcadia is located within the South Coast Air Basin (Basin). which includes Los Angeles
and Orange Counties, as well as portions of Riverside and San Bemadino Counties.
Although air qual it\' within the region has improved in the last several years, local air
quality measurements conducted from 1990 through 1994 show that ozone levels
containue to exceed both the State and Federal air qualit)' standards during portions of the
year and State stanfards for particulate matter (PM 10) have been exceeded approximately
46 percent of the time in fivc years of data.
Although the City of Arcadia is committed to contributing to air quality improvements,
the Cit\' is limited in the types of programs and policies that it can implement to achievc
any substantial air quality benefits. Local air quality problems are largely the result of
pollutants emitted upwind of Arcadia. In addition, Arcadia's air pollutant emissions are a
minuscule portion of the total air pollution problem. (continued on next page) ... ;
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ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN
4-2
Septemba 3. ] 996 - (Re)'.)
4.0 Environmental Resources
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General Plan Approach
Since Arcadia is dependent on local water resources, the City recognizes the importance
of the existing water resource system and will continue to take a comprehensive approach
to the preservation of water resources within the planning area through a combination of
land use controls, water conservation and urban runoff management. The City will fulfill
its responsibility for the management of water resources within the planning area through
implementation of NPDES requirements and the following concepts.
Coordinate General Plan Build Out with Available Water Supplies
As part of establishing a "build out" population for the Arcadia General Plan planning
area, the City has defined the water supplies that can reasonably be made available to
support new development in the foreseeable future. Land uses and intensities reflected
on the General Plan land use map will result in a level of water consumption that is
consistent with the availability of water supplies. Future development projects will be
analyzed for their effect on long-term water availability to' ensure that adequate water
supplies will continue to be available to support existing uses within Arcadia.
Storm water and Urban Runoff Management
/s,\"ucs
Arcadia is located I\"ithin the Los Angeles River Watershed. Iyhich drains storm water
and urban runoff from approximately S3:2 square miles of land. The City. of Arcadia is a
co-permittee with the County of Los Angeles aud S4 other municipalities in the National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, which regulates the quality of.
storm water and urban runoff discharges to the Municipal separate storm wattr system
(MS4)
The effect of pollutants in storm ,,'ater and urban runoff can be significant. lu the shOJ1
term. litter and other pollutants carried by dle water during a rain eveIll. may be deposited
on streets aud side,\"alks, creating unnecessary backups of water on City streets.
Pollut:lllts dlat make their way into the waterways and subsequently 10 the ocean. create a
hazard to biological resources. threatening and eudangering plan and animal species.
General PIIIII Approach
Storm water and urban runoff management reduces the impact of polllllants on the urban
landscape. recreational areas and open spaces. Unmanagcd storm water and urban nInoff
can cam' litter and pollutants into \\atef\\"aYs_ and subsequentlY' the ocean. causing
environmental hamL reduction of water quality, and reduces the int~grity of natural
drainage systems and water bodies. Careful planning and proper managemenJ.' of storm
water and urban runoff "ill help create a community that is aestheticallv appeal.ing. as
well as protecting the environment.
ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN
4-12
Sepl2mber3,1996-(Rel'.)
Protect and Improve Area Water Quality
Water quality concerns will be integrated into storm water management planning,
ensuring that designs for urban runoff pollutant management are part of the overall
planning and approval processes for new development proposals. Mitigation for
pollutant and sediment loading will include concepts of slowing water flows to enhance
percolation and other filtering Best Management Practices, allowing them to work in
harmony with the area's topography.
Balanced with the need to provide adequate flood control, the Citv recognizes its
responsibility to protect the quality of groundwater from the harmful effects of storm
water runoff. The City will, therefore, fulfill its water quality responsibilities as a "co-
permittee" under the Federal Clean Water Act, as amended, and implement the
provisions of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) by
defining and requiring that "Best Management Practices" (BMP) be employed to
improve the quality of stonn water runoff from the storm drain system and City
roadways. The City of Arcadia will also continue to monitor emerging technologies and
techniques of minimizing water quality impacts from stonn water runoff and require the
implementation of new BMPs as they are devised.
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ARCADIA GENERAL PUN
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September 3. 1996 - (Rei'';
4.0 Environmental Resources
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WATER RESOURCES
ER-31 Ensure fulfillment of the City's responsibilities relative to the requirements of the
County's NPDES permitting and implementing programs.
ER-32 lvlinimize, to the maximum extent practicable. the impacts of storm ",lter and
urban runoff on the biology. water qualit\. and integrity of natural drainage
systems and water bodies.
ER-33 Maximize to the extent praclicable. the percentage of pervious sudilCts to allo,,'
percolation of storm water into thc ground.
ER-34 ivlinimize to Ihe extent practicable. the amounl of slol1n water directed to
impervious surfaces. and to the municipal separate S1Ol1n Iyater system.
ER-35 Reqnire all new del'e!opment and redel'elopmcnt projects to haye storm wala
pollution prevention systems in place. including maximizing landscaped areas
and providing areas lor storm water storage and sedimentation.
ER-36 Require ne" dcyclopment projects to include permanent eontrols to reduce storm
"ateI' pollutant loads from development sites including parking lots to the
maximum extent practieabk
ER-37 Continue to implement the City's Water Conservation Plan contained in the
Arcadia Municipal Code.
ER-38 Facilitate public understanding of the need for water conservation by distributing
water conservation information to the public as appropriate.
ER-39 Maintain contingency plans for continuing water services in the event of large-
scale emergencies.
ER-40 Protect existing' groundwater recharge capacities within formal recharge
facilities, as well as within proposed development sites where such development
could have a negative effect on groundwater recharge.
ER -41 Ensure that proposed development projects avoid degradation of groundwater
quality.
ER-42 Encourage the installation of efficient irrigation systems (e.g., drip irrigi'-tion, soil
moisture sensors and automatic irrigation systems) which minimize runoff and
evaporation and maximize the water that will reach the plant roots.
ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN
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September 3, 1996-(Rev..)
MINERAL RESOURCES
ER.43 Monitor current regulations regarding the e,,-1raction of minerals for changes that
would impact the General Plan study area, and modify City policies and/or
ordinances to reflect new regulations.
ER-44 Ensure protection of adjacent land uses from potential hazards related to existing
and past mining and drilling activities.
ER-45 In making land use decisions involving areas which have been designated
pursuant to the California Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA) as
having minerals of regional significance, balance mineral values against
alternative land uses in consideration of the importance of these minerals to their
market region as a whole, and not just their importance to Arcadia.
ER-46 Require that potential environmental effects as dust, noise and eroSIOn of
quarrying sand and gravel are minimized to the maximum feasible extent.
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ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN
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September 3, 1996-(Rrn',!