HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-26-24 Agenda PacketCITY OF ARCADIA
Planning Commission
Regular Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, November 26, 2024, 7:00 p.m.
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in order to participate in a meeting, including auxiliary aids or services, may request such modification or accommodation from Planning
Services at (626) 574-5423. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to assure
accessibility to the meeting.
根据《美国残障人法案》的规定，需要提供残障相关调整或便利设施才能参加会议的残障人士（包括辅助器材或服务），可向规划服务部
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Pursuant to the City of Arcadia’s Language Access Services Policy, limited -English proficient speakers who require translation services
in order to participate in a meeting may request the use of a volunteer or professional translator by contacting the Cit y Clerk’s Office at
(626) 574-5455 at least 72 hours prior to the meeting.
根据阿凯迪亚市的语言便利服务政策，英语能力有限并需要翻译服务才能参加会议的人可与市书记官办公室联系（电话：626-574-5455
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CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
Marilynne Wilander, Chair
Domenico Tallerico, Vice Chair
David Arvizu, Commissioner
Angela Hui, Commissioner
Vincent Tsoi, Commissioner
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS
PUBLIC COMMENTS (5 minute time limit per person)
Each speaker is limited to five (5) minutes per person, unless waived by the Planning Commission.
Under the Brown Act, the Commission or Board Members are prohibited from discussing or taking
action on any item not listed on the posted agenda.
PUBLIC HEARING
All interested persons are invited to appear at a public hearing and to provide evidence or testimony
concerning any of the proposed items set forth below for consideration. Separate and apart from
the applicant (who may speak longer at the discretion of the Commission) speakers shall be limited
to five (5) minutes per person. The applicant may additionally submit rebuttal comments, at the
discretion of the Commission.
You are hereby advised that should you desire to legally challenge in court or in an administrative
proceeding any action taken by the City Council regarding any public hearing item, you may be
limited to raising only those issues and objections you or someone else raised at the public hearing
or in written correspondence delivered to the City Council at, or prior to, the public hearing.
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1. Resolution No. 2161 – A General Plan Amendment to update the Safety Element and adopt
a new Environmental Justice Element
CEQA: Negative Declaration
Recommendation: Recommend Approval to the City Council
Applicant: City of Arcadia – Development Services
CONSENT CALENDAR
All matters listed under the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine and can be acted on by
one roll call vote. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless members of the
Commission, staff, or the public request that specific items be removed from the Consent Calendar
for separate discussion and action.
1. Minutes of the November 12, 2024, Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission
Recommendation: Approve
MATTERS FROM CITY COUNCIL LIAISON
MATTERS FROM PLANNING COMMISSIONERS
MATTERS FROM ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY
MATTERS FROM STAFF INCLUDING UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS
ADJOURNMENT
The Planning Commission will adjourn this meeting to Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.
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Welcome to the Arcadia Planning Commission Meeting!
The Planning Commission encourages public participation and invites you to share your views on City
business.
MEETINGS: Regular Meetings of the Planning Commission are held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of
each month at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. A full Planning Commission agenda packet with all
backup information is available at City Hall, the Arcadia Public Library, and on the City’s website at
www.ArcadiaCA.gov. Copies of individual Agenda Reports are available via email upon request
(Planning@ArcadiaCA.gov). Documents distributed to a majority of the Planning Commission after the posting
of this agenda will be available for review at the Planning Services Office in City Hall, 240 W. Huntington Drive,
Arcadia, California.
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: Your participation is welcomed and invited at all Planning Commission meetings.
Time is reserved at each regular meeting for those in the audience who wish to address the Planning
Commission. The City requests that persons addressing the Planning Commissio n refrain from making
personal, slanderous, profane, or disruptive remarks. When the Chair asks for those who wish to speak please
come to the podium and state your name and address for the record. Please provide a copy of any writte n
materials used in your address to the Planning Commission as well as a copy of any printed materials you
wish to be distributed to the Planning Commission.
MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA should be presented during the time designated as “PUBLIC
COMMENTS.” In general, each speaker will be given (5) minutes to address the Planning Commission;
however, the Chair, at his/her discretion, may shorten the speaking time limit to allow all speakers time to
address the Planning Commission. By State law, the Planning Commission may not discuss or vote on
items not on the agenda. The matter will automatically be referred to staff for appropriate action or
response, or will be placed on the agenda of a future meeting.
PUBLIC HEARINGS AND APPEALS are items scheduled for which public input is either required or desired.
Separate and apart from an applicant or appellant (who may speak longer at the discretion of the Planning
Commission), speakers shall be limited to (5) minutes per person. The Chair, at his/her discretion, may shorten
the speaking time limit to allow all speakers to address the Planning Commission. The applicant or appellant
may also be afforded an additional opportunity for rebuttal comments.
AGENDA ITEMS: The Agenda contains the regular order of business of the Planning Commission. Items on
the Agenda have generally been reviewed and investigated by the City Staff in advance of the meeting so that
the Planning Commission can be fully informed about a matter before making its decision.
CONSENT CALENDAR: Items listed on the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine by the Planning
Commission and may be acted upon by one motion. There will be no separate discussion on these items
unless a member of the Planning Commission, Staff, or the public so reques ts. In this event, the item will be
removed from the Consent Calendar and considered and acted on separately.
DECORUM: While members of the public are free to level criticism of City policies and the action(s) or
proposed action(s) of the Planning Commission or its members, members of the public may not engage in
behavior that is disruptive to the orderly conduct of the proceedings, including, but not limited to, conduct that
prevents other members of the audience from being heard when it is their opportunity to speak, or which
prevents members of the audience from hearing or seeing the proceedings. Members of the public may not
threaten any person with physical harm or act in a manner that may reasonably be interpreted as an imminent
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harassment based upon a person’s race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical handicap,
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members of the Police Department, may serve as the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Planning Commission meeting.
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of maintaining order and decorum at the meeting. Any person who violates the order and decorum of the
meeting may be placed under arrest and such person may be prosecuted under the provisions of Penal Code
Section 403 or applicable Arcadia Municipal Code section.
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欢迎来到阿卡迪亚规划委员会会议！
规划委员会鼓励公众参与并诚邀您分享对市政业务的看法。
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公共图书馆 (Arcadia Public Library) 和市政网站 (www.ArcadiaCA.gov) 上查阅包含所有备份信息的完整的规划
委员会议程包。个人议程报告的副本可通过电子邮件的方式 (Planning@ArcadiaCA.gov) 索取。本议程发布后，
分发至大多数规划委员会的文件可在规划服务办公室 (地址：City Hall, 240 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia,
California) 查阅。
公民参与：欢迎并邀请您参加规划委员会的所有会议。每次例会都为希望向规划委员会发表意见的听众预留时间
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议的人都应遵守本市的政策，禁止基于个人的种族、宗教信仰、肤色、国籍、血统、身体残疾、医疗状况、婚姻
状况、性别、性取向或年龄而进行骚扰。警务处处长或警务处的此类成员可担任规划委员会会议的警卫官。警卫
官应执行主持会议的官员为维持会议秩序和礼仪而发出的所有命令和指示。任何违反会议秩序和礼仪的人均可被
逮捕，并可根据《刑法典》第403条或适用的《阿卡迪亚市政法典》相关部分的规定对其提起诉讼。
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DATE: November 26, 2024
TO: Honorable Chairman and Planning Commission
FROM: Lisa L. Flores, Deputy Development Services Director
By: Fiona Graham, Planning Services Manager
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION NO. 2161 – A GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT TO UPDATE
THE SAFETY ELEMENT AND ADOPT A NEW ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE ELEMENT
CEQA: Negative Declaration
Recommendation: Recommend Approval to the City Council
SUMMARY
The Development Services Department has prepared General Plan Amendment (GPA)
No. 24-01, which updates the General Plan Safety Element, adopts a new Environmental
Justice (EJ) Element, and revises the General Plan Implementation Plan with updated
and new policies and goals. State law mandates the update of the Safety Element
alongside the Housing Element, which was certified in early 2024. The updated Safety
Element addresses wildfire and earthquake risks, climate change vulnerability,
emergency evacuation routes, and overall community readiness and resilience. In
compliance with Senate Bill (SB) 1000, the City is also required to adopt an Environmental
Justice Element when updating two or more elements simultaneously. The Environmental
Justice Element introduces policies and goals to enhance environmental equity across
the City.
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission adopt Resolution No. 2161 (Attachment
No. 1), recommending City Council approval of GPA No. 24 -01, based on the findings in
this report and the accompanying Negative Declaration prepared under the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
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General Plan Amendment No. GPA 24-01
November 26, 2024
Page 2 of 12
BACKGROUND
The City adopted its Housing Element update in 2022, and received certification from
Housing and Community Development (HCD) in February 2024, following an extensive
rezoning effort. California law requires cities to update the Safety Element and, where
applicable, an Environmental Justice Element, in conjunction with the Housing Element
update. The updates are required to ensure compliance with recent changes to State law
and to address concerns regarding climate vulnerability, community safety, and
environmental justice. These updates are essential to maintaining a comprehensive and
legally compliant General Plan that reflects the community’s needs and priorities.
The Safety Element is one of the seven (7) required elements of the General Plan,
designed to protect the community from risks such as wildfires, floods, earthquakes, and
other hazards. Recent legislative changes require the integration of climate adaptation,
resilience strategies, and evacuation planning into this element. This is largely the result
of catastrophic wildfires that have impacted urban and suburban locations throughout the
State in recent years. For communities with disadvantaged populations as defined by
Senate Bill 1000, the development or integration of an Environmental Justice (EJ)
Element is also required. This element aims to address health inequities and
environmental burdens that disproportionately affect low-income communities.
The City contracted with Dudek in March 2022 to prepare a Safety Element update.
Simultaneous with the preparation of the Safety Element review, staff investigated
whether the City would be required to prepare an EJ Element. After consultation with the
Attorney General’s office, it was determined that the City is required to prepare an EJ
Element. The agreement with Dudek was therefore amended in mid-2023 to also include
the preparation of an Environmental Justice Element and a Negative Declaration under
the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for both elements.
ANALYSIS
The City has prepared an update of the Safety Element, a new Environmental Justice
Element, and associated updates to the Implementation Plan of the General Plan. These
changes and updates have been prepared in response to State requirements.
Safety Element Update
The City’s Safety Element was most recently updated in 2010 as part of the
comprehensive General Plan update, undertaken at that time. In 2018, SB 1035 went into
effect, which requires the City’s General Plan Safety Element to be updated in conjunction
with the Housing Element update, to address new requirements and incorporate updated
information.
The Safety Element of a General Plan aims to protect communities from risks associated
with natural and human-made hazards. It identifies potential dangers such as wildfires,
floods, earthquakes, and climate-related impacts, and outlines policies and programs to
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General Plan Amendment No. GPA 24-01
November 26, 2024
Page 3 of 12
reduce these risks. By addressing hazard mitigation, emergency preparedness,
evacuation planning, and community resilience, the Safety Element ensures public safety,
infrastructure reliability, and environmental protection, fostering a sustainable and secu re
future for all residents.
The City’s draft updated Safety Element (Attachment No. 2) includes updated and new
policies and goals which have been prepared to comply with the following State law
requirements:
• SB 379 (2015): Requires the City to address climate adaptation and resiliency
through the preparation of a vulnerability assessment or reliance on a Local
Hazard Mitigation Plan that addresses climate adaptation risks and vulnerabilities.
• AB 747 (2020): Mandates that the City include an analysis of evacuation routes in
the Safety Element. The analysis must assess the capacity, safety, and viability of
existing and proposed evacuation routes under a range of emergency scenarios,
such as wildfires, floods, earthquakes, and hazardous material incidents.
• SB 99 (2020): Requires the Safety Element to identify residential developments
in any hazard areas that do not have at least two emergency evacuation routes.
In response to this suite of bills that have been adopted in recent years, the Safety
Element has been updated to include:
• Three (3) new goals addressing resilience to environmental hazards such as
debris flows and extreme heat, to reduce the potential for loss of life, injury, and
property damage during such events;
• Two (2) new policies on earthquake preparedness and evacuation route planning
with the aim of reducing loss of life and property damage resulting from
earthquakes and other geological hazards;
• One (1) new policy on developments in flood areas to minimize risks and to prevent
isolation from essential services and facilities during a flood event ;
• Four (4) new policies and various other updated policies on reducing the impacts
of wildfire. These changes aim to reduce the impacts from wildland and urban fires
through ongoing maintenance, appropriate building location and design,
vegetation management, and by ensuring ongoing adequate water supply;
• Five (5) new policies on effective emergency and disaster response preparedness.
The new policies aim to improve resilience in the community through education,
interagency coordination, and maintaining essential public facilities and
infrastructure needed during emergencies; and
• Various other updates and text cleanups to improve readability, provide current
information and statuses on programs and projects, and to comply with the various
State bills.
The Development Services Staff worked closely with the City’s Fire Department in the
update to the Safety Element, as much of the new law and policy is directly related to fire
protection. In addition, pursuant to State law, the California Department of Forestry and
Fire Protection (Cal Fire) reviews Safety Element updates. On October 31, 2023, Cal Fire
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General Plan Amendment No. GPA 24-01
November 26, 2024
Page 4 of 12
verified that the City’s Safety Element update included all required information. For the
full text of the updated Safety Element, see Attachment No. 2.
Environmental Justice Element
In 2016, the California Legislature passed SB 1000, which aims to improve the health of
local jurisdictions in California through adoption of an environmental justice element. This
made EJ a mandatory topic for the City to address in its General Plan. An Environmental
Justice Element must identify disadvantaged communities in the City and is required to
incorporate objectives and policies to reduce the unique or compounded health risks in
those disadvantaged communities, promote civic engagement in the public decision -
making process, and prioritize improvements and programs that address the needs of the
disadvantaged communities.
A “disadvantaged community” is an area that is low income, and which has high levels of
environmental pollution. Disadvantaged communities are disproportionately affected by
environmental pollution and other hazards that can lead to negative health effects,
exposure, or environmental degradation.
The City of Arcadia has one disadvantaged community as mapped on CalEnviroScreen
– a portion of Census Tract 4325, shown below. Although this area technically meets the
criteria to be identified as a disadvantaged community, within Arcadia, the census tract is
entirely zoned for light industrial uses. The remainder of Census Tract 4325 is within the
City of El Monte and comprises a residential neighborhood (refer to Figure 1). SB 1000
does not take into account the number of residents when defining a disadvantaged
community. Since Census Tract 4325 is a disadvantaged community, the City is required
to prepare an EJ Element.
As part of the preparation of the EJ Element, the City was required to undertake
community consultation. The City held a virtual community meeting on October 11, 2023.
The community meeting included a discussion on seven different environmental justice
topics, which attendees provided comments on. These workshop discussions were then
used to inform the preparation of the EJ Element in conjunction with staff research and
established City priorities.
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General Plan Amendment No. GPA 24-01
November 26, 2024
Page 5 of 12
Figure 1: Arcadia zoning and the boundary of census tract 4325 (red dashed line).
The draft EJ Element includes a discussion on seven areas of environmental justice, as
required by SB 1000. They are:
• Active and public transportation
• Climate change
• Healthy Food
• Parks and Public Facilities
• Pollution
• Safe and Sanitary Housing
• Community Engagement
From these areas of discussion, four goals and 11 policies were included in the draft EJ
Element which respond to the unique and specific circumstances found within Arcadia.
These goals and policies primarily amend or enhance existing programs already
implemented in the City by prioritizing environmental justice goals. For example, Policy
1.6 is to “continue to update truck route maps that minimize exposure to sensitive land
uses.” This policy ensures that when the City’s truck route maps are updated, that new
routes take sensitive land uses into consideration with the aim of reducing pollution on
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General Plan Amendment No. GPA 24-01
November 26, 2024
Page 6 of 12
those uses. New implementation actions are included in the General Plan Implementation
Plan to effectuate the new EJ policies. For the full text of the new EJ Element, please see
Attachment No. 3.
Implementation Plan
The Safety Element section of the Implementation Plan has been updated to reflect the
new and revised goals and policies prepared as part of this amendment. Three (3) new
programs have been included, and eight (8) existing programs have had substantive
changes made to reflect the new goals and policies within the draft Safety Element
update. In addition, eight (8) new programs are included to implement the goals and
policies of the new EJ Element. In addition to the updates necessary to implement the
Safety and EJ Elements, minor clean-ups throughout the document have been
undertaken for improved readability, and internal consistency.
The draft updated Safety Element, draft EJ Element, and draft updated Implementation
Plan can be found as Attachments 2, 3, and 4, respectively.
FINDINGS
Pursuant to Development Code Section 9108.03.060, the General Plan Amendmen t may
be approved if all the following findings can be satisfied.
General Plan Amendment Findings:
1. The amendment is internally consistent with all other provisions of the
General Plan.
Facts in Support of the Finding: The City’s General Plan Safety Element focuses
on identifying and avoiding or mitigating hazards present in the environment that
may adversely affect property and lives. The Safety Element update will further
strengthen this aim by addressing the increasing risks associated with climate
change, and by updating information on Very High Fire Hazard Areas, and
evacuation routes. These updates serve to bring the Safety Elemen t into
compliance with State law and also reflect changes that have occurred in the City
and environment over the past decade since the Safety Element was previously
adopted. Changes and updates to the Safety Element’s goals and policies are
consistent with the other elements in the General Plan.
The new Environmental Justice Element will be consistent with all other provisions
of the General Plan. The new policies, and implementation actions have been
prepared to enhance existing policies and programs contained within the General
Plan by prioritizing or emphasizing environmental justice goals. The Environmental
Justice Element also recognizes that many existing policies within other elements
already support environmental justice goals. These existing policies have been
identified within the Environmental Justice Element. Therefore, the Safety Element
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General Plan Amendment No. GPA 24-01
November 26, 2024
Page 7 of 12
update and the Environmental Justice Element are consistent with the goals of the
General Plan and with all other provisions within other elements.
2. The proposed amendment will not be detrimental to the public interest,
health, safety, convenience, or general welfare of the City.
Facts in Support of the Finding: The proposed amendments are in the public’s
interests by furthering the General Plan’s goals of creating a safe, healthy and
resilient community. The updated Safety Element includes new and revised
policies and goals which will improve safety, and reduce risk from hazards in the
City. In compliance with State law, the new goals and policies will focus on
managing the impacts of a changing climate, improving resilience in the
community, and ensuring adequate and safe evacuation routes for all the City’s
communities.
The new Environmental Justice Element aims to improve environmental equity
throughout the City by implementing new policies and goals to promote and
prioritize environmental justice. The Environmental Justice Element promotes
equitable access to clean air, safe housing, and reliable transportation, improving
overall quality of life, which supports the health, safety, and general welfare of the
City’s residents.
In addition to furthering the public’s interest, the proposed amendments were
analyzed to ensure that no impacts to the public’s health, safety or welfare of the
City would result from the changes. In accordance with CEQA guidelines, a
Negative Declaration was prepared. The Negative Declaration concluded that no
significant impacts would result from the updated Safety Element and new
Environmental Justice Element. Therefore, the proposed General Plan
amendment would not be detrimental to the public’s health, safety or welfare and
is in the public’s interest.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The proposed GPA has been assessed in accordance with the authority and criteria
contained in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and CEQA Guidelines. An
Initial Study/Negative Declaration (IS/ND) has been prepared for the GPA for the City, as
the lead agency. The IS/ND was prepared consistent with the requirements of the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) on the basis that there was no substantial
evidence that there may be significant environmental impacts on specific environmental
areas – refer to Attachment No. 5. In fact, the entire basis for the updating of the Safety
Element, and the creation of the EJ element, is to ensure that policies and programs are
protecting the environment and the health, safety, and welfare of residents, which is one
of the overarching goals of CEQA.
The IS/ND was made available for public review from October 24, 2024, to November 25,
2024. A Notice of Intent to adopt the IS/ND was published in the newspaper on October
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General Plan Amendment No. GPA 24-01
November 26, 2024
Page 8 of 12
24, 2024, posted on the City’s webpage, and posted at the L.A. County Clerk’s office on
October 24, 2024. A copy of the IS/ND was made available on the City’s webpage, at the
Planning Division office, and at the library. During this time period, public agencies,
organizations, and the public in general were afforded the opportunity to review the Draft
IS/MND, and submit written comments regarding the documents and the proposed
project. As of November 22, 2024, the City had received one comment letter from the
office of the Attorney General acknowledging preparation of the Environmental Justice
Element – refer to Attachment No. 5.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Planning Commission adopt Resolution No. 2161 (Attachment
No. 1) to recommend approval of General Plan Amendment No. GPA 24-01 to the City
Council, based on the findings listed in this staff report, and the Negative Declaration in
accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
If any Planning Commissioner or other interested party has any questions or comments
regarding this matter prior to the November 26, 2024, hearing, please contact Planning
Services Manager, Fiona Graham, at (626) 574-5442, or by email at
fgraham@ArcadiaCA.gov.
Approved:
on behalf of
Lisa L. Flores
Deputy Development Services Director
Attachment No. 1: Resolution No. 2017
Attachment No. 2: Draft Safety Element Update
Attachment No. 3: Draft Environmental Justice Element
Attachment No. 4: Draft Implementation Plan Update
Attachment No. 5: Environmental Document – Draft Negative Declaration including the
comment letter received.
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Attachment No. 1
Attachment No. 1
Resolution No. 2161
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1
RESOLUTION NO. 2161
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA RECOMMENDING THE CITY COUNCIL
APPROVE GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT NO. GPA 24-01 TO UPDATE
THE SAFETY ELEMENT AND ADOPT A NEW ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
ELEMENT WITH A NEGATIVE DECLARATION UNDER THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA)
WHEREAS, local governments are authorized by Government Code Section 65350,
et. seq. to prepare, adopt and amend General Plans; and
WHEREAS, the Arcadia Municipal Code provides that the adoption or amendment of
any General Plan within the City shall be accomplished by resolution; and
WHEREAS, Senate Bill (SB) 379 requires that the City update its Safety Element in
conjunction with the Housing Element update; and
WHEREAS, the City’s Housing Element was updated and certified by Housing and
Community Development (HCD) on February 9, 2024; and
WHEREAS, Senate Bill (SB) 1000 requires that the City implement an
Environmental Justice Element when two or more elements are updated and where the City
also has a “disadvantaged community” pursuant to Government Code Section
65302(h)(4)(A); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), an Initial
Study/Negative Declaration (“IS/ND”) was prepared for the draft Safety Element Update
and new Environmental Justice Element in compliance with CEQA and local environmental
review guidelines and a Notice of Intent to Adopt a Negative Declaration for the draft Safety
Element Update and new Environmental Justice Element was posted with the L.A. County
Clerk’s Office on October 24, 2024; and
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2
WHEREAS, on November 26, 2024, a duly notice public hearing was held before the
Planning Commission on the Project, at which time all interested persons were given full
opportunity to be heard and to present evidence; and
WHEREAS, the final adoption of the IS/ND and approval of the Safety Element
Update and new Environmental Justice Element shall be considered by the City Council as
the final approval authority, after evaluation of the environmental document and
consideration of any public comments received during the public review period.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA,
CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY FIND, DETERMINE AND RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The Planning Commission hereby finds that the factual data submitted
by the Development Services Department in the staff report dated November 26, 2024, are
true and correct.
SECTION 2. This Commission finds that based upon the entire record, pursuant to
Section 9108.03.060 of the Arcadia Development Code, all of the following findings can be
made.
1. The amendment is internally consistent with all other provisions of the General
Plan; and
FACT: The City’s General Plan Safety Element focuses on identifying and avoiding
or mitigating hazards present in the environment that may adversely affect property and
lives. The Safety Element update will further strengthen this aim by addressing the
increasing risks associated with climate change, and by updating information on Very High
Fire Hazard Areas, and evacuation routes. These updates serve to bring the Safety
Element into compliance with State law and also reflect changes that have occurred in the
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3
City and environment over the past decade since the Safety Element was previously
adopted. Changes and updates to the Safety Element’s goals and policies are consistent
with the other elements in the General Plan.
The new Environmental Justice Element will be consistent with all other provisions of
the General Plan. The new policies, and implementation actions have been prepared to
enhance existing policies and programs contained within the General Plan by prioritizing or
emphasizing environmental justice goals. The Environmental Justice Element also
recognizes that many existing policies within other elements already support environmental
justice goals. These existing policies have been identified within the Environmental Justice
Element. Therefore, the Safety Element update and the Environmental Justice Element are
consistent with the goals of the General Plan and with all other provisions within other
elements.
2. The proposed amendment will not be detrimental to the public interest, health,
safety, convenience, or general welfare of the City.
FACT: The proposed amendments are in the public’s interests by furthering the
General Plan’s goals of creating a safe, healthy and resilient community. The updated
Safety Element includes new and revised policies and goals which will improve safety, and
reduce risk from hazards in the City. In compliance with State law, the new goals and
policies will focus on managing the impacts of a changing climate, improving resilience in
the community, and ensuring adequate and safe evacuation routes for all the City’s
communities.
The new Environmental Justice Element aims to improve environmental equity
throughout the City by implementing new policies and goals to promote and prioritize
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4
environmental justice. The Environmental Justice Element promotes equitable access to
clean air, safe housing, and reliable transportation, improving overall quality of life, which
supports the health, safety, and general welfare of the City’s residents.
In addition to furthering the public’s interest, the proposed amendments were
analyzed to ensure that no impacts to the public’s health, safety or welfare of the City would
result from the changes. In accordance with CEQA guidelines, a Negative Declaration was
prepared. The Negative Declaration concluded that no significant impacts would result from
the updated Safety Element and new Environmental Justice Element. Therefore, the
proposed General Plan amendment would not be detrimental to the public’s health, safety
or welfare and is in the public’s interest.
SECTION 3. For the foregoing reasons the Planning Commission recommends that
the City Council adopt a Negative Declaration and approve General Plan Amendment No.
GPA 24-01, updating the General Plan’s Safety Element, and adopting a new
Environmental Justice Element.
SECTION 4. The Secretary of the Planning Commission shall certify to the adoption
of this Resolution.
[SIGNATURES ON THE NEXT PAGE]
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Passed, approved, and adopted this 26th day of November 2024.
_______________________
Marilynne Wilander
Chair, Planning Commission
ATTEST:
______________________
Lisa L. Flores
Secretary
______________________
Michael J. Maurer
City Attorney
18
Attachment No. 2
Attachment No. 2
Draft Safety Element Update
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ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024 SAFETY | 8-1
Chapter 8:
SAFETY ELEMENT
A r c a d i a G e n e r a l P l a n
Introduction
Community safety issues influence many decisions people make, from big
decisions such as where to live or spend leisure time, to small decisions such as
identifying the time of day they feel comfortable walking alone. When thinking
about where to buy a home, people may consider whether a hillside location
near a wildfire zone is of concern. In budgeting decisions, elected bodies
allocate funds to fire and law enforcement services commensurate with overall
public safety objectives. Critical to these decision processes is knowing
Knowing the hazards present in a community and establishing safety standards
is critical to these decision processes. By identifying threats to our safety, we
can better guard against disasters and develop effective response plans.
This Safety Element identifies, evaluates, and addresses local and regional
safety issues and establishes the goals, policies, and actions that will help
reduce loss of life, injuries, property loss, environmental damage, and social
and economic disruption from natural and human-caused disasters. These
issues are addressed within the context of:
▪ Environmental hazards
▪ Human-caused hazards
▪ Threats to national security
▪ Emergency services
▪ Emergency preparedness
▪ Chronic climate hazards
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8-2 | SAFETY ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024
The goals, policies, and programs in this element are shaped around three
approaches that are integral to Arcadia’s plan for a safe community:
(1) avoidingmitigating hazards and threats through careful planning, (2) being
prepared to respond to any and all crisis situations to minimize injury or
loss, and
(3) educating the public of best safety practices so that the community does its
part to improve public safety.
Achieving Our Vision
Residents and businesses look to the City of Arcadia (City) to protect the
community from threats to public safety. Maintaining a safe community
requires constant assessment of the City’s Arcadia’s needs regarding
emergency preparedness and hazards mitigation. While the City has no control
over earthquakes or landslides, it can establish policies that minimize exposure
to impacts from these hazards.
Our vision is to create a City city where residents and businesses are and feel
safe. In Arcadia, we go to work, school, and shopping shop knowing that our
police and fire departments, as well as many volunteers and involved residents,
safeguard our homes, places of business, and local institutions. The City of
Arcadia is committed to public safety and creating a community where
exposure of residents and businesses to hazards is minimized. The City
incorporates public safety considerations into its planning and decision-making
processes. The City is committed to providing rapid and effective emergency
response and coordinating with regional agencies toward these objectives. This
Guiding Principle The following guiding principle reflects our commitment to
providing the necessary services to create safe environments citywide:
City Services
The high-quality services the City provides are a source of civic pride
and bring us together as a community. We adjust service needs in
response to demographic changes and we take actions to provide
funding to support these services.
Keeping Arcadia safe is a
theme addressed throughout
the General Plan. The Land
Use and Community Design
Element limits the range of
land uses allowed in
hazardous areas to reduce
the number of people and
buildings exposed to risk.
Objectives and policies in the
Circulation and Infrastructure
Element aim to make Arcadia
a safe place to drive, bike,
and walk. The Noise Element
establishes policies and
priorities to protect residents
from noise related to traffic
and business operations.
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ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024 SAFETY | 8-3
Scope of this Element
The Safety Element is one of the General Plan elements required by State law.
The City has long emphasized a proactive approach to public safety planning,
which involves identifying and avoiding or mitigating hazards present in the
environment that may adversely affect property and threaten lives. California
Government Code Sections 65302(g) and 65302(f) identify several issues to
consider in such planning efforts, as does California Health and Safety Code
Section 56050.1. In Arcadia, issues of concern are as follows:
▪ Seismic hazards, including seismically induced surface rupture, ground
shaking, and ground failure
▪ Dam/reservoir failure
▪ Non-seismic ground failure such as slope instability leading to
mudslides, landslides, and liquefaction, and debris flows
▪ Flooding
▪ Wildland and urban fires
▪ Presence and transport of hazardous materials
▪ Law enforcement and crime prevention
▪ Emergency services
▪ Extreme heat
The City’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan works in tandem with this Safety
Element to assess and address hazards. Local Hazard Mitigation Plans must
meet certain Federal requirements, whereas Safety Elements follow State
requirements. Both plans include policies and actions for the City to undertake,
which means that consistency across plans is important. As allowed by
California Government Code Section 65302.6, this Safety Element adopts the
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan and all future updates by reference, and the Local
Hazard Mitigation Plan can be found on the City’s website.
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8-4 | SAFETY ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024
Environmental Law and Changes in
Climate Influencing Safety
Through the passage of Senate Bill 379, the State of California directed cities to
evaluate and address the projected impacts of a changing climate in safety
elements and develop policies that adapt to the changing conditions. Over the
next century, increasing atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations are
expected to cause a variety of changes to local climate conditions, including
changes in precipitation and higher temperatures. These factors, either
individually or in combination, may contribute to an increase in the frequency
and intensity of secondary local climate effects such as human health hazards,
drought, extreme heat events, extreme precipitation and flooding, debris flow,
landslides, and wildfires.
In 2024, the City undertook revisions to the Safety Element to address Senate Bill
379 and strive to become a more climate resilient city. Addressing climate change
requires local governments to consider an integrated approach in developing
strategies to reduce vulnerability to projected climate change effects, increase
the local capacity to adapt, and build resilience. A climate resilient city is one that
is prepared to maintain a continuity of essential services and functions while
protecting the most vulnerable during hazardous events and continually
adapting in the face of change.
As a part of the City’s integrated approach, the flooding and wildfire sections
of the Safety Element were revised to include climate change projections,
updated data, and best practice policies and implementation actions. Emerging
hazards, such as extreme heat and debris flows, were added as new hazards.
Table S-1 is provided as a tool to help the reader understand the relationship
of climate change to both existing and emerging hazards within Arcadia, as well
as where to locate climate resilience policies.
TABLE S-1. READER’S GUIDE TO CLIMATE RESILIENCE IN THE SAFETY
ELEMENT
Hazard
Relationship to Climate Change
Section of Safety
Element (Associated
Goal)
Debris Flows Emerging and potentially
increasing due to climate change
Emerging Hazards
(S-3)
Extreme Heat Emerging and potentially
increasing due to climate change
Emerging Hazards
(S-2)
Flooding Existing and impacted by climate
change
Environmental Hazards
(S-5)
Fire Existing and impacted by climate
change
Environmental Hazards
(S-6)
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ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024 SAFETY | 8-5
TABLE S-1. READER’S GUIDE TO CLIMATE RESILIENCE IN THE SAFETY
ELEMENT
Hazard
Relationship to Climate Change
Section of Safety
Element (Associated
Goal)
Fire Protection and
Emergency Services
Existing and impacted by climate
change
Emergency Services
(S-8)
Emergency
Preparedness
Existing and impacted by climate
change
Emergency
Preparedness (S-9)
Vulnerabilities
Climate change does not affect all people equally, leading to some to be more
vulnerable than others. For example some people have physical conditions that
make them more sensitive to heat or cause them to need assistance when
evacuating. Other households may lack the socio-economic resources to
prepare for or recover from hazards. Structures and infrastructure can also be
especially vulnerable to certain aspects of climate change due to their location
or features. These vulnerabilities and their prevalence in Arcadia are described
below.
Populations
People with Disabilities
People with disabilities are medically vulnerable and can have a challenging
time evacuating, making them vulnerable to wildfire and flooding. Disabilities
can range from having difficulty moving around or requiring a service animal to
relying on medical equipment to survive. Specific evacuation plans or
databases and services that address the needs of people with disabilities can
address this vulnerability. Approximately 9% of the residents of Arcadia are
disabled, which is less than the percentage in the state as a whole.
Limited English-Speaking Households
Households with no adult English speakers can have a difficult time accessing
public health information, making them vulnerable to all hazards. Translating
materials into all relevant languages, as well as working with places of worship
and other organizations that serve these residents, is important to effectively
disseminate hazard and hazard response information. In California,
approximately 9% of households have limited English skills, while 17% of the
households in Arcadia have limited English skills. The vast majority of these
households primarily speak an Asian or Pacific Island language.
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8-6 | SAFETY ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024
Low-Income Households
Low-income households are vulnerable to several hazards, and the lower a
household’s income, the more at risk they will be. Extreme heat can be more
detrimental to low-income households because they may not have air
conditioning or may not be able to afford running their air conditioning. This
can lead to heat-related health issues. Additionally, destructive hazards like
flooding or wildfires can destroy possessions and require expensive repairs that
low-income households may not be able to afford. This means issues like
hazard-driven displacement are more likely for low-income households. These
issues can be remedied to a degree by offering programs for income- qualified
households, such as utility cost reductions or various forms of post-disaster
assistance.
As of 2024, the area median income for four-person households in the Los
Angeles Metropolitan Area was $98,200. According to the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development, low-income households make between
50% and 80% of the area median income, and very low-income
households make below 50%. By these standards, approximately 15% of
households in Arcadia are considered low-income, and 25% of households are
considered very low-income. These percentages are similar to the State of
California as a whole, but still represent a major group of vulnerable people in
Arcadia.
Renters
Renters are less likely to invest in their homes, such as by upgrading to fire-safe
building materials. Renters are also more likely to be displaced after a hazard
as they are often under-insured and cannot access recovery benefits available
to homeowners. These characteristics make renters more vulnerable to
wildfire. Approximately 40% of the households in Arcadia are renters, which is
a lower rate than that of California and the region as a whole.
Older Adults
Older adults are physically more vulnerable to extreme heat events. Older
adults may also have trouble evacuating on their own, and therefore may also
be vulnerable to wildfire. Additionally, once evacuated, older adults may have
medication that requires refrigeration, such as insulin. Connecting older adults
to neighbors and relevant services can address these vulnerabilities. In Arcadia,
1 in 5 residents is 65 years or older, slightly higher than State and regional
proportions. Approximately 7% of households are seniors living alone.
Uninsured People
Similar to low-income residents, uninsured people have a reduced ability to
recover after a devastating hazard. Health insurance is important for both
acute and chronic health issues, and its benefits span all hazards. Renters,
home, and car insurance are also potentially beneficial if a hazard, like a
wildfire, were to destroy an individual’s property. Some types of insurance can
be hazard-specific, like flood insurance, and are especially beneficial for homes
that are in certain risk areas. Sometimes this type of insurance is required for
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ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024 SAFETY | 8-7
homeowners. Specific to health insurance, about 7% of Californians are
uninsured, whereas only 4% of Arcadia’s residents are uninsured.
Built Environment
Residential Buildings
Arcadia’s residents make it the community that it is, so it is important to
discuss how the homes of Arcadia residents are projected to be impacted by
climate change.
Related to extreme heat, residents in homes without air conditioning are
vulnerable. Designated cooling centers or publicly available City facilities can,
at times, augment these conditions and provide people places to cool off.
Specific to flooding, no residential areas in the City are within current Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood zones; however, climate
change is projected to increase the occurrence of flooding and may cause
expanded flood zones in the future. Since 2015, all development and
redevelopment projects in Arcadia have had to comply with the latest County
of Los Angeles Department of Public Works Low Impact Development
Standards Manual. However, these development standards do not address
existing developments, which make up the vast majority of the city.
Over 1,000 residential parcels in northern Arcadia overlap with Very High Fire
Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZs), meaning they’re at elevated risk of wildfire.
Arcadia’s municipal code is compliant with fire safe building standards above
what is required by the State; however, these standards only apply to new
buildings. A significant number of older buildings do not meet the current
California Building Code for building materials and other regulations.
Additionally, defensible space requirements are a common issue, and a
homeowner’s compliance can vary from year to year as a given parcel’s
vegetation and maintenance fluctuate. The fire department conducts ongoing
public education and an annual brush clearance program to lower the
potential risk of a fire spreading within Arcadia. The U.S. Forest Service, FEMA,
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), and County
of Los Angeles also contribute to regional public education and fire mitigation
strategies.
Again, debris flows have more potential to occur in the northern portion of
Arcadia, which is mainly populated by single-family residential homes and
open space. Over the years as wildfires occur or conditions change, residences
may become more at risk.
Critical Facilities
Critical facilities provide emergency response, such as hospitals, fire stations,
police stations, emergency operations centers, and ambulance services. Other
critical facilities are places that can be flexibly used as shelters or gathering
places during emergencies, such as schools or other public assembly facilities
with capacities greater than 100 people. None of these facilities are at
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8-8 | SAFETY ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024
elevated risk of flooding. Two schools, Highland Oaks Elementary School and
Foothills Middle School, are within Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.
Infrastructure
Infrastructure includes elements of the built environment that supply community
members with daily needs, such as transportation, power, and water. Each type
of infrastructure may be impacted by climate change differently.
Roads are the most common form of transportation infrastructure, and their
function is especially important during hazards that cause evacuation events.
Maintenance and improvements that ensure roads meet emergency access
standards are most important in the northern portion of Arcadia that is in the
VHFHSZ. Roads also have the ability to cause the urban heat island effect;
incorporating more reflective materials can mitigate this issue in key locations
or citywide depending on the feasibility.
The power grid is another major piece of infrastructure. In recent years, power
outages have often been attributed to wildfires. Across the State, public safety
power shutoffs have been implemented during times of elevated fire risk to
prevent fires from starting. Less than 5% of the major electric transmission
lines in Arcadia are within the VHFHSZ. Additionally, using air conditioning
during extreme heat events can elevate energy demand and cause rolling
blackouts. Effective outreach can mitigate this issue by requesting that
residents and businesses alter the time that they use certain appliances like
dish washers or washing machines during extreme heat events.
Water infrastructure is another technology critical to Arcadia’s normal functions.
Much of water supply planning is unrelated to the Safety Element; however, an
adequate supply of water is needed for fire suppression. Arcadia’s main sources
of water are local groundwater pumped from the Main Basin and Raymond Basin,
as well as imported surface water from the Metropolitan Water District of
Southern California. These sources, along with measures to conserve and recycle
water, are projected to easily accommodate future water demands, including
those of the Arcadia Fire Department.
City Facilities
City facilities are City-owned and operated but do not include emergency
response capabilities (see Emergency Response Facilities, below). They include
places like parks, libraries, and various City offices. Arcadia’s Wilderness Park
is the only City facility that is at elevated hazard risk from both wildfire and
debris flows. The 2020 Bobcat fire and subsequent 2021 debris flow occurred
near this park and as of 2024 is being mitigated. Other City facilities can offer
amenities that fill gaps in resident resilience. Places like the Arcadia
Community Center and Library can offer air-conditioned places for the public.
Furthermore, parks across Arcadia offer healthy urban canopies that can
reduce the impacts of extreme heat and flooding.
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ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024 SAFETY | 8-9
Emerging Hazards
Long-term shifts in local climate conditions, including changes in precipitation
and higher temperatures, have led to new emerging hazards within Arcadia. As
detailed in the California Climate Change Assessment, climate change has
already begun to affect the Los Angeles region, including Arcadia, and preparing
for future hazard events, including new emerging hazards, is imperative for the
safety of residents of Arcadia.
Extreme Heat
Extreme heat is a hazard that includes hotter days, warmer nights, and heat
waves. It can result in heat-related illness and hospitalization and can be
especially deadly to sensitive individuals such as older adults and people who
are unhoused. An extreme heat day is relative to what a community is used to.
In Arcadia, an extreme heat day is any day hotter than 101°F. Extreme heat
most commonly occurs in the summer and early fall in Arcadia. Average daily
high temperatures are around 79°F from June through September. The record
high temperatures range from 91°F to 111°F.
Climate change is expected to increase the average temperature year-round
and the frequency of extreme heat days. Annually, Arcadia is forecasted to
experience about five times more extreme heat days from 2020 to 2050 than
historically. Heat waves, or times when there are at least four days of extreme
heat in a row, are also expected to increase. Before 1990, heat waves were
extremely rare in Arcadia, but between 2020 and 2050, two heat waves are
projected to occur annually.
Heat waves and extreme heat days are made worse by the urban heat island
effect. The urban heat island effect inflates average annual urban air
temperatures 1.8°F to 5.4°F. Heat islands also increase energy demand for air
conditioning. Reducing dark urban surfaces can minimize the urban heat island
effect. This can be done by using light-colored or reflective building materials,
or increasing vegetation and shade trees.
Figure S-1 illustrates the urban heat island effect.
An “extreme heat day”
is hotter than 98% of the
historical (pre-1990)
average. This is 101.5
degrees in Arcadia.
The urban heat island
effect occurs when dark
urban surfaces, such as
roofs and roads, absorb
heat and slowly release
it over time. During the
day, this elevates
regular temperatures
around these surfaces.
At night, these surfaces
continue to transfer
their stored heat to the
air, creating warmer
nights that do not allow
people to cool off.
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8-10 | SAFETY ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024
Figure S-1 Greenery and the Urban Heat Island Effect
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ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024 SAFETY | 8-11
Debris Flows
Debris flows (also known as mudslides) occur when rain causes a hillside to lose
stability and flow downslope. Generally, this happens because the slope was
disturbed prior to a heavy rainfall. Common slope disturbances include
wildfires or humans clearing vegetation away and removing previously stable
root systems.
This type of hazard event is not new to Arcadia. After the 2020 Bobcat Fire,
heavy rains in December of 2021 caused a disruptive debris flow in northern
Arcadia. Because this hazard is commonly tied to both wildfire and flooding, it
is more likely to occur in the future due to climate change increasing the
likelihood and intensity of both hazards. Future debris flows are difficult to
predict but are expected to impact areas in and around northern Arcadia’s
foothills because of the topology and wildfire risk in that area.
Goals and Policies
Extreme heat and debris flows are highlighted as emerging hazards that require
response in the form of green solutions and future studies. Vulnerable people
and properties are also important, as climate change does not impact everyone
the same. Refining and developing programs can prioritize and improve
resilience for vulnerable groups, while capital improvements can be made to
vulnerable structures. Goals and policies in regard to climate change and
emerging hazards are as follows:
Goal S-1: Minimized potential for loss of life, physical
injury, property damage, and economic burden
resulting from the impacts of climate change
Policy S-1.1: Support policies and programs to
incentivize/encourage improving resilience to
local infrastructure networks vulnerable to
increasingly extreme weather events.
Policy S-1.2: Support policies and programs to engage with
residents, including non-English speaking
communities, making them aware of the risks of
extreme events and providing information on ways
to preserve health.
Policy S-1.3: Explore potential grants, programs, and
partnerships to reduce cost burdens related to
households addressing changing hazards.
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8-12 | SAFETY ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024
Goal S-2: A built environment protected from extreme heat
Policy S-2.1: Maintain a healthy urban forest to reduce
extreme heat.
Policy S-2.2: Adopt policies and standards for the built
environment that reduce the urban heat island effect.
Goal S-3: Retrofitted Infrastructure Prepared for Increased
Debris Flows
Policy S-3.1: Review the performance of culverts and other
flood-related infrastructure in recent debris flow
events to determine a list of potential
improvements required for hazard mitigation.
Policy S-3.2: Continue to provide alert/emergency notification
processes and provide public information and
awareness materials for those who live in debris
flow hazard areas, as determined by fire risk,
slope, and past debris flow events.
Environmental Hazards
Arcadia’s location adjacent to the San Gabriel Mountains exposes the City to
several environmental conditions that have shaped local landforms and now
affect how certain properties can be used and developed.
Seismic and Geologic Concerns
The Southern California landscape clearly reveals the earth forces that we live
with daily. The mountain ranges are expressions of extensive faulting and
movement of the plates that comprise the earth’s surface, with local tectonic
activity continuing to push the San Gabriel Mountains upward at rate of up to
2 centimeters per year. The San Gabriel Mountains’ steep slopes
historically caused massive volumes of rocks and debris to flow
down into the San Gabriel Valley during periods of heavy rain,
creating the rocky alluvial soils that underlie Arcadia. However,
major public works projects in the mountains during the last
century have largely contained both storm water stormwater
runoff and debris flows. Nonetheless, Arcadia the City still needs
to plan for the earthquakes, secondary seismic effects, and
geologic conditions that will continue to be of concern.
Earthquakes that generate strong ground shaking and surface fault ruptures
are considered primary seismic hazards; secondary hazards resulting from
seismic activity include landslides, liquefaction, ground fissures, and seiches
(wave oscillation of the surface of water in an enclosed or partially enclosed
body of water such as a reservoir or lake). Earthquakes and their related effects
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ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024 SAFETY | 8-13
have the greatest potential to impact a large portion of the population.
Landslides and ground subsidence have more localized effects.
Earthquakes
An earthquake is the result of movement and shifting of the earth’s surface.
Movement occurs along fractures or faults, which represent the contact point
between two or more geologic formations. Earth movement, known as seismic
activity, causes pressure to build up along a fault, and the release of pressure
results in the ground shaking effects we call an earthquake.
Earthquake-related hazards have the potential to cause serious damage, injury,
and death if the seismic event is large enough to generate short duration, high-
peak ground accelerations (ground motion) or long duration, moderate to high
ground acceleration. Fault rupture through a structure would likely cause
significant damage and may cause collapse of walls and ceilings. Normal
foundations would be dislocated and rendered unusable. Combined with
strong ground shaking, rupture is a very serious hazard. Rupture can also result
in damage to utilities infrastructure and water lines, natural gas lines, and
power lines, and sewer system interruptions. Streets could be passable with
some difficulty if fault motion is horizontal. Vertical fault offsets could render
streets impassable for emergency traffic, except to high-ground clearance
vehicles with four-wheel drive.
Located along the southern slope of the San Gabriel Mountains, the City of
Arcadia is situated within a very seismically active area of Southern California.1
There are currently five documented faults, fault zones, or groundwater
barriers that may be faults that underlie Arcadia, each having different
potential impacts (Figures S-12 and S-23):
▪ Raymond fault
▪ Sierra Madre fault zone and associated groundwater barriers
▪ Puente Hills (blind thrust)
▪ Upper Elysian Park (blind thrust)
▪ Eaton Wash groundwater barrier
The two active and potentially active faults that pass through Arcadia and are
evident at the ground surface (or just below it) are the Sierra Madre and
Raymond faults. Deep beneath the City are two so-called blind thrust faults:
the shallower Upper Elysian Park fault and the deeper Puente Hills fault. They
are called blind thrust faults due to their depth and the fact that fault
movement consists of upward or thrusting action. The Eaton Wash
groundwater barrier shows no surface geologic evidence of existence, and the
nature of this possible buried fault is not known. In addition to these local
faults, another 20 faults have been identified within a 35-mile radius of City
Hall (see Table S-12).
1 A detailed Seismic and Geologic Technical Background Report (2008) is included as an
appendix to the General Plan.
32
8-14 | SAFETY ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024
Ground Shaking
Ground shaking is the general term that refers to all aspects of movement of
the earth’s surface resulting from a seismic event. Ground shaking is normally
the major cause of damage in earthquakes, and the amount of damage
generally correlates to the magnitude and proximity to the event’s epicenter.
If any of the faults within a 35-mile radius were to achieve their maximum
earthquake potential, the Raymond, Sierra Madre, Puente Hills, Clamshell-
Sawpit, Upper Elysian Park, and Verdugo faults represent those faults with the
most potential for causing damage in the City to Arcadia due to ground shaking.
TABLE S-12. FAULTS NEAR ARCADIA
Fault Name
Approximate Distance from
Arcadia City Hall
Clamshell-Sawpit 3.6 miles
Verdugo-Eagle Rock 5.2 miles
Whittier 8.5 miles
San Jose 9.4 miles
Hollywood 11 miles
Cucamonga 16 miles
Chino-Central Avenue (Elsinore) 16.4 miles
Sierra Madre (San Fernando) 17.6 miles
San Gabriel 18.6 miles
Newport-Inglewood (L.A. Basin) 20.7 miles
Santa Monica 22.1 miles
Northridge 23.2 miles
San Andreas (Carrizo-Big Bend) 23.8 miles
San Andreas (San Bernardino) 23.8 miles
San Andreas (Mojave North/South) 23.8 miles
Malibu Coast 28.5 miles
Palos Verdes 29.1 miles
Santa Susana 29.1 miles
Elsinore (Glen Ivy) 30.2 miles
San Joaquin Hills 31.1 miles
Source: Wilson Geosciences Inc. 2008. Seismic and Geologic Technical Background
Report for the City of Arcadia General Plan Update. September 2008.
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ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024 SAFETY | 8-15
Figure S-2 Regional Faults
Upper Elysian
Park Fault
Los Angeles
Segment
10k
m
5km
5km
10km
15km
10km
15km
5k
m
5k
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A N G E L E S
F O R E S T
N AT I O N A L
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Arcadia City Boundary
Freeway/Highway
Blind Thrust Faults Surface Faults
Faults are buried below the surface;
small triangles indicated fault dip
direction (north) and thin gray lines
indicate the depth contours (e.g.,
5 km = 5 kilometers deep) on the
fault surface (Shaw et al, 2002).
Faults exposed at the ground surface;
solid where well located, dashed where
approximate, and dotted where
concealed (Bryant, 2005).
Potential Earthquake Faults
Mapped by: Hogle-Ireland Inc., 2010.
Data Sources: Seismic and Geologic Technical
Background Report Wilson Geosciences, 2008.
0 12,000 24,000 36,000 48,000
Feet
34
8-16 | SAFETY ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024
Figure S-3 Alquist Priolo and Fault Rupture Hazard Zones
Duarte Rd
Foothill Blvd
10
t
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A
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Ba
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Colorado Blvd
Mi
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Sierra Madre Blvd
Grandview Av
Orange Grove Av
Sa
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Duarte Rd
2n
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Campus Dr
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Camino Real
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r
Sierra Madre
Pasadena
Los
Angeles
County
Monrovia
0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 Feet
City Boundary
Sphere of Influence
Freeway
Railroad
City Road
Mapped by: Hogle-Ireland Inc., 2010.
Data Sources: Alquist-Priolo Special Study Map;
California Division of Mines & Geology (CDMG), January 1, 1977;
and Raymond Basin groundwater barriers (RDMB, 2007).
Approximate
Inferred or Possible Groundwater Barrier
Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone
Fault Hazard Management Zone
Turning Point
Active or Potentially Active Fault Location Base Map Features
35
ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024 SAFETY | 8-17
The types of effects felt by an earthquake depend upon many factors, most
notably the intensity of the event, distance to the earthquake epicenter, the
depth of the earthquake, and local soils conditions. Seismologists use a
logarithmic magnitude scale to describe the intensity of earthquakes. However,
what impresses us most when an earthquake occurs are its effects. What kind of
damage correlates to, for example, a 5.4 magnitude earthquake? The Modified
Mercalli Scale, presented in Table S-3, was developed to provide a correlation
between the logarithmic magnitude scale and general public understanding of
the potential destructive effects of earthquakes of varying magnitudes.
TABLE S-3. MODIFIED MERCALLI INTENSITY SCALE
Scale
Intensity:
Shaking
Intensity:
Damage
Description
I
Not Felt
None Not felt except by a very few under especially favorable
circumstances.
II
Weak
None
Felt only by a few persons at rest, especially on upper
floors of buildings. Delicately suspended objects may
swing.
III
Felt quite noticeably indoors, especially on upper floors
of buildings, but many people do not recognize it as an
earthquake. Standing motor cars may rock slightly.
Vibration like passing of truck. Duration estimated.
IV
Light
None
During the day felt indoors by many, outdoors by few. At
night some awakened. Dishes, windows, doors
disturbed; walls make cracking sound. Sensation like
heavy truck striking building. Standing motor cars rocked
noticeably.
V
Moderate
Very Light
Felt by nearly everyone, many awakened. Some dishes,
windows, etc., broken; a few instances of cracked
plaster; unstable objects overturned. Disturbances of
trees, poles, and other tall objects sometimes noticed.
Pendulum clocks may stop.
VI
Strong
Light
Felt by all, many frightened and run outdoors. Some
heavy furniture moved, a few instances of fallen plaster
or damaged chimneys. Damage slight.
VII
Very Strong
Moderate
Everybody runs outdoors. Damage negligible in building
of good design and construction, slight to moderate in
well-built ordinary structures, considerable in poorly
built or badly designed structures, some chimneys
broken. Noticed by persons driving motor cars.
VIII
Severe
Moderate/
Heavy
Damage slight in specially designed structures;
considerable in ordinary substantial buildings, with
partial collapse; great in poorly built structures. Panel
walls thrown out of frame structures. Fall of chimneys,
factory stacks, columns, monuments, walls. Heavy
furniture overturned. Sand and mud ejected in small
amounts. Changes in well water. Persons driving motor
cars disturbed.
36
8-18 | SAFETY ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024
TABLE S-3. MODIFIED MERCALLI INTENSITY SCALE
Scale
Intensity:
Shaking
Intensity:
Damage
Description
IX
Violent
Heavy
Damage considerable in specially designed structures;
well-designed frame structures thrown out of plumb;
great in substantial buildings, with partial collapse.
Buildings shifted off foundations. Ground cracked
conspicuously. Underground pipes broken.
X
Extreme
Very Heavy
Some well-built wooden structures destroyed; most
masonry and frame structures destroyed with
foundations; ground badly cracked. Rails bent.
Landslides considerable from river banks and steep
slopes. Shifted sand and mud. Water splashed (slopped)
over banks.
XI
Extreme
Very Heavy
Few, if any, (masonry) structures remain standing.
Bridges destroyed. Broad fissures in ground.
Underground pipelines completely out of service. Earth
slumps and land slips in soft ground. Rails bent greatly.
XII
Extreme
Very Heavy
Damage total. Practically all works of construction are
damaged greatly or destroyed. Waves seen on ground
surface. Lines of sight and level are distorted.
Source: Wilson Geosciences Inc. 2008. Seismic and Geologic Technical Background Report for the City of
Arcadia General Plan Update. September 2008.
To reduce the ground shaking hazards associated with seismic activity, the City
requires that all new development conform to current City and State seismic
and geotechnical codes. The California Building Code, which is adopted by the
City, contains seismic regulations that are enforced during the design and
construction phases of development to ensure any structure has the integrity
to remain safe during seismic activity. California’s Unreinforced Masonry
Building Law (URM) is another measure that guards against building collapse in
the case of seismic activity. In response, the City inventories unreinforced
masonry buildings and conducts a seismic strengthening program to retrofit
masonry buildings to prevent injury or damage. As discussed in the Emergency
Preparedness section of this element, the City maintains up-to-date
emergency response plans and educates the public about response procedures
for earthquakes.
Fault Rupture and Fault Hazard Zones
Fault rupture is the term used to describe the movement along a fault line that
is evidenced by a break in the ground surface. The location of a fault rupture
generally can be assumed to occur along an active major fault trace. The Sierra
Madre and Raymond faults represent the two local faults that have the most
potential to create ground surface rupture conditions.
The Raymond fault traverses a significant section of the City Arcadia (Figure S-
23) and has the potential to cause a 5- to 6-foot offset if severe ground shaking
occurs in the event of a major earthquake. The Sierra Made fault crosses the
northern portion of Arcadia and affects fewer properties. However, a rupture
along the
37
ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024 SAFETY | 8-19
Sierra Madre fault still represents a serious potential hazard. In the event of a
7.2 magnitude earthquake along the Sierra Madre fault, ground rupture
movements could be very large, possibly 10 feet or more.
The Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act was passed in 1972 to prevent
the construction of buildings on active faults. State geologists are required to
publish maps that identify and establish earthquake fault zones that indicate
the location of active faults. Each of the maps is then distributed to affected
cities and counties for planning purposes. Before a project can be permitted
within the fault zone, the permitting jurisdiction must require a geologic
investigation by a licensed geologist to prove that proposed buildings will not
be constructed across active faults. The Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone
underlying Arcadia is shown in Figure S-23.
In addition to the known faults, Arcadia is crossed by potentially active and
concealed fault traces whose precise locations are not known and/or which
have not been studied to the degree that activity is completely understood.
Because of the Sierra Madre fault zone potentially impacts the northern corner
of the City Arcadia and limited knowledge is available regarding fault segment
activity levels and trace locations, prudent planning calls for establishment of
fault hazard management zones. The intent of a fault hazard management
zone, or FHMZ, is to require that geologic investigations, which may include
fault trenching, be performed if conventional structures designed for human
occupancy are proposed within the zone. The goal would be to refine fault
location and create a fault activity database for the faults in the City Arcadia.
Figure S-23 identifies the proposed boundaries of an FHMZ a fault hazard
management zone for the Sierra Madre fault which take into account areas
with 500 feet of mapped faults and groundwater barriers most associated with
the Sierra Madre fault zone.
Landslides and Liquefaction
Landslides
Landslides can result from earthquake-related ground shaking or failure of steep
slopes due to water saturation or unstable soil conditions. Landslides can
overrun structures, people, or property. They can sever utility lines and block
roads, thereby hindering rescue operations following an earthquake. California
law requires identification of landslide zones, in which the stability of hill slopes
must be evaluated.
The Seismic Hazards Mapping Act (California Public Resources Code, Section
2690 et seq.), passed by the Legislature in 1990, addresses secondary seismic
hazards such as landslides and liquefaction. The act is implemented by the
California Geological Survey, which prepares seismic hazards maps for
jurisdictions throughout the State. State maps (see Figure S-4) indicate that
landslide hazards in Arcadia are present only within the foothill areas. Also,
potential rock fall hazards exist along Santa Anita Canyon Road. These areas
are not necessarily unstable, but the hazard maps provide an opportunity to
consider these conditions when planning for new development or
redevelopment. While there may be evidence for some landslide activity in
these areas of Arcadia in past earthquakes, most of the basis for the mapping
38
8-20 | SAFETY ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024
of potential earthquake-induced landslide areas is ground slope and the
characteristics of geologic formations.
Liquefaction
Liquefaction is a geologic process that causes various types of ground failure.
Liquefaction typically occurs in loose, saturated sediments. When liquefaction
occurs, the sediments involved have a total or substantial loss of shear strength
and behave like a liquid substance. Liquefaction can cause structural distress
or failure due to ground settlement, a loss of bearing capacity in the foundation
soils, and the buoyant rise of buried structures. Liquefaction-induced ground
failure historically has been a major cause of earthquake damage in Southern
California. During the 1971 San Fernando and 1994 Northridge earthquakes,
significant damage to roads, utility pipelines, buildings, and other structures in
the Los Angeles area was caused by liquefaction-induced ground displacement.
The potential danger of liquefaction-induced ground failure can range from
simple ground cracking to complex lateral spreading landslides, conditions that
can potentially cause damage to both surface and subsurface structures. The
severity of the damage cause by liquefaction is dependent upon the magnitude
of the failure and location of structures in relation to the failure. Localities most
susceptible to liquefaction-induced damage are those that are underlain by
loose sediment, contain shallow groundwater, and are susceptible to ground
shaking.
California law requires identification of liquefaction zones. As they do for
landslide hazards, the California Geological Society’s seismic hazard zones maps
delineate areas within Arcadia that are susceptible to liquefaction. Figure S-34
identifies four primary liquefaction areas within the Arcadia planning area:
southeast of Live Oak Avenue to the San Gabriel River, along Live Oak Avenue
between Santa Anita and Tenth Avenue, along the wash areas of Santa Anita
Canyon just north of the Raymond fault, and an area north of the Raymond fault.
39
ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024 SAFETY | 8-21
Figure S-4 Liquefaction and Landslide Hazard Zones
Monrovia
El Monte
Temple City
Irwindale
Sierra Madre
Pasadena
Los Angeles
County
Duarte Rd
Live Oak Ave
Ba
l
d
w
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A
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Longden Av
Foothill Blvd
My
r
t
l
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A
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Pec
k
R
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Olive St
6t
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A
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Ho
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y
A
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Las Tunas Dr
10
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A
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Ba
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A
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FOOTHILL FRWY
SAN
G
A
B
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F
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W
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Colorado Blvd
En
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Mo
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Ca
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5t
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A
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Grandview Av
Ma
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A
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Orange Grove Av
El
M
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Sa
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A
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a
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Duarte Rd
2n
d
A
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Sa
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a
A
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a
A
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Live Oak Ave
Foothill Blvd
FOOTHILL FRWY
Hillcres
t
B
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d
Campus Dr
Gran
d
A
v
Su
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s
e
t
B
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Hugo
Oak
s
Gol
d
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n
Elkins Av
Cog
s
w
e
l
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R
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C
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r
a
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P
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Harvard Dr
Sant
a
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Ro
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B
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Old
R
a
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Ba
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El
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A
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Lower Azusa Rd
Camino Real
Ro
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m
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a
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B
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Sa
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a
A
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a
A
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Dr
Reid Dr
Wes
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Av
Vaquero Dr
Paloma Dr
Hunt
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D
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Huntington Dr
Longden Av
50
10
30
40
100
20
150
200
100
40
100
10
150
0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 Feet
Base Map Features
City Boundary
Sphere of Influence
Freeway
Railroad
City Road
Water Feature
Mapped by: Hogle-Ireland Inc., 2010.
Data Sources: Seisimic Hazard Zones,
CGS, 1998; OFR 98-15, 022, and 030.
And Seismic Hazard Evaluation, CDMG, 1999;
El Monte, Baldwin Park, and Mt. Wilson 7.5-minute Quads
Zones of Required Investigation
Liquefaction Zone
Earthquake-Induced Landslides
Overlapping Liquefaction and Earthquake-Induced Landslides
Historically Highest Groundwater Contours
Depth to groundwater in feet
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8-22 | SAFETY ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024
Minimizing Risks from Landslides and Liquefaction
The State Hazards Mapping Act requires that any development proposed within a
State-delineated seismic hazard zone be evaluated for landslides and liquefaction by
a certified engineering geologist and/or registered civil engineer. Likewise, project
review by the local agency must be performed by geologists and engineers with the
same credentials and experience. Seismic hazard maps may not show all areas that
have the potential for liquefaction and landslides, nor is information shown on the
maps sufficient to serve as a substitute for detailed site investigations.
A considerable part of the City’s Arcadia’s mapped liquefiable areas are already
built upon, mostly with residential, commercial, and industrial development. A
moderate to strong earthquake occurring along a nearby fault could cause
extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure in these areas. Since
retrofitting measures generally may not be feasible due to cost, the City will be
prepared to respond to damage and disruption in the event of an earthquake.
Any new development will require liquefaction susceptibility studies as part of
the design and construction processes.
Tsunamis
A tsunami is a large sea wave generated by any large-scale disturbance of the
ocean floor that occurs in a short period of time, such as an earthquake,
volcanic eruption, or coastal landslide, which can cause a sudden displacement
of water. Although local earthquakes may cause tsunamis, most past tsunamis
in Southern California were associated with distant earthquakes that traveled
great distances across the Pacific Ocean basin. Tsunami hazards are not of
concern in Arcadia due to elevation and distance from the ocean.
Goals and Policies
Identification, avoidance, and sound mitigation practices represent the best
approaches to addressing seismic and geologic hazards. While the Raymond
fault zone, landslide areas, and liquefaction zones have been mapped,
uncertainty remains regarding the location of Sierra Madre fault traces. The
City will explore the creation of a fault hazard management zone for this fault.
Goals with regard to seismic and geologic hazards are as follows.
Goal S-4: Minimized potential for loss of life, physical
injury, and property damage resulting from
earthquakes and geologic hazards
Policy S-4.1: Explore the creation of a fault hazard
management zone for the Sierra Madre fault.
Policy S-4.2: Emphasize carefully planned development within
seismic and geologic hazard areas to minimize
potential hazards risk as the City’s preferred
hazards management strategy.
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ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024 SAFETY | 8-23
Policy S-4.3: Require detailed geologic investigations to
accompany development proposals for sites that
lie within known or suspected seismic and
geologic hazard areas. Require that such
investigations and reports conform to accepted
professional standards and any applicable State
and City requirements.
Policy S-4.4: Monitor activities of the California Geological
Survey and other relevant agencies and
organizations to stay informed regarding new
mapping and reports that advance the state of
knowledge of seismic and geologic hazards
affecting Arcadia.
Policy S-4.5: Continue enforcing the most rigorous building
codes and regulations which that govern seismic
safety.
Policy S-4.6: Require the removal or retrofit, as appropriate, of
any hazardous or substandard structures that may
collapse in the event of an earthquake.
Policy S-4.7: Periodically conduct and evaluate Emergency
Operations Center exercises to ensure readiness
for earthquakes and/or seismic related events.
Policy S-4.8: Ensure access and egress routes are planned
appropriately to and from identified hazard
areas relative to the type of development in
these areas.
Flooding
Floods are natural and recurring events that have become hazardous as
development encroaches onto floodplains, modifying the landscape and
placing structures in areas meant to convey excess water during floods.
Significant flood control and debris flow infrastructure within the San Gabriel
Mountains and foothill communities have largely mitigated the flood hazards
that were prevalent prior to extensive urbanization.
Arcadia and surrounding areas are, like most of Southern California, subject to
unpredictable seasonal rainfall. Most years, the scant winter rains are barely
sufficient to turn the hills green for a few weeks, but every few years the region
is subjected to periods of intense and sustained precipitation that sometimes
results in localized flooding.
Regionally, the overall amount of rain is not projected to change as a result of
climate change; however, over time climate change is predicted to reduce the
frequency of lower intensity rain occurrences and increase the frequency and
intensity of extreme rain events. That being said, these climatic changes may
not be apparent immediately. From 2024 to 2050, Arcadia’s average annual
extreme rain events is projected to remain at three events per year, the same
as historic averages.
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8-24 | SAFETY ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024
Discussion of the local and regional stormwater control systems is included in the Circulation and Infrastructure Element.
Natural (Storm) Flooding
In Southern California, storm flooding is difficult to predict, and thus plan
for, because rainfall varies from year to year. To prepare and mitigate hazards
from flooding, the City of Arcadia participates in the National Flood Insurance
Program. Flood Insurance Rate Maps, or FIRMs, which are prepared by the
Federal Emergency Management Agency FEMA, identify potential flood zones
(Figure S-45). Flood hazards related to storm events generally are described
in terms of a 100- or 500-year flood. A 100-year flood is defined as a major
flood event that has a one percent 1% or greater chance of occurring during
any one year. Flood hazard planning practices addresses such storms, as well
as 500-year events. These floods are considered severe; however, these floods
can be reasonably predicted and therefore reasonably mitigated.
As noted above, the Los Angeles County Department
of Public Works has constructed regional flood and
debris control facilities throughout the region,
including the flood control channels in Arcadia that
direct runoff water through the City city into regional
facilities to the south. A system of spreading basins
manages storm water stormwater runoff and helps
recharge groundwater basins. Locally, the City
maintains approximately 4 miles of subsurface storm
drains that flow into the regional channels. Due to
the combination of these two systems, no areas
in
Arcadia lie within a 100-year floodplain. That being said, FEMA flood zones
could be added to Arcadia in the future as a result of climate change increasing
flood risks.
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ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024 SAFETY | 8-25
Figure S-5 Flood Hazards Map
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Flooding Due to Dam Inundation
Inundation can occur as a result of significant structural damage to a dam or
other water retention facility upstream of Arcadia. Dam or reservoir failure
could occur as a result of an earthquake, erosion, design flaw, or water
overflow during storms (for a dam). Arcadia’s location along the San Gabriel
Mountain foothills and below extensive regional flood control facilities places
it within the potential inundation area of six water retention facilities (see
Figure S-56).
Section 8589.5 of the California Government Code requires dam owners to
provide the Governor's Office of Emergency Services with an inundation map
showing the extent of damage to life and property that would occur given a
complete and sudden dam failure at full capacity. The inundation areas for each
water retention facility are shown on Figure S-48.
The Santa Anita Dam represents the facility that could have
the greatest flooding impact on the City. A catastrophic
failure of the Santa Anita Dam could result in floodwaters
storming down Santa Anita Canyon to about Orange Grove
Avenue and then spreading to cover roughly the eastern half
of Arcadia to the East Wash. Inundation from a failure of the
Sierra Madre Dam would cover the area north of I-210 to
Grandview Avenue between the Arcadia East Wash and First
Avenue. Areas immediately adjacent to drainage courses
would be the most susceptible to damage from rapidly
flowing water, severe erosion, and associated floating debris.
Higher areas and those farthest from the existing flood
channels could suffer some damage from rising water.
In 2009, the To reduce risks associated with the Santa Anita
Dam, Los Angeles County Department of Public Works
initiated a massive has completed several projects in recent
years and has other planned (see below).
Completed Dam Projects
Los Angeles County Public Works completed construction of the Santa Anita
Dam and Reservoir Sediment Removal and Riser Modification Project in 2013.
This project restored 185 acre-feet of stormwater storage capacity in Santa
Anita Reservoir by removing approximately 330,000 cubic yards (495,000 tons)
of sediment removal project from the reservoir and placing at the Santa Anita
Reservoir to increase reservoir capacity and ensure Sediment Placement Site.
The project also achieved compliance with California Department of Water
Resources, Division of Safety of Dams’ seismic stability requirements for the
dam. Over one half million tons of sediment is to be transferred to the Santa
Anita Sediment Placement Site in Arcadia. Seismic safety retrofits to the dam
include modifications to the dam’s inlet/outlet works and the construction of
a new dam riser by constructing a new sluiceway outlet riser on the upstream
face of the dam that allows free draining of reservoir water above the restricted
reservoir elevation of 1,230 ft.
Santa Anita Dam, constructed
in 1925–1927 by the then Los
Angeles County Flood Control
District, was part of a series of
public works projects
designed to control
floodwaters and provide a
stable water supply. This dam
is one of about 40 variable
radius arch concrete dams
constructed in California
between 1914 and 1970.
Source: Santa Anita Dam Riser
Modification and Sediment
Removal Final EIR, Los Angeles
County Department of Public
Works, May 2009.
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ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024 SAFETY | 8-27
Los Angeles County Public Works completed construction of the Santa Anita
Dam Spillway Modification Project in 2021. This project achieved compliance
with California Department of Water Resources, Division of Safety of Dams’
hydrology and hydraulic requirements and mitigates downstream flood risk by
constructing a new ogee spillway to safely accommodate the Probable
Maximum Flood. The Project also completed improvements to the dam’s
electrical, mechanical, water, control systems for increased operational
flexibility, constructed a heliport for improved emergency access, and installed
new flood control valves to enhance the reliability of water conservation
releases from the dam for downstream ground water recharge.
Upcoming Dam Projects
The 2020 Bobcat Fire burned the tributary watershed of the Santa Anita
Reservoir and an estimated one million cubic yards of sediment could flow into
the reservoir during a major storm event, or multiple storm events, until the
watershed recovers. During December 2021 storms an estimated 300,000
cubic yards of sediment and debris washed into the reservoir. As a result, Los
Angeles County Public Works has initiated the Santa Anita Reservoir Post-Fire
Emergency Restoration Project to remove an estimated 300,000 to 400,000
cubic yards of sediment from the reservoir and placing at the Santa Anita
Sediment Placement Site. This emergency sediment removal project is
necessary to protect the dam’s outlet works and to restore capacity in the
reservoir for flood protection and water conservation operations. Construction
started in early 2023 and is to be completed by the end of 2024.
Los Angeles County Public Works has also initiated the Santa Anita Debris Dam
Seismic Strengthening Project to meet compliance with California Department
of Water Resources, Division of Safety of Dams’ seismic stability requirements
and restore 119 acres-feet of stormwater storage capacity at the debris dam.
The project will include buttressing of the spillway walls and westerly
embankment, replacement of the existing outlet tower, modification of the
inlet/outlet works, and other facility improvements. Construction is anticipated
to start in mid-2025.
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8-28 | SAFETY ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024
Figure S-6 Dam Inundation Zones
Monrovia
El Monte
Temple City
Irwindale
Sierra Madre
Pasadena
Los Angeles
County
Duarte Rd
Live Oak Ave
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FOOTHILL FRWY
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0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 Feet
Inundation Areas
Mapped by: Hogle-Ireland Inc., 2010.
Data Sources: City of Arcadia Natural Hazard
Mitigation Plan, 2004 and California Department
of Water Resources, Office of Emergency Services, 1972.
Santa Anita Dam
Morris S. Jones Reservoir
Santa Fe Dam
Sierra Madre Dam
Sawpit Dam
Eaton Wash Dam
City Boundary
Sphere of Influence
Freeway
Railroad
City Road
Water Feature
Base Map Features
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ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024 SAFETY | 8-29
Seiche Potential
A seiche is the formation of large waves in landlocked bodies of water due to
seismic activity. In the event of major ground shaking, a seiche can occur and
potentially cause major flooding and water inundation damage. While no large
water bodies exist in Arcadia, waters stored behind Santa Anita Dam could
experience seismic-induced wave action. Also, seiche-type action could be of
concern in above ground aboveground water reservoirs, such as any of the 16
reservoirs in Arcadia. Major reservoirs include the Baldwin Reservoir (9.3
million gallons), St. Josephs Reservoir (5.25 million gallons), and Santa Anita
Reservoir 4 (3.5 million gallons). Reservoirs are engineered to guard against
failure due to seismic activity, both from structural failure and internal wave
action that could be generated by an earthquake.
Minimizing Risks from Flooding and Inundation
Because FEMA maps indicate that flood hazards in Arcadia are insignificant,
property owners are not required to guard against potential flooding. To
address any localized ponding in periods of intense rainfall, the City will
continue to monitor, improve, and maintain storm drain systems to convey
water flows and minimize focused incidents.
The dams above Arcadia are regulated and monitored for structural safety by
the California Department of Water Resources, Division of Safety of Dams in
accordance with Division 3 of the California State Water Code. Regulation of
these dams reduces substantially the chance of catastrophic failure. As
described above, completed and planned improvements to Santa Anita Dam
will provide for compliance with seismic safety standards for this dam and
sediment maintenance. Although highly unlikely, under the most severe
earthquake scenario along the Sierra Madre fault, water retention facilities
could be damaged and cause a release of water.
Appropriate mitigation for this type of flooding consists of evacuation planning
for most areas of the City and elevating new critical facilities (see discussion
below) above the predicted flood level for its location.
Goals and Policies
As flood hazards are well addressed by existing storm control infrastructure,
City efforts will focus on maintenance. With regard to dam inundation, the City
will work with responsible agencies—and the Los Angeles County Department
of Public Works in particular—to protect Arcadia residents and businesses from
potential inundation.
Local storm water
stormwater management
efforts include approaches
to both manage runoff in a
manner that both guards
against flooding and
protects water supplies
from pollutants. See the
Circulation and
Infrastructure Element and
the Resource Sustainability
Element for more
discussion.
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Goal S-5: Superior storm drainage and flood control
facilities that minimize risk of flooding
Policy S-5.1: Prioritize improvements to Arcadia’s storm drain
system in areas that are prone to localized
ponding and flooding.
Policy S-5.2: Continue rigorous maintenance of storm drainage
and flood control facilities within the City’s
jurisdiction, and coordinate with all responsible
agencies in their upkeep and improvements.
Policy S-5.3: Require that new development projects retain as
much runoff as possible on the development site
to reduce flow volumes into the storm drain
system, allow for recharge of the groundwater
basins, and comply with the City’s storm water
stormwater permitting requirements (consistent
with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
Systems program, or NPDES) and employ Best
Management Practices (BMPs) best management
practices.
Policy S-5.4: Support efforts of the Los Angeles County
Department of Public Works and other agencies
responsible for the maintenance of dams and
reservoirs above Arcadia to improve conditions of
the facilities and reduce the risk of inundation
resulting from dam or reservoir failure.
Policy S-5.5: Ensure that developments located within the
County’s Flood Hazard Zones are located and
designed to avoid isolation from essential services
and facilities in the event of flooding.
Fire Hazards
The Arcadia Fire Department is a Class I, all-risk department that addresses both
wildland and urban fires; a complete discussion of the department’s capabilities
and responsibilities is included below in the Emergency Services section.
Wildfires
Wildfires have occurred in Southern California has been ravaged by wildland
fires since before humans settled the area, but fires were not of significant
concern until to people until settlements were developed started building
houses in the hills and mountains where fires are part of nature’s processes.
Wildfires are extremely costly, not only to property owners and residents, but
also to government agencies as well.
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ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024 SAFETY | 8-31
The wildfire front is not the only source of risk; embers, or firebrands, travel far
beyond the area impacted by the front and pose a risk of ignition to a structure
or fuel source. Since fires ignore civil boundaries, cities, counties, special
districts, and State and federal Federal agencies work together to bring fires
under control. Preventive measures can be very effective in minimizing the
scope of a fire event, including vegetation maintenance brush clearance
around structures, controlled burns to protect habited areas, and limiting or
avoiding any new development in high-risk areas.
Wildfire season in California is forecasted to become longer and more severe as
a result of climate change. Approximately 80% of wildfires occur in the summer
and fall, with 25% of annual wildfires occurring during Santa Ana wind events.
Climate change is likely to intensify the fall fire season as the fall becomes hotter
and drier and Santa Ana wind season is less tempered by early rains.
The threat of fire to hillside developments at the base of
the San Gabriel Mountains is of real concern to Arcadia
residents living in the foothills. The northernmost portion
of Arcadia and the foothills region is recognized as a Very
High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ) (see Figure S-7).
VHFHSZs are developed by CAL FIRE using several fire
likelihood and fire behavior factors to show the severity of
fire hazards or risks. Arcadia’s VHFHSZ consists of single-
family residential uses and open space in the foothills of
the Angeles National Forest. In addition, there are four
reservoirs and a radio repeater in this high threat area that
serve the neighborhoods of Arcadia and beyond. The
Angeles National Forest is Federally owned land managed
and protected by Federal emergency service crews. If fire
breaks out in this region, cooperation between local,
county, State, and Federal agencies is crucial. On October
27, 1993, the Kinneola fire destroyed 122 single family
homes in Altadena, Pasadena, and Sierra Madre. In 2009,
Los Angeles County was ravaged by the Station fire, the
largest brush fire in Los Angeles County’s modern history.
The fire burned an estimated 160,000 acres of land
(approximately 250 square miles) across the Angeles National
Forest, costing millions of dollars to fight, demanding
extraordinary fire-fighting resources, and threatening
communities very close to Arcadia. The northern portion of
Arcadia has similar topography and vegetation as the areas
destroyed by the Kinneloa and Station fires, and represents
the area in Arcadia most exposed to wildfire hazards. The
local
In total, CAL FIRE has recorded approximately 12 major wildfires that burned
into Arcadia since 1950, and all but three fires originated in the San Gabriel
Mountains to the north. The furthest south that a fire originating in the
San Gabriel Mountains has burned is to present day Elkins Avenue. Of the 12
total fires, three occurred in a small pocket further southeast where present
day Foothill Middle School exists. It is likely that the natural canyon protruding
into this portion of Arcadia was undeveloped during these times and, since the
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8-32 | SAFETY ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024
last fire in that area in 1977, the wildfire-urban interface has receded outside
of the city boundary as development filled in the formerly fire prone area.
From 2001 to 2021, there have been seven fires in the foothills of Arcadia or
immediately neighboring the city limits (see Figure S-8). The Bobcat Fire, in
September 2020, was the most recent fire to threaten residents in Arcadia.
Originating in the Angeles National Forest, the wildfire burned directly towards
the interface along Arcadia’s foothills. Hundreds of homes were evacuated for
4 days while various agencies coordinated to protect neighborhoods from the
flames. Within the Los Angeles region, major fires will continue to cause
dangerous air pollution, mass evacuations, loss of property, and loss of life.
California’s Public Resource Code and Government Code 51175-89 direct the
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) CAL FIRE to
map areas of significant fire hazards based on fuels, terrain, weather, and other
relevant factors. CAL FIRE created a mapping system that identifies Fire Hazard
Zones, and has created a map showing areas that are considered to be Very
High Fire Hazards Zones VHFHSZs in Arcadia. The map has been officially
adopted by the City (see Figure S-7), and the City has targeted these areas to
implement stringent wildland fire wildfire mitigation strategies. New
construction within this zone, also known as a wildland-urban interface area, is
required to maintain “defensible space” (areas clear of possible fire fuels such
as dried vegetation and additionally provide emergency access) and to comply
with special building code requirements for high-fire hazard areas, including
such measures as ignition-resistant construction materials for roofs, eaves,
vents, exterior walls, exterior windows, doors, and decks.
Urban Fires
Building and equipment fires potentially could occur any day of the week,
regardless of weather and fuel load. Although urban fires accounted for less
than four percent 2% of the City Fire Department’s total incident responses in 2007
2021, the cost of fire damage to residential structures alone was estimated
at around $1.5 $3.9 million. The Fire Department focuses on fire prevention
and education to keep incident levels and damage low. Prevention includes
having appropriate fire and life safety systems in place, such as automatic fire
sprinklers and smoke alarms, and conformance with the City’s adopted fire
codes.
Due to factors such as manufacturing operations and/or storage involving
chemicals or flammable materials, industrial businesses located north of
Huntington Drive and east of Santa Anita Avenue and those within the
southeast corner of the City have higher hazard levels than other uses in the
City. All businesses are required to comply with Fire Department requirements
regarding storage of flammable and hazardous materials and emergency
incident planning. Construction standards in building and fire codes provide
mitigation against fire events and fire damage. Emergency fire services are
discussed in further detail in the Emergency Services section that follows.
The City supplements its own fire suppression resources with mutual aid
agreements with the U.S. Forest Service and the County of Los Angeles for fire
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ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024 SAFETY | 8-33
protection services in the hillside areas. Mutual Automatic aid agreements with
neighboring jurisdictions for general fire and emergency services provide
additional response capabilities throughout the rest of the City. A discussion of
Arcadia Fire Department’s facilities and services is located in the Emergency
Services section that follows.
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Figure S-7 Fire Hazard Severity Zones
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ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024 SAFETY | 8-35
Figure S-8 Fire Perimeters
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8-36 | SAFETY ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024
Goals and Policies
The City implements State and local fire codes, policies, and programs to
protect the community from wildland and urban fires. Enforcement of the
California Fire Code has been the City’s most effective way of guarding against
fire incidents. The California Fire Code provides the minimum standards that
govern projects ensuring the use of proper building materials, fire protection
system design, occupancy limits, and emergency access. Other fire policies
such as storage limitations and the City’s fire sprinkler standards for
commercial and residential structures help prevent and limit damage from
fires.
The City has also been aggressive in minimizing wildland fire wildfire hazards,
specifically by adopting wildfire prevention policies that apply to all properties
within the wildland-urban interface zone. Requirements in this zone include
planting of appropriate plant materials, landscape maintenance, irrigating
vegetation, proper storage of fuels (firewood, propane tanks), and roof and
chimney maintenance. Additionally, the City enforces California Government
Code and California Building Code requirements that further preventative
measures in areas designated as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones VHFHSZs
Goal S-6: High level of protection from the dangers of
wildland and urban fires
Policy S-6.1: Practice Reduce wildland and urban fire
prevention incidents and impacts to the
community through engineering, enforcement,
and education, as the primary means to reduce
incidents of wildland and urban fires well as
economic and emergency response.
Policy S-6.2: Continue to adopt and implement the most
current fire prevention technology, as recognized
by national standards, in the development of
building and fire codes.
Policy S-6.3: Continue to develop public education programs
that will provide Arcadia residents and businesses
with information regarding proper and effective
fire prevention and fire safety. preparedness
including defensible space, home hardening, and
evacuation routes. Outreach efforts should ensure
the most at-risk populations are informed.
Policy S-6.4: Limit new development in designated high-fire-
hazard areas. Where prior entitlements have been
given, require and enforce strict adherence to City,
County, and State codes that address building
materials and approaches, defensible spaces, brush
clearance fuel breaks, required fire flows, on-site
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ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024 SAFETY | 8-37
or nearby fire-fighting equipment, and adequate
emergency vehicle access to accommodate the
weight and size of vehicles. Ensure vegetation
clearance and management on public and private
roads.
Policy S-6.5: Prohibit new subdivisions in Very High Fire Hazard
Severity Zones unless the new subdivision is
generally surrounded by existing built or entitled
development in areas which do not have adequare
water pressure or fire flows until sufficient pressure
and fire flows can reliably be provided and
maintained or is located in an existing approved
specific plan and meets secondary egress route
requirements and the level of capacity of adjoining
major highways and street networks can
accommodate evacuation. Discourage new
subdivisions in all other Fire Hazard Severity Zones.
Policy S-6.6: Define and maintain effective evacuation routes
for neighborhoods within high-fire-hazard areas
including the effective use of mass notification
technology. Efforts should ensure the most at-risk
populations are considered and informed.
Policy S-6.7: Perform regular life safety inspections of all
commercial, multifamily, and brush area
occupancies in Fire Hazard Severity Zones to
ensure compliance with City and State fire codes,
standards, and regulations.
Policy S-6.8: Require redevelopment located in a Fire Hazard
Severity Zone to comply with the most current
version of the California Building Codes and
California Fire Code. Encourage post-fire
redevelopments located outside of a Fire Hazard
Severity Zone to comply with the most current
version of the California Building Codes and
California Fire Code.
Policy S-6.9: Reduce the impacts of wildfire by meeting
minimum State Fire Safe regulations for fire-
resistant building materials, vegetation
management, fire-adapted landscaping, fuel
modification, and other fire hazard reduction
programs.
Policy S-6.10: Ensure long-term maintenance of all fire hazard
reduction projects, including community fire breaks
and private road and public road clearance.
Policy S-6.11: Maintain water supply and infrastructure to meet
the water needs of the Arcadia Fire Department.
“Post-fire
redevelopments” are
when a structure is
entirely or partially
redeveloped as a result
of structural damage
from a wildfire.
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Human-Caused Hazards
Hazardous Materials
Hazardous materials and chemicals are used daily in households and businesses
throughout Arcadia. Not limited to the popular conception of large chemical and
industrial factories, sources of hazardous materials can originate from seemingly
innocuous places such as service stations, hospitals, dry cleaners, and almost any
industrial business. Hazardous waste is any material with properties that make it
dangerous or potentially harmful to human health or the environment.
Hazardous waste can take the form of liquids, solids, contained gases, or sludge,
and can be the by products byproducts of manufacturing processes or simply
discarded commercial products, like cleaning fluids and pesticides.
Hazardous Materials Sites
Arcadia’s land use patterns generally separate industry from residential uses,
although large-scale industrial activities have the potential to impact broad areas
should an accident occur. Also, commercial freight carriers transporting
hazardous substances along major roads or railways present potential hazards.
Federal, State, and County agencies enforce regulations for hazardous waste
generators and users, and these regulations provide a high degree of protection.
The Arcadia Fire Department has inspection programs to monitor proper storage
of hazardous materials. The Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Health
Hazardous Materials Division is Arcadia’s Certified Unified Program Agency,
meaning they manage and have jurisdiction over Arcadia’s Hazardous Materials
program.
Figure S-69 shows the general location of businesses that use, store, produce, or
transport hazardous materials. Specific site addresses are not given as
businesses that use, store, produce, or transport hazardous materials change
over time. Also, as new sites can be discovered or existing sites remediated.
Areas with concentrations of such businesses include the industrial districts
along the railroad line between Santa Anita Avenue and Second Avenue and, at
the southern edge of the City Arcadia near the San Gabriel River, and
commercial districts along Duarte Road, Baldwin Avenue, Foothill Boulevard,
and Live Oak Avenue.
Hazardous Material Generators
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains and publishes a
database that lists properties that handle or produce hazardous materials.
Small businesses like dry cleaners, auto repair shops, hospitals, and metal
plating shops are usually are defined as generators of small quantities of
hazardous waste. The EPA defines a small quantity generator as one which
produces between 100 and 1,000 kilograms of hazardous waste per month. As
of 2006 2022, approximately 63 78 small quantity generators operated in
Arcadia. Many of these businesses are located in the industrial and commercial
districts mentioned above (Figure S-79).
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ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024 SAFETY | 8-39
Large quantity generators include large manufacturing facilities and businesses
like that deal with certain chemicals or materials, like pharmacies or chemical
manufacturers. The EPA defines a large quantity generator as a business which
produces over 1,000 kilograms of hazardous waste per month. As of 2008,
three 2022, eleven large quantity generators are located in Arcadia. Two of Of
the three eleven large quantity generators most deal with medical waste, four
are manufacturers located in industrial areas in the southeastern portion of the
City, one along Lower Azusa Road by the San Gabriel River and the other on
Clark Street by Peck Road. The third site, and one is located on La Porte Street
near Santa Anita Avenue a horse racetrack.
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Figure S-9 Hazardous Materials
Monrovia
El Monte
Temple City
Irwindale
Sierra Madre
Pasadena
Los Angeles
County
Duarte Rd
Live Oak Ave
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Foothill Blvd
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0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 Feet
Hazardous Materials Sites
Mapped by: Hogle-Ireland Inc., 2010.
Data Sources: Environmental Protection Agency, 2006 and 2007.
Base Map Features
City Boundary
Sphere of Influence
Freeway
Railroad
City Road
Water Feature
Multiple Hazards
CERCLIS Sites
Leaking Underground Storage Tank
Large-Quantity Generators
Small-Quantity Generators
Transporter of Hazardous Materials
Toxic Release Inventory
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Underground Storage Tanks
An underground storage tank is any one or combination of tanks, including
associated piping, used to contain industrial solvents, petroleum products, and
other hazardous substances. Since the early 1980s, the State has recognized
leaking underground storage tanks as the primary cause of groundwater
contamination by gasoline compounds and solvents. In California, regulations
aimed at mitigating underground storage tank leaks were initiated in 1983. The
following year, underground tank systems were required to be installed in
accordance with new standards that addressed prevention of future leaks.
Legislation also required owners of known leaking underground storage tanks
to prepare clean up cleanup plans. Many of the leaking tanks were at gasoline
service stations or businesses that maintained fuel tanks for business
operations. Through vigorous programs to address these conditions, leaking
underground storage tank issues in Arcadia have largely been abated.
Household Hazardous Materials
Leftover household products that contain corrosive, toxic, ignitable, or reactive
ingredients are referred to as household hazardous waste (HHW). Products
such as paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides contain potentially
hazardous ingredients. These products require special care in their disposal, as
improper methods such as pouring them down drains, onto the ground, or into
storm sewers, or throwing them out with household trash can pollute the
environment and pose a threat to human and animal health.
City programs, operated jointly with the County of Los Angeles, allow residents
to take advantage of curbside pick up pickup services which that deliver the
household waste to proper disposal or recycling facilities, or to drop off
household wastes at specified locations during countywide “round up” events.
Residents can also drop off used oil and filters at advertised locations in the
City year-round. Through comprehensive and multi lingual multilingual
resident education efforts, the City has been able to limit incidents of illegal
household hazardous waste disposal.
Used or discarded electronics, such as televisions, cell phones, and obsolete
equipment like videocassette recorders are referred to as e-waste. Electronic
components can contain toxic metals and non-biodegradable materials that
should not be put into sanitary landfills.
Goals and Policies
As is the case with natural hazards, recognition of human-caused hazards and
mitigation represent the most effective means of minimizing the number and
scope of accidents resulting from the presence of hazardous materials in the
community, and associated with terrorism. Cooperative City efforts with
Federal and State programs effectively regulate the use, storage, and
transportation of hazardous materials. Programs such as the Hazardous
Materials Disclosure Program require that businesses that handle defined
See the Circulation
and Infrastructure
Element for a
discussion of how the
City manages
household hazardous
waste and e-waste.
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quantities of materials submit a hazardous materials inventory and
contingency plan. The Aboveground Petroleum Storage Act requires owner and
operators of aboveground petroleum storage tanks to file with the State Water
Resources Control Board and to develop and implement a spill prevention
control and countermeasure plan. The Fire Department handles abatement
and clean up cleanup of any hazardous material deposited on any property or
facility in Arcadia in compliance with State and federal Federal standards.
Additionally, the City promotes public awareness for proper handling and
disposal of household hazardous waste.
Goal S-7: A continued high level of protection from risks to
life, the environment, and property associated
with human-caused hazards in Arcadia
Policy S-7.1: Adopt and strictly enforce the most current
regulations governing hazardous waste management.
Policy S-7.2: Minimize exposure of the environment, critical
facilities, and residences to hazardous materials
and pollution associated with industrial land uses.
Policy S-7.3: Ensure that all businesses and hazardous materials
transportation services within the City adhere to
the requirements of the City’s hazardous materials
plans and programs.
Policy S-7.4: Work with Los Angeles County Fire Department’s
Health Hazardous Materials Division to provide a
high level of public awareness of all County and
City household hazardous waste programs and
activities.
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Emergency Services
Arcadia pursues two key strategies to address threats to public health and
safety: (1) plan to prevent them and (2) develop responses that minimize the
extent of distress when a disaster occurs. The City has consistently provided its
residents, businesses, and visitors with superior emergency preparedness and
response services. This commitment will continue by reducing hazards and
responding quickly and efficiently to all types of incidents.
Fire Protection and
Emergency Services
▪ The mission of the Arcadia Fire Department is to proactively prevent
situations of risk due to fires and to deliver the services necessary to
minimize the loss of life and property threatened by the hazards of fire,
medical and rescue emergencies, hazardous materials incidents, and
disaster situations. The Arcadia Fire Department is an all-risk
department that provides fire suppression, urban search and rescue,
paramedic ambulance service, fire prevention inspections/permits,
public fire education programs, emergency preparedness planning, fire
cause and origin investigation, fire patrols, and other services based on
community needs. Services are provided from three stations, each of
which has a primary service area but responds to wherever needed in
Arcadia.
▪ Fire Station No. 105, at 710 South Santa Anita Avenue, provides fire
protection services to the downtown business district and the
southeast portion of the City Arcadia. The station was constructed in
2008 and can accommodate up to 12 firefighters per 24-hour shift. This
station serves as headquarters and houses fire suppression staff,
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administrative staff, and fire prevention bureau personnel. The station
is equipped with one engine, one truck company, one rescue
ambulance, and a battalion chief vehicle, reserve engine, reserve
rescue ambulance, and one State-owned fire engine.
▪ Fire Station No. 106, located at 630 South Baldwin Avenue, primarily
serves the central and southwest portions of the City Arcadia. The
station, constructed in of April 1994, can accommodate up to 10
firefighters per 24-hour shift. Equipment includes one engine, one
rescue ambulance, an urban search and rescue unit (US&R), a reserve
truck, and equipment.
▪ Fire Station No. 107, at 79 West Orange Grove, provides fire protection
services to the northern portion of the City Arcadia. The station has
been in operation since 1948 and was remodeled in 2003. The station
can accommodate up to four firefighters per 24-hour shift. The station
is equipped with one engine, one State-owned Type VI engine, and one
reserve engine. An antique fire engine—a 1926 American La France
restored antique fire pumper—is on display as part of the
Department’s educational programs.
Because of its successful fire education and prevention efforts, the Fire Department
finds that the majority of its responses consists of emergency medical and rescue
services as opposed to fire suppression incidents. The second highest type of incident
response is fire related. Fire and hazardous material incidents are fairly infrequent. The
average response time to the majority of incidents is four to five minutes. Only rarely do
Department personnel take six minutes or more to respond to calls for service. The City
has not identified a need to build a fourth fire station, as current station locations
provide excellent response capabilities.
Staffing
The City strives to accommodate the National Fire Protection Association
(NFPA) Standard 1710, Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire
Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special
Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments, which requires that a
minimum of four firefighters be assigned to engine and truck companies.
Emergency Response Times
One of the primary concerns of the Fire Department is response times; making
every effort to reduce or maintain response times continues to be a goal.
According to the Verdugo Fire Communications 2008 – 2009 Annual Report
(Verdugo Fire Communications dispatches all emergency response calls for the
fire department, response times for the Department in 2008 Response times
for the Fire Department as of February 2022 were as follows:
1. The Fire Department responded to fire emergencies in 54 minutes
or less 64.2 percent for the arrival of the first arriving engine company
at the fire suppression incident or 8 minutes or less for the
deployment of a full first alarm assignment 90% of the time with
an average response time of 4:32 minutes.
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2. The Department responded to current emergency medical
emergencies in 5 response performance standard is the arrival of
advanced life support on scene within 5 minutes or less 70.9 percent
90% of the time, with an average response time of 4:08 minutes.
The Fire Department strives to comply with NFPA Standard 1710, which states
first-arriving fire department units should arrive at the scene of either a fire or
medical emergency within 240 seconds 90 percent % of the time.
As new commercial and industrial development occurs within the Live Oak
Corridor and Lower Azusa Reclamation area consistent with the Land Use Plan,
the City will assess whether Fire Department response times to these areas
remain sufficient and within NFPA Standard 1710. Issues considered during
such an assessment would include verifying that equipment and staffing
resources meet response time standards or whether a fourth fire station would
be needed to serve the southeast portion of Arcadia.
Increased traffic on major, primary, and secondary arterials and enhanced
collector roads could potentially affect response times. The City will evaluate
options that may help maintain or enhance response times; these options may
include the following:
1. Add traffic signal preemption devices at major intersections and
install traffic signal preemption emitters on emergency response
vehicles.
2. Explore the possibility of integrating mobile data computers (MDC)
on emergency response vehicles and the City’s intelligent
transportation system (ITS). One of the functions of an MDC is to
provide a suggested response route to emergency incidents.
Integrating ITS the intelligent transportation system and MDC
could provide a method of maintaining traffic flow at intersections
along suggested response routes.
Fire Prevention and Emergency Services Programs
Fire prevention is the preferred way of protecting Arcadia from the dangers of
fire. Fire prevention consists of design review and inspection of commercial and
residential structures under construction; periodic life safety inspections of
commercial, multifamily, and brush area occupancies in fire hazard severity
zones; and public education programs. Although it is difficult to quantify, the
City’s Fire Prevention Program has greatly reduced property loss, injuries, and
loss of life associated with incidents and fires. In 2007 2019, members of the
Arcadia Fire Department conducted 3,714 3,399 fire inspections of businesses
and residences to review new construction, perform annual life safety
inspections, and ensure fire code compliance. Fire Prevention Bureau staff
perform fire code compliance inspections on certain new businesses that are
of a higher risk in nature. Performing this initial inspection aids business owners
by providing them specific safety requirements that their occupancy will need
prior to commencing operations.
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The City will periodically assess the necessity for additional staffing in the Fire
Prevention Bureau as commercial occupancies increase. With the increases in
commercial occupancies, fire and life safety inspection loads will increase, and
as will the potential for needing additional staffing in the Fire Prevention
Bureau.
Since emergency medical and rescue services
represent the majority of annual response
incidents, the City established the Paramedic
Membership Program to minimize the cost to the
community for emergency response. Enrollees sign
up with the program voluntarily and pay a nominal
membership fee. In return, the program protects
its members from all out-of-pocket expenses for
emergency paramedic and ambulance transport
services provided within the City of Arcadia as a
result of a 911 call. Since the program’s inception,
members have saved over one million dollars on
emergency paramedic and ambulance services.
Public education is one of the key elements in safeguarding a community from
fire and environmental hazards. Accordingly, the Arcadia Fire Department
routinely and enthusiastically shares fire safety knowledge with the
community. In 2007 2022, the Fire Department organized 18 public education
tours of fire stations and 51 demonstrations for the Arcadia Unified School
District and various community organizations. During Fire Prevention Month,
Fire Prevention Bureau staff and fire suppression personnel coordinate visits to
school campuses to give fire safety presentations to both students and
teachers. The City also encourages residents to register for the free online
program Community Connect, which allows property owners to provide
valuable information to first responders such as the number of people living in
the home, where hazardous materials are stored, and where the bedrooms
are. This allows the response team to more effectively provide their services if
a disaster strikes. The Arcadia Fire Department also publishes educational
videos and other materials to encourage residents to create their own
Emergency Management System so communities can better prepare
themselves to respond to any given hazard. Furthermore, the City created an
emergency notification system, Alert Arcadia, that can notify residents
immediately with emergency alerts and updates.
Water Supply for Fire Suppression
According to the City’s 2020 Urban Water Management Plan, Arcadia’s main
sources of water are local groundwater pumped from the Main Basin
and Raymond Basin and imported surface water from the Metropolitan Water
District of Southern California. These sources, along with measures to conserve
and recycle water, are projected to accommodate future water demands,
including those of the Arcadia Fire Department.
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Joint Training Facility
The City is planning for construction of a joint training facility to be utilized by the Fire
Department, and other City Departments. With the anticipated increase in call
volumes, it becomes even more important to keep units and crews in town at a local
training site for rapid response to emergencies while crews are involved in training
exercises.
The primary element of the joint training facility would be a training tower with an
enclosed stairwell, exterior balconies, accessible rooftops, water standpipe and sprinkler
systems, smoke-generating system, anchor points for repelling, and a burn room for live
fire training. Such a facility would enable Fire and Police personnel to practice multiple
disciplines within their areas of expertise. Training props would be available to simulate
trench rescue, confined space rescue, and building collapse scenarios. These training
props would enable Fire, Police, and Public Works personnel to practice the rescue of
persons injured or trapped and provide a suitable site for Public Works and Fire
personnel to stay current in Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
mandated training. Additionally, a multi-use community room would be available to
all City of Arcadia Departments for classroom training and meetings.
The addition of a local, City-owned joint training facility will assist the Fire Department
with maintaining its Insurance Services Office (ISO) Class I rating. The ISO Class I rating
benefits the entire community by keeping fire insurance costs lower for commercial and
residential property owners.
Law Enforcement and
Crime Prevention
Arcadia residents and businesses enjoy a very safe community. The mission of
the Arcadia Police Department is “dedication to protecting quality of life and
providing the highest level of service.” Arcadia emphasizes that the best way to
provide a safer community and reduce the cost of providing law enforcement
services is to prevent crime. The majority of crimes that the Police Department
responds to are property crimes, the largest occurring property crime being larceny,
followed by burglary. Only a small percentage of crimes in Arcadia are violent crimes.
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The Arcadia Police Department has over 75 70 sworn peace officers and 35
support staff. The Police Department also employs a volunteer services
coordinator, part-time crossing guards, reserve police officers, and civilian
volunteers. In addition to general duty policing, the Police Department has a
detective bureau, traffic and parking bureau, records department, dispatch
department, community and youth services department, and several other
specialized teams and police units. The community and youth services
department is primarily responsible for the public outreach and public
education efforts of the Police Department.
Community-based policing is the foundation philosophy of the Arcadia Police
Department. This philosophy is based on a strong relationship between the
Police Department and the community at large. The Police Department
maintains these relationships throughout the year through public speaking
engagements, meetings, and public events. This approach is augmented by its
various volunteer programs. The volunteer services section allows the Police
Department to augment its resources without additional costs to the City. For
example, the Amateur Radio and Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) is a
volunteer program that uses amateur radio ("ham") operators for crime
suppression, surveillance,
disaster, and special events
communications. The Chaplain
Program, initiated in 1994, offers
spiritual guidance, counsel, and
assistance for officers and their
families. The Volunteers in Patrol
Support provides additional
volunteer support to the Arcadia
In 2003, the Arcadia
Police Department
moved into its new
headquarters adjacent
to City Hall on
Huntington Drive. The
department, officially
established in 1926, has
a history of dedication to
the community and
professional police
service. The Police
Department’s motto is
“Making a Difference.”
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Patrol Support (VIPS) provides additional volunteer support to the Arcadia
Police Department operations, increases police visibility in the City Arcadia, and
enhances partnerships with the community. The Mounted Volunteer Patrol
program assists the regular mounted officers and other Police Department
officers with patrol of horse trails, the shopping mall, and Santa Anita Park. The
Arcadia Police Department Explorer Program is designed for youth 14 to 18
years of age who assist the police with searches for evidence, report writing,
desk officer duties, command post operations, crime prevention surveillance,
disaster assistance, crowd and traffic control, security at major events, and
other challenging assignments.
Mutual Aid Agreements
While the Arcadia Police Department is tasked with preserving the safety and
quality of life of the community and the Fire Department is tasked with the
responsibility of fire prevention and fire suppression in the City Arcadia, both
departments team with other public safety agencies to coordinate during
emergencies. These teaming arrangements are handled through automatic and
mutual aid agreements, which obligate the public safety departments to help
each other under pre-defined circumstances.
The Arcadia Fire Department maintains reciprocal automatic aid agreements
for fire protection with the surrounding Cities of Monrovia, Pasadena, South
Pasadena, San Marino, San Gabriel, Sierra Madre, Alhambra, Montebello,
Monterey Park, Glendale, and Burbank and Los Angeles County. The City also
has a mutual aid contract with the United States U.S. Forest Service for fire
protection in hillside and brush areas. As an additional safety measure, the City
participates in the State of California Master Mutual Aid program.
The Police Department maintains a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team
comprised of approximately 16 tactical operators. The Arcadia Police
Department is a member of a regional police helicopter program, called the
Foothill Air Support Team (FAST). FAST is a cooperative program among the
cities Cities of Alhambra, Arcadia, Monrovia, Covina, Pasadena, Glendora, La
Verne, San Marino, Sierra Madre, and West Covina that provides regional
helicopter support services to aid in any crime or emergency situation.
Threats to National Security
After the catastrophic events of September 11, 2001, the harsh reality of large
terrorist attacks affecting the United States domestically became part of the
public consciousness. In response, the City’s emergency preparedness and
response services expanded to address terrorism issues. At the Federal, State,
and local levels, a considerable amount of information has been generated on
potential vulnerabilities, protective measures, and anti-terrorism technologies.
The City’s Police and Fire Departments recognize the need not only to learn
from the lessons from 9/September 11, but also to collectively address
terrorism planning and policy issues that most affect Arcadia.
The City’s strong relationship with Federal and State law enforcement agencies
is helping secure the City. The California Anti-Terrorism Information Center was
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formed in the wake of the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center
and the Pentagon to provide law enforcement with statewide intelligence
support to combat terrorism. Through the center, law enforcement agencies in
California can obtain information on terrorist threats and activities anywhere
in the State through a secure, central database. Reliable information from the
center that meets the stringent guidelines for intelligence gathering and civil
rights protections are is made available only to authorized local, State, and
Federal law enforcement personnel as necessary to protect the health and
safety of Californians and others at risk from criminal terrorist activity.
Goals and Policies
Arcadia’s investments in its fire and police forces have created a community
that experiences very low levels of fire incidents and crime and that allow allows
residents to participate in volunteer programs that help keep the community
safe. To address possible threats to national security, the City will continue to
work with federal and State law enforcement agencies. Through its ACTION
program, Arcadia will continue to prepare community members with
appropriate prevention measures to help detect suspicious activity and to
appropriate response and readiness measures to any terrorist activities to
ensure that life-threatening situations are avoided Federal and State law
enforcement agencies.
Goal S-8: To provide a continued high level of fire and
police protection services, with an emphasis on
prevention reducing risk and education
Policy S-8.1: Involve Police and Fire Department personnel as
an integral part of new development and
redevelopment review process.
Policy S-8.2: Integrate new technologies and crime and fire
prevention concepts into the design and
construction of new, remodeled, and replaced
development, as well as into all public facilities
and parks.
Policy S-8.3: Maintain fire and police stations, facilities, and
services sufficient to meet high public safety
standards, as established by the City Council.
Policy S-8.4: Monitor the development of technology for fire
and law enforcement services and acquire and use
of the latest technology as funding permits to
enhance emergency services.
Policy S-8.5: Continue to prioritize and maintain robust
Maintain a high level of community engagement
in crime prevention and community safety by
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ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024 SAFETY | 8-51
supporting community participation in crime and
fire prevention through public education and
outreach programs.
Policy S-8.6: Maintain automatic aid agreements, mutual aid
agreements, and communication links with
County, State, and Federal agencies and with
other municipalities participating in emergency
operations planning.
Policy S-8.7: Coordinate information sharing with State and
Federal law enforcement agencies regarding
potential terrorist threats.
Policy S-8.8: Promote public awareness and preparedness
regarding any unique emergency response to
address terrorist threats.
Policy S-8.9: Provide the City of Arcadia with an all-risk fire
service by providing and maintaining a full range
of services that are intended to instill a sense of
safety and well-being throughout the community.
Services will include emergency medical services,
fire prevention and education, protection from
hazards of fire, hazardous materials, and domestic
terrorism, and urban search and rescue.
Policy S-8.10: Strive to meet minimum training requirements
for all safety personnel set forth by State and
Federal guidelines.
Policy S-8.11: Require new development projects to pay their
fair share of costs associated with any necessary
increases in public safety equipment, facilities, and
staffing to provide life safety protection.
Policy S-8.12: Provide and maintain a joint training facility for
the Fire Department and other City Departments.
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Emergency Preparedness
Arcadia sets emergency preparedness as one of its top priorities, recognizing
that proper planning at all levels in the community —from response agencies to
businesses and residents—will minimize the adverse effects of natural and human-
caused disasters. Arcadia provides quality, effective police and fire services,
personnel, and volunteers who are committed to safety and tirelessly work to plan
and prepare for all types of emergencies and disasters. The City’s Emergency
Preparedness Program allows it to prepare for and respond effectively to emergencies.
Emergency Preparedness and Response Programs
The Fire Department’s Emergency Services Division coordinates Arcadia’s
emergency operations during a human-caused or natural disaster. The division
manages the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), a central command post to
manage emergency efforts, in the event of a disaster. In addition, this division is
responsible for developing and maintaining the citywide Emergency Operation
Plan (EOP), which includes designing and conducting annual EOC drills, ranging
from table-top exercises to full-scale functional drills, for City employees so that EOC
workers from all City departments can practice how to respond to
emergencies. Past exercises have included the large-scale evacuation of the
mall, response to a major earthquake, large-scale contamination, and a
pandemic flu. Other participants in these drills have included the Methodist
Hospital, the Arcadia Chapter of the American Red Cross, and the Arcadia
Unified School District.
The City’s ACTION program (Arcadians Caring Together Improves Our
Neighborhoods) is an example of the Fire Department working with other City
departments and the community to provide valuable information regarding
emergency preparedness, fire safety, first aid, earthquake preparedness, and
crime prevention. The ACTION program covers general emergency
preparedness with information on putting together a survival kit, first aid kit,
storing appropriate food and water, and how to care for people with special
needs in the time of an emergency. The ACTION program also addresses
earthquake preparedness, terrorism preparedness, crime prevention, and fire
safety and prevention, and provides an emergency resource guide.
Emergency Plans
Arcadia has adopted an Emergency Operations Plan that addresses Arcadia’s
response to extraordinary emergency situations associated with natural
disasters, technological incidents, and threats to national security. It provides
operational concepts related to the various emergency situations, identifies
components of the City of Arcadia Emergency Management Organization, and
describes the overall responsibilities of the organization for protecting life and
property and assuring the overall well being of the population. The plan also
identifies the sources of outside support which might be provided (through
mutual aid and specific statutory authorities) by other jurisdictions, State and
federal agencies, and the private sector.
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In 2010, Arcadia adopted a Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan in response to
requirements of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA. Like
this Safety Element, the plan promotes policy aimed at protecting the City from
natural hazards. The policy design revolves around an effort to increase public
awareness and document resources needed to reduce risks.
Critical Facilities
As part of its emergency planning and response program, and to address hazard
mitigation through prevention, the City has identified “critical facilities” that
serve an essential or important function in disaster situations (government and
public safety buildings, hospitals, and major transportation infrastructure)
and/or contain concentrations of population (schools, large office and
residential buildings). These are places from which emergency operations and
response can be conducted. With regard to schools, they can be used for
assembly and shelter; thus, it is critically important that schools be at locations
removed from hazardous conditions, both to provide this support function and
to minimize impact to school children and staff when a disaster occurs. Table
S-3 and Figure S-8 identify the critical facilities in Arcadia. Table S-3 also
indicates that a few facilities are located within known or suspected fault
hazard and/or liquefaction zones.
Map Key Name Address Liquefact
ion
Potential
Surface
Rupture
Potential
Government Buildings and Facilities
1 Arcadia Public Library 20 W. Duarte Road
2 City Hall 240 W. Huntington Drive
3 Community Center 365 Campus Drive
4 Police Department 250 W. Huntington Drive
5 Public Works Service Department 11800 Goldring Road X
High Population Buildings
1 Elks Lodge 27 W. Huntington Drive
2 Embassy Suites 211 E. Huntington Drive
3 Extended Stay 401 E. Santa Clara Street
4 Hampton Inn 311 E. Huntington Drive
5 Hilton Garden Inn 199 N. Second Avenue
6 Motel 6 225 Colorado Place
7 Santa Anita Race Track 285 W. Huntington Drive X
8 Springfield Suites 99 N. Second Avenue
9 Town Center Building 150 N. Santa Anita Avenue
10 Wellington Court Apartments 601 Sunset Boulevard X
11 Westfield Shopping Town 400 S. Baldwin Avenue
Medical Facilities
1 Arcadia Convalescent Hospital 1601 S. Baldwin Avenue
2 Arcadia Methodist Hospital 300 W. Huntington Drive
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3 Arcadia Out-Patient Surgery Center 624 Duarte Road
4 California Home for the Aged Deaf 529 Las Tunas Drive
5 Country Villa Healthcare Center 400 W. Huntington Drive
6 Medical Building 612 W. Duarte Road
7 Medical Office 622 W. Duarte Road
8 Medical Plaza 301 W. Huntington Drive
Nursing Homes
1 Arcadia Gardens Retirement Hotel 720 W. Camino Real Avenue
2 Arcadia Retirement Center 753 W. Duarte Road
3 Arcadia Royale Retirement Hotel 607 W. Duarte Road
4 Naomi Gardens 655 W. Naomi Avenue
Schools
1 Arcadia Christian School 1900 S. Santa Anita Avenue X
2 Arcadia Friends Church Pre-School 5705 Lenore Avenue
3 Arcadia High School 180 Campus Drive
4 Arcadia Parent Participation Nursery School 1511 S. Tenth Avenue
5 Arcadia Presbyterian Child Development Center 121 Alice Street
6 Baldwin Stocker Elementary School 422 E. Lomon Avenue
7 B'Nai Simcha Jewish Pre-School 550 S. Second Avenue
8 Camino Grove Elementary School 700 Camino Grove Avenue
9 Emmanuel Montessori School 66 W. Duarte Road
10 First Avenue Middle School 301 First Avenue
11 Foothill Middle School 171 E. Sycamore Avenue X X
12 Highland Oaks Elementary School 10 Virginia Road
13 Holly Avenue Elementary School 360 W. Duarte Road
14 Holly Oaks Christian School 141 Las Tunas Drive
15 Holy Angels School 360 Campus Drive
16 Hugo Reid Elementary School 1000 Hugo Reid Drive X X
17 Hugo Reid Primary 1153 De Anza Place X
18 Huntington Continuation High School 150 S. Third Avenue
19 Longley Way Elementary School 2601 S. Longley Way
20 Montessori School 1406 S. Santa Anita Avenue
21 Richard H Dana Middle School 1401 S. First Avenue
22 Serendipity Day Care 120 S. Third Avenue
23 Wonder World Pre-School 2607 S. Santa Anita Avenue
Freeway Over/Underpasses
I-605 Freeway @ Lower Azusa overpass East of City
I-210 Freeway @ Huntington Dr underpass Bridge
I-210 Freeway @ Santa Anita underpass Bridge X
I-210 Freeway @ Second Street underpass Bridge
I-210 Freeway @ Baldwin Av underpass Bridge
I-210 Freeway @ Michillinda underpass Bridge
I-210 Freeway @ Rosemead Bl underpass City sphere on the west X*
Railroads, Reservoirs, and Dams
Railroad Crossing W. Colorado Bridge west of Santa Anita Avenue
Railroad Crossing Second Street Bridge at Huntington Drive
Railroad Crossing Santa Anita Avenue At Santa Clara Street
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ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024 SAFETY | 8-55
Metrolink Station (Future) Near Wheeler Avenue
Metrolink Crossing SR-210 Freeway At I-210 Freeway
Santa Anita Reservoirs West of City on the north
Baldwin Reservoir Baldwin/Orange Grove
Emergency preparation and response are important components in ensuring
residents are ready for hazards and first responders can adequately serve
residents in the event of a hazard. The City has an Emergency Operations Plan
that informed this element and acts as an extension to the State of California
Emergency Plan and the Los Angeles County Operational Area Emergency
Operations Plan.
Preparedness
The City of Arcadia Fire Department provides fire and medical emergency
services to the City. The City also encourages residents to register for the free
online program Community Connect, which allows property owners to provide
valuable information to first responders such as the number of people living in
the home, where hazardous materials are stored, and where the bedrooms
are. This allows the response team to more effectively provide their services if
a disaster strikes. The Arcadia Fire Department also publishes educational
videos and other materials to encourage residents to create their own
Emergency Management System so communities can better prepare
themselves to respond to any given hazard. Furthermore, the City created an
emergency notification system, Alert Arcadia, that can notify residents
immediately with emergency alerts and updates.
Response
Currently, the City’s response capacity meets the needs of the community, with
an average emergency response time of 2–8 minutes depending on the
services required and the severity of the incident. Regarding mutual aid and
coordination, the City of Arcadia is located within Office of Emergency
Management Mutual Aid Region I, and the Office of Emergency Services (OES)
Southern Administrative Region. During local emergencies, mutual aid is
requested from nearby agencies by the Incident Commander. The City’s
Emergency Operations Plan includes recommended National Incident
Management System and Standardized Emergency Management System
trainings, which the City bases its training decisions on for designated
emergency personnel.
Emergency Response Facilities
St. Joseph Reservoir Second and Chestnut
Santa Anita Dam North of City
Morris S. Jones Dam Northwest of City
Sierra Madre Dam Northwest of City
Sawpit Dam Northeast of City
Santa Fe Dam East of City
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Emergency response facilities are those activated during an emergency and
used to respond to the hazard. The City operates an independent Fire
Department for fire protection and other medical emergency-related services.
There are three fire stations in Arcadia, one in the center of the City along the
western end of Huntington Drive and another at the eastern end of College
Drive. The third station sits in the north along West Orange Grove Avenue
nearest the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone in the foothills.
Numerous fire stations operated by the County of Los Angeles and neighboring
cities lie just beyond Arcadia’s boundaries. Furthermore, the Angeles National
Forest and other smaller State Park lands are just beyond the northern border
of Arcadia and are under the fire protection of their associated agencies.
Coordination between jurisdictions and different levels of government is
imperative for fire management.
Critical Facilities
Critical facilities are places essential to the function of the City or public buildings
that can be used to gather people and equipment during hazard response and
recovery (see Table S-4). There are 12 critical and essential facilities that are
vulnerable to hazards, as shown in Figure S-10, Critical Facilities.
Non-Critical Public Facilities
Non-critical public facilities are those that can be used for hazard recovery to
gather resources, distribute information, or serve as shelters (see Table S-4).
These are generally flexible facilities that can be activated and would likely not
all be used at once during a hazard event. Non-critical facilities can also serve
as cooling facilities that provide air condition during extreme heat events.
Some non-critical public facilities include Arcadia’s schools and its two public
libraries.
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Figure S-10 Critical Facilities
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Evacuation Routes
In the event of an extreme fire, flood, or other circumstance, evacuation may be
necessary. To preserve the lives of Arcadia residents, it is important to ensure
that the routes used for evacuation are unobstructed and in good condition.
Evacuation routes in Arcadia include Colorado Boulevard, Huntington Drive and
the 210 Freeway, and the main arterials shown in Figure S-11. These evacuation
routes are outside of flood and fire hazard areas in Arcadia, and different routes
can be activated as necessary to avoid hazards outside Arcadia. Additionally,
there are two choke points in Arcadia where development in the VHFHSZ only
have one point of access out of the community. These single points of access
serve 117 homes, and both meet the evacuation route network on
East Sycamore Avenue and shown on Figure S-12.
TABLE S-4. CRITICAL AND NON-CRITICAL FACILITIES
Facility Type
Name
Address
Relevant Risk
Libraries
City Library 20 West Duarte Road Extreme Heat
LA County Library 22 West Live Oak Avenue Extreme Heat, Liquefaction
Police Police Station 250 W. Huntington Drive Extreme Heat
Fire
Fire Station 105 710 S. Santa Anita Avenue Extreme Heat
Fire Station 106 630 S. Baldwin Avenue Extreme Heat
Fire Station 107 79 W. Orange Grove Avenue Extreme Heat
Schools
Arcadia High School 180 Campus Drive Extreme Heat
Dana Middle School 1401 South First Avenue Extreme Heat
First Avenue Middle
School
301 South First Avenue
Extreme Heat
Foothills Middle School
171 East Sycamore Avenue
Extreme Heat, Wildfire,
Earthquake, Liquefaction
Baldwin Stocker
Elementary School
422 West Lemon Avenue
Extreme Heat
Camino Grove Elementary
School
700 Camino Grove Avenue
Extreme Heat
Highland Oaks Elementary
School
10 Virginia Drive
Extreme Heat, Wildfire
Holly Avenue Elementary
School
360 West Duarte Road
Extreme Heat
Hugo Reid Elementary
School
1000 Hugo Reid Drive
Extreme Heat, Earthquake,
Liquefaction
Longley Way Elementary
School
2601 Longley Way
Extreme Heat
Rancho Learning Center 150 South Third Avenue Extreme Heat
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TABLE S-4. CRITICAL AND NON-CRITICAL FACILITIES
Facility Type
Name
Address
Relevant Risk
Rancho Lab School 150 South Third Avenue Extreme Heat
Hospitals USC Arcadia Hospital 300 Huntington Drive Extreme Heat
Community Centers Arcadia Community Center
(City)
375 Campus Drive
Extreme Heat
Public Facilities
Museum Education Center 385 West Huntington Drive Extreme Heat
Arcadia Par 3 Golf Course 620 East Live Oak Avenue Extreme Heat, Liquefaction
Recreation & Community
Services
375 West Huntington Drive
Extreme Heat
City Hall 240 West Huntington Drive Extreme Heat
Public Works Yard 11800 Goldring Road Extreme Heat, Liquefaction
Chamber of Commerce
Building
388 W. Huntington Drive
Extreme Heat
Parks
Bicentennial Park 518 East Longdon Avenue Extreme Heat
Bonita Park 100 South Second Avenue Extreme Heat
Camino Grove Park 1420 South Sixth Avenue Extreme Heat
Civic Center Field 240 West Huntington Drive Extreme Heat
Eisenhower Memorial Park 601 North Second Avenue Extreme Heat
Fairview Avenue Park 542 Fairview Avenue Extreme Heat
Forest Avenue Park
132 West Forest Avenue
Earthquake, Extreme Heat,
Liquefaction
Hugo Reid Park
Michillinda Avenue and Hugo
Reid Drive
Earthquake, Extreme Heat,
Liquefaction
Longden Avenue Park 1179 East Longden Avenue Extreme Heat
Newcastle Park
143 West Colorado
Boulevard
Extreme Heat
Orange Grove Park
67 West Orange Grove
Avenue
Extreme Heat
Tierra Verde Park
2nd Avenue and Camino Real
Avenue
Extreme Heat
Tripolis Friendship Park
Goldenwest Avenue and
Fairview Avenue
Extreme Heat
Wilderness Park
2240 North Highland Oaks
Drive
Extreme Heat, Wildfire,
Liquefaction
Note: Bolded text indicates a critical facility.
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Figure S-11 Evacuation Routes
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Figure S-12 Residential Areas with Single Point of Access
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Goals and Policies
Coupled with its commitment to prevent disasters large and small is the City’s
resolve to be well prepared to respond to any type of emergency. This includes
a solid Emergency Management Plan and sound planning for critical facilities
such as hospitals, police and fire facilities, communication and emergency
operations centers, and places of community assembly.
Goal S-9: Comprehensive and effective emergency and
disaster response preparedness
Policy S-9.1: Coordinate with Los Angeles County, adjacent
municipalities, the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, and the California
Emergency Management Agency, and other
regional agencies in reducing the risk of loss of life,
injury, and property damage in the event of an
emergency.
Policy S-9.2: Coordinate with other government agencies and
organizations to leverage resources related to
seismic technology and information and
emergency preparedness.
Policy S-9.3: Maintain an up-to-date Emergency Operations
Plan and Natural local Hazard Mitigation Plan
on a five 5-year basis to secure adequate Federal
resources in the event of a disaster.
Policy S-9.4: Conduct ongoing public outreach and promote
community awareness regarding emergency
notifications, evacuation routes, and procedures
to be followed in the event of an emergency.
Focus outreach on identified vulnerable
populations, for example by contacting and
building partnerships with community-based
organizations that represent the vulnerable
population groups.
Policy S-9.5: Integrate the goals and action items from the
City’s emergency response and preparedness
plans into regulatory documents and City
processes, where appropriate.
Policy S-9.6: Monitor the development of technology for the
use in the Emergency Operations Center, and
acquire and use the latest technology as funding
permits to enhance emergency services.
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Policy S-9.7 Create resilience centers throughout Arcadia to
ensure frontline communities are equipped to
respond, recover, and rebuild after a hazard event.
Policy S-9.8 Support policies that promote education and
resilience awareness about the effects of climate
change- induced hazards and ways to adapt and
build resiliency to climate change.
Policy S-9.9 Coordinate with other County and public agencies,
such as transportation agencies and health care
providers, on emergency planning, response
activities, evacuation planning, and recovery
resources. Focus recovery resources toward the most
vulnerable households and populations (e.g. elderly
individuals, individuals with disabilities, etc.).
Policy S-9.10 Ensure that essential public facilities are maintained
during disasters.
Policy S-9.11 Pursue development impact fees to set aside
funding for solutions to address future needs
related to emergency response time in the City.
This would ensure adequate fire protection for new
developments and may include staffing, station
coverage, apparatus, equipment, and infrastructure
such as a preemption system integrated with City
traffic lights.
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Introduction ..................................................................................................... 8-1
Achieving Our Vision ........................................................................................... 8-2
Scope of this Element .......................................................................................... 8-3
Emerging Hazards ............................................................................................... 8-9
Goals and Policies ............................................................................................. 8-11
Environmental Hazards..................................................................................... 8-12
Goals and Policies ............................................................................................. 8-22
Goals and Policies ............................................................................................. 8-29
Goals and Policies ............................................................................................. 8-35
Human-Caused Hazards ...................................................................................... 8-37
Goals and Policies ............................................................................................. 8-40
Emergency Services .......................................................................................... 8-42
Goals and Policies ............................................................................................. 8-48
Emergency Preparedness ................................................................................. 8-50
Goals and Policies ............................................................................................. 8-57
TABLE S-1. READER’S GUIDE TO CLIMATE RESILIENCE IN THE SAFETY ELEMENT .......... 8-4
TABLE S-2. FAULTS NEAR ARCADIA ...................................................................... 8-14
TABLE S-3. MODIFIED MERCALLI INTENSITY SCALE ................................................. 8-17
TABLE S-4. CRITICAL AND NON-CRITICAL FACILITIES ................................................ 8-53
83
Attachment No. 3
Attachment No. 3
Draft Environmental Justice Element
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ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024 ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ELEMENT | 10-1
Chapter 10:
Environmental Justice Element
A r c a d i a G e n e r a l P l a n
8 x
Introduction
The Environmental Protection Agency defines environmental justice (EJ) as the
fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race,
color, national origin, or income with respect to the development,
implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and
policies. Environmental justice involves creating healthy and safe communities
for all, with a focus on correcting disproportionate health impacts. The goals
and policies of this Environmental Justice Element are primarily focused on the
following issues that were defined by the community:
• Reducing pollution exposure: Specifically related to air pollution
adjacent to major roads and freeways.
• Preparing for climate change impacts: Information and resources to
help prepare for hazard events such as extreme heat, wildfire smoke,
and flooding. This is especially true for renters and those who live in
older housing units.
• Promoting active and public transportation: Improvements to walking
and biking infrastructure and multimodal street design to reduce
unsafe interactions.
• Improving parks and public facilities: Providing a greater diversity of
activities and features.
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ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024 ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ELEMENT | 10-2
• Promoting safe and sanitary housing: Lack of affordable housing as
well as maintenance and weatherization issues, and homelessness.
Relevant Legislation
Through the passage of Senate Bill 1000, local governments across California
are required to assess if any disadvantaged communities exist within their
boundaries. If there is a disadvantaged community identified, environmental
justice must be added as a component of the general plan. Per California
Government Code Section 65302(h), this environmental justice component
must include policies to reduce the “unique or compounded health risks in
disadvantaged communities,” “promote civic engagement in the public
decision-making process,” and “prioritize improvements and programs that
address the needs of disadvantaged communities.”
Per the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research General Plan Guidelines,
there are two steps to identify disadvantaged communities as they are defined
in California Government Code Section 65302(h):
1. Identify Census tracts or portions thereof within the planning area that
fall within the 75th percentile of CalEnviroScreen scores. This would
indicate that those tracts experience a high pollution burden compared
to the majority of tracts in the state. If this threshold is met, an EJ
element must be completed, and jurisdictions also must move to step
2. If this threshold is not met, jurisdictions may but are not required to
move to step 2.
2. Identify Census tracts or portions thereof within the planning area that
have been identified as “low-income communities” per California
Health and Safety Code Section 39713(d)(2). Then, assess
environmental conditions in these low-income communities using
community feedback and public health data such as the Public Health
Alliance of Southern California’s Healthy Places Index. The Healthy
Places Index uses a variety of social and environmental indicators to
measure how healthy communities are at the census tract level.
“Disadvantaged community”
means an area identified by
the California Environmental
Protection Agency pursuant
to Section 39711 of the
Health and Safety Code or an
area that is a low-income
area that is
disproportionately affected
by environmental pollution
and other hazards that can
lead to negative health
effects, exposure, or
environmental degradation.
—California Government
Code Section 65302(h)
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ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024 ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ELEMENT | 10-3
This analysis screened for disadvantaged communities using the two-step
process. Per CalEnviroScreen 4.0, there is a census tract scoring in the 75th
percentile located on the southeastern tip of Arcadia (see Figure EJ-1,
CalEnviroScreen 4.0). This census tract is split between Arcadia and El Monte
because census tracts do not follow City boundaries. The portion within Arcadia
is zoned entirely for Industrial and Public/Institutional, but includes two non-
conforming single family residences. This area of Arcadia has been identified and
zoned for industrial uses for many decades and the nonconforming status of the
homes means that if they become vacant, they will lose their residential use
rights after 90 days. Therefore, this Element focuses on citywide needs to best
promote long-term environmental justice concerns.
There are also two low-income census tracts in Arcadia (see Figure EJ-2, Low
Income Communities). These census tracts were not considered to have unique
or compounded health risks as determined by the Healthy Places Index and,
therefore, are not disadvantaged communities. As a result of the limited
residential presence in Arcadia’s only disadvantaged community, the City of
Arcadia (City) has primarily taken a citywide approach to addressing
environmental justice concerns. This Environmental Justice Element evaluates
environmental justice-related topics throughout Arcadia and includes a policy
matrix based on these findings and input gathered from community members.
“Non-conforming residential
uses” are residential land
uses on parcels that are not
designated or zoned for
residential uses in the
Arcadia General Plan Land
Use/Zoning Map. When
redeveloped, these sites will
need to conform with the
land use designation and
zoning code and therefore
will not be residential.
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ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024 ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ELEMENT | 10-4
Figure EJ-1: CalEnviroScreen 4.0
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ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024 ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ELEMENT | 10-5
Figure EJ-2: Low-Income Communities
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ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024 ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ELEMENT | 10-6
Achieving Our Vision
This Environmental Justice Element is intended to promote a clean and healthy
environment for everyone as well as an abundance of resources to support the
well-being of residents. It does this by addressing environmental justice
concerns and expanding community resources throughout Arcadia while
bridging any gaps in underserved areas and populations.
Consistent with the other general plan elements, this element will address
environmental justice concerns through a set of goals and policies. Goals are
broad statements that align with the community’s long-term vision for the City.
Policies are focused strategies that help achieve these goals by guiding decision
making. Environmental Justice Element goals and policies were developed based
on feedback from the community and the findings of the background report.
Policies are implemented by specific programs in the Implementation Plan
(Chapter 10 of the Arcadia General Plan). Implementation programs identify
specific and measurable actions as well as responsible agencies, funding
sources, and time frames for these actions. They create visible and measurable
change in Arcadia. See Chapter 10, Implementation Plan, for implementation
programs associated with all elements of the Arcadia General Plan, including
this Environmental Justice Element.
Scope of This Element
Relationship to Other General
Plan Elements
This Environmental Justice Element is subject to the requirement for internal
consistency with all other elements in the general plan per Government Code
Section 65300.5. Environmental Justice Element goals and policies must align
with the goals and policies of other elements and with programs in the
implementation plan. For example, a policy to expand park access in a
particular area must be consistent with the allowable land uses for that area
according to the Land Use and Community Design Element. This ensures that
environmental justice goals and policies are feasible and do not contradict or
otherwise undermine other general plan goals and policies.
Relationship to Other Adopted Plans
Many topics covered in this Environmental Justice Element are related to other
plans that the City has adopted, including the Arcadia Recreation and Parks
Master Plan and the Arcadia Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. The Recreation and
Parks Master Plan identifies community priorities and issues to be addressed
related to parks and recreation facilities and programs. Moreover, it provides
tiered recommendations on how to improve parks and recreation in Arcadia.
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ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024 ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ELEMENT | 10-7
This Environmental Justice Element will complement and build upon these
recommendations to help expand access to parks and community centers and
promote physical activity. The Local Hazard Mitigation Plan outlines emergency
mitigation, preparation, response, and recovery strategies related to known
hazards including flooding, fire, and seismic activity. This Environmental Justice
Element will consider how these hazards may disproportionately impact
vulnerable populations and the ways in which climate change will exacerbate
these hazards and their impacts on vulnerable communities.
Community Outreach Results
In order to identify potential needs and opportunities with regards to each
environmental justice topic, the City hosted a community meeting while
developing this element. This meeting, which was advertised via the City’s
website, was held as a webinar on October 11, 2023. The meeting consisted of
a presentation explaining environmental justice, the purpose of this element,
and the importance of community participation in the process, as well as an
interactive activity to gather community feedback. The activity consisted of
two components: a series of anonymous multiple-choice poll questions, and
opportunities to answer additional questions and provide more feedback on
each of the environmental justice concerns covered in this element.
Questions were asked related to 1) civic engagement, 2) concerns related to
pollution exposure, 3) concerns related to hazardous impacts caused by
climate change such as extreme heat, flooding, and wildfire, 4) access to
healthy foods, 5) active and public transportation options, 6) parks and public
facilities, and 7) safe and sanitary housing.
Based on the results provided by the community members who participated,
concerns were raised relative to pollution exposure from the I-210 Freeway
and major arterials streets, a lack of perceived information or resources about
what to do in the event of emergencies or extreme weather events, improved
bike lanes and safe alternative transportation options, and inclusive parks and
public facilities. A specific topic of conversation was the lack of affordable
housing in Arcadia, and concerns among rental properties related to
weatherization and maintenance.
Each of these issues are described in detail in the next Section.
Environmental Justice Topics
Consistent with Senate Bill 1000, the City of Arcadia’s Environmental Justice
Element analyzed the current conditions as it relates to active and public
transportation, access to healthy food options, access to parks and community
centers, exposure to local and regional pollution, housing quality and
affordability, climate adaptation, and recent community engagement efforts.
This Section assesses the existing conditions in Arcadia with regard to each of
these environmental justice topics and includes a summary of community
engagement findings as they relate to each topic.
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Active and Public Transportation
Walking, biking, and taking public transit are affordable alternatives to driving
and serve as great opportunities to be physically active, resulting in positive
health outcomes. For this reason, it is important to ensure that everyone in
Arcadia has equitable access to opportunities for convenient and safe walking,
biking, and public transit use. Moreover, safe walking and biking was identified
as a community priority during the community meeting. Community members
have expressed their concerns about traffic safety, the lack of connectivity in
the bike and pedestrian network, and car-centric street design. This Section will
evaluate access to active and public transportation in Arcadia.
Public transportation services in Arcadia are provided by the Los Angeles
County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), Los Angeles County’s
primary transportation agency; Foothill Transit, a regional transit system that
primarily operates in the San Gabriel Valley, with limited service outside of the
region; and Arcadia Transit, a local transit system serving the City of Arcadia.
Metro operates four local bus routes in Arcadia and provides service on major
local thoroughfares such as Baldwin Avenue, Santa Anita Avenue, and
Huntington Drive. Local routes 179 and 287 terminate at Arcadia Station,
where transit riders can connect to the system’s 48.5-mile A Line light-rail
route. The longest light-rail line in the world, the A Line enables connectivity to
Azusa in the east, downtown Los Angeles to the south, and even further south
to Long Beach. Foothill Transit operates a fixed-route bus service along
Huntington Avenue and provides limited service in Arcadia’s northeastern
area. Arcadia Transit operates three fixed-route services: the Green Line which
runs primarily along Huntington Drive and Baldwin Avenue, the Blue Line which
runs primarily along Holly Avenue and Duarte Road, and the Red Line that runs
primarily along First Avenue and Sixth Avenue. Together, Metro, Foothill , and
Arcadia Transit provide transit services throughout Arcadia. Around 72% of
households are within walking distance (0.25 miles) of a bus stop, and around
93% are within biking distance (0.5 miles) of a bus stop. Moreover, most areas
within Arcadia rank highly on the National Walkability Index, especially those
near major bus lines. Additionally, Arcadia Transit offers Dial-A-Ride Services
for residents who are seniors or have disability status.
In addition to public transportation, active transportation routes in Arcadia
allow non-motorized users, such as people who bike and walk, to move around
safely. Currently, Arcadia contains one Class I bikeway, part of the extensive
Rio Hondo bike path system, beginning just inside Arcadia’s border with El
Monte and linking to the Los Angeles River bike path. A majority of bikeways
are Class II, or striped bike lanes that separate people who bike from cars on
the road. Where Class II bikeways are not feasible, the City employs Class III
bikeways, with plans to shift toward Class II in the future.1
1 City of Arcadia. 2010. “Chapter 4: Circulation and Infrastructure Element.” In
Arcadia General Plan, 4-1–4-47. Adopted November 2010. Accessed January 31,
2024. https://cms9files.revize.com/arcadia/Shape%20Arcadia/Development%
20Services/general%20plan/Circulation%20and%20Infrastructure.pdf.
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ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – OCTOBER 2024 ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ELEMENT | 10-9
The City’s bike map, last updated in 2013, indicates Class II bikeways are
somewhat fragmented, and the majority of bikeways are Class III, where
people who bike share the road with vehicles. Overall, an incomplete bicycle
network prevents easy and comfortable movement around Arcadia.
As shown in Table EJ-1, Transportation Trends, less than 5% of workers in
Arcadia use public transportation or active transportation to commute to work.
This number is significantly lower than the proportion of workers in Los Angeles
County and across California, though this may be attributed to several factors,
including that residents of Arcadia are more likely to own cars, whereas many
active commuters in Los Angeles do not do so by choice. The City’s Circulation
and Infrastructure Element of its general plan contains several goals and
policies that aim to improve public and active transportation, through
strategies that entail collaboration with Metro and Foothill Transit agencies
and the development of a citywide bicycle network, for example. Certain
policies have already been implemented, such as Policy CI-3.6 which aimed to
bring light rail service to Arcadia and was achieved when the Arcadia Station of
the Foothill Gold Line – now Metro A Line – was completed in 2015. Continued
efforts to improve public and active transportation connections to this station
may incentivize more residents to utilize these options.
Table EJ-1.
Transportation Trends
Indicator Location
Arcadia Los Angeles County California
Active Commuting1 4.09% 9.65% 8.99%
Car Access2 96.50% 91.20% 92.90%
Source: The Public Health Alliance of Southern California. 2022. The California Healthy Places
Index [map viewer]. https://map.healthyplacesindex.org/.
Legend: Quartile 1 = Good, Quartile 2 = Moderate, Quartile 3 = Poor, Quartile 4 = Challenged
1 Percentage of workers (16 years or older) who commute to work by transit, walking, or biking.
2 Percentage of households with access to a car.
Climate Change
Climate change is projected to exacerbate certain hazards, including extreme
temperature events, wildfires, and floods. Therefore, Arcadia must work to
prepare all residents for the impacts of climate change. Community members
have shared concerns that their homes were not prepared for extreme heat
and wildfire smoke, with renters facing the added barrier of communicating
the needed improvements to their landlords. Residents also have
communicated that they could use more information on the resources
available to them during hazard events and that outdoor public spaces should
have more cooling features.
Certain populations are more vulnerable to the effects of said hazard events
including older adults, young children, renters, outdoor workers, active
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commuters, those with limited mobility, and those who do not speak English
as their first language. As shown in Table EJ-2, Populations Vulnerable to
Climate-Related Hazards, Arcadia has a relatively high proportion of older
adults and limited-English speakers compared to California overall. Therefore,
policies should focus on preparing these groups for climate-related hazards.
For more information about climate-related hazards, vulnerable populations,
emergency preparedness, and safety policies for vulnerable populations, refer
to Arcadia General Plan Chapter 8: Safety Element.
Table EJ-2.
Populations Vulnerable During Climate-Related Hazards
Indicator Location
Arcadia Los Angeles County California
Older Adults1 18.6% 13.3% 14%
Young Children2 5.05% 6.11% 6.3%
Outdoor Workers 3.52% 6.01% 8%
Active Commuters3 4.09% 9.65% 8.99%
Population with a
Disability
2.54% 3.81% N/A
Limited-English
Speakers4
30.7% 23.8% N/A
Source: The Public Health Alliance of Southern California. 2022. The California Healthy Places
Index [map viewer]. https://map.healthyplacesindex.org/.
Legend: Quartile 1 = Good, Quartile 2 = Moderate, Quartile 3 = Poor, Quartile 4 = Challenged
Note: The table is colored to provide an understanding of the rate of vulnerabilities to air
pollution and does not indicate that certain traits are overall “good” or “bad.”
1 Percent of people aged 65 and older.
2 Percentage of population who are young children under 5 years old.
3 Percent of workers (16 years and older) who commute to work by transit, walking, or cycling.
4 Percent of people, aged 5 and older, who speak English “less than very well.”
Healthy Food
Access to healthy food is essential for all community members. Healthy food
did not come up as a major issue during the community meeting, but access to
healthy food was analyzed to determine if there are any areas with limited
access so that these areas can be prioritized when adding new food sources
like community gardens, farmers markets, and grocery stores.
As shown in Table EJ-3, Grocery Store Access, 52.4% of Arcadia residents live
within a half mile of a grocery store, which is below Los Angeles County’s
average of 61.9% but slightly higher than the California average of 50.6%. As
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shown in Figure EJ-3, Communities Within Walking and Biking Distance of a
Grocery Store, grocery stores are distributed around Arcadia, with a
concentration near the intersection of South Baldwin Avenue and West Duarte
Road; while areas in the northern and southeastern parts of Arcadia have to
travel farther to grocery stores than these areas, they tend to have greater
levels of car access. Having access to a car makes it much easier to travel to a
grocery store; therefore, residents in these areas likely do not have trouble
getting to grocery store even though they are not located within walking or
biking distance.
Table EJ-3.
Grocery Store Access
Indicator Location
Arcadia Los Angeles County California
Supermarket
Access1
52.4% 61.9% 50.6%
Source: The Public Health Alliance of Southern California. 2022. The California Healthy Places
Index [map viewer]. https://map.healthyplacesindex.org/.
Legend: Quartile 1 = Good, Quartile 2 = Moderate, Quartile 3 = Poor, Quartile 4 = Challenged
1 Percent of urban population residing less than a half mile from a grocery store.
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Figure EJ-3: Communities Within Walking and Biking Distance of a Grocery Store
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Parks and Public Facilities
Parks, community centers, and other public facilities provide useful amenities
that may be accessed by the public for zero or low cost and are generally
associated with higher quality of life. Additionally, due to their communal
nature, individuals are more likely to build social relationships and feel
connected to their communities, which may result in higher civic participation
and involvement. Community members discussed the importance of parks and
public facilities at the Environmental Justice Community Meeting and
identified key areas for improvement such as providing a greater variety of
amenities that appeal to a diverse population. This Section assesses existing
parks and public facilities in Arcadia.
The Arcadia Community Center, operated by the City’s Recreation and
Community Services Department, hosts events, classes, and programs for
youth, adults, and older adult populations. Programming is offered throughout
the week, including weekends, and includes supportive services, sports and
recreation, family events, opportunities to interact with City officials, and
more. The Arcadia Community Center is centrally located a half mile from
Arcadia High School and a mile from Arcadia County Park and is serviced by
local bus routes, making it accessible for the City’s population.
The Arcadia Public Library is located in a residential neighborhood adjacent to
Arcadia High School and is a half-mile walking distance from both Metro bus
line 287 and Arcadia Transit Blue Line transit stops. In addition to general
library services such as book lending and technology services, the library also
provides passport services. The library is open 6 days a week and operates from
10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00
p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The Los Angeles County Public Library also
operates in the southernmost part of Arcadia as the Live Oak Library, providing
nearby residents with a more convenient library option.
There are a total of 30 parks in Arcadia. Of these 30 parks, 15 are managed by
the City, 4 are managed by the County of Los Angeles, and 11 are managed by
the Arcadia Unified School District. The County of Los Angeles manages Arcadia
Community Regional Park, the Los Angeles County Arboretum, Peck Road Water
Conservation Park, and Santa Anita Golf Course. The Arcadia Unified School
District maintains a joint use agreement with the City to allow public use of parks
on or adjacent to school campuses when school is not in session. Currently,
facilities of 11 schools are open for public use, including those of Arcadia High
School, Foothills Middle School, and Highland Oaks Elementary School. All
facilities are detailed in Table EJ-5, Use Restrictions by Park. Together, these
parks service most of Arcadia’s population (see Figure EJ-4, Communities Within
Walking and Biking Distance of a Park or Open Space). Residents north of
Interstate 210 have access to 6 parks within the City, including 4 open access
parks and 2 restricted use parks, and several additional parks just outside the City
boundary including the Los Angeles National Forest. The remaining 24 parks are
located south of Interstate 210 are distributed evenly throughout the area.
However, the residential areas south of Duarte Road and west of Santa Anita
Avenue only have access to parks on public school campuses, which are only
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allowed to be used outside of school hours. Therefore, this area has slightly lower
access to parks than other areas of the City.
Overall, parks and recreational facilities comprise 680 acres in Arcadia, and 135
of these acres are open parkland that are either owned by the City or covered
by joint use agreements with the Arcadia Unified School District, resulting in
2.46 acres of public park land for every 1,000 residents in the City. This statistic
is below the median of 11.3 acres per 1,000 residents for a selection of similar-
sized cities across the country, according to National Recreation and Park
Association survey data.2 Nonetheless, the City has exceeded the acreage goal
of its Parks and Recreation Policy 1.2, which calls for 2.43 acres of parkland per
1,000 residents3. Additionally many Arcadia residents live in close proximity to
facilities operated by Los Angeles County, including the Los Angeles County
Arboretum and Botanical Garden, Peck Road Water Conservation Park, and
Arcadia Community Regional Park. Taking all these facilities into account,
including those owned and operated by agencies other than the City of Arcadia,
there are 12 acres of open space for every 1,000 residents in the City, although
the open space is concentrated in several large parks with restricted access.
As shown in Table EJ-4, slightly more than half of Arcadia residents live within
a quarter mile, or comfortable walking distance, of a park with open public
access. Greater than 70% of residents live within that distance of any park,
including those with restricted access, such as parks with joint-use agreements.
Almost everywhere in Arcadia is within biking distance of a park or open space
when including those with restricted access, as shown in Figure EJ-4. 90.7% of
residents live within 0.5 miles (a comfortable biking distance) of an open access
park or open space. Therefore, a significantly higher portion of residents can
access parks and open space via bike or similar mobility device than can access
these areas by walking.
Table EJ-4.
Park Access1
Indicator Access Type
Open Access Only Open and Restricted Access
Walking Distance to
a Park1
57.1% 70.8%
Source: California Protected Areas Database. 2021. Parks and Open Space. Analysis Conducted
in Urban Footprint. https://www.calands.org/.
2 NRPA (National Recreation and Park Association). 2023. NRPA Agency
Performance Review. Accessed January 31, 2024. https://www.nrpa.org/
contentassets/3ae6ba685dbf47a1b537af2f15c615d9/2023-agency-performance-
review.pdf.
3 City of Arcadia. 2010. “Chapter 7: Parks, Recreation, and Community Resources
Element.” In Arcadia General Plan, 7-1–7-54. Adopted November 2010. Accessed
January 31, 2024. https://cms9files.revize.com/arcadia/Shape%20Arcadia/
Development%20Services/general%20plan/Parks%20Recreation%20and%
20Community%20Resources.pdf.
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1 Percentage of people living within a quarter mile of a park or open space.
Parks and open space that have use restrictions may be closed to the public at
certain times or may charge a fee for use. Parks with use restrictions include the
Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden and many schools within the
Arcadia Unified School District which are under joint use agreements that allow
the public to use their facilities when school is not in session. Table EJ-5, Use
Restrictions by Park, identifies which parks have use restrictions and which allow
open access by name. These parks and open spaces are also shown in Figure EJ-4
.The City is committed to providing quality parks and recreation facilities, as made
evident by the goals and policies contained within the Parks, Recreation, and
Community Resources Element of the City’s general plan. Many of these goals and
policies align with environmental justice goals and seek to fill service gaps in the
community, such as Policy-PR.1.6, which prioritizes acquisition of land intended for
parks in underserved neighborhoods.
Community engagement to inform the 2017 Recreation and Parks Master Plan,
included community workshops, focus groups, a phone survey, and community
meetings, indicated most community members were concerned with park
facility and amenity upgrades and maintenance, and many of those surveyed
had a favorable opinion of recreational events and programming.4 Specifically,
community outreach identified the following priorities, among others:
• Upgrade existing and provide new children’s play areas
• Upgrade or replace older park restrooms/concessions
• Replace natural turf with synthetic turf
• Replace or upgrade lighting, including lighted walking paths
• New dog parks and facilities
• Additional shade over play structures
• Picnic and barbeque improvements
• Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant access improvements
• New facilities for community events
• Upgrade landscape areas with drought-tolerant plant materials
• Improvements for sports fields such as new bleachers, dugouts, batting
cages, team benches, and fencing
• Parking lot upgrades and improvements
Although the Parks, Recreation, and Community Resources Element is wider in
scope than the Recreation and Parks Master Plan, the Element’s Policy PR.1.13
and Policies PR.1.15–20 provide for maintenance, upgrades, and new facilities
and amenities, in alignment with the Recreation and Parks Master Plan.
Furthermore, this Environmental Justice Element intends to ensure equitable
access to open space and parks and to the community health benefits that
access provides.
4 City of Arcadia. 2017. Arcadia Recreation and Parks Master Plan. Adopted August
1, 2017. Accessed January 12, 2024. https://www.arcadiaca.gov/enrich/
recreation___community_services/parks___facilities/master_plan.php .
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Table EJ-5
Use Restrictions by Park
Park Name Use Restrictions?
Arcadia Community Regional Park Open Access
Arcadia High School Park Restricted Access
Arcadia Par-3 Golf Course Restricted Access
Arcadia Wilderness Park Open Access
Baldwin Stocker Elementary School Park Restricted Access
Bicentennial Park Open Access
Bonita Park Open Access
Camino Grove Park Open Access
Camino Grove Elementary School Park Restricted Access
Civic Center Field Open Access
Dana Middle School Park Restricted Access
Eisenhower Memorial Park Open Access
Fairview Avenue Park Open Access
First Avenue Middle School Park Restricted Access
Foothills Middle School Park Restricted Access
Forest Avenue Park Open Access
Highland Oaks Middle School Park Restricted Access
Holly Avenue Park Restricted Access
Hugo Reid Elementary School Park Restricted Access
Hugo Reid Park Open Access
Longden Avenue Park Open Access
Longley Way Elementary School Park Restricted Access
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Table EJ-5
Use Restrictions by Park
Park Name Use Restrictions?
Los Angeles County Arboretum and
Botanic Garden Restricted Access
Newcastle Park Open Access
Orange Grove Park Open Access
Peck Road Water Conservation Park Open Access
Santa Anita Golf Course Restricted Access
Santa Anita Park Restricted Access
Tierra Verde Park Open Access
Tripolis Friendship Park Open Access
Source: California Protected Areas Database. 2021. Parks and Open Space. Analysis Conducted
in Urban Footprint. https://www.calands.org/.
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Figure EJ-4: Communities Within Walking Distance of Parks or Open Space
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Pollution
The effects of both short- and long-term exposure to pollution can be significant
to all individuals. However, certain populations bear increased risks from pollution
exposure. Community members expressed their concerns about pollution
exposure during the Environmental Justice Community Meeting and are
particularly concerned about pollution exposure near major roadways. This
Section analyzes pollution exposure throughout the City and identifies particularly
vulnerable areas and populations.
Specifically, young children, older adults, people who are outside for large
portions of their day, and individuals with preexisting health conditions are
more susceptible to respiratory complications resulting from air pollution. In
Arcadia there is a lower percentage of outdoor workers, active commuters,
young children, people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),
and people with asthma compared to Los Angeles County and the State of
California. Arcadia does have a greater proportion of older adults aged 65 or
older (see Table EJ-5, Populations Vulnerable to Pollution).
Pollution affects the air quality of entire geographical regions. Therefore,
pollution from surrounding cities can affect Arcadia, even when Arcadia itself
does not contain all responsible sources. The South Coast Air Quality
Management District is the regional agency tasked with developing and
enforcing air pollution standards mandated by various clean air acts in
California. Arcadia is located within this regulatory jurisdiction, along with Los
Angeles County and portions of Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino
Counties. This means the City must comply with the agency’s regional air
quality management plan along with all other cities and counties under the
agency’s jurisdiction. The South Coast Air Basin, in which Arcadia is located, is
one of two areas in the nation classified as an extreme nonattainment zone for
ozone pollution. Poor air quality results from a variety of factors including the
dense and heavily urbanized character of the area, the area’s reliance on cars
and trucks for transportation, weather conditions, and the surrounding air-
trapping mountains.
The Resource Sustainability Element describes the various pollutants that
impact natural resources in Arcadia, notably, air and water pollution sources
that negatively impact Arcadia and its natural resources. These pollutants
involve environmental justice concerns, as some communities in Arcadia may
bear a disproportionate burden from these pollution sources.
The limited industrial base and standard retail and service commercial uses in
Arcadia lead to few local pollution sources that contribute to pollution of the
region. Arcadia’s main sources of pollution, including carbon monoxide, ozone,
and small particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), result primarily from
transportation emissions due to the many roadways that carry heavy and slow-
moving traffic. These pollution sources disproportionally affect communities
that abut these transportation networks and can contribute to respiratory
health effects like asthma, lung inflammations, and chest pains. Specifically,
residential neighborhoods near Interstate 210 and other main arterial
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roadways such as Baldwin Avenue, El Monte Avenue, and Duarte Road are
exposed to a disproportionate amount of air pollution.
Table EJ-6.
Populations Vulnerable to Pollution
Indicator
Location
Arcadia Los Angeles County California
Asthma1 6.55% 8.65% 9.02%
Coronary Heart
Disease2
4.82% 4.94% N/A
Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease3
3.95% 5.15% 5.33%
Young Children4 5.05% 6.11% 6.3%
Older Adults5 18.6% 13.3% 14%
Outdoor Workers6 3.52% 6.01% 8%
Active Commuters7 4.09% 9.65% 8.99%
Source: The Public Health Alliance. 2022. The California Healthy Places Index [map viewer].
https://map.healthyplacesindex.org/.
Legend: Quartile 1 = Good, Quartile 2 = Moderate, Quartile 3 = Poor, Quartile 4 = Challenged
Note: The table is colored to provide an understanding of the rate of vulnerabilities to air
pollution and does not indicate that certain traits are overall “good” or “bad.”
1 Percentage of people with asthma.
2 Percentage of people with coronary heart disease.
3 Percentage of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
4 Percentage of children under 5 years old.
5 Percent of people aged 65 and older.
6 Percent of workers (16 and older) who work outdoors.
7 Percent of workers (16 years and older) who commute to work by transit, walking,
or biking.
Safe and Sanitary Housing
Access to safe and sanitary housing is a core environmental justice principle
and vital to the health and well-being of the Arcadia’s population. At the
Environmental Justice Community Meeting and in outreach conducted for the
6th Cycle Housing Element (see below), community members discussed how
the location, quality, and affordability of housing units is important and how it
has a significant impact on an individual’s health and quality of life. Although
unsafe and unsanitary conditions can be a concern in any home, low-income
residents, and renters in particular, are more likely to struggle with these
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issues, which may include poor ventilation, high pollution exposure, and
overcrowding. Although Arcadia has a lower percentage of households, both
renter and owner, experiencing severe housing cost burden than Los Angeles
County as a whole, and has higher rates of home ownership, the data
nonetheless indicate a significant housing affordability problem. As shown in
Table EJ-6 below, one quarter of renter households pay half or more of their
income toward rent and utilities. Renters comprise approximately 40% of
households in Arcadia, making this a significant issue.
Table EJ-7.
Housing Indicators
Indicator Location
Arcadia Los Angeles County California
Homeownership1 59.50% 45.80% 54.90%
Low-Income
Homeowner Severe
Cost Burden2
12.6% 13.70% 11.10%
Low-Income Renter
Severe Housing Cost
Burden3
24.60% 28.90% 26.20%
Uncrowded Housing4 96.4% 88.70% 91.70%
Source: The Public Health Alliance. 2022. The California Healthy Places Index [map viewer].
https://map.healthyplacesindex.org/.
Legend: Quartile 1 = Good, Quartile 2 = Moderate, Quartile 3 = Poor, Quartile 4 = Challenged
1 Percentage of people who own their home.
2 Percentage of low-income homeowners who spend more than 50% of their income on
housing costs.
3 Percentage of low -income renters who spend more than 50% of their income on
housing costs.
4 Percentage of households with one or fewer occupants per room.
Individuals living in older residences are more likely to experience unsafe and
unsanitary living conditions, as older, aging structures may not have been
subject to present-day building standards and codes that comply with
regulations for substances such as lead paint, asbestos, and other hazardous
materials. Housing units are generally considered to need serious repairs or
rehabilitation after 30 years; this work may include the installation of a new
roof, plumbing, or foundation work.
According to the City’s 6th Cycle Housing Element, approximately 46% of
Arcadia’s housing units were built prior to 1970, indicating a continued need
for maintenance. However, the age of the Arcadia’s housing stock may not
necessarily equate to major repair needs due to Arcadia’s high household
income relative to the Los Angeles County median. Between 2018 and 2021,
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there were over 4,400 code enforcement cases for property maintenance.
Most of these cases involved landscaping, and only four houses have been
determined to be substandard. In general, homeowners invest in maintenance
and repair and the vast majority of housing in Arcadia meets or exceeds
standards.5 Furthermore, Arcadia’s percentage of households with less than or
equal to one occupant per room is over 90%, ranking higher than Los Angeles
and California percentages, as shown in Table EJ-6, Housing Indicators.
Therefore, overcrowding is not of significant concern in Arcadia.
Community Engagement
Community engagement is the process of integrating community members
into planning and local decision-making processes to ensure that their needs
and priorities are considered and that they help shape policy decisions.
However, it can be more difficult for certain people to participate in community
events and decision-making processes due to inaccessible or inconvenient
locations and times for events, language barriers, and insufficient information
and notification leading up to events. To ensure that everyone has equal access
to community events, decision-making processes, and spaces, special
consideration must be given to populations facing barriers to participation, and
accommodations must be made. Generally, opportunities to engage the
community should be incorporated into the development of every plan and
project. The scale and scope of engagement may vary based on the plan or
project’s needs but will generally include multiple opportunities for residents
and interested parties to provide feedback. Engagement strategies should also
consider potentially interested parties and tailor opportunities to maximize
participation. For example, outreach events should be hosted in languages
other than English if the community they are serving has a large, limited-
English-speaking population. Moreover, it is good practice to provide multiple
engagement opportunities and virtual alternatives to include as many people
as possible.
The City generally takes a holistic approach when providing opportunities for
the community to engage with its projects and plans. For example, the
Comprehensive General Plan Update incorporated numerous engagement
strategies that included interviews with interested parties and representatives
from community organizations including Arcadia High School Student Council
and Student Body, the Arcadia Woman’s Club, and the Rotary Club of Arcadia.
A general plan website where visitors could access materials related to the
plan’s development, such as interview and workshop summaries and
background reports, was also maintained by the City throughout the process.
Similarly, the City deployed numerous outreach efforts for the purposes of its
6th Cycle Housing Element. This included a series of community workshops, an
online community survey, social media outreach, and targeted outreach for
Arcadia’s low-income individuals, business owners, and the unhoused
5 City of Arcadia. 2022. “Chapter 5: Housing Element.” In Arcadia General Plan, 2–17.
Adopted October 2022. Accessed January 31, 2024. https://cms9files.revize.com/
arcadia/Ch.%205_Draft%20Housing%20Element.pdf.
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population. Materials were available in both English and Chinese, due to
Arcadia’s large Chinese-speaking population.
Goals and Policies
These goals and policies provide the vision and steps to work toward for a more
equitable Arcadia, focusing on active transportation (such as walking and
biking), climate change impacts, parks and recreation facilities, transportation-
related pollution, and healthy and affordable housing.
Goals are overarching aspirations that define the desired outcomes of the
Environmental Justice Element. Policies are specific measures or guidelines put
in place to implement those goals. They serve as the strategic tools to translate
these aspirations into tangible actions and practices.
The General Plan already contains existing policies throughout various
elements which further the goals of the Environmental Justice Element. Where
these policies already exist, they have been noted, below.
Goal EJ-1: A community where walking and biking is safe and
enjoyable.
Work with community members to identify high-
priority streets and intersections for improvements to sidewalks, bike
lanes, and other bike and pedestrian infrastructure via the City’s
capital improvement program.
Seek a State and Federal grant opportunities for
active transportation corridors , including the California
Transportation Commission ’s Active Transportation Program.
Create and maintain a network of Cool Streets with
increased tree canopy, reflective pavements, and other interventions
to mitigate extreme heat and reduce the heat island effect,
prioritizing transit corridors and routes to school.
Seek to provide a variety of parks and facilities are
provided which cater to a diverse population.
Mitigate noise and air pollution impacts to parks
and public facilities adjacent to freeways , major roads, and rail
corridors with protective fencing, landscaping, and/or walls .
The following policies are from other Elements of the General Plan
that furthers this goal:
▪ Parks, Recreation, and Community Resources Policy 1.1:
Maintain a system of City parks and recreation facilities that
provide a variety of active and passive recreational opportunities
throughout Arcadia.
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▪ Parks, Recreation, and Community Resources Policy 1.2: Strive
to provide a minimum of 2.43 acres of parkland per 1,000
residents.
▪ Parks, Recreation, and Community Resources Policy 1.3:
Provide park and recreation facilities that are appropriate for the
individual neighborhoods in which they are located, reflect the
needs and interests of the population they serve, and meet the
performance standards identified in the general plan.
▪ Parks, Recreation, and Community Resources Policy 1.7: Stive
to locate new community facilities in neighborhoods and centers
where they will serve populations with the greatest needs.
▪ Parks, Recreation, and Community Resources Policy 1.12:
Maintain and enhance pedestrian, bicycle, and transit linkages to
provide better access to parks, recreation, and public spaces and
meet the needs of Arcadia residents.
▪ Parks, Recreation, and Community Resources Policy 3.1:
Provide consistent funding for the street tree program reflective
of the importance of the urban forest to community aesthetics
and the environment.
▪ Parks, Recreation, and Community Resources Policy 4.3:
Strengthen joint-use agreements with the Arcadia Unified School
District and Los Angeles County to expand the types of local
facilities that can be available to the community.
▪ Circulation and Infrastructure Policy 4.1: Develop and maintain
the citywide bicycle network of off-street bike paths, on-street
bike lanes, and bike streets. The City will investigate the use of
easements and flood control channel rights-of-way for the
provision of bicycle infrastructure.
▪ Circulation and Infrastructure Policy 4.5: Develop and implement
a comprehensive pedestrian circulation plan that includes, among
other components, (1) enhanced pedestrian crossings of streets; (2)
sidewalk improvement plans; (3) pedestrian amenities on sidewalks
on major streets that are key pedestrian routes, including benches,
street trees, trash cans, and pedestrian-scaled lighting; (4)
Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant crossings; (5) convenient
crossing of arterials with landscaped medians, particularly in the
vicinity of schools; and (6) strategies to remove barriers to
pedestrian movement (for example, news racks, utility poles and
boxes).
▪ Circulation and Infrastructure Policy 4.9: Enhance pedestrian and
bicycle access to local and regional transit, including connections to
bus routes and the light-rail station.
▪ Circulation and Infrastructure Policy 4.11: Encourage walking,
biking, and use of transit through a variety of supportive land use
development and urban design measures, including site planning
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that promotes safety, pedestrian-friendly design, and access to
transit facilities.
Goal 2: A community with reduced transportation-related
air pollution.
Continue to update truck route maps that minimize
exposure to sensitive land uses.
The following policies are from other Elements of the General Plan
that furthers this goal:
▪ Resource Sustainability Policy 1.4: Lower the emissions caused
by motor vehicles through Transportation Demand Management
strategies and land use patterns that reduce vehicle miles
traveled.
▪ Resource Sustainability Policy 1.2: Limit, when feasible,
locating sensitive receptors near pollutant -emitting sources.
▪ Resource Sustainability Policy 1.6: Require projects that
generate potentially significant levels of air pollutants to
incorporate the most effective air quality mitigation into project
design, as appropriate.
Goal 3: A community where everyone has a high-quality,
affordable home.
Promote home weatherization and in-home/portable
air conditioning units to better insulate homes and mitigate the effects of
extreme heat in residences.
Continue to explore temporary housing options for
individuals experiencing homelessness in Arcadia, as well as grant
funding opportunities for constructing and managing them.
The following policies from other Elements of the General Plan that
furthers this goal:
▪ Housing Policy 1.1: Monitor and enforce building and property
maintenance codes in residential neighborhoods, including
those with vacant housing units, to prevent the physical
deterioration of existing sound housing within Arcadia.
▪ Housing Policy 1.6: Encourage assisted-housing units of all types
and expand affordable housing opportunities for households
with extremely low, very low, low, and moderate income.
▪ Housing Policy 3.3: Work with nonprofit and for-profit
developers to maximize resources available for the construction
of affordable housing.
▪ Housing Policy 3.4: Address special-needs populations and
extremely low-income households through a range of housing
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opportunities, including emergency shelters, transitional
housing, and supportive housing.
Goal 4: A community where public health is enhanced and heat-
related illnesses and fatalities are reduced.
Expand the number of cooling amenities in parks and
other public spaces such as trees, water refill stations, and water
features for children to play in.
Expand cooling center amenities as necessary and
increase awareness of cooling centers through public education
materials and events.
Educate residents about personal emergency
preparedness and the emergency resources that the City provides to
them.
The following existing policies from other elements further Goal 4 of
the Environmental Justice Element:
▪ Safety Policy S-1.2: Support policies and programs to engage
with residents, including non-English speaking communities,
making them aware of the risks of extreme events and providing
information on ways to preserve health.
▪ Safety Policy S-9.4: Conduct ongoing public outreach and
promote community awareness regarding emergency
notifications, evacuation routes, and procedures to be followed
in the event of an emergency. Focus outreach on identified
vulnerable populations, for example by contacting and building
partnerships with community-based organizations that
represent the vulnerable population groups.
▪ Safety Policy S-9.7: Create resilience centers throughout Arcadia
to ensure frontline communities are equipped to respond,
recover, and rebuild after a hazard event.
▪ Safety Policy S-9.8: Support policies that promote education and
resilience awareness about the effects of climate change-
induced hazards and ways to adapt and build resiliency to
climate change.
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Attachment No. 4
Attachment No. 4
Draft Implementation Plan Update
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ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – February 2024 implementation plan | 10-1
CHAPTER 10: IMPLEMENTATION
PLAN
A r c a d i a G e n e r a l P l a n
This Implementation Plan guides elected City of Arcadia (City) officials, Commissions and Committees, staff, and
the public in developing programs and actions that will implement adopted General Plan goals and policies.
Each implementation measure is a procedure, program, or technique that requires City action, either alone or in
collaboration with non-City organizations or county, state, and federal agencies. Some of the implementation
measures are processes or procedures that the City currently administers on a day-to-day basis, while others
identify new programs or projects. Completion of the identified measures will be subject to funding availability. The
programs should be updated concurrent with the annual budget process and whenever the City’s General Plan
is amended or updated to provide continued consistency and usefulness.
Each implementation program relates directly to one or more General Plan policies in the elements. The programs
begin with Chapter 2: Land Use and Community Design Element. For each program, the related General Plan
policies are listed, along with the responsible agencies or City departments, the recommended time frame, and
likely funding source(s). The programs are grouped by element but can relate to policies in more than one element.
Key to Time Frames:
Short Term = 1-5 years
Mid-Term = 5-10 years
Long Term = 10+ years
Ongoing = May require short-, mid-, and long-term actions
2. Land Use and Community
Design Element
2-1. Public Involvement in Planning Decisions
PThe City will provide a forum for public debate of local issues through the continued use of print media, the City's
website and newsletter, local television, water billing inserts, and other forms of available media.
EThe City will encourage informal meetings between resident groups and developers on large proposed
development projects that may impact Arcadia's residential neighborhoods. Facilitate interaction between
developers and neighborhood interest groups, and provide developers with the opportunity to inform and obtain
feedback from affected residents. Encourage developers to meet with affected groups, and encourage Arcadia
residents to provide input on proposed developments.
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Responsible Agency: City Manager’s Office; Development Services Department – Planning Services
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies:
Sustainability Focus? No
2-2. Comprehensive Update of
Zoning Regulations
U The City will undertake a comprehensive update of the City’s Zoning Regulations (Article IX, Chapter 2 of
the Municipal Code) to address inconsistencies between the regulations and the General Plan. The update
should include but is not limited to the following:
▪ Establishment of new zones to implement the MU and DMU designations,
▪ Amendment of the R-3 zone to reflect the density allowed in the HDR designation (up to 30 units per acre)
▪ Establishment of a 1.0 FAR for Downtown, Santa Anita Avenue, and Live Oak.
▪ Review of the appropriateness of parking standards citywide. As a part of this effort, the City should explore
the creation of a parking district downtown that would allow for sharing of parking and the reduction or
elimination of on-site requirements.
▪ Modifications necessary to achieve policies in the Housing Element regarding transitional and supportive
housing and permanent emergency shelters.
▪ Evaluation of the uses currently allowed in industrial areas; potentially, different industrial uses might be
appropriate for different areas.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning Services
Funding Source: Departmental budget
Time Frame: To be adopted in conjunction with the General Plan
Related Policies: LU-1.6; LU-10.1; LU-12.1; H-3.3
Sustainability Focus? Yes
2-3. Annual Review of General Plan, Land Use
Policy Map, and Environmental Indicators
A The City will annually review implementation of the General Plan and Land Use Map to identify development,
and evaluate accomplishments, priorities, and potential modifications. Due to Arcadia’s charter city status, the
review is not mandatory (Government Code Section 65700) but will be helpful in working towards full
implementation of the General Plan.
Pursuant to the provisions of Government Code Section 65401, ensure that all departments within the City and all
other local government agencies submit a list of proposed projects to the City, and that the City review and report on
the consistency of these projects to the City Council as part of the General Plan Annual Review and Update Report.
Responsible Agency: All City departments
Funding Source: Departmental budget
Time Frame: Ongoing
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Related Policies: All policies
Sustainability Focus? No
2-4. Review and Adjust Fees
P The City will periodically review and adjust the fees charged for City services, use of public facilities, development
review, and impacts from new development when the assumptions and costs used to determine fees change
over time.
Responsible Agency: All Departments
Funding Source: General Fund; Special Revenue Funds
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: Fees from Every Department
Sustainability Focus? No
2-5. Downtown Planning Efforts
I The City will implement of Downtown planning efforts to provide a fine-grained guide to desired development
and public improvements throughout Downtown. These efforts should include:
▪ Pedestrian connections from the Gold Line Station to the rest of the Downtown area, including the
installation of shade trees, lighting, and signage
▪ Bicycle connections with the station and secure bicycle parking at the station area
▪ Bus and other public transportation connections between the station and major attractions in Arcadia, such as
Santa Anita Park and the regional shopping mall
▪ Creation and design of public open space and a central outdoor community gathering space
▪ Evaluate the allowable uses and development standards to ensure desired uses, intensities, and design of
the area immediately surrounding the station area in order to ensure that it becomes fully integrated with
the rest of Downtown
▪ Shared parking arrangements and/or parking districts
▪ Coordinated signage and beautification efforts
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning, Engineering, Economic
Development, and Redevelopment Agency
Funding Source: General Fund and Redevelopment Agency Funds
Time Frame: Short Term (1-5 years); new development standards and parking
requirements to implement the new mixed use designations will be adopted
in conjunction with adoption of the new General Plan (anticipated by the
end of 2010).
Related Policies: LU-1.8; LU-10.1; LU-10.2; LU-10.3; LU-10.4; LU-10.6; LU-10.7; LU-10.8;
LU-10.9; LU-10.10; LU-10.11; LU-10.12; LU-10.13; LU-10.14; CI-3.4
Sustainability Focus? Yes
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2-6. Signage Plan
RThe City will replace and add new way-finding signs directing traffic from key locations such as the I-210 Freeway
and Huntington Drive.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Engineering Services
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Mid-Term (5-10 years)
Related Policies: Cl-2.2
Sustainability Focus? No
2-7. Design Review Process
C The City will continue the design review process to ensure that new development is consistent with the
character and scale of the surrounding neighborhood. Continue to use comprehensive design guidelines to
inform the process.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning Services
Funding Source: Departmental budget
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: LU-3.1; LU-3.2; LU-3.3; LU-3.4: LU-3.5; LU-3.6; LU-3.7; LU-4.1; LU-4.2;
LU-4.6; LU-4.7; LU-7.4
Sustainability Focus? Yes
2-8. Mixed Use Design Guidelines
E The City will establish design guidelines for mixed -use buildings from which vibrant, attractive, and high -
quality developments can be built.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning and Engineering
Services; Redevelopment Agency
Funding Source: General Fund and Redevelopment Agency Funds
Time Frame: New development standards will be adopted in conjunction with
adoption of the new General Plan (anticipated by the end of 2010).
Related Policies: LU-6.5; LU-6.7; LU-10.1; LU-10.3; LU-10.4; LU-10.7; LU-10.11; LU-10.12;
LU-12.1; LU-12.3
Sustainability Focus? Yes
2-9. Development of Parking Districts
EThe City will explore the feasibility and appropriateness of establishing parking districts for major commercial
corridors, in particular for Downtown, Baldwin Avenue between Huntington Drive and West Camino Real Avenue,
and for First Avenue between Huntington Drive and Duarte Road. Allow for shared parking arrangements.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning and Engineering
Services and Public Works Services
Funding Source: Redevelopment Agency Funds; General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing; parking study to commence first quarter of 2011.
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Related Policies: LU-6.3; LU-6.4; LU-8.8; LU-11.2; Cl-7.1; Cl-7.2
Sustainability Focus? Yes
2-10. Baldwin Avenue Corridor Strategy
C The City will capitalize on Baldwin Avenue’s unique role as a major shopping and dining destination by
establishing a marketing and branding strategy for the corridor. Consider establishing a Business
Improvement District to fund activities. This strategy would need to include Chamber of Commerce and/or
businesses in the area.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning Services;
Redevelopment Agency
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Short-Term (1-5 years)
Related Policies: LU-6.6; LU-6.9; LU-14.1; LU-14.2; LU-14.3; LU-14.4; LU-14.5; LU-14.6
Sustainability Focus? No
2-11. Gateway Program
I The City will implement a gateway beautification (monuments, signage, and landscaping) program for City
entryways, as identified in Figure LU-6 in the Land Use and Community Design Element. Consider developing
special architectural standards that apply to private development on gateway properties.
Responsible Agency: City Manager’s Office, Public Works Services, and Development
Services Department – Planning and Engineering Services
Funding Source: General Fund and Private
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: LU-2.5; LU-2.7; LU-6.10
Sustainability Focus? No
2-12. Monitor Development in
Neighboring Jurisdictions
A The City will actively review the land use planning efforts of neighboring jurisdictions. When appropriate,
provide constructive comments on the decisions that will impact Arcadia; when appropriate, present issues to
Planning Commission and City Council.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning Services
Funding Source: Departmental budget
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: LU-16.5
Sustainability Focus? No
2-13. Street Trees
CThe City will continue to implement and enforce the provisions of Article IX, Chapter 8 of the Municipal Code
as it relates to street trees. Provide for the installation of street trees along public sidewalks where they do not
currently exist.
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Responsible Agency: Public Works Services
Funding Source: General Fund and Private
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: LU-2.1; LU-6.11; LU-10.4; LU-11.1; LU-12.4; PR-3.3
Sustainability Focus? Yes
2-14. Citywide Public Art Master Plan
E The City will explore the creation of a Citywide Public Art Master Plan to provide for the installation of public
art at significant locations throughout the City. The relationship between local history and public art should be
emphasized in this plan.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning Services
Funding Source: Public and Private Funds; General Funds
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: LU-2.3; LU-2.4; LU-10.14
Sustainability Focus? Yes
2-15. Site Planning
C The City will continue to use site planning review to ensure that site development and buildings in particular
avoid environmentally sensitive areas, such as geologic hazards, unique landforms, and areas of high biological
sensitivity. On hillside properties, development shall minimize grading and maintain building mass and scale
that are sensitive to the topography.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning Services
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: LU-3.5; LU-3.6; LU6.1; LU-6.12; LU-6.13; LU-9.1; CI-4.12; RS-8.1, RS-8.1;
RS-8.3
Sustainability Focus? Yes
2-16. Coordination with Arcadia Unified
School District
C The City will continue to coordinate with the Arcadia Unified School District in the review of residential
development applications. The City will request that AUSD indicate the level of facilities available to house new
students that would be generated from development projects. Pursuant to State law and as implemented by
AUSD, residential development shall be responsible for providing the necessary funding/resources to establish or
expand facilities commensurate with impact.
Coordinate with AUSD to establish a clear methodology for determining the impacts of development within the City
upon school facilities, including the following:
▪ Student generation ratios for residential development
▪ Provide any help needed by AUSD to calculate with school impact fees.
▪ Potential credits for contributions made from City parks and recreation funding mechanisms to establish
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joint use school/park facilities
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning and Building Services
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: LU-8.5; Cl-6.1; Cl-6.5
Sustainability Focus? No
3. Economic Development
3-1. Actively Attract Businesses
EThe City will evaluate the potential benefits of actively working to attract businesses in the commercial zoned and
mixed use areas. If, after analysis, active pursuit of businesses in these sectors is found to be a good course of
action, develop a strategy for this pursuit.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Economic Development,
Redevelopment Agency, and Arcadia Chambers of Commerce
Funding Source: Redevelopment Agency Funds
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: ED-1.2; ED-1.3; ED-1.6; ED-1.7
Sustainability Focus? No
3-2. Downtown Business Improvement District
E The City will explore the establishment of a Downtown Business Improvement District to help ensure the area
has a strong voice advocating for it and to help pay for the streetscape improvements, graffiti cleanup, and
pedestrian safety measures that will help to attract more customers to the area.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department - Redevelopment Agency,
Economic Development, Planning, and Engineering Services
Funding Source: General Fund, and Redevelopment Agency Funds
Time Frame: Short Term (1-5 years)
Related Policies: ED-1.5; ED-2.1; ED-2.2; ED-2.3; ED-2.4
3-3. Update of Economic Analyses
RThe City will regularly update economic analyses to provide for informed decision-making and ongoing
evaluation of the City’s financial health and future.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Economic Development
Funding Source: Redevelopment Agency Funds
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: ED-1.9; ED-1.10
Sustainability Focus? No
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3-4. Special Events, Strategic Marketing, and
Branding Programs
C The City will continue to conduct special events and develop strategic marketing and branding programs
to promote the downtown retail and restaurant businesses and other small businesses through
partnerships with stakeholders and others.
Responsible Agency: City Manager’s Office and Development Services Department –
Economic Development
Funding Source: General Fund and Redevelopment Agency Funds
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: ED-1.10; ED-2.4; ED-5.4
Sustainability Focus? No
3-5. Coordination with Development
Community
R The City will regularly reach out to area developers to promote available development opportunities in the
City. This can include, for example, notification to real estate brokers of available properties and workshops
to review City zoning regulations and development review processes.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Redevelopment Agency, and
Economic and Planning Services
Funding Source: General Fund and Redevelopment Agency Funds
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: ED-3.2
Sustainability Focus? No
3-6. Partnerships with Stakeholders Group
P The City will promote long-term partnerships with stakeholder groups such as the Chamber of Commerce
and local business associations to facilitate business recruitment, retention, and expansion.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Economic Development
Funding Source: Redevelopment Agency Funds
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: ED-3.1; ED-1.10; ED 5.4
Sustainability Focus? No
3-7. Redevelopment Agency’s Five-Year
Implementation Plan
C The City will continue to implement and update the Redevelopment Agency’s Five -Year Implementation Plan
in accordance with State regulations. Periodically review the Redevelopment Project Areas to identify
opportunities and strategies to leverage the maximum benefits from redevelopment activities. Identify potential
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new project areas for future redevelopment activity. Develop clear, comprehensive action plans for the use of set-
aside funds for affordable housing opportunities.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Redevelopment Agency
Funding Source: Redevelopment Agency Funds
Time Frame: Ongoing; every 5 years (with updates at mid-term or as required by law)
Related Policies: ED-4.2; ED-4.6; ED-4.7
Sustainability Focus? No
4. Circulation and
Infrastructure Element
4-1. Achieve Consistency in Roadway
Rights- of-Way
D The City will develop a strategy and timeline for achieving full -width public rights-of-way consistent with the
General Plan Master Plan of Roadways, with the standard sections as indicated.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Engineering Services
Funding Source: County, State and Federal Grants, Prop C, and Measure R Time
Frame: Long Term (10+ years)
Related Policies: Cl-1.1; Cl-1.2
Sustainability Focus? No
4-2. Complete Streets
The City will, through the Capital Improvement and Equipment Plan, develop timeframes and actions for
achieving the “complete streets” concepts set forth in the Circulation and Infrastructure Element. This includes
establishing bikeways consistent with the Bikeway Plan and implementing principal transit corridors. Pursue
complete streets implementation as set forth in the Capital Improvement and Equipment Plan once standards
and time frames are adopted.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Engineering Services
Funding Source: County, State and Federal Grants; Prop C; Measure R
Time Frame: Long Term (10+ years)
Related Policies: Cl-1.1; Cl-1.2; Cl-1.7; CI-3.1; CI-3.2; Cl-4.1; Cl-4.2
Sustainability Focus? Yes
4-3. Reciprocal Vehicular and
Pedestrian Access
A The City will, as part of the development review process for commercial development projects, look for
opportunities and legal mechanisms to provide for reciprocal vehicular and pedestrian access between
adjacent properties, even if such properties are under separate ownership. The purpose of requiring reciprocal
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access, where physically feasible, is to mitigate disruption of on -street traffic flow, encourage pedestrian
activity, and reduce vehicular emissions from traffic to commercial businesses.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning Services
Funding Source: Private
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: Cl-4.8; Cl-4.5; CI-7.2
Sustainability Focus? Yes
4-4. Pedestrian Accommodation Master Plan
DThe City will develop a pedestrian accommodation master plan that will promote and support an active
lifestyle for community members, and will encourage walking for short destinations. The plan should include (but
not be limited to):
▪ Identification of needed sidewalk repairs and areas where sidewalks are missing
▪ Preferred walking routes to schools and parks
▪ Landscaping improvements needed to increase shade
▪ Areas where obstructions to pedestrian traffic need to be removed
▪ Locations for paseos and similar connections between buildings in commercial areas
▪ Locations for enhanced crossings
▪ Coordinated signage
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning and Engineering Services
Funding Source: General Fund and Grants
Time Frame: Short Term (1-5 years)
Related Policies: Cl-4.5; Cl-4.6; Cl-4.7; Cl-4.12; Cl-4.13; Cl-6.2; RS-2.5
Sustainability Focus? Yes
4-5. Conduct a Citywide Bicycle Study and
Develop a Bicycle Plan
U The City will, using the Bicycle Plan as a basis (Figure CI -7), develop a detailed bicycle transportation plan that
establishes the planning, implementation, and design details of bicycle facility and amenity elements, including the
identification of both capital and operating funding sources. The plan should be in a format suitable for
obtaining public funding.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning and Engineering Services
Funding Source: Proposition C
Time Frame: Short Term (1-5 years)
Related Policies: Cl-4.1; Cl-4.2; Cl-4.3; Cl-4.4; Cl-4.9; Cl-4.11; CI-4.12; CI4.13; RS-2.5
Sustainability Focus? Yes
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4-6. Conduct a System Planning and Design
Feasibility Study for an Advanced Traffic
Control System
DThe City will develop a plan that includes all traffic signals in the City (preferably including Caltrans signals), as
well as vehicle detectors, camera surveillance, adaptive signal timing control software, and changeable
message signs, as appropriate.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning and Engineering Services
Funding Source: Proposition C
Time Frame: Short Term (1-5 years)
Related Policies: Cl-2.4
Sustainability Focus? Yes
4-7. Install an Advanced Traffic Signal
Control System
IThe City will install an advanced traffic control system based on the system planning and design feasibility study.
This might be local to the City of Arcadia or could be shared with adjacent jurisdictions.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning and Engineering Services
Funding Source: Proposition C
Time Frame: Short Term (1-5 years)
Related Policies: Cl-2.4
Sustainability Focus? No
4-8. Develop a Prototype Neighborhood Traffic
Management Program
The Program shouldThe City should identify appropriate traffic-calming tools for different types of roadways,
and establish a process and procedures for the study of traffic -calming needs and the development of
appropriate traffic-calming programs in residential neighborhoods, as applicable.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning and Engineering Services
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: Cl-2.1; Cl-5.1; Cl-5.2; CI-5.3
Sustainability Focus? Yes
4-9. Regional Coordination
The City will work with Caltrans, the Southern California Association of Governments, the South Coast Air
Quality Management District, the Metropolitan Transit Agency of Los Angeles County, and the cities of
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Pasadena, Sierra Madre, Monrovia, Irwindale, El Monte, and Temple City to coordinate regional transportation
facilities. Coordination efforts shall include:
▪ Participation in implementing policies contained in the West San Gabriel Valley Air Quality
Consortium Plan
▪ Coordination with Caltrans, Los Angeles County, and adjacent cities to maintain and expand the system
of park-and-ride lots along with an active rideshare matching program
▪ Coordinating the City’s circulation and bicycle plans with regional circulation planning efforts
▪ Developing a local transit circulator that serves key business districts in Arcadia and
surrounding communities, with connections to the Gold Line Stations
▪ Monitoring and pursuing federal, state, and regional funds for local and regional
traffic improvements
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning and Engineering Services
Funding Source: General Fund; Prop C; Prop A; and Measure R
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: Cl-4.10; Cl-8.1; Cl-8.2; Cl-8.3; Cl-8.4; Cl-8.5
Sustainability Focus? Yes
4-10. Implement Roadway Modifications
IThe City will implement the following roadway modifications as identified in the Circulation Element:
▪ First Avenue, between California Street and Duarte Avenue: Restripe from four to two lanes
▪ Colorado Boulevard, between Santa Anita and Fifth Avenue: Restripe from two to four lanes
▪ Santa Clara Street between Santa Anita Avenue and Fifth Avenue: Restripe from two to four lanes
▪ Santa Anita Avenue between Santa Clara Street and Colorado Boulevard: Restripe from four to
six lanes
These changes are planned to the existing street system. They are not needed in the short term but will eventually
be necessary by build-out of the General Plan.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Engineering Services
Funding Source: County, State and Federal Grants; Prop C
Time Frame: Long Term (10+ years)
Related Policies: Cl-1.1; Cl-1.2
Sustainability Focus? No
4-11. Management of Storm Water and
Irrigation Runoff
PThe City will pursue the development of storm water runoff and irrigation capture basins on public property
to collect gutter flows into retention facilities that allow the water to infiltrate into groundwater basins. As
necessary, develop a comprehensive improvement plan, with the scheduling of improvements identified in the
Capital Facilities and Equipment Plan.
Responsible Agency: Public Works Services; Development Services Department –
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Engineering Services
Funding Source: General Fund and Grants
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: Cl-11.1; Cl-11.2; Cl-11.3; Cl-11.4; Cl-11.5; RS-4.2; RS-4.4; S-2.3
Sustainability Focus? Yes
4-12. Water System Enhancements
4-12.1.
DThe City will develop water system facilities and capabilities that allow for the effective mixing and circulation
of water stored in aboveground reservoirs.
4-12.2.
SThe City will study the need for seismic control valves on water transmission mains, and implement as the
study indicates as necessary. Provide for transmission main redundancy.
4-12.3.
PThe City will provide specialized water pipe crossings to span the Raymond Fault.
4-12.4.
IThe City will install and maintain radio read water meters throughout the City.
4-12.5.
PThe City will provide water quality modeling and calibration to identify areas of reduced quality and stagnation.
Responsible Agency: Public Works Services
Funding Source: Water Fund and Grants
Time Frame: Short Term (2-7.1 and 2-7.5); Ongoing (2-7.4); Long Term (2-7.2 and 2-7.3)
Related Policies: Cl-9.2; Cl-9.3; Cl-9.5; Cl-9.6; Cl-9.7
Sustainability Focus? Yes
4-13. Coordination with Utility Agencies and
City Facilities
CThe City will coordinate with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works (flood control),
Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County, contracted solid waste service providers, Southern California Edison,
the Gas Company, and others to ensure that service can and will be provided consistent with General Plan
goals and policies.
Provide local utility providers with a copy of the General Plan annual review report for review and comment.
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4-13.1. Organized Record-Keeping System for Utilities and Streets.
EThe City will establish an organized system of record-keeping for City files and plans. Provide central storage
and digital library of all City documents, including deeds, facility plans, street plans, and utilities. Require digital file
of all utility as-builts for utilities in the public right-of-way and private easements.
4-13.2. GIS Database for City Facilities
PThe City will provide GIS database for City facilities, i.e. facility plans for fire, police station, community center,
City Hall, etc., entered into a GIS database, with parcel information, streets, and other facilities. This would help with
inventory control, staffing, and maintenance.
Responsible Agency: Public Works Services; Development Services – Engineering Services
Funding Source: General Fund and Enterprise Funds
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: Cl-9.4; CI-10.1; Cl-13.2; Cl-13.3; LU-8.1; LU-1.5
Sustainability Focus? No
4-14. Infrastructure Master Plan Updates
CThe City will continue updates in five-year increments for master plans for water, sewer, and streets.
Responsible Agency: Public Works Services; Development Services Department –Engineering
Funding Source: General Fund and Enterprise Funds
Time Frame: Every 5 years
Related Policies: CI-1.1; CI-1.5; Cl-9.4; Cl-10.1
Sustainability Focus? Yes
4-15. Inspection and Replacement of Sewer Lines
The City will continue the on-going inspection and routine replacement of sewer lines on a priority basis to
ensure that unrestricted flows are maintained during average and peak conditions.
Responsible Agency: Public Works Services
Funding Source: Enterprise Funds
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: Cl-10.1; Cl-10.2; Cl-10.3; Cl-10.4; Cl-10.5; Cl-10.6
Sustainability Focus? Yes
4-16. Storm Drain System Improvements
As part of the Capital Improvements and Equipment Plan, the City will provide for the construction of storm drains
as necessary to ensure that surface flow in a 10-year storm is contained within the “top of curb” along streets, and
that the 50-year storm is contained within the street right-of-way. Efforts will also include installation or
improvement of facilities to eliminate ponding at high-maintenance nuisance areas.
Responsible Agency: Public Works Services; L.A. County Public Works
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Long Term (10+ years)
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Related Policies: Cl-11.1; Cl-11.2; Cl-11.3; Cl-11.4; Cl-11.5
Sustainability Focus? Yes
5. Housing Element
The goals and policies outlined in the Housing Element address Arcadia’s identified housing needs and are
implemented through a series of housing programs offered primarily through the Development Services
Department. Housing programs define the specific actions the City will undertake to achieve the stated goals and
policies. The housing programs for addressing community housing needs cover the following five issues:
▪ Housing Conservation
▪ Housing Production
▪ Provision of Affordable Housing
▪ Mitigation of Governmental Constraints
▪ Promotion of Equal Housing Opportunity
The housing programs presented below include existing programs in Arcadia as well as revised and new
programs that have been added to address new State law and the City’s unmet housing needs.
5-1. Home Rehabilitation
This program offers low-income homeowners grants of up to $12,000 to make necessary improvements to
their home. These grants are available only to people who own and reside on a single-family zoned lot (R-O and
R-1) in Arcadia. Grants may be used for plumbing, electrical, roofing, termite control, painting, energy improvements
and accessibility improvements.
Objectives:
▪ Continue to provide loans to qualified low- and moderate-income homeowners.
▪ Encourage homeowners to include energy efficiency improvements as part of the rehabilitation projects.
▪ Disseminate information to homeowners regarding rehabilitation standards and the Home
Improvement Program.
▪ Improve up to 20 housing units annually.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department
Funding Source: CDBG
Time Frame: Ongoing provision of assistance; annual allocation of funding
Related Policies: H-1.1; H-1.2; H-1.3; H-1.4; H-1.5
Sustainability Focus? Yes
5-2. Code Enforcement
Arcadia is known for beautiful neighborhoods and high property values. To help maintain this excellent
reputation, the City has adopted a number of regulations aimed at property maintenance in a manner that is
helpful to homeowners and property owners. The Code Services Division enforces these laws to address code
compliance issues.
Objectives:
▪ Continue code enforcement activities and connect households in need with City rehabilitation programs.
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▪ Visually inspect all housing units annually.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: H-1.1; H-1.2
Sustainability Focus? No
5-3. Residential Design Guidelines
One of Arcadia’s greatest assets is its attractive, well -maintained residential neighborhoods. To preserve
neighborhood character and encourage high-quality residential design throughout the City, the City Council has
adopted Residential Design Guidelines for Single-Family and Multifamily Structures. The guidelines are
utilized during the City’s architectural design review process to ensure a high level of design quality, while also
allowing room for flexibility in their application. The guidelines are “should” statements; they express the City’s
desires and expectations.
Objective:
▪ Disseminate information to property owners regarding the Residential Design Guidelines.
▪ Apply design guidelines through plan-check and review process.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department, Planning Services
Funding Source: Departmental budget- General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: H-1.4; H-1.7; H-2.4; H-2.6
Sustainability Focus? Yes
5-4. Preservation of At-Risk Units
According to the funding programs, over the ten-year planning period of the at-risk analysis (July 1, 2008 to
June 30, 2018), Naomi Gardens is at risk of conversion to market rate due to an expiring Section 8 contract.
This project offers 154 units affordable to very low - and low-income elderly mobility impaired households.
However, this project is considered at a low risk of conversion due to HUD’s established priority for continued
funding for housing for seniors and persons with disabilities.
Objectives:
▪ Annually monitor the status of at-risk units annually by maintaining contact with the property owner
and HUD Multifamily Housing division.
▪ Ensure that adequate noticing is provided to the tenants if the Section 8 contract is not renewed.
▪ Pursue special Section 8 vouchers from HUD, which are reserved for very low income households
displaced by the expiration of project-based Section 8 assistance.
▪ Work with the property owner to secure additional funding to replace the Section 8 funding if necessary.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department, Planning Services
Funding Source: Section 8; HCD Housing Preservation funds; Redevelopment Housing
Set-Aside
Time Frame: Annually monitor status of at-risk units
Related Policies: H-1.3; H-1.6
Sustainability Focus? No
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5-5. Residential Sites Inventory
The City has a Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) of 2,149 units, including 549 extremely low/very
low-income, 340 low-income, 368 moderate-income, and 892 above moderate-income units for the period of
2006 through 2014. As of May 2010, the City has a remaining RHNA of 1,684 units to be accommodated by
2014 (528 extremely low/very low-income, 318 low-income, 362 moderate- income, and 476 above moderate-
income units). The City will ensure that an adequate supply of vacant and underutilized sites at appropriate
densities and development standards to accommodate the remaining RHNA is available by maintaining an
inventory of vacant and underutilized sites.
Objectives:
▪ Update the inventory of vacant and underutilized sites annually to ensure adequate sites are
available to accommodate the remaining RHNA.
▪ Provide sites inventory to interested developers.
▪ Monitor the development trends in the City annually, particularly on the sites identified in this Housing
Element to ensure that the City has adequate remaining capacity for meeting the RHNA. Identify
additional sites to replenish the sites inventory if necessary. Annually, monitor the trend of
redevelopment and lot consolidation activities in the City to evaluate the effectiveness of the City’s
lot consolidation program (program 5-6 below) and strategy for facilitating the reuse of underutilized
sites. As necessary, revise the City’s strategy to encourage lot consolidation and development on vacant and
underutilized properties.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department, Planning Services
Funding Source: Departmental budget
Time Frame: Ongoing monitoring; update inventory annually
Related Policies: H-2.1, H-2.2, H-2.5, H-2.3
Sustainability Focus? Yes
5-6. Lot Consolidation Incentives
Given the built-out nature in Arcadia, the City continues to look for properties where small lots can be purchased
or consolidated with surrounding lots to provide opportunities for housing. To facilitate consolidation, the City has
developed and is currently utilizing a very simple and expeditious method of joining properties. The City requires
a Lot Line Adjustment, which can consolidate four or fewer lots without the need of a public hearing or any
discretionary action. Lot line adjustments are an administrative process. Applications are reasonable in price
($469) and have a short processing time (10 business days).
Objectives:
▪ Develop a marketing piece for the local development community to highlight the ease of completing
the Lot Line Adjustment process and offer fee waivers for affordable housing projects.
▪ Offer incentives to facilitate the consolidation of the small properties into larger parcels that can be
efficiently developed into a mixed-use project. Incentives include:
- Fee or waiver;
- Priority in permit processing (lot consolidation projects become first projects processed among
staff once received); and
- 25 percent reduction in parking for commercial use.
▪ Update the Fee Schedule to reflect these lot consolidation incentives.
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Responsible Agency: Development Services Department, Planning Services
Funding Source: Departmental budget
Time Frame: Ongoing marketing; update Fee Schedule by January 1, 2011
Related Policies: H-2.3, H-2.5, H-4.3, H-4.4
Sustainability Focus? No
5-7. Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program
The Los Angeles County Housing Authority currently administers the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher
Program for Arcadia residents on behalf of HUD. HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher program assists extremely low
and very low-income households by paying the difference between 30 percent of the household income and the
cost of rent. Pursuant to HUD regulations, 70 percent of the new voucher users must be at the extremely low
income level. As of 2009, 41 households were receiving Housing Choice Vouchers.
Objectives:
▪ Continue to participate in the federally sponsored Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program.
▪ Disseminate information to the public regarding the Section 8 Program and promote
participation by rental property owners.
▪ Provide Section 8 Vouchers to at least 40 households annually.
Responsible Agency: Los Angeles County Housing Authority
Funding Source: HUD Section 8
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: H-3.3
Sustainability Focus? No
5-8. Affordable Housing for Families and
Persons with Special Needs
Families and persons with disabilities (especially seniors) have unique housing needs. To facilitate the
development of housing that is affordable to these demographic groups, the City will offer a combination of
financial and regulatory tools (see also Program 13):
▪ Market available residential and mixed-use sites to developers. The sites inventory information will be
distributed in conjunction with information on available regulatory and financial assistance.
▪ Market the State density bonus program to developers to encourage housing development that includes
housing affordable to lower and moderate-income households and senior residents. Provide incentives
in the density bonus program to encourage the inclusion of extremely low income units in affordable
housing projects.
▪ Establish a reasonable accommodation procedure to address modifications to housing necessary to
meeting the unique needs of disabled residents and others with special needs.
▪ Provide financial assistance using Redevelopment Set-Aside funds to assist in new construction, land
acquisition, and write-downs. Encourage the inclusion of extremely low income units in affordable
housing projects.
▪ Make several changes to parking requirements and development standards to allow for maximum
densities and to facilitate smaller unit sizes and encourage affordable housing.
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Objectives:
▪ Maintain a list of qualified housing developers with a track record of providing affordable housing
that is of high quality and well managed. Annually contact these developers to explore opportunities for
affordable housing in Arcadia.
▪ Assist developers in the application of funding for affordable housing development that promotes
quality development, including City of Industry funds that benefit primarily households with very low and
extremely low incomes and households with special needs (such as the elderly and disabled). Annually
explore funding opportunities with potential developers.
▪ Develop low income rental units at City-owned property, including extremely low income units.
Continue to pursue appropriate properties for acquisition, particularly in conjunction with annual review
of funding availability.
▪ Provide land write-downs for extremely low and lower income senior housing units.
▪ Acquire properties and develop low or moderate income housing, including extremely low income units.
▪ Pursue housing at Santa Anita Racetrack for groomsman, targeting extremely low and lower
income. As appropriate, redevelopment funds may be used to facilitate affordable employee housing
on the racetrack.
▪ Eliminate the minimum unit size requirement in all multifamily zones.
▪ Eliminate the requirement for the provision of guest parking spaces for all affordable housing projects.
▪ Allow subterranean parking as an option to increase densities by freeing up more space on lots for
housing units.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department; Redevelopment Agency
Funding Source: Redevelopment Housing Set-Aside; CDBG
Time Frame: Ongoing; changes to parking requirements will be adopted in
conjunction with General Plan (anticipated by the end of 2010);
marketing materials to be developed by January 1, 2011.
Related Policies: H-3.1; H-3.2; H-3.3; H-4.1; H-5.2; H-5.3; H-4.1, H-4.2
Sustainability Focus? Yes
5-9. Housing Sustainability
The City will offers a variety of programs to promote sustainable development. These include:
▪ Green building codes;
▪ Construction Recycling Ordinance;
▪ Water Efficiency in Landscaping Ordinance; and
▪ Use of CDBG-R funds (authorized under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) to focus on
energy efficiency improvements of public facilities and housing.
Objective:
▪ Continue to enforce City building codes and ordinances to enhance energy efficiency is
residential construction and maintenance.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department, Planning Services
Funding Source: Departmental budget; CDBG
Time Frame: Marketing and promotion of sustainability programs and codes is
already occurring and will continue to be ongoing
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Related Policies: H-3.4
Sustainability Focus? No
5-10. Second Dwelling Units
The Arcadia Municipal Code defines Accessory Living Quarters/Guest Houses as living quarters within an
accessory building for the sole use of members of the family occupying the main building, and persons
employed by and rendering services exclusively to the family occupying the main building and rendering
services primarily on the property and/or the temporary use by guests of the family occupying the main building.
The Municipal Code further stipulates that accessory living quarters/guest houses may not be occupied by
guests for more than 30 calendar days, cannot contain a kitchen or facilities for heating or preparing food
and may not be rented out or used as a separate dwelling unit. Accessory living quarters/guest houses may not
be rented or otherwise used as separate dwelling units. These stipulations prevent accessory living
quarters/guest houses from being second dwelling units and serve as a constraint on housing development.
Objective:
▪ The City will revise the Municipal Code as part of the General Plan Update to allow Accessory Living
Quarters/Guest Houses to include a kitchen and to remove all covenant requirements regarding
occupants and duration of stay.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department, Planning Services
Funding Source: Departmental budget
Time Frame: To be adopted in conjunction with the General Plan
Related Policies: H-4.1, H-2.4
Sustainability Focus? Yes
5-11. Manufactured Housing and Mobile
Home Parks
Mobile homes or manufactured dwelling units offer an affordable housing option to many lower- and moderate-
income households. However, Arcadia does not define mobile homes, manufactured dwelling units, or mobile
home parks in its Municipal Code. Manufactured housing units that meet certain minimum specifications
established by State law must be permitted in all residential zones that permit single-family dwelling units.
Objective:
▪ AThe City will amend the Municipal Code to define manufactured housing units as part of the
General Plan Update.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department, Planning Services
Funding Source: Departmental budget
Time Frame: To be adopted in conjunction with the General Plan
Related Policies: H-4.1, H-4.3
Sustainability Focus? No
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5-12. Extremely Low -Income and Special
Needs Housing
Extremely low-income households and households with special needs (such as seniors and persons with
disabilities) have limited housing options in Arcadia. Housing types appropriate for these groups include: emergency
shelters, transitional housing, supportive housing, and single -room occupancy (SRO) units. The City of Arcadia
Municipal Code does not specifically address the provision of such housing. Pursuant to State law, the City will
amend the Development Code to address these housing options.
Objectives:
As part of the General Plan Update, the City will amend the Municipal Code to address the following:
▪ Emergency Shelters: The City will amend the Zoning Ordinance to permit emergency shelters by right
without a discretionary approval process in the Planned Industrial (M-1) zone.
▪ Transitional Housing: The City will amend the Zoning Ordinances to identify different types of transitional
housing. Transitional housing that functions like regular residential development will be permitted where
such housing is otherwise permitted. Transitional housing that functions as group housing will be treated
the same as residential care facilities, adhering to the requirements of the Lanterman Developmental
Disabilities Services Act.
▪ Supportive Housing: The City will amend the Zoning Ordinance to identify different types of
supportive housing. Supportive housing that functions like regular residential development will be
permitted where such housing is otherwise permitted. Supportive housing that functions as group
housing will be treated the same as residential care facilities, adhering to the requirements of the Lanterman
Developmental Disabilities Services Act.
▪ Single Room Occupancy (SRO) units: The City will amend the Zoning Ordinance to specifically address
the location of SRO housing in the High Density Residential (R-3) area.
▪ Reasonable Accommodation: The City will establish a formal procedure for handling requests for
reasonable accommodation through the Administrative Modifications process.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department, Planning Services
Funding Source: Departmental budget
Time Frame: To be adopted in conjunction with the General Plan or within one year of the
adoption of the Housing Element
Related Policies: H-4-3.3
Sustainability Focus? No
5-13. Density Bonus
The Municipal Code states that an increased density of at least 25 percent can be granted to the developer of
a multiple-family residential project within the R-2 and R-3 zones, when the developer agrees to construct a
prescribed percentage of lower-income units. Developers of affordable housing are also entitled to
additional concessions or incentives, including a modification of applicable zoning code requirements,
reduction of application or construction permit fees, or other regulatory concessions proposed by the applicant
or the City. Current State law, however, requires jurisdictions to provide density bonuses (up to 35 percent) and
development incentives on a sliding scale, where the amount of density bonus and number of incentives vary
according to the amount of affordable housing units provided.
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Objective:
▪ The City will modify its existing density bonus program in order to meet current State law within one year
of adoption of the Housing Element. As part of this effort, the City will include incentives to
encourage the inclusion of extremely low income units in affordable housing projects.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department, Planning Services
Funding Source: Departmental budget
Time Frame: To be adopted in conjunction with the General Plan
Related Policies: H-4.2
Sustainability Focus? Yes
5-14. Definition of Family
Local governments may restrict access to housing for households failing to qualify as a “family” by the definition
in the Zoning Ordinance. Arcadia’s Zoning Ordinance defines a family as “two or more persons bearing the generic
character of, and living together as, a relatively permanent single bona fide housekeeping unit in a domestic
relationship based upon birth, marriage, or other domestic bond of social, economic and psychological
commitment to each other, as distinguished from a group occupying a boarding house, club, dormitory,
fraternity, hotel, lodging house, motel, rehabilitation center, rest home or sorority.” This definition would be
considered a potential constraint on the development of housing for special needs populations.
Objective:
▪ The City will amend its Municipal Code to either remove or modify the definition of family in order to
ensure that the ordinance regulates land use types but not the users, within one year of adoption of the
Housing Element.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department, Planning Services
Funding Source: Departmental budget
Time Frame: To be adopted in conjunction with the General Plan
Related Policies: H-5.1
Sustainability Focus? No
5-15. Fair Housing
The City will contracts with the Housing Rights Center (HRC) to actively inform residents, landlords of residential
property, and others involved in the insurance, construction, sale or lease of residential property of the laws
pertaining to fair housing. The HRC provides the following programs and services to its clients, free of charge:
▪ Landlord-Tenant Counseling
▪ Predatory Lending Information and Referrals
▪ Housing Discrimination Investigation
▪ Enforcement and Advocacy
▪ Outreach and Education
Objectives
▪ The City will Ccontinue to contract with a provider to provide fair housing services to residents.
▪ The City will Ddisseminate information to the public on the array of fair housing programs and
services provided by the City.
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▪ The City will Pparticipate in the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice and other fair housing
planning efforts coordinated by the Los Angeles County Community Development Commission.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department; Los Angeles County Community
Development Commission; Housing Rights Center
Funding Source: CDBG
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: H-5.1; H-5.2; H-5.3
Sustainability Focus? No
Summary of Quantified Objectives
Extremely
Low Very Low Low Moderate
Above
Moderate Total
New Construction 274 275 340 368 892 2,149
Rehabilitation 5 5 5 5 0 20
Preservation 25 25 25 0 0 75
6. Resource Sustainability
6-1. Development Projects and Energy
Performance Guidelines
To ensure that targeted energy performance standards or guidelines for new development are being achieved,
the City will review projects against the following and/or guidelines:
▪ Where feasible, locate reflective surfaces (i.e., parking lots) on the north and east sides of buildings to
decrease potential heat gain and reflection to adjacent buildings; alternatively, where parking areas must
be located to the south or west of buildings, provide landscaping to reduce potential heat gain.
▪ Where possible, orient glass toward the south, the side with the greatest amount of solar access (heat
gain potential).
▪ Use appropriate building shapes and locations to promote maximum feasible solar access to individual units.
▪ Design individual buildings to maximize natural internal lighting through the use of court wells, interior
patio areas, and building architecture. Site plan elements (e.g., buildings, landscaping) should protect
access to sunshine for planned solar energy systems and/or for solar oriented rooftop surfaces that can
support a solar collector or collectors capable of providing anticipated hot water needs of the building.
▪ Use canopies and overhangs to shade windows during summer months while allowing for reflection
of direct sunlight during winter months.
▪ Install windows and vents in commercial and industrial buildings to provide the opportunity for
thorough ventilation.
▪ Use reflective roof materials to reduce solar gains, unless a passive heat system is provided.
▪ Incorporate the use of deciduous trees in landscaping plans, especially near buildings and around
large expanses of parking lots or other paved areas.
▪ Incorporate deciduous vines on walls, trellises, and canopies to shade south and west facing walls, to
cool them in summer months.
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Responsible Agency: Public Works Services; Development Services Department – Planning
and Building Services
Funding Source: General Fund and Grants
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: RS-1.7; RS-5.1; RS-5.2; RS-5.3; RS-5.4; RS-5.5; RS-5.6; RS-5.7; RS-5.8;
RS-5.9; RS-5.10; RS-5.11; RS-5.12; RS-5.13; RS-5.14; RS-5.15; RS-5.16; RS- 5.17
Sustainability Focus? Yes
6-2. Energy Conservation
Demonstration Projects
Developers will be encouraged The City will encourage developers to cooperate with Southern California
Edison, the Gas Company, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District to set up energy
conservation demonstration projects, and to serve as a laboratory for testing new energy conservation techniques.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Building Services
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: RS-5.15
Sustainability Focus? Yes
6-3. Conservation Education and Promotion
Working in concert with energy service providers and contract refuse collectors, the City will promote the
benefits of water and energy conservation and waste reduction. Avenues for public education will include, but
will not be limited to, the City website, City mailers, displays at City Hall and other civic and community buildings,
partnership programs with Arcadia Unified School District. Support non-profit groups’ educational programs within
the City.
Responsible Agency: Public Works Services
Funding Source: Enterprise Funds and Private
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: RS-3.4; RS-5.6
Sustainability Focus? Yes
6-4. Green Building Initiatives
The City will establish an education, recognition, and incentive program that recognizes and rewards excellence in
green building and energy conservation building practices, and that builds consumer awareness of green building
benefits. Part of the program may include the following components:
▪ Promoting incorporation of green building standards that exceed State Title 24 building
construction standards and Energy Star conservation standards into future public and private
development and major renovation projects.
▪ Developing incentive programs to promote Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design® (LEED)
Standards developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, and encourage projects to achieve LEED (or
similar) certification.
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▪ Providing training to City staff in green building and LEED (or similar) rating system requirements
and processes, and their application in practice. Strive to have at least one City staff member obtain LEED
(or similar) professional accreditation.
▪ Identify opportunities to incorporate LEED standards (or similar) into the City capital
improvement projects.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning and Building Services;
City Manager’s Office; Public Works Services
Funding Source: General Fund, Grants
Time Frame: Short Term (1 to 5 years)
Related Policies: RS-5.4; RS-5.12; RS-5.16; RS-5.17
Sustainability Focus? Yes
6-5. Participate in Regional Air Quality
Improvement Efforts
The City will participate in regional air quality improvement efforts by identifying and encouraging projects that
improve mobility and reduce vehicle miles traveled. In particular:
▪ Review development proposals for potential air quality impacts pursuant to the CEQA, Los Angeles
County Air Pollution Control District, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District CEQA Air
Quality Handbook.
▪ Work with the South Coast Air Quality Management District and the Southern California Association of
Governments to implement the Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP), and to meet federal and state air quality
standards for all pollutants. To ensure that new measures can be practically enforced in the region, the City will
participate in future amendments and updates of the AQMP.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Engineering Services and
Planning Services
Funding Source: Departmental budget
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: RS-1.1; RS-1.2; RS-1.3; RS-1.4; RS-1.5; RS-1.6; RS-2.5; RS-3.1; RS-3.2; RS-
3.3; RS-3.4
Sustainability Focus? Yes
6-6. Solar Energy
The City will:
▪ Educate residents about the importance and availability of solar energy as an alternative fuel source for
space heating and cooling, water heating and generating electricity.
▪ Support California solar laws and the protections the laws provide to owners of solar energy systems. This
includes the right of an owner of a solar energy system to sunlight.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning and Building Services
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: RS-5.8; RS-5.10; RS-5.13; RS-5-14
Sustainability Focus? Yes
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6-7. Water Supply
The City will:
▪ Establish water conservation programs in accordance with the City’s Urban Water Management
Plan (UWMP).
▪ Investigate and implement programs to reduce water usage at parks and other City facilities. Set goals for
water use reduction at City facilities.
▪ Pursue the optimal use of recycled (reclaimed) and desalinated water for landscaping and industrial
uses in accordance with the City’s Urban Water Management Plan, Recycled Water Plan Update, and
other pertinent planning studies.
▪ Pursue the optimal expansion of the use of local water resources to offset imported supplies, including the
development of addition groundwater wells and expansion of recycled water facilities.
▪ Actively support and partner with other agencies regarding the development and
implementation of conjunctive use programs and other viable water management programs to
enhance water supply reliability.
▪ Engage the Arcadia Fire Department during the regular Urban Water Management Plan to ensure
that City water supply and infrastructure can meet fire protection needs.
Responsible Agency: Public Works Services
Funding Source: Water Fund
Time Frame: Long Term (10+ years)
Related Policies: RS-4.1; RS-4.7; RS-4.14; S-6.11
Sustainability Focus? Yes
6-8. Water Quality
The City will:
▪ Meet or exceed all federal and state water quality regulations, and publish an Annual Water Quality
Report to inform the public regarding water quality.
▪ Incorporate into the City’s CEQA process appropriate procedures for considering storm water quality
impacts and providing for appropriate mitigation when preparing and reviewing CEQA documents.
▪ Continue to comply with all provisions of the National Pollutant Discharge and Elimination System
(NPDES) permit.
▪ Establish standards that require new developments and substantial rehabilitation projects to incorporate
storm water treatment practices that allow percolation to the underlying aquifer and minimize off-site surface
runoff. Acceptable on-site retention methods include, but are not limited to, use of pervious paving materials
in hardscape areas is to be maximized, along with the provision of swale designs in landscape or grassy
areas that slow runoff and maximize infiltration. Where feasible, the discharge of roof drainage is to be
directed into pervious areas to reduce increases in downstream runoff.
▪ Continue to recognize the impact of all aspects of land use planning on the region’s storm water and
urban runoff on water quality, and support the attainment of regional storm water and urban runoff goals
through appropriate land use planning and implementation of Standard Urban Storm Water
Mitigation Plans (SUSMP).
▪ Coordinate with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD), the Water Replenishment
District of Southern California (WRD), the West Basin Municipal Water District, the Regional Water
Quality Control Board, and the County Sanitation District on issues of water supply and quality.
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Responsible Agency: Public Works Services; Development Services Department – Planning
and Building Services
Funding Source: General Fund, Private, Water Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: RS-4.8; RS-4.9; RS-4.10
Sustainability Focus? Yes
6-9. Water Conservation
6-9.1.
The City will involve the community in water conservation efforts with such initiatives as:
▪ Developing and implementing guidelines for water efficient landscaping
▪ Developing and implementing a tiered rate structure to promote water conservation
▪ Educating the community on methods to reduce urban runoff and improve water quality
▪ Providing water resources information at City facilities and events
6-9.2.
To meet the City's overall water conservation mitigation standard, the City will review projects will be reviewed to
assess their compliance with the following:
▪ Compliance with the provisions of the City’s Water Conservation Plan contained in the Arcadia
Municipal Code
▪ Incorporation and maintenance of drought-tolerant and low water using plants in the landscape
plans and maximization of preservation of natural vegetation
▪ Incorporation and maintenance of water conservation techniques into the design of the irrigation
system through such techniques as mulching, installation of drip irrigation systems, landscape design to
group plants of similar water demand, soil moisture sensors, and automatic irrigation systems
▪ Clustering of landscaped areas to maximize the efficiency of the irrigation system; design of irrigation
systems to eliminate watering of impervious surfaces
▪ Use of reclaimed water, where feasible, for landscape irrigation
▪ Installation of water-conserving kitchen and bathroom fixtures and appliances, installation of
thermostatically controlled mixing valves for baths and showers, and insulation of hot water lines, as per
City-adopted UBC requirements
Responsible Agency: Public Works Services; Development Services Department –Planning;
Local Water Districts
Funding Source: Water Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: RS-4.2; RS-4.5; RS-4.6; RS-4.12; RS-4.14
Sustainability Focus? Yes
6-10. Waste Reduction and Recycling
6-10.1. Source Reduction
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The City will periodically undertake source reduction and recycling progress review to evaluate the effectiveness
of source reduction and recycling programs in reducing the overall waste stream from residences, businesses,
and institutions in the City. The review will include, at a minimum, the following:
▪ Amount of waste diverted
▪ Status of all programs
▪ Summary of the success or failure of program implementation
▪ Recommendations for necessary modifications to existing programs and suggestions for new
programs to be adopted
6-10.2. School District Coordination
As identified in the City's Source Reduction and Recycling Element, the City will work with the school district to
establish effective solid waste management practices.
6-10.3. Recycling and Diversion Programs
The City will:
▪ Continue curbside recycling program for all single-family and multifamily residential units in the City.
▪ Continue to include green waste pick up services as part of the recycling program.
▪ Provide assistance to residents who wish to compost.
▪ Provide information regarding collection facilities for recyclable residential materials that are not picked up
by the City.
▪ Continue to implement Municipal Code Article V, Chapter 1, Part 3 regarding recycling for the
commercial, industrial, and institutional sectors. Ensure that all City-contracted solid waste haulers
attain a 50 percent diversion of solid waste in accordance with State mandates under AB939 and
other appropriate regulations.
▪ Implement a construction and demolition recycling program to achieve at least a 50 percent waste
material diversion factor from all construction sites in the City.
Responsible Agency: Public Works Services; Development Services Department – Building
Services
Funding Source: Solid Waste Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: RS-6.1; RS-6.2; RS-6.3; RS-6.4; RS-6.5; RS-6.6
Sustainability Focus? Yes
6-11. Cultural Resource Protection
The City will require Ccultural resource assessments of proposed development sites will be required for any
project that may impact a known or potential site of archaeological or paleontological site or a historical site that
is 50 years old or older. The assessment will identify the significance of the resource based on the guidance
provided in the California Register of Historic Resources and other applicable sources. Avoidance of impacts and
preservation of significant resources in place shall be accomplished, where feasible. When it is not feasible, data
recovery shall be required for all significant resources.
The following shall be included as a condition of approval of all new development projects, including
intensification of existing development:
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"If unknown cultural resources are discovered during project construction, all work in the area of
the find shall cease, and a qualified archaeologist or paleontologist shall be retained by the
project sponsor to assess the significance of the find, make recommendations on its
disposition, and prepare appropriate field documentation, including verification of the
completion of required mitigation. If human remains are encountered during construction, all work
shall cease and the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office shall be contacted pursuant to
procedures set forth in Section 7050.5 of the Health and Safety Code. If the remains are
identified as prehistoric, a Native American representative shall be consulted to participate in
the recovery and disposition of the remains."
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning Services; Library and
Museum Services
Funding Source: Private
Time Frame: Ongoing through CEQA process
Related Policies: PR-9.7; PR-9.8
Sustainability Focus? Yes
6-12. Discovery of Archaeological Resources
or Human Remains
DThe City will require, during any construction activities on properties with the potential to contain
archaeological resources, a qualified archaeologist will be engaged to monitor the removal of the earth covering the
study area and to identify cultural materials if they are uncovered. If cultural materials are found, construction
activity in the vicinity of the discovery shall be redirected until the archaeologist has assessed the significance
of the find and appropriate field documentation and mitigation has been completed. If the site is eligible for
the California Register and if impacts cannot be avoided, a data recovery excavation program may be
necessary. Avoidance of the site by capping may suffice as mitigation under some circumstances. Actual
mitigation will be dependent on the magnitude of proposed impacts to intact, significant deposits. If human
remains are discovered during these construction activities, the Los Angeles County Coroner will be cont acted
to identify the bone and establish its relative age. If this bone is prehistoric, a Native American
representative will be consulted to participate in the disposition of the remains.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning Services, Library Services
Funding Source: Private
Time Frame: Ongoing through CEQA process
Related Policies: PR-9.1
Sustainability Focus? No
6-13. Habitat Protection
For all new developments, including roads and other public projects, that are proposed adjacent to sensitive
habitats, the City will require that adequate buffers, set backs, and other protections are provided to avoid
significant direct and indirect impacts to such areas.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning and Building Services
Funding Source: Departmental budget
Time Frame: Ongoing
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Related Policies: RS-8.1; RS-8.2; RS-8.3
Sustainability Focus? Yes
6-14. Compliance with State Endangered
Species Act and Federal Clean Water Act
The City and project proponents will coordinate with the Federal, State, and regional agencies to comply with
applicable requirements of the Federal and State Endangered Species Act and Federal Clean Water Act.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning Services; Public Works Services
Funding Source: Departmental budget
Time Frame: Yes
Related Policies: CR-4.10
Sustainability Focus? Yes
7. Parks, Recreation, and Community
Resources Element
7-1. Implement Master Plans
IThe City will implement the provisions of the Arcadia Parks and Recreation Master Plan, Recreation and
Community Services Strategic Plan, Parks Rehabilitation Master Plan, and Youth Master Plan, as they may be
amended from time to time. Specifically:
▪ Establish a list of needed community facility improvements, acquisition, and construction, and prioritize
annually based on changing needs.
▪ Establish a regular review of open space, parks, and recreation related documents such as the Parks
and Recreation Master Plan. Amend as needed to address evolving conditions.
▪ Continue the City and the Arcadia Unified School District’s commitment to youth by continuing
to review the progress towards achieving the Youth Master Plan’s goals annually.
Responsible Agency: Recreation and Community Services
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: PR-1.13; PR-1.17; PR-1.19; PR-4.7; PR-4.3; PR 4.7
Sustainability Focus? No
7-2. Financing and Acquisition of Parks and
Open Space
IThe City will investigate a range of approaches to acquiring passive and recreational open space and for
financing its development and maintenance, including:
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▪ Identify utility easements with recreational potential, and coordinate with utility providers for their use as a
passive or recreational open space resources. Particularly, look at flood control corridors as places for bike
paths consistent with the Circulation and Infrastructure Element.
▪ Continue to implement the Parks and Recreation Fund program and the Park Facilities Impact Fee
program to assist in the funding of developing and maintaining City facilities. Periodically assess the
appropriateness of the fee level.
▪ Actively seek alternative funding sources such as State bonds and grants to supplement gaps in financing
park development and maintenance.
▪ Prioritize funding of parks and recreation resources by regularly evaluating demand for these resources
and identifying future trends in park and recreation facility needs based on demographic changes.
Plan for facilities that are adaptable to changing needs.
▪ Develop guidelines for non-residential development projects to incorporate accessible public places into
project design. Inventory all City-owned real property suitable for recreational use and retain for such
use where feasible.
▪ Consider providing grants for the development of small, infill public places on public lands for uses such as
community gardens, gathering areas, or other projects.
Responsible Agency: Recreation and Community Services; Development Services
Department – Planning Services
Funding Source: General Fund, Park Impact Fees, and Grants
Time Frame: Long Term (10+ years)
Related Policies: PR-1.3; PR-1.4; PR-1.6; PR-1.8; PR-1.10; PR- 1.14: PR-1.19
Sustainability Focus? Yes
7-3. Joint Use Facilities
The City will continue the partnership with the Arcadia Unified School District in joint land use/facilities
planning efforts for joint-use park/school facilities. Formalize agreements regarding use, maintenance, and
charging users.
Responsible Agency: Recreation and Community Services; Arcadia Unified School District;
City Manager’s Office
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: PR-1.9; PR-4.3
Sustainability Focus? No
7-4. Design for Emerging Uses of Parks and
Public Spaces
The City recognizes that as community demographics and lifestyles evolve, residents may desire new and
alternative uses of existing parks and public spaces. The City will continually monitor demands and will develop
guidelines for incorporating design features into parks and public places that anticipate emerging new uses
of these places.
Responsible Agency: Recreation and Community Services; Public Works Services
Funding Source: General Fund and Grants
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Time Frame: Long Term (10-15 years)
Related Policies: PR-1.5; PR-1.15; PR-1.20
Sustainability Focus? Yes
7-5. Recreation Facility Development in
Underserved Areas
Based on the information provided in Figure PR-2 (Park Facilities Service Area), the City will identify and prioritize
development of new recreation facilities in underserved areas.
Responsible Agency: Recreation and Community Services
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Long Term (10+ years)
Related Policies: PR-1.1; PR-1.3; PR-1.6; PR-1.7; PR-1.20
Sustainability Focus? Yes
7-6. Recreation Programs
7-6.1.
The City will adjust recreation program capacities and staff over time, including volunteer staffs, to match
changes in population and program needs. Periodic assessments will be made through user surveys and other
appropriate methods. Periodic updates of the Recreation and Community Services Strategic Plan will be
undertaken for the management, prioritizing, budgeting, and procurement of necessary resources.
7-6.2.
The City will develop and implement a comprehensive outreach plan—in languages that reach all targeted
populations—to help identify and inform targeted groups about recreational services and programs in Arcadia.
Responsible Agency: Recreation and Community Services
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: PR-5.1; PR-5.2; PR-5.3; PR-5.4; PR-5.5; PR-5.6; PR-5.7; PR-5.8; PR-5.9
Sustainability Focus? No
7-7. Coordination with Local Sports Groups
The City will work with youth and adult sports organizations to coordinate the allocation and maintenance of
sports fields. Coordination could include establishment of a committee to schedule events and resolve conflicts,
posting of a master calendar on the City’s web site, and annual review of facility usage charges.
Responsible Agency: Public Works Services; Recreation and Community Services; Arcadia
Unified School District
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: PR-1.9
Sustainability Focus? No
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7-8. Preservation of the Urban Forest
The City will maintain and enhance tree coverage and tree health citywide by:
▪ Continued enforcement of Article IX, Chapters 7 and 8 of the Municipal Code
▪ Continued preservation of landmark trees
▪ Continuation of the Public Works Services Department’s Four-Year Tree Trimming Plan
▪ Continued participation in the Tree City USA program
▪ Public education efforts regarding existing City regulations regarding trees and the importance
of trees to the overall community aesthetic and property values
Responsible Agency: Public Works Services; City Manager’s Office
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: CR-3.1; CR-3.2; CR-3.3; CR-3.4; CR-3.5; CR-3.6
Sustainability Focus? Yes
7-9. Partnerships with Secular and
Faith- based Organizations
PThe City will continue to develop and maintain partnerships with local secular and faith-based organizations
will continue to be developed and maintained to design and implement community programs, events and
activities, and promote new ones in order to continually meet the changing needs and demands of Arcadians.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning Services
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: PR-1.8; PR-4.4
Sustainability Focus? No
7-10. Community Education Programs
7-10.1.
The City will continue to collaborate with the Arcadia Unified School District to develop and implement
education programs targeted to meet specific community needs.
7-10.2.
As funding permits and interest indicates the need, the City will maintain after -school “drop-in” programs that
provide homework assistance on school campuses and at community centers.
7-10.3.
As funding permits and interest indicates the need, the City will offer adult education programs. Assessments
of adult education needs will be identified through surveys and other effective methods to help develop
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corresponding classes.
7-10.4.
The City will work with private and public community service organizations to coordinate additional educational
opportunities, including classes to learn English and after-school programs.
7-10.5.
EThe City will establish a public education program whereby City employees can regularly interact with
the community and maintain dialogue between residents and employees about how the City operates and the
challenges and goals of daily administration.
Responsible Agency: Recreation and Community Services
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: PR-6.1; PR-6.2; PR-6.3; PR-6.4; PR-6.5; PR-6.6
Sustainability Focus? No
7-11. Maintaining High-quality Library Facilities
and Services
7-11.1.
The City will conduct regular reviews of library patron program needs and adjust funding priorities and
programs accordingly.
7-11.2.
The City will use the partnership between the Arcadia Public Library and the Friends of the Arcadia Public Library
will be used to continue to improve the quality of library services and facilities.
Responsible Agency: Library and Museum Services
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: PR-6.6; PR-7.1; PR-7.2; PR-7.3; PR-7.4; PR-7.5
Sustainability Focus? No
7-12. Sponsorship and Support of Cultural Events
7-12.1.
As funds allow, the City will continue to sponsor and support art events, live music performances, performing
arts, dancing, outdoor public movies, artist exhibits, and other similar activities and events that bring the
community together.
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7-12.2.
The City will continue to seek involvement and partnerships of local arts organization and local businesses to
increase privately sponsored public events.
7-12.3.
The City will continue to engage City boards, committees, and commissions and the community as a whole to
identify needed and desired cultural events and art activities.
Responsible Agency: Recreation and Community Services
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Mid-Term (5-10 years)
Related Policies: PR-8.1; PR-8.2; PR-8.3
Sustainability Focus? No
7-13. Provision of Places for Cultural Events
Through partnerships among City departments, the Arcadia Public Library, and the Arcadia Unified School District,
and local private organizations that have community-type facilities, the City will identify community places for
cultural activities that are well located, adaptable, and easily accessible to all community members.
Responsible Agency: Library and Museum Services; City Manager’s Office
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Short Term (1-5 years)
Related Policies: PR-8.1; PR-8.2; PR-8.3
Sustainability Focus? No
7-14. Inventory of Local Historic Resources
The City will develop and maintain an up-to-date inventory of historically, culturally, and/or architecturally
significant structures or sites in Arcadia to promote the awareness of these community resources.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning Services
Funding Source: General Fund and Grants
Time Frame: Short Term (1-5 years)
Related Policies: PR-9.1; PR-9.2; PR-9.4; PR-9.5: PR-9.6; PR-9.7
Sustainability Focus? No
7-15. Support Private Efforts to Promote
Appreciation of Arcadia’s History
The City will support the efforts of private organizations to promote and preserve Arcadia’s history. This support
may include contribution of public funds to facilities and programs.
Responsible Agency: City Manager’s Office and Library and Museum Services
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
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Related Policies: PR-9.3
Sustainability Focus? No
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8. Public Health and Safety Element
8-1. Earthquake Preparedness
The City will coordinate with the California Geological Survey, the State Office of Emergency Services, Los
Angelesthe County of Los Angeles, the Arcadia Unified School District, and local utilities and services groups in
the promotion of earthquake preparedness programs. This will include, for example, sponsoring mock drills,
providing information on the City’s website and in mailers, and providing emergency supplies at designated
shelter sites, such as schools.
Responsible Agency: Fire Department, Police Department, and City Manager’s Office
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: S-69.1; S-69.2; S-4.1
Sustainability Focus? No
8-2. Seismic Hazards Mapping
The City will obtain the latest Seismic Hazards Mapping Program and other geological hazard mapping
data from the California Geological Survey to ensure that the most recent data are available to City staff
and the public. The Public Health and Safety Element will be updated as needed over time in response to the
availability of updated information on faults and earthquake -related hazards in Arcadia.
The City will consider and explore the possibility of creating the recommended Fault Hazard Management
Zones (FHMZs) for each of the faults in question shown on Figure G-7 of the Seismic and Geological Technical
Background Report for the City of Arcadia General Plan Update. The goal would be to refine the fault location and
fault activity database for the faults in the City.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department, Planning Services
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: S-41.4; S-96.2
Sustainability Focus? No
8-3. Geotechnical Investigations
For any development project proposed in a geologically sensitive area or a known or suspected geologic
hazard area, the City will require that a geotechnical investigation be performed by properly licensed
professionals. All recommended engineering design measures included in the resultant studies shall be
incorporated into building design and construction.
When possible, the City will require that liquefaction hazard areas and areas susceptible to the higher
PHGApeak horizontal ground acceleration levels be avoided for essential/critical facilities.
Potential surface fault rupture areas will require site-specific investigation and may warrant a special City-sponsored
investigation projects to better define the activity and location of faults now suspected of having some
surface rupture potential.
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Responsible Agency: Development Services Department, Building Services
Funding Source: General Fund and Private Funds
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: S-41.3
Sustainability Focus? Yes
8-4. Seismic Safety Considerations in
Building Codes
The City will continue to implement the most rigorous and up-to-date building codes that govern seismic safety
standards for construction of new buildings, and will update the City’s codes as needed to respond to new
information, standards, and technology.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department, Building Services
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: S-41.2; S-41.5; S-41.6
Sustainability Focus? No
8-5. Siting of Critical Facilities
8-5.1.
In decisions regarding the siting and retrofit of schools, civic buildings, emergency response and preparedness
facilities, hospitals and clinics, and similar critical facilities, the City will utilize information in the Public Health
and Safety Element and the Seismic and Geological Technical Background Report for the City of Arcadia General
Plan Update.
8-5.2.
The City will ensure all new essential public facilities are located outside Very High Fire Hazard Severity
Zones when feasible.
8-5.3.
The City will continue to design and retrofit new critical facilities to minimize potential flood damage. This
should include locating development outside of a hazard area when feasible, elevating the ground floor,
elevating utilities, and using flood-proof materials in accordance with National Flood Insurance Program
requirements.Such facilities include those that provide emergency response like hospitals, fire stations,
police stations, utility lifelines, and ambulance services. Such facilities also include those that do not
provide emergency response but attract large numbers of people, such as schools, theaters, and other
public assembly facilities with capacities greater than 100 people.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department, Planning and Building, and Engineering Services; and
Fire Department and Police Departments
Funding Source: General Fund
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Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: S-5.5; S-6.4; S-4.2; S-3.4; S-2.5
Sustainability Focus? No
8-6. Hazardous Materials Management
8-6.1.
The City will require Nnew commercial, office, and industrial uses will be required to comply with the provisions
of the Los Angeles County Hazardous Waste Management Plan and the most current amendments to the
California Code of Regulations, Title 22.
8-6.2.
The Certified Unified Program Agency Fire Department will continue to be responsible for inspections and
enforcement of regulations regarding the storage of on-site hazardous materials. The City will continue to
coordinate with the County of Los Angeles to regularly inspect businesses for compliance with the County
Hazardous Waste Management Plan.
8-6.3.
Through the development review process, the City will consider requiring a buffer zone between areas where
significant quantities of hazardous materials are present and sensitive receptors, such as residences, hospitals
and nursing/convalescent homes, hotels and lodging, schools, and day care centers. If new permits are sought
by polluting land uses within 1,000 feet of a residence or other sensitive use, the City will consider
requiring best management practices to mitigate the pollution for those sensitive uses.
8-6.4.
The Certified Unified Program Agency City will make information regarding hazardous materials, as provided in
Hazardous Materials Business Plans, readily available to City and County emergency responders.
Responsible Agency: Fire and Police Departments
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: S-7.1; S-7.2; S-7.3; S-7.4
Sustainability Focus? Yes
8-7. Environmental Site Assessments
The City will required preparation of environmental site assessments for new development and
redevelopment in areas previously used for commercial or industrial uses to identify and abate hazardous
material releases from prior land uses that have the potential to affect future property owners or users and
the public generally.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department, Planning and Building Services
Funding Source: General Fund and Private
Time Frame: Ongoing for new developments
Related Policies: S-7.1
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Sustainability Focus? Yes
8-8. Adequate Fire Flow
Through the development review and building permit processes, the City will require that all new development
provide the water systems needed to meet fire flow requirements as determined by the Arcadia Fire Department.
Where deemed necessary, existing fire hydrants will be required to be tested to confirm adequate fire flows.
Responsible Agency: Fire Department; Public Works Services; and Development Services
Department, Planning and Building Services
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: S-63.2; S-63.4; S-63.5
Sustainability Focus? No
8-9. Adequate Emergency Vehicle Access
8-9.1.
Through the development review process, the City will require that internal circulation systems be designed to
accommodate fire suppression equipment with adequate turnaround areas as determined by the Arcadia
Fire Department. The City will require new development to provide adequate access for emergency vehicles,
particularly fire-fighting equipment, as well as secure evacuation routes for inhabitants in compliance with the
latest building and fire codes.
8-9.2.
The City will only approve new lot subdivisions that will provide adequate evacuation and emergency vehicle
access to and from the lot subdivision on streets or street systems that are evaluated for their traffic access or
flow limitations, including but not limited to weight or vertical clearance limitations and dead‐end, one‐way, or
single lane conditions. Homes shall have visible street addressing and signage to support emergency services
and evacuations.
Responsible Agency: Fire Department and Development Services Department,
Planning Services
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: S-63.1; S-63.5; S-63.6
Sustainability Focus? No
8-10. Mutual Aid Agreements
The City will maintain standing mutual aid agreements with neighboring jurisdictions, Los Angeles the County
of Los Angeles, and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), and U.S. Forest Service
to furnish specified aid upon demand in the event of a major emergency, as appropriate.
Responsible Agency: Fire and Police Departments
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
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Related Policies: S-1.3; S-85.6
Sustainability Focus? No
8-11. Emergency Preparedness
8-11.1.
The City will maintain and update on a regular basis emergency response preparedness programs, plans, and
procedures such as its Emergency Operations Plan Emergency Management Plan, and Local Hazard Mitigation
Plan.
8-11.2.
Members of the City’s Emergency Management Team will receive regular training to provide them with the
skills necessary to respond to any emergency.
8-11.3.
The City will prepare, publish, and regularly update emergency evacuation routes and plans.
8-11.4.
The City will periodically test, review, and update, as necessary, technology for emergency mass notification systems.
Responsible Agency: Fire and Police Department
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: S-96.1; S-96.2; S-96.3; S-96.4; S-96.5; S-96.6
Sustainability Focus? No
8-12. Fire and Police Department Funding
Through the annual budgeting and long-range planning processes, the City will assess changing needs for
fire and police department personnel, equipment, and facilities based on desired service levels, demands
created by new development and uses, and other specific needs. Funding will be provided consistent with City
Council objectives.
Responsible Agency: Fire Department; Police Department; Development Services Department,
Planning
Funding Source: General Fund and Grants
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: S-85.1; S-85.2; S-85.3
Sustainability Focus? No
8-13. Pre-emptive Traffic Control Devices
The City will evaluate installation of traffic signal preemption devices at major intersections to reduce emergency
response travel time due to excessive traffic and congestion.
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Responsible Agency: Fire Department; Development Services Department, Engineering
Funding Source: Capital Improvement (CIP) grant
Time Frame: Short term (1-5 years)
Related Policies: S-85.4
Sustainability Focus? No
8-14. Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms in
Residential Structures
The City will promote the installation and maintenance of working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in all
residential structures.
Responsible Agency: Fire Department; OfficeDevelopment Services Department, Building and Safety
Funding Source: General Fund and Grant
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: S-63.2; S-63.7
Sustainability Focus? No
8-15. Retrofit Fire Sprinkler SystemsExisting
Structures
8-15.1.
The City will promote the retrofitting of fire sprinkler systems in existing buildings to protect life and property.
8-15.2.
The City will promote the retrofitting of existing structures in Fire Hazard Severity Zones to meet current safety
regulations, such as the building and fire code, to help reduce the risk of structural and human loss due to wildfire.
8-15.3.
The City will pursue a program to promote non-conforming development to meet the most up to date fire
standards, particularly regarding road access, road design, structure design, and landscape design. This would
include continued annual mailers sent to homes in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. The program’s outreach
efforts may expand in the future to include sending mailers to non-conforming residences citywide or updating
a video on home hardening for dissemination on television, the City website, or social media.
8-15.4.
The City will pursue applicable grants for efforts to weatherize public facilities, prioritizing critical facilities and
any facilities that are at elevated risk of hazards.
8-15.5.
The City will e ncourage building designs and retrofits that moderate indoor temperatures during
extreme heat events. Efforts may include engaging residents or developers on the topic, developing
a standard comment for discretionary developments, or advertising grants as they become available
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for qualified homeowners .
Responsible Agency: Fire Department; Development Services Department, Building Services, and
Office
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: S-1.3; S-2.2; S-63.2; S-6.4 S-7.2
Sustainability Focus? NoYes
8-16. Fire Hydrants
8-16.1.
The City will evaluate and replace fire hydrants, as needed, to ensure minimum fire flow requirements are met. The
City will replace existing fire hydrants with single two-inch outlets with fire hydrants with 2x4x4 inch outlets.
8-16.2.
The City will flush all fire hydrants twice a year per current National Fire Protection Association standards.
Responsible Agency: Fire Department; Public Works Department
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: S-63.2; S-63.4
Sustainability Focus? No
8-17. Technology and Crime Prevention
8-17.1.
The City will investigate the use of intelligent video surveillance technology suitable for fixed or portable
deployment for purposes of general crime suppression and specific site security for critical infrastructure and at
other locations deemed appropriate for crime suppression.
8-17.2.
The City will investigate using technology that would allow community members to report crime or other
incidents from remote locations through computer and internet connections.
8-17.3.
The City will explore emerging GPS technology suitable for tracking Individuals and property for crime
prevention, locating missing persons, or other needs.
8-17.4.
The City will look to connect its law enforcement databases to County, State, and Federal agencies, including
potentially the Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
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The City will work with the court system to create interactive computer-based technologies that will allow officers
to conduct business with the court while remaining on-duty within the city limits.
Responsible Agency: Police Department
Funding Source: Federal Government Grants; General Fund
Time Frame: Within 6 months
Related Policies: S-85.2; S-85.3; S-85.4; S-85.5; S-85.7; S-96.1
Sustainability Focus? No
8-18. Police Volunteer Public Education, and
Outreach Programs, and Community
Partnerships
8-18.1.
As funding allows, the Police Department will continue to implement volunteer programs and outreach
programs for crime prevention. The Police Department will actively pursue grants to fund such programs.
8-18.2.
The City will convene and regularly train neighborhood-based emergency response teams (e.g., CERT) and
explore incorporating climate change response and recovery. The City will utilize City website, social
media, and other paths (e.g., places of worship, community groups) to ensure CERT recruiting includes a
diverse set of community members and leaders.
8-18.3.
The City will provide information and instructions on how community members can prepare for disasters
and climate events.
8-18.4.
The City will work with local food banks to distribute food and pop-up food pantries during hazard events.
8-18.5.
The City will work with non-profit organizations such as the Red Cross to improve support for frontline workers,
such as first responders, medical professionals, shelter staff, and transportation workers, during major hazard
events. This type of support may include emergency childcare if a hazard causes schools or daycares to be
closed, counseling services if a hazard is especially devastating, or other hazard-specific efforts.
8-18.6.
The City will include information on assistance programs in appropriate languages during and after a
hazard event.
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8-18.7.
The City will explore partnerships for providing an emergency evacuation shuttle service.
8-18.8.
The City will promote greater awareness of the impacts of extreme heat exposure on the most vulnerable
populations, such as seniors, people living in poverty, those with chronic conditions, and outdoor workers.
8-18.9.
The City will develop a debris flow public awareness campaign for households who live in debris flow
hazard areas, as determined by fire risk, slope, and past debris flow events.
Responsible Agency: Police Department; Development Services Department, Planning
Services, and Office
Funding Source: Grants
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: S-1.2; S-1.3; S-3.2S-5.2; S-6.3; S-85.8; S-96.4; S-96.7; S-96.8
Sustainability Focus? YesNo
8-19. Partnership with AUSDLocal Agencies
8-19.1.
The City will continue a comprehensive partnership between the Arcadia Unified School District and the Police
Department for purposes of maximizing the safety of local children before, during, and after school. This
partnership will encompass traffic management around the schools, and will include involvement of each
school’s PTA.
8-19.2.
The City will coordinate with demand‐response/paratransit transit services prior to expected extreme
heat days to ensure adequate capacity for customer demand for transportation to cooling centers.
8-19.3.
The City will coordinate with local transit agencies to retrofit existing bus stops, where feasible, with shade
structures to safeguard the health and comfort of transit users.
8-19.4.
The City will coordinate with Southern California Edison and other energy-related organizations and
agencies to explore potential programs and partnerships to reduce cost-burdens for low-income
households related to the use of air conditioning during extreme heat events.
Responsible Agency: Police Department and, Arcadia Unified School District; Development Services
Department - Planning Services, Arcadia Transit
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
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Related Policies: S-2.2; S-85.6; S-5.11; S-96.9; S7.2
Sustainability Focus? YesNo
8-20. Police Sub-Station
The City will continue to monitor the need for a police sub-station within the business zone containing the regional
mall, Santa Anita Park, and other commercial uses that may develop on the racetrack property.
Responsible Agency: Police Department and Development Services Department, Planning
Services
Funding Source: Private Funds; General Fund
Time Frame: As-Needed Basis
Related Policies: S-85.3
Sustainability Focus? No
8-21. Multi-Department Training Facility
Seek funding to develop state of the art training facilities for Police, Fire, and Public Works personnel. The
training facility will include a training room available for all City department’s class room training opportunities.
The training facility will be able to accommodate large water flows required from Fire Department training and
release these flows in compliance with all State and Federal regulations for waste water runoff and control.
Responsible Agency: Fire and Police Departments; Public Works Services, and Development Services
Department – Planning Services
Funding Source: General Fund and Grants
Time Frame: Short Term (1-5 years)
Related Policies: S-5.3
Sustainability Focus? No
8-2221. Police and Fire Department Review
8-21.1.
The City will refer proposals for new development and redevelopment proposals will be referred to the Arcadia
Fire and Police Departments for review and comment prior to approval of discretionary actions. The departments will
also as well assubmit security and fire hazard management recommendations and projected response times to the
project site for inclusion by the City as project conditions of approval. For new development and redevelopment
in fire hazard severity zones, project conditions of approval will be in line with the most current version of the
California Building Codes and California Fire Code.
8-21.2.
The City will continue to require new residential subdivisions and new accessory dwelling units within hazard
areas to meet required evacuation standards in line with state fire codes, such as signage and road widths.
8-21.3.
The City will encourage the strategic placement of structures in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones that
conserve fire suppression resources, increase safety for emergency fire access and evacuation, and provide a
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point of attack or defense from a wildfire.
8-21.4.
The City will encourage post-fire redevelopment proposals (when a structure is partially or entirely redeveloped
as a result of structural damage from a wildfire) outside of a Fire Hazard Severity Zone to comply with the most
current version of California Building Codes and California Fire Code. City staff will provide resources to the
developer related to the building materials and vegetation components that go into the fire-safe design
requirements of the California Building Codes and California Fire Code.
Responsible Agency: Fire and Police Departments; Development Services Department,
Planning Services
Funding Source: Private
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: S-63.4; S-6.8; S-63.9; S-85.1; S-96.1; S-96.4; S-96.5; S-96.11
Sustainability Focus? No
8-2322. On-Site Security During Construction
For large projects at the discretion of the Police Department, applicants will be required to provide on-site
security during construction, commensurate with the scale of the development and level of risk, as a means of
preventing potential theft and vandalism.
Responsible Agency: Police Department
Funding Source: Private
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: S-85.2
Sustainability Focus? No
8-2423. Defensible SpaceCrime Prevention
Through Environmental Design
Crime shall be discouraged through the incorporation of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design
(CPTED)defensible space concepts into the design of dwellings and structures.
Responsible Agency: Police Department; Development Services Department, Planning Services
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: S-85.2
Sustainability Focus? No
8-24. Vegetation Management and Landscaping
8-24.1.
The City will promote the use of natural, or nature‐based, flood protection measures to prevent or minimize flood
hazards, where feasible. These measures could include bioswales, green roofs, green alleys, and notched curbs.
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8-254.2.
The City will encourage the use of low-volume and well-maintained landscaping. The City will review
recommended vegetation to include climate-adapted plants that are compatible with the area’s natural
vegetative habitats and forecasted climate.
8-254.3.
The City will coordinate with regional efforts to address unique or emerging pest, disease, exotic species, and
other forest health issues in open space areas to reduce fire hazards and support ecological integrity.
8-25.4.
Update the landscape ordinance to incentivize the preservation or replacement of mature trees.
8-24.4.
The City will develop a new street regularly review tree species palette that prioritizes trees based on having low
water needs and adaptability to climate change and future environmental conditions.
8-24.5.
The City will identify grant funding to develop a program to install additional street trees or provide canopy trees
to residents for planting.
8-24.6.
The City will p rioritize tree planting from approved street tree list based on the existing tree canopy and
the population’s vulnerability to extreme heat. Where possible, integrate shade trees with bike and
pedestrian infrastructure .
8-24.7.
The City will ensure all park facilities, including recreational sports complexes, include a tree canopy, shade
structures, and materials with low solar gain to improve usability on high heat days and reduce heat retention.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning
ServicesFire Department, Recreation and Community Services Department, Public Works
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: S-1.1; S-1.3; S-2.1; S-2.2; S-52.3; S-6.2; S-6.8; S-6.10
Sustainability Focus? Yes
8-25. Climate Resilient Public Realm
8-265.1.
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The City will identify streets and intersections and other infrastructure that would be candidates for stormwater
quality and green infrastructure enhancement features.
8-25.2.
The City will continue to ensure that critical City facilities have backup energy sources such as battery storage.
The City will prioritize clean energy sources, such as solar, where feasible.
8-25.3.
The City will install refrigerators at resilience centers, such as existing cooling centers and emergency shelter
locations, to provide storage for medication in blackout or other hazard events.
8-25.4.
The City will investigate the use of City facilities such as parks, schools, and recreation centers to serve as cool zones.
8-25.5.
The City will encourage the addition of shade structures in the public realm through appropriate means,
especially in communities with reduced access to open space.
8-25.6.
The City will encourage the use of cooling methods to reduce the heat retention of pavement and surfaces such
as streets, parking lots, and walking paths.
8-25.7.
The City will evaluate culverts in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones to determine if resizing them to
accommodate wildfire flows during regular maintenance is required. Culverts that require increased debris
cleaning during the rainy season will be prioritized.
8-25.8.
The City will evaluate replacing plastic culverts with fire-resistant materials such as reinforced concrete pipe
and steel in High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department, Planning
Services; Fire Department; Recreation and Community Services
Department; Arcadia Unified School District; Public Works
Funding Source: General Plan, Grants
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: S-1.1; S-2.1; S-2.2; S-3.1; S-5.1; S-5.2; S-9.7; S-9.10
Sustainability Focus? Yes
8-26. Cool Building Design
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8-26.1.
The City will encourage cool or green roofs for new commercial buildings during discretionary review using a
standard comment.as a standard condition of approval.
8-26.2.
The City will encourage alternatives to air conditioning such as ceiling fans, air exchangers, increased insulation ,
and low‐solar‐gain exterior materials to reduce peak electrical demands during extreme heat events to ensure
reliability of the electrical grid.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department, Planning
Services, Building Services
Funding Source: General Plan, Grants
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: S-1.1; S-2.2
Sustainability Focus? Yes
9. Noise Element
9-1. Noise Assessments
IThe City will incorporate noise reduction features during site planning to mitigate anticipated noise impacts on
affected noise sensitive land uses. The noise contours figure illustrated in the Noise Element of the General Plan
identifies areas within the City exposed to noise levels greater than 60dB CNEL shall be used to identify locations
of potential conflict. New developments will be permitted only if appropriate mitigation measures are included.
Educate developers and applicants on the City’s noise standards.
For purposes of community noise assessment, potential changes to the existing noise and traffic conditions can
adversely affect the ambient noise conditions. These can be characterized by measurable increases in noise
levels and indirectly by increases in traffic volumes. Unless otherwise exempted, proposed projects shall
require preparation of environmental analyses under the provisions of the California Environmental Quality
Act and an acoustical analysis for proposed new construction to pursue the noise standards identified in Table N-2
in the noise Element. Among other required elements, the analysis shall discuss how the project will pursue the
following guidelines:
▪ No more than 3dBA CNEL increase for all areas where the proposed project’s noise levels would meet
or exceed the City’s dBA CNEL noise level performance shown in Table N-2.
▪ No more than a 5 dBA CNEL noise level increase for areas where the proposed project’s noise levels remain
below the City’s noise standards shown in Table N-2.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning Services
Funding Source: General Fund; Applicant Funding
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: N-1.1
Sustainability Focus? No
9-2. Enforce California Noise
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Insulation Standards
EThe City will enforce provisions of the California Noise Insulation Standards (Title 24) that specify that indoor
noise levels for multifamily residential living spaces shall not exceed 45 dB CNEL. The standard is defined as the
combined effect of all noise sources, and is implemented when existing or future exterior noise levels exceed
60 dB CNEL. Title 24 further requires that the standard be applied to all new hotels, motels, apartment houses
and dwellings other than detached single-family dwellings. The City will additionally apply the standard to single-
family dwellings and condominium conversion projects.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning Services Building
Services, and Code Enforcement
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Sustainability Focus? No
9-3. Ensure Noise Limits Identified in the City’s
Municipal Code Are Enforced
EThe City will enforce noise limits, as identified in the City’s Municipal Code, which specifies acceptable limits
of noise throughout the City for all land uses
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning Services and Code
Enforcement; Police Department
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: N-1.2; N-1-3; N-1.4; N-1.5
Sustainability Focus? No
9-4. Utilization of Land Use Noise Guidelines
UThe City will utilize land use noise guidelines developed in the Noise Element of the General Plan to
consider appropriate location noise generating uses during the development review process
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning Services
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: N-1.2; N-1.3; N-1.4; N-1.5
Sustainability Focus? No
9-5. Collaborate with Responsible Agencies to
Minimize Transportation Related Noise
WThe City will work with responsible federal and state agencies to minimize the impact of transportation -
related noise, including noise associated with freeways and major arterials
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning and Engineering Services
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Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: N-2.1; N-2.2; N-2.3; N-2.4; N-2.5; N-2.6
Sustainability Focus? No
9-6. Evaluation of City Purchases
IThe City will include noise considerations in evaluating City purchases of noise generating equipment (vehicles,
motorized maintenance equipment, etc.), giving priority where practicable to purchase items incorporating all
available noise control technology.
Responsible Agency: Public Works Department
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: N-3.1; N-3.3
Sustainability Focus? No
9-7. Quiet Pavement Surfaces
CThe City will consider quiet pavement surfaces such as rubberized streets in the City’s repaving plans as
an opportunity to make a noticeable reduction in traffic noise along City streets.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Engineering Services; Public Works Services
Funding Source: Gas Tax; General Fund; Transportation Funds
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: Cl-2.5; N-2.3
Sustainability Focus? No
9-8. Impact on Noise Sensitive Land Uses
IThe City will require an acoustical analysis if a project that will create or impact existing noise sensitive land uses
is proposed in a location that is beyond the 60 dBA CNEL contour or higher within the City, using the typical noise
contours in the Noise Element, an acoustical analysis shall be prepared.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning Services and Code
Enforcement
Funding Source: Private
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: N-1.1
Sustainability Focus? No
10 Environmental Justice Element
10-1. Bike and Pedestrian Improvements
The City will conduct outreach and engage with community members to identify and prioritize streets and
intersections for improvements to sidewalks, and bike lanes when planning for new active transport
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infrastructure.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning Services
Funding Source: Capital Improvement Program Funds ; Transportation Funds
Time Frame: Medium-term
Related Policies: EJ-1.3; EJ-1.8; CI-4.1; CI-4.2; CI-4.3; CI-4.5; CI-4.7; CI-4.9; CI-4.10; CI-4.11; PR-
1.12
Sustainability Focus? Yes
10-2. Emergency Preparedness Education
The City will educate residents about personal emergency preparedness and the emergency resources that the
City provides to them. This will be accomplished through a variety of channels, including educational materials,
public events, and online resources to ensure residents are aware of emergency preparedness resources.
Responsible Agency: Fire Department, Police Department, and City Manager’s Office
Funding Source: Departmental Budget
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: EJ-2.1; S-9.1; S-9.4
Sustainability Focus? No
10-3. Cooling Infrastructure
10-3.1.
The City will work with the County of Los Angeles to expand cooling center amenities within the city and
increase awareness of community awareness of cooling centers through public education materials and events.
10-3.2.
The City will identify a network of streets, prioritizing transit corridors and routes to school, to strategically
install more shade structures, benches and places to rest, reflective pavements, and other interventions to
abate urban heat island effect and encourage active mobility. The City will secure long-term funding for
initial implementation and ongoing maintenance.
10-4. Innovative Strategies for Parks Access
The City will identify opportunities to expand park access with the goal of ensuring that all residents have
access to a park within a 10 minute walk (0.5 miles). Strategies will include identifying sites for
construction of pocket parks or mini parks, typically less than 1 acre, prioritizing areas with low park access
and areas where larger parks are not possible. The City will also continue to maintain shared-use
agreements with schools and other entities to allow public access to facilities outside of hours
of operation.
Responsible Agency: Recreation and Community Services
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Mid-term
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Related Policies: EJ-3.7; PR-1.9; PR-4.3
Sustainability Focus? No
10-5. Pollution Mitigation for Parks
The City will, when planning for upgrades to parks which are adjacent to the freeway, rail corridor, or
major roads, include sufficient landscaping, fencing, or other barriers to reduce noise and air pollution
impacts.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning Services
Funding Source: Capital Improvement Funds; Transportation Funds
Time Frame: Medium-term
Related Policies: EJ-3.6
Sustainability Focus? No
10-6. Reduce Truck-related Pollution
When truck routes are being planned or re-evaluated, the City will minimize impacts to sensitive land uses
such as homes and schools whenever feasible.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning Services
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Short-term
Related Policies: EJ-4.5, 4.6
Sustainability Focus? No
10-7. Home Weatherization
The City will work with energy providers to advertise and help connect low-income homeowners and
renters to California Department of Community Services and Development programs, including the
Weatherization Assistance Program.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning Services
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Related Policies: EJ-5.5
Sustainability Focus? Yes
10-8. Temporary Shelters
The City will work with nonprofit partners to identify creative solutions for temporary housing, including
temporary shelter, for people experiencing homelessness, including after natural disasters.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning Services, Recreation &
Community Services
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
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Related Policies: EJ-5.6; H-4.1; H-4.4
Sustainability Focus? No
11 Mitigation Measures
Each implementation program below is a mitigation measure included in the General Plan Environmental
Impact Report (EIR). The programs are grouped by subject, consistent with the format of the EIR.
Air Quality
11-1. Reduction of Exhaust Emissions from
Construction Equipment
The City shall require construction projects that are subject to discretionary approval to implement the following
measures to reduce exhaust emissions from construction equipment:
1. Commercial electric power shall be provided to the project site in adequate capacity to avoid or minimize
the use of portable gas/diesel-powered electric generators and equipment.
2. Where feasible, equipment requiring the use of fossil fuels (e.g., diesel) shall be replaced or substituted
with electrically driven equivalents (provided that they are not run via a portable generator set).
3. To the extent feasible, alternative fuels and emission controls shall be used to further reduce exhaust emissions.
4. On-site equipment shall not be left idling when not in use.
5. Staging areas for heavy -duty construction equipment shall be located as far as possible from
sensitive receptors.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department– Building Services Division
Funding Source: Private
Time Frame: Ongoing
Sustainability Focus? Yes
11-2. Heath Risk Assessments
The City shall require future development that is inconsistent with the recommended buffer distances (siting criteria) in
CARB’s Land Use Handbook to prepare a site-specific health risk assessment to determine impacts to sensitive
receptors. In light of the results of the aforementioned analysis, the City shall implement the following measures to
minimize exposure of sensitive receptors and sites to health risks related to air pollution:
1. Encourage site plan designs to provide appropriate set-back and/or design features that reduce TACs
at the source;
2. Encourage the applicants for sensitive land uses to incorporate design features (e.g., pollution
prevention, pollution reduction, barriers, landscaping, ventilation systems, or other measures) in the
planning process to minimize the potential impacts to sensitive receptors; and
3. Orient activities involving idling trucks as far away from and downwind of existing or proposed
sensitive receptors as feasible.
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Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning Services
Funding Source: Private
Time Frame: Ongoing
Sustainability Focus? Yes
Biological Resources
11-3. Habitat Assessments
Prior to the development of vacant and undeveloped areas, a qualified biologist, under the direction from the City,
shall determine whether a habitat assessment is required to assess site potential to support any special status
plant or wildlife species. If potentially suitable habitat is present for any special status species, then the City shall
direct appropriate focused surveys to be performed to determine the presence or absence of special status species.
If any special status species is identified on the site, then appropriate avoidance and/or mitigation measures shall
be implemented, as approved by the resource agencies, and subject to the necessary permits under the FESA, the
CESA, the California Fish and Game Code, and other applicable regulations.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning Services
Funding Source: Private
Time Frame: Ongoing
Sustainability Focus? Yes
Cultural Resources
11-4. Architectural Resource Assessments
Prior to the issuance of demolition permits that may affect structures 50 years of age or older, a qualified
architectural historian shall conduct an assessment to determine the significance of the structure(s) and/or
site(s). Project applicants/developers shall ensure that, to the maximum extent possible, direct or indirect
impacts to any known properties that are deemed eligible for inclusion in the NRHP, the CRHR, or a local
designation be avoided and/or preserved consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the
Treatment of Historic Properties. Should avoidance and/or preservation not be a feasible option, a qualified
architectural historian shall develop a mitigation program that may include, but not be limited to, formal
documentation of the structure using historical narrative and photographic documentation, facade
preservation, and/or monumentation. Properties are not equally significant, and some retain more
significance than others. Therefore, prior to development decisions, a qualified architectural historian shall be
retained to evaluate the circumstance regarding the property and planned development and to make
management decisions regarding documentation of the property.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning Services
Funding Source: Private
Time Frame: Ongoing
Sustainability Focus? No
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11-5. Archaeological Resource Assessments
Projects that would require ground disturbance and would be located on undeveloped parcels or near known
cultural resources shall implement the following:
1. If only minor ground disturbance is anticipated, a “Quick Check” records search at the South Central
Coastal Information Center, Fullerton, must be performed to determine whether archaeological resources
are recorded on the project site. If no archeological resources were recorded on the project site based
on past surveys completed, then no further action is required. If no survey has ever been conducted
on the project site, or if archaeological resources are found to be recorded on the project site, a Phase I
study is required. Should cultural resources be encountered during construction activities, a qualified
Archaeologist shall be retained to evaluate the discovery and shall implement procedures for temporarily
halting or redirecting work to permit the sampling, identification, and evaluation of the resources, as
appropriate. If the resources are found to be significant, the Archaeologist shall determine appropriate
actions—in cooperation with the City —for preservation and/or data recovery.
2. If a project requires major ground disturbance (e.g. grading, trenching), a Phase 1 study shall be undertaken
to evaluate the current conditions of a project site. The study shall consist of
(1) an initial records search including records, maps, and literature housed at the Archaeological
Information Center located at California State University, Fullerton; (2) a Sacred Lands check with
the NAHC and initial scoping with interested Indian Tribes and individuals identified by the
NAHC; (3) a pedestrian field survey by a qualified Archaeologist to determine the presence or
absence of surficial artifactual material and/or the potential for buried resources; and (4) a technical
report describing the study and offering management recommendations for potential further
investigation.
3. If archaeological resources are discovered as a result of the Phase I study, a Phase II evaluation of the
significance of any prehistoric material that is present shall be undertaken. The evaluation shall include further
archival research, ethnographic research, and subsurface testing/excavation to determine the site’s horizontal
and vertical extent, the density and diversity of cultural material, and the site’s overall integrity. The
evaluation shall include a technical report describing the findings and offering management
recommendations for sites determined to be significant. Non significant resources would require no further study.
4. If the Phase II evaluative study indicates that a significant site is present, the qualified Archaeologist
shall determine appropriate actions, in cooperation with the City of Arcadia, for preservation and/or data
recovery of the resource. Preservation in place is the preferred manner of mitigation, as provided in CCR
Section 15126.5(b)(3). This could include (1) avoidance of resources; (2) incorporation of resources
into open space; (3) capping the resource with chemically stable sediments; and/or (4) deeding the
resource into a permanent conservation easement. To the extent that a resource cannot be preserved in
place, a Phase III data recovery excavation shall be completed to recover the resource’s scientifically
consequential information. A technical report shall be completed that adheres to the OHP’s
Archaeological Resources Management Report (ARMR) guidelines.
5. Monitoring of ground-disturbing activities shall be undertaken by a qualified Archaeologist as a final
mitigation measure in areas that contain or are sensitive for the presence of cultural resources.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning Services
Funding Source: Private
Time Frame: Ongoing
Sustainability Focus? No
11-6. Paleontological Resource Assessments
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Future development and public and infrastructure projects that would excavate into Older Quaternary
Alluvium deposits shall implement the following:
1. An archival records search shall be undertaken at the NHMLAC to determine the depositional
environment within the project area and to evaluate the likelihood of fossils being present.
2. A field survey shall be undertaken prior to ground-disturbing activities in areas of potential but unknown
sensitivity to evaluate the site for the presence of significant fossil resources and establish the need for
paleontological salvage and/or monitoring.
3. If significant fossils are discovered as a result of a field survey or during monitoring operations, a
qualified Paleontologist shall determine appropriate actions, in cooperation with the City of Arcadia, for
the preservation and/or salvage of the resource.
4. Any monitoring activities shall be accomplished by a qualified paleontologist so that fossils discovered
during grading can be scientifically and efficiently recovered and preserved.
5. A qualified paleontologist shall prepare collected specimens to a point of identification and place the
prepared fossils in the appropriate institution for permanent curation.
6. Upon completion of recovery and curation, all studies and actions shall be described in a paleontological
technical report prepared by a qualified paleontologist.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning Services
Funding Source: Private
Time Frame: Ongoing
Sustainability Focus? No
Geology and Soils
11-7. Sewer Requirements for Northern Areas
of the City
Future development at the northern edge of the City (generally north/northwest of Canyon Road) shall provide
for the extension of sewer lines to serve the proposed project in order to avoid hazards associated with soils
incapable of supporting septic tank systems.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Engineering Services
Funding Source: Private
Time Frame: Ongoing
Sustainability Focus? No
Noise
11-8. Construction Noise Reduction Measures
Prior to issuance of discretionary permits for construction activities, project applicants/developers shall submit
evidence to the Director of Development Services that the following noise reduction measures are stated as
requirements on the construction plans and specifications:
▪ During all excavation and grading, the construction contractors shall equip all construction equipment,
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ARCADIA GENERAL PLAN – February 2024 implementation plan | 10-59
fixed or mobile, with properly operating and maintained mufflers, consistent with manufacturers’ standards.
The construction contractor shall place all stationary construction equipment so that emitted noise is
directed away from the noise-sensitive receptors.
▪ When feasible, the construction contractor shall locate equipment staging in areas that will create the
greatest distance between construction-related noise sources and noise sensitive receptors during all
project construction.
▪ The construction contractor shall limit all construction-related activities that would result in high noise
levels, according to the construction hours set forth in the Municipal Code.
▪ The construction contractor shall limit haul truck deliveries to the same hours specified for construction
equipment. To the extent feasible, haul routes shall not pass sensitive land uses or residential dwellings.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning Services
Funding Source: Private
Time Frame: Ongoing
Sustainability Focus? No
11-9. Acoustical Study for Projects with High
Levels of Ambient Noise
Prior to the issuance of discretionary permits for residential development in areas with existing high levels of ambient
noise (i.e., along major roadways and the railroad tracks), a detailed acoustical study using architectural plans shall
be prepared by a qualified Acoustical Consultant and submitted to the Development Services Department for
residential structures. This report shall describe and quantify the noise sources impacting the building(s), the amount of
outdoor-to-indoor noise reduction provided in the architectural plans, and any upgrades required to meet the City’s
interior noise standards (45 CNEL for residences). The measures described in the report shall be incorporated into
the architectural plans for the buildings and implemented with building construction.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning Services (site plan
review); Building Services Division (plan check process)
Funding Source: Private
Time Frame: Ongoing
Sustainability Focus? No
11-10. Noise Assessment for Stationary Noise
near Sensitive Receptors
For proposed commercial and industrial land uses that would generate stationary noise near noise sensitive
receptors, a detailed noise assessment shall be prepared by a qualified Acoustical Consultant prior to the
issuance of building permits. The assessment shall utilize noise data provided by the manufacturer(s) of the
equipment utilized by the project or noise measurements from substantially similar equipment to project noise
levels at the noise-sensitive uses (on and off-site). Compliance with the City’s noise standards for residences
shall be demonstrated and any measures required to meet the noise standards shall be described and
incorporated into the building plans for the project. These measures may include, but not be limited to, selection of
quiet models, construction of barriers, equipment enclosures, and placement of the equipment. Project
applicants/developers shall submit evidence to the Director of Planning Development that the following noise
reduction measures are stated as requirements on the construction plans and specifications:
▪ Require preparation of a noise analysis for all proposed commercial and industrial projects to be
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located adjacent to an existing noise -sensitive use, including but not limited to residential areas,
schools, and hospitals.
▪ Design the construction of new commercial and industrial uses adjacent to noise -sensitive uses with
noise mitigation measures to reduce the noise impacts associated with truck deliveries and stationary
equipment, such as pumps, compressors, and air conditioning units.
▪ Require that all loading facilities be located and designed to minimize the potential noise impacts to
adjacent noise sensitive uses.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning Services (site plan
review); Building Services Division (plan check process)
Funding Source: Private
Time Frame: Ongoing
Sustainability Focus? No
11-11. Groundborne Vibration Mitigation Plan
Prior to the issuance of a grading permit for projects that have a potential to generate groundborne vibration
(e.g., use of pile drivers, rock drills, and pavement breakers) or be exposed to vibration from off-site sources, the
City shall require applicants for development projects that would be located adjacent to any
developed/occupied sensitive local receptors or for proposed residential projects to submit a construction-
related vibration mitigation plan to the City for review and approval. The mitigation plan shall depict the
location of the construction equipment and activities and how the vibration from this equipment and activity
would be mitigated during construction of the project.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning Services Division
Funding Source: Private
Time Frame: Ongoing
Sustainability Focus? No
Utilities
11-12. Water, Sewer, and Storm
Drain Assessments
Prior to approval of development applications that could have an impact on existing water, sewer, or storm drain
infrastructure capacities, as determined by the City Engineer, the project applicant/developer shall be
required to determine project impacts on each system. If water, sewer, and/or storm drain infrastructure
improvements are required in order to serve the proposed project, then appropriate mitigation shall be provided
in the analysis and shall be incorporated into site development plans, subject to review and approval by the
City Engineer. If infrastructure improvements outside the jurisdiction of the City of Arcadia are required, including
improvements to trunk sewer lines owned by the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County, the needed
improvements, or fair share payments in lieu of infrastructure improvements, shall be completed to the
satisfaction of the appropriate jurisdictions.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Engineering Services Division
Funding Source: Private
Time Frame: Ongoing
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Sustainability Focus? No
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Greenhouse Gas Emissions
11-13. Mixed Use Development
The City shall actively encourage the development and maintenance of mixed uses, particularly in the Mixed
Use and Downtown Mixed Use areas, by maintaining a list of sites available for mixed use and infill development
and making the list available to developers. The City shall establish developer incentives to encourage well-designed,
mixed use and infill development projects in these areas.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning Services Division
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Short-term (1-5 years) for preparation of site list; ongoing
encouragement of Mixed Use projects
Sustainability Focus? Yes
11-14. LEED and other Green Certifications
and Ratings
The City shall encourage future development and major renovation projects to achieve LEED
certification, and/or other green certifications. The City shall investigate the potential to offer density bonus
incentives on residential projects that achieve LEED certification, and other green certifications and ratings.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning Services Division
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Ongoing
Sustainability Focus? Yes
11-15. California Attorney General and
CAPCOA Policies
The City shall consider and evaluate the applicability of the policies contained in the California Attorney
General‘s Sustainability and General Plans: Examples of Policies to Address Climate Change California
Attorney General’s Office 1/22/10 and the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association‘s
(CAPCOA’s) Model Policies for Greenhouse Gas Emissions in General Plans June 2009. Attachment B of the
Air Quality Report (Appendix E of the Draft EIR) includes the referenced documents in their entirety.
Responsible Agency: Development Services Department – Planning Services Division
Funding Source: General Fund
Time Frame: Short-term (1-5 years)
Sustainability Focus? Yes
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Attachment No. 5
Attachment No. 5
Environmental Document
Draft Negative Declaration
Comment Letter
174
Initial Study/Negative Declaration
City of Arcadia General Plan
Amendment: Safety Element
Update and Environmental
Justice Element - DRAFT
OCTOBER 2024
Prepared for:
CITY OF ARCADIA
240 W Huntington Drive
Arcadia, California 91007
Contact: Fiona Graham
Prepared by:
605 Third Street
Encinitas, California 92024
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Printed on 30% post-consumer recycled material.
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Table of Contents
SECTION PAGE
Acronyms and Abbreviations ............................................................................................................................................ iii
1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Project Overview ..................................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 California Environmental Quality Act Compliance ................................................................................ 1
1.3 Initial Study Checklist ............................................................................................................................. 2
2 Project Description ............................................................................................................................................... 3
2.1 Safety Element Update .......................................................................................................................... 3
2.2 Environmental Justice Element ............................................................................................................. 5
3 Initial Study Checklist........................................................................................................................................... 9
3.1 Aesthetics ............................................................................................................................................ 14
3.2 Agriculture and Forestry Resources ................................................................................................... 15
3.3 Air Quality ............................................................................................................................................. 16
3.4 Biological Resources ........................................................................................................................... 17
3.5 Cultural Resources .............................................................................................................................. 18
3.6 Energy .................................................................................................................................................. 19
3.7 Geology and Soils ................................................................................................................................ 20
3.8 Greenhouse Gas Emissions ................................................................................................................ 22
3.9 Hazards and Hazardous Materials ..................................................................................................... 22
3.10 Hydrology and Water Quality ............................................................................................................... 24
3.11 Land Use and Planning ....................................................................................................................... 26
3.12 Mineral Resources .............................................................................................................................. 27
3.13 Noise .................................................................................................................................................... 28
3.14 Population and Housing ...................................................................................................................... 29
3.15 Public Services .................................................................................................................................... 29
3.16 Recreation ............................................................................................................................................ 30
3.17 Transportation ..................................................................................................................................... 31
3.18 Tribal Cultural Resources .................................................................................................................... 32
3.19 Utilities and Service Systems .............................................................................................................. 33
3.20 Wildfire ................................................................................................................................................. 34
3.21 Mandatory Findings of Significance ................................................................................................... 35
4 References and Preparers ................................................................................................................................ 37
4.1 Initial Study/Negative Declaration References Cited ........................................................................ 37
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Acronyms and Abbreviations
Acronym/Abbreviation Definition
BMP Best Management Practice
CEQA California Environmental Quality Act
CGS California Geologic Survey
City City of Arcadia
dB Decibel
EIR Environmental Impact Report
EJ Environmental Justice
GHG Greenhouse Gas
GPA General Plan Amendment
IS Initial Study
MRZ Mineral Resource Zones
ND Negative Declaration
NPDES National Pollution Discharge Elimination System
SCAB South Coast Air Basin
SCAQMD South Coast Air Quality Management District
SWPPP Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans
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1 Introduction
1.1 Project Overview
The purpose of the proposed project is to update the City of Arcadia’s (City’s) General Plan by providing updates to
the Safety Element and provide a new Environmental Justice Element. The City’s General Plan provides the policy
framework for the long-range planning of physical development in the community and consists of the following
elements: Land Use and Community Design Element, Economic Development Element, Circulation and
Infrastructure Element, Housing Element, Resource Sustainability Element, Parks, Recreation, and Community
Resources Element, Safety Element, and Noise Element. This project involves an amendment to the General Plan
in order to adopt, as required by State Law, an updated Safety Element and a new Environmental Justice Element.
The Safety Element of the General Plan is intended to address public safety planning by identifying natural or
human-made hazards present in the City and identifying strategies to avoid or mitigate these hazards. Government
Code Sections 65302(g) and 65302(f) identify several issues to consider in such planning efforts, as does California
Health and Safety Code Section 56050.1. The proposed Safety Element update would integrate the Local Hazard
Mitigation Plan (LHMP) into the Safety Element, and all future updates to the LHMP by reference. The proposed
project would also update the Safety Element to address potential hazards as a result of climate change.
The new Environmental Justice (EJ) Element includes policies to reduce the “unique or compounded health risks in
disadvantaged communities,” “promote civic engagement in the public decision -making process,” pursuant to Per
California Government Code Section 65302(h). The primary focuses of the EJ Element are reducing pollution
exposure, preparing for the effects of climate change, promoting active and public transportation, improving parks
and public facilities, and promoting safe and sanitary housing.
1.2 California Environmental Quality Act Compliance
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), a statewide environmental law described in California Public
Resources Code, Sections 21000–21177, applies to most public agency decisions to carry out, authorize, or
approve actions that have the potential to adversely affect the environment. The overarching goal of CEQA is to
protect the physical environment. To achieve that goal, CEQA requires that public agencies identify the
environmental consequences of their discretionary actions and consider alternatives and mitigation measures that
could avoid or reduce significant adverse impacts when avoidance or reduction is feasible. It also gives other public
agencies and the public an opportunity to comment on the information. If significant adverse impacts cannot be
avoided, reduced, or mitigated to below a level of significance, the public agency is required to prepare an
environmental impact report (EIR) and balance the project’s environmental concerns with other goals and benefits
in a statement of overriding considerations.
The City’s Planning Division of the Development Services Department directed and supervised the preparation of
this Initial Study (IS)/Negative Declaration (ND). Although prepared with assistance from the consulting firm Dudek,
the content contained within and the conclusions drawn by this IS/ND reflect the independent judgment of the City.
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1.3 Initial Study Checklist
The following Environmental Checklist (i.e., IS) was prepared per CEQA Guidelines Sections 15063–15065. The
CEQA Guidelines include a suggested checklist to indicate whether a project would have an adverse impact on the
environment. The checklist is found in Section 3 of this document. Following the Environmental Checklist, Sections
3.1 through 3.21 include an explanation and discussion of each significance determination made in the checklist
for the project.
For this IS/ND, the following four possible responses to each individual environmental issue area are included in
the checklist:
Potentially Significant Impact
Less-than-Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporated
Less-than-Significant Impact
No Impact
The checklist and accompanying explanation of checklist responses provide the information and analysis necessary
to assess relative environmental impacts of the project. In doing so, the City will determine the extent of additional
environmental review, if any, for the project.
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2 Project Description
This project involves an amendment to the General Plan to adopt an update to the Safety Element and a new EJ
Element (proposed project). The Safety Element of the General Plan is intended to identify, evaluate, and address
local and regional safety issues, establishes goals, policies, and actions that will reduce loss of life, injuries, property
loss or damage, environmental damage, and social and economic disruption from natural and human-caused
disasters. The vision for the Safety Element includes minimizing exposure of residents to hazards and incorporating
public safety considerations into the planning and decision-making processes. The intention of the EJ Element is to
address potential health risks or safety risks of disadvantaged communities and seek to create healthy and safe
communities for all, focusing on correcting disproportionate health impacts.
2.1 Safety Element Update
Background
The Safety Element is one of the General Plan elements required by State law. Government Code Sections 65302(g)
and 65302(f) identify several issues to consider in such planning efforts, as does California Health and Safety Code
Section 56050.1. Per Section 65302(g), the safety element must address the following hazards:
▪ Seismically induced surface rupture, ground shaking, ground failure
▪ Tsunami, seiche, and dam failure
▪ Slope instability leading to mudslides and landslides
▪ Subsidence
▪ Liquefaction
▪ Other seismic hazards identified pursuant to Chapter 7.8 (commencing with Section 2690) of Division 2 of
the Public Resources Code, and other geologic hazards known to the legislative body
▪ Flooding
▪ Wildland and urban fires
▪ Climate change
In accordance with provision of Assembly Bill (AB) 2140, General Plans: Safety Element (Government Code
65302.6), a city may adopt with its safety element a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) which is specified in the
federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000. Adopting the LHMP with the safety element provides an avenue for
implementation of the LHMP. As of 2015, it is also now required by state law (Senate Bill [SB] 379 and Government
Code Section 65302(g)(4)) that a local jurisdiction update the safety element to address climate adaptation and
resiliency strategies. These updates are required to occur either upon the next revision of a LHMP on or after January
1, 2017, or if the jurisdiction does not have an adopted LHMP, beginning on or before January 1, 2022. The updates
should include a climate change vulnerability assessment, and a set of goals, policies, and objectives that address
resiliency, hazard mitigation and emergency response strategies. The proposed Safety Element update would adopt
the LHMP by reference and would implemented in tandem with the LHMP to address hazards.
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Proposed Project
The proposed project includes updates to Chapter 8: Safety Element of the Arcadia General Plan to include a
Climate Change section. This section addresses the emergency events that are associated with climate change,
including; extreme heat, flooding, and wildfire. The Climate Change section addresses vulnerabilities specific to
climate change, including vulnerable populations and built environments . The proposed project also updates the
Fire Hazards section to address water resources and recent wildfire events, the Emergency Services section to
update existing conditions, and the Emergency Preparedness section to update critical and non-critical facilities
and provide additional policies to address emergency and disaster response preparedness.
The proposed project adds new policies and revises existing policies to address the climate change-related hazards
that are identified and provide guidance for future actions of the City to mitigate these hazards. The new goals and
policies are as follows:
Policy S-1.1: Support policies and programs to incentivize/encourage improving resilience to local
infrastructure networks vulnerable to increasingly extreme weather events.
Policy S-1.2: Support policies and programs to engage with residents, including non-English speaking
communities, making them aware of the risks of extreme events and providing information on ways
to preserve health.
Policy S-1.3: Explore potential grants, programs, and partnerships to reduce cost burdens related to
households addressing changing hazards
Policy S-2.1: Maintain a healthy urban forest to reduce extreme heat.
Policy S-2.2: Adopt policies and standards for the built environment that reduce the urban heat island
effect.
Policy S-3.1: Review the performance of culverts and other flood-related infrastructure in recent debris
flow events to determine a list of potential improvements required for hazard mitigation.
Policy S-3.2: Continue to provide alert/emergency notification processes and provide public
information and awareness materials for those who live in debris flow hazard areas, as determined
by fire risk, slope, and past debris flow events.
Policy S-4.7: Periodically conduct and evaluate Emergency Operations Center exercises to ensure
readiness for earthquakes and/or seismic related events.
Policy S-4.8: Ensure access and egress routes are planned appropriately to and from identified hazard
areas relative to the type of development in these areas.
Policy S-5.5: Ensure that developments located within the County’s Flood Hazard Zones are located and
designed to avoid isolation from essential services and facilities in the event of flooding.
Policy S-6.8: Require redevelopment located in a Fire Hazard Severity Zone to comply with the most
current version of the California Building Codes and California Fire Code. Encourage post-fire
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redevelopments located outside of a Fire Hazard Severity Zone to comply with the most current
version of the California Building Codes and California Fire Code.
Policy S-6.9: Reduce the impacts of wildfire by meeting minimum State Fire Safe regulations for fire-
resistant building materials, vegetation management, fire-adapted landscaping, fuel modification,
and other fire hazard reduction programs.
Policy S-6.10: Ensure long-term maintenance of all fire hazard reduction projects, including community
fire breaks and private road and public road clearance.
Policy S-6.11: Maintain water supply and infrastructure to meet the water needs of the Arcadia Fire
Department.
Policy S-9.7: Create resilience centers throughout Arcadia to ensure frontline communities are equipped
to respond, recover, and rebuild after a hazard event.
Policy S-9.8: Support policies that promote education and resilience awareness about the effects of
climate change- induced hazards and ways to adapt and build resiliency to climate change.
Policy S-9.9: Coordinate with other County and public agencies, such as transportation agencies and
health care providers, on emergency planning, response activities, evacuation planning, and
recovery resources. Focus recovery resources toward the most vulnerable households and
populations (e.g. elderly individuals, individuals with disabilities, etc.).
Policy S-9.10: Ensure that essential public facilities are maintained during disasters.
Policy S-9.11: Pursue development impact fees to set aside funding for solutions to address future needs
related to emergency response time in the City. This would ensure adequate fire protection for new
developments and may include staffing, station coverage, apparatus, equipment, and
infrastructure such as a preemption system integrated with City traffic lights
Additional clarifications and revisions are also made to a handful of goals and policies for clarity and consistency
with the new policies.
The Safety Element Update is available at the City website https://www.arcadiaca.gov/generalplan and is
incorporated by reference hereafter.
2.2 Environmental Justice Element
Background
Through the passage of Senate Bill 1000, local governments across California are required to assess if any
disadvantaged communities exist within their boundaries. If there is a disadvantaged community identified,
environmental justice must be added as a component of the general plan. Per California Government Code
Section 65302(h), this environmental justice component must include policies to reduce the “unique or
compounded health risks in disadvantaged communities,” “promote civic engagement in the publi c decision-
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making process,” and “prioritize improvements and programs that address the needs of disadvantaged
communities.” An assessment of Arcadia determined there is a census tract identified as a disadvantaged
community on the southeastern tip of Arcadia. However, this census tract is largely outside of Arcadia, and where
inside Arcadia consists solely of Industrial and Public/Institutional zoned lots. It does, however, include non -
conforming residential uses. Therefore, this element focuses on citywide needs to best promote the long-term
environmental justice concerns.
There are also two low-income Census Tracts in Arcadia (see Figure EJ-2, Low Income Communities). These Census
Tracts were not determined to have unique or compounded health risks as determined by HPI. As a result of the
limited residential presence in Arcadia’s only disadvantaged community, the City has primarily taken a citywide
approach to addressing environmental justice concerns. Th e Environmental Justice Element evaluates
environmental justice-related topics throughout Arcadia and includes a policy matrix based on these findings and
input gathered from community members.
Proposed Project
The Environmental Justice Element contains a summary of the existing conditions related to six main subjects, as
follows; Active and Public Transportation, Climate Change, Healthy Food, Parks and Public Facilities, Pollution, and
Safe and Sanitary Housing. The existing conditions are followed by the goals and policies set forth by the
Environmental Justice Element, which the intent to provide the vision and steps to work towards a more equitable
Arcadia. The proposed additional goals and policies are as follows:
Goal 1: A community where walking and biking is safe and enjoyable
Policy 1.1: Work with community members to identify high-priority streets and intersections for
improvements to sidewalks, bike lanes, and other bike and pedestrian infrastructure via the City’s
capital improvement program.
Policy 1.2: Seek a State and Federal grant opportunities for active transportation corridors, including the
California Transportation Commission’s Active Transportation Program.
Policy 1.3: Create and maintain a network of Cool Streets with increased tree canopy, reflective pavements,
and other interventions to mitigate extreme heat and reduce the heat island effect, prioritizing
transit corridors and routes to school.
Policy 1.4: Seek to provide a variety of parks and facilities are provided which cater to a diverse population.
Policy 1.5: Mitigate noise and air pollution impacts to parks and public facilities adjacent to freeways,
major roads, and rail corridors with protective fencing, landscaping, and/or walls.
Goal 2: A community with reduced transportation-related air pollution.
Policy 2.1: Continue to update truck route maps that minimize exposure to sensitive land uses.
Goal 3: A community where everyone has a high-quality, affordable home.
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Policy 3.1: Promote home weatherization and in-home/portable air conditioning units to better insulate
homes and mitigate the effects of extreme heat in residences.
Policy 3.2: Continue to explore temporary housing options for individuals experiencing homelessness in
Arcadia, as well as grant funding opportunities for constructing and managing them.
Goal 4: A community where public health is enhanced and heat-related illnesses and fatalities are reduced.
Policy 4.1: Expand the number of cooling amenities in parks and other public spaces such as trees, water
refill stations, and water features for children to play in.
Policy 4.2: Expand cooling center amenities as necessary and increase awareness of cooling centers
through public education materials and events.
Policy 4.3: Educate residents about personal emergency preparedness and the emergency resources that
the City provides to them.
The Environmental Justice Element is available at the City website https://www.arcadiaca.gov/generalplan and is
incorporated by reference hereafter.
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3 Initial Study Checklist
1. Project title:
City of Arcadia General Plan Amendment: Safety Element Update and Environmental Justice Element
2. Lead agency name and address:
City of Arcadia
Development Services Department
Planning Division
240 W. Huntington Drive
P.O. Box 60021
Arcadia, California 91066
3. Contact person and phone number:
Fiona Graham, Planning Manager
240 West Huntington Dr.
Arcadia California 91066
626.574.5442
4. Project location:
Citywide.
5. Project sponsor’s name and address:
City of Arcadia
Development Services Department
Planning Division
240 W. Huntington Drive
P.O. Box 60021
Arcadia, California 91066
6. General plan designation:
Various; Not Applicable for Adoption of Safety Element Update and Environmental Justice Element.
7. Zoning:
Various; Not Applicable for Adoption of Safety Element Update and Environmental Justice Element.
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8. Description of project. (Describe the whole action involved, including but not limited to later phases of the
project, and any secondary, support, or off-site features necessary for its implementation. Attach additional
sheets if necessary):
The proposed General Plan Amendment (GPA) would amend the City of Arcadia General Plan with updates
to the Safety Element and a new Environmental Justice Element.
9. Surrounding land uses and setting (Briefly describe the project’s surroundings):
The City of Arcadia is located in central Los Angeles County, at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains. The
majority of the City is built-out, dominated with residential uses. Recreational, industrial, and commercial
uses are also scattered throughout the City. The surrounding land uses are predominantly urban and
suburban. The City is bordered by the City of Monrovia to the east and northeast, the Angeles National
Forest and the City of Sierra Madre to the north, the City of Pasadena to the northwest, unincorporated Los
Angeles County to the west, Temple City to the southwest, and unincorporated County to the southeast.
10. Other public agencies whose approval is required (e.g., permits, financing approval, or
participation agreement):
There are no other public agencies whose approval is required (e.g., permits, financing approval, or
participation agreement) for the proposed Safety Element Update and Environmental Justice Element.
11. Have California Native American tribes traditionally and culturally affiliated with the project area
requested consultation pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21080.3.1? If so, is there a plan
for consultation that includes, for example, the determination of significance of impacts to tribal
cultural resources, procedures regarding confidentiality, etc.?
The project is subject to compliance with Assembly Bill (AB) 52California Native American tribal
representatives. All California Native American tribal representatives (that have requested notification) who
are traditionally or culturally affiliated with the geographic area of the proposed project were sent letters
from the City on November 9, 2023. No tribal representatives responded or requested consultation
regarding the project.
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Environmental Factors Potentially Affected
The environmental factors checked below would be potentially affected by this project, involving at least one impact
that is a “Potentially Significant Impact,” as indicated by the checklist on the following pages.
Aesthetics Agriculture and
Forestry Resources
Air Quality
Biological Resources Cultural Resources Energy
Geology and Soils Greenhouse Gas
Emissions
Hazards and Hazardous
Materials
Hydrology and Water Quality Land Use and
Planning
Mineral Resources
Noise Population and
Housing
Public Services
Recreation Transportation Tribal Cultural Resources
Utilities and Service Systems Wildfire Mandatory Findings of
Significance
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Determination (To be completed by the Lead Agency)
On the basis of this initial evaluation:
I find that the proposed project COULD NOT have a significant effect on the environment, and a NEGATIVE
DECLARATION will be prepared.
I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, there will not
be a significant effect in this case because revisions in the project have been made by or agreed to by the
project proponent. A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared.
I find that the proposed project MAY have a significant effect on the environment, and an ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT REPORT is required.
I find that the proposed project MAY have a “potentially significant impact” or “potentially significant unless
mitigated” impact on the environment, but at least one effect (1) has been adequately analyzed in an earlier
document pursuant to applicable legal standards, and (2) has been addressed by mitigation measures
based on the earlier analysis as described on attached sheets. An ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is
required, but it must analyze only the effects that remain to be addressed.
I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, because all
potentially significant effects (a) have been analyzed adequately in an earlier ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
REPORT or NEGATIVE DECLARATION pursuant to applicable standards, and (b) have been avoided or
mitigated pursuant to that earlier ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT or NEGATIVE DECLARATION, including
revisions or mitigation measures that are imposed upon the proposed project, nothing further is required.
Signature
10/23/2024
Date
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Evaluation of Environmental Impacts
A brief explanation is required for all answers except “No Impact” answers that are adequately supported
by the information sources a lead agency cites in the parentheses following each question. A “No Impact”
answer is adequately supported if the referenced information sources show that the impact simply does
not apply to projects like the one involved (e.g., the project falls outside a fault rupture zone). A “No Impact”
answer should be explained where it is based on project-specific factors as well as general standards (e.g.,
the project will not expose sensitive receptors to pollutants, based on a project-specific screening analysis).
All answers must take account of the whole action involved, including off-site as well as on-site, cumulative
as well as project-level, indirect as well as direct, and construction as well as operational impacts.
Once the lead agency has determined that a particular physical impact may occur, then the checklist
answers must indicate whether the impact is potentially significant, less than significant with mitigation, or
less than significant. “Potentially Significant Impact” is appropriate if there is substantial evidence that an
effect may be significant. If there are one or more “Potentially Significant Impact” entries when the
determination is made, an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is required.
“Negative Declaration: Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated” applies where the incorporation
of mitigation measures has reduced an effect from “Potentially Significant Impact” to a “Less Than
Significant Impact.” The lead agency must describe the mitigation measures, and briefly explain how they
reduce the effect to a less than significant level (mitigation measures from “Earlier Analyses,” as described
in (5) below, may be cross-referenced).
Earlier analyses may be used where, pursuant to the tiering, program EIR, or other CEQA process, an effect
has been adequately analyzed in an earlier EIR or negative declaration. Section 15063(c)(3)(D). In this
case, a brief discussion should identify the following:
a. Earlier Analysis Used. Identify and state where they are available for review.
b. Impacts Adequately Addressed. Identify which effects from the above checklist were within the scope
of and adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards, and state
whether such effects were addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier analysis.
c. Mitigation Measures. For effects that are “Less Than Significant With Mitigation Measures
Incorporated,” describe the mitigation measures which were incorporated or refined from the earlier
document and the extent to which they address site-specific conditions for the project.
Lead agencies are encouraged to incorporate into the checklist references to information sources for
potential impacts (e.g., general plans, zoning ordinances). Reference to a previously prepared or outside
document should, where appropriate, include a reference to the page or pages where the statement
is substantiated.
Supporting Information Sources: A source list should be attached, and other sources used or individuals
contacted should be cited in the discussion.
This is only a suggested form, and lead agencies are free to use different formats; however, lead agencies
should normally address the questions from this checklist that are relevant to a project’s environmental
effects in whatever format is selected.
The explanation of each issue should identify:
a. The significance criteria or threshold, if any, used to evaluate each question; and
b. The mitigation measure identified, if any, to reduce the impact to less than significance
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3.1 Aesthetics
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact W ith
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
I. AESTHETICS – Except as provided in Public Resources Code Section 21099, would the project:
a) Have a substantial adverse effect on a
scenic vista?
b) Substantially damage scenic resources
including, but not limited to, trees, rock
outcroppings, and historic buildings within a
state scenic highway?
c) In non-urbanized areas, substantially
degrade the existing visual character or
quality of public views of the site and its
surroundings? (Public views are those that
are experienced from publicly accessible
vantage point). If the project is in an
urbanized area, would the project conflict
with applicable zoning and other regulations
governing scenic quality?
d) Create a new source of substantial light or
glare which would adversely affect day or
nighttime views in the area?
Explanation of Checklist Judgements:
a–d: No Impact.
The Safety Element update includes updated existing conditions information to provide an accurate account of the
conditions within the City, as well as updated goals and policies related to natural and human-caused hazards.
These goal and policy updates are procedural and will not result in physical changes to the environment such that
aesthetics or visual character would change. The goals and policies also provide a framework for future actions the
City intends to implement to continue provided adequate public safety. Further, the proposed Environmental Justice
Element contains goals and policies that would be adopted and enacted by the City to strive towards a more
equitable City, by reducing negative effects on citizens, as well as expand opportunities and access to more citizens.
The goals and policies provide guidelines and parameters for future development, and for the City’s consideration
and approval of future development projects. These proposed actions do not include physical development or land
use changes that would have a substantial adverse effect on aesthetics resources. Rather, they provide guidelines
and requirements that future City or applicant development would be required to comply with. As such, no aesthetic
impacts would occur from the adoption of this policy document.
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3.2 Agriculture and Forestry Resources
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact W ith
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
II. AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY RESOURCES – In determining whether impacts to agricultural resources are
significant environmental effects, lead agencies may refer to the California Agricultural Land Evaluation
and Site Assessment Model (1997) prepared by the California Department of Conservation as an optional
model to use in assessing impacts on agriculture and farmland. In determining whether impacts to forest
resources, including timberland, are significant environmental effects, lead agencies may refer to
information compiled by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection regarding the state’s
inventory of forest land, including the Forest and Range Assessment Project and the Forest Legacy
Assessment project; and forest carbon measurement methodology provided in Forest Protocols adopted by
the California Air Resources Board. Would the project:
a) Convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland,
or Farmland of Statewide Importance
(Farmland), as shown on the maps
prepared pursuant to the Farmland
Mapping and Monitoring Program of the
California Resources Agency, to non-
agricultural use?
b) Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural
use, or a Williamson Act contract?
c) Conflict with existing zoning for, or cause
rezoning of, forest land (as defined in Public
Resources Code section 12220(g)),
timberland (as defined by Public Resources
Code section 4526), or timberland zoned
Timberland Production (as defined by
Government Code section 51104(g))?
d) Result in the loss of forest land or
conversion of forest land to non-forest use?
e) Involve other changes in the existing
environment which, due to their location or
nature, could result in conversion of
Farmland, to non-agricultural use or
conversion of forest land to non-forest use?
Explanation of Checklist Judgements:
a–e: No Impact.
According to the Department of Conservation California Important Farmland Finder, the City consists entirely of
Urban Built Up Land (DOC 2022). The Safety Element Update and Environmental Justice Element do not propose
any policies or actions that would result in negative impacts to agricultural and forestry resources, as there is no
land within the City that is designated as Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance.
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Therefore, updates to the Safety Element and the Environmental Justice Element would have no impacts upon
agricultural and forestry resources.
3.3 Air Quality
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact W ith
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
III. AIR QUALITY – Where available, the significance criteria established by the applicable air quality
management district or air pollution control district may be relied upon to make the following
determinations. Would the project:
a) Conflict with or obstruct implementation of
the applicable air quality plan?
b) Result in a cumulatively considerable net
increase of any criteria pollutant for which
the project region is non-attainment under
an applicable federal or state ambient air
quality standard?
c) Expose sensitive receptors to substantial
pollutant concentrations?
d) Result in other emissions (such as those
leading to odors) adversely affecting a
substantial number of people?
Explanation of Checklist Judgements:
a–c: Less Than Significant Impact. d: No Impact.
The City lies within the South Coast Air Basin (SCAB), and the South Coast Air Quality Management District
(SCAQMD) is the regional government agency that monitors and regulates air pollution within the SCAB and is
responsible for measuring the air quality of the region. The SCAB is designated as a nonattainment area for federal
and state O3 standards and federal and state PM2.5 standards. The SCAB is designated as a nonattainment area
for state PM10 standards; however, it is designated as an attainment area for federal PM10 standards. The SCAB is
designated as an attainment area for federal and state CO standards, federal and state NO2 standards, and federal
and state SO2 standards. While the SCAB has been designated as nonattainment for the federal rolling 3 -month
average lead standard, it is designated attainment for the state lead standard. The updates to the General Plan
would not conflict with or obstruct implementation of the State Implementation Plan by the SCAQMD because the
proposed new goals and policies would not induce growth of the population of the City. The Safety Element Update
and Environmental Justice Element would not violate any air quality standard or contribute substantially to an
existing or projected air quality violation, nor would they result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any
criteria pollutant for which the project region is in nonattainment under an applicable federal or State ambient air
quality standard, because the goals and policies would not propose specific development projects that may result
in air emissions. Additionally, with the adoption of the Safety Element Update and Environmental Justice Element,
goals and policies are included therein to protect residents from exposure to pollutant concentrations. Policy 3.6
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would mitigate noise and air pollution impacts to parks and public facilities adjacent to freeways and major roads,
and Policy 4.6 requires the City to continue to update truck route maps that minimize exposure to sensitive land
uses. Lastly, because the Safety Element Update and Environmental Justice Element do not affect land uses that
are typically associated with the creation of objectionable odors (such as rendering plants, landfills, treatment
plants, etc.), its adoption would have no impact from odors.
Based on the above, the Safety Element Update and Environmental Justice Element would have a less than
significant impact on air quality.
3.4 Biological Resources
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact W ith
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
IV. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES – Would the project:
a) Have a substantial adverse effect, either
directly or through habitat modifications, on
any species identified as a candidate,
sensitive, or special status species in local
or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or
by the California Department of Fish and
Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?
b) Have a substantial adverse effect on any
riparian habitat or other sensitive natural
community identified in local or regional
plans, policies, regulations, or by the
California Department of Fish and Game or
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?
c) Have a substantial adverse effect on state
or federally protected wetlands (including,
but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool,
coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filling,
hydrological interruption, or other means?
d) Interfere substantially with the movement
of any native resident or migratory fish or
wildlife species or with established native
resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or
impede the use of native wildlife nursery
sites?
e) Conflict with any local policies or
ordinances protecting biological resources,
such as a tree preservation policy or
ordinance?
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Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact W ith
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
f) Conflict with the provisions of an adopted
Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural
Community Conservation Plan, or other
approved local, regional, or state habitat
conservation plan?
Explanation of Checklist Judgements:
a–f: Less than Significant Impact.
The Safety Element Update and Environmental Justice Element contain a framework of policies but would not result
in land use changes or physical development as a result of adoption. The goals and policies are related to City
programs and the continued provision of public services and facilities, all within urbanized areas where little or no
native vegetation exists and where little potential exists for the occurrence of sensitive species habitat, riparian
habitat, a sensitive natural community, federally protected wetlands, or wildlife corridors or nursery sites. In the
event that any biological resources, habitat or trees would be affected, proper mitigation would be implemented,
on a project-by-project basis.
Therefore, Safety Element Update and Environmental Justice Element would not, in itself, produce environmental
impacts to biological resources.
3.5 Cultural Resources
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact W ith
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
V. CULTURAL RESOURCES – Would the project:
a) Cause a substantial adverse change in the
significance of a historical resource
pursuant to §15064.5?
b) Cause a substantial adverse change in the
significance of an archaeological resource
pursuant to §15064.5?
c) Disturb any human remains, including
those interred outside of dedicated
cemeteries?
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Explanation of Checklist Judgements:
a–c: Less than Significant Impact.
The Safety Element Update and the Environmental Justice Element are policy documents that establish the City’s
goals, policies and actions related to risk and hazards associated with climate change, and the expansion of
resources for a more equitable City for all citizens. These proposed goals and polices would be implemented City-
wide, and would not have the potential to affect any particular site or location. However, certain policies may
indirectly result in development of a facility or project in the future, particularly Policy 5.6. However, all future project
development would require project-level environmental assessment which would include assessment of potential
existence of cultural resources, and analysis and mitigation of possible environmental impacts. Further, all future
projects would be required to comply with General Plan policies and Municipal Code regulations related to cultural
resources. The proposed goals and policies would not conflict with the implementation of the existing policy
framework. Therefore, its adoption would not, in itself, result in land use changes or physical development that
would disturb cultural resources, and produce environmental impacts. Therefore, impacts are less than significant.
3.6 Energy
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact W ith
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
VI. Energy – Would the project:
a) Result in potentially significant
environmental impact due to wasteful,
inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of
energy resources, during project
construction or operation?
b) Conflict with or obstruct a state or local
plan for renewable energy or energy
efficiency?
Explanation of Checklist Judgements:
a–b. No Impact.
The Safety Element Update and the Environmental Justice Element are policy documents that establish the City’s
goals, policies and actions related to risk and hazards associated with climate change, and the expansion of
resources for a more equitable City for all citizens. The Safety Element Update and the Environmental Justice
Element does not propose any policies or actions that would result in impacts to energy. However, future
development would be required to adhere to all state and/or local plans for renewable energy or energy efficiency.
As such, the proposed project would result in less than significant impacts associated with energy.
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3.7 Geology and Soils
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact W ith
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
VII. GEOLOGY AND SOILS – Would the project:
a) Directly or indirectly cause potential
substantial adverse effects, including the
risk of loss, injury, or death involving:
i) Rupture of a known earthquake
fault, as delineated on the most
recent Alquist-Priolo Earthquake
Fault Zoning Map issued by the
State Geologist for the area or
based on other substantial
evidence of a known fault? Refer to
Division of Mines and Geology
Special Publication 42.
ii) Strong seismic ground shaking?
iii) Seismic-related ground failure,
including liquefaction?
iv) Landslides?
b) Result in substantial soil erosion or the loss
of topsoil?
c) Be located on a geologic unit or soil that is
unstable, or that would become unstable as
a result of the project, and potentially result
in on- or off-site landslide, lateral spreading,
subsidence, liquefaction or collapse?
d) Be located on expansive soil, as defined in
Table 18-1-B of the Uniform Building Code
(1994), creating substantial direct or
indirect risks to life or property?
e) Have soils incapable of adequately
supporting the use of septic tanks or
alternative waste water disposal systems
where sewers are not available for the
disposal of waste water?
f) Directly or indirectly destroy a unique
paleontological resource or site or unique
geologic feature?
Explanation of Checklist Judgements:
a–f: Less than Significant Impact.
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Areas with seismic (earthquake) hazards are identified by earthquake fault zones as established by the Alquist -
Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone Act of 1972. The California Geological Survey (CGS; formerly the California Division of
Mines and Geology [CDMG]) classifies faults as active, potentially active, or inactive according to standards
developed for implementation of the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone Act. A fault that has exhibited surface
displacement within the Holocene Epoch (the last 11,000 years ) is defined as active. A fault that has exhibited
surface displacement during Quaternary time (i.e., within the past 1.6 million years) but that cannot be proven to
have moved or not moved during Holocene time is defined as potentially active.
a) According to the City’s existing Safety Element, located along the southern slope of the San Gabriel Mountains,
Arcadia is situated within a very seismically active area of Southern California. There are currently five documented
faults, fault zones, or groundwater barriers that may be faults that underlie Arcadia. In addition to these local faults,
another 20 faults have been identified within a 35-mile radius of City Hall. Earthquake activity at any of the faults
in and around the City could result in ground shaking within the City limits. Further, ground shaking could cause
landslides or liquefaction in certain areas within the foothills that are present in the City. The existing Safety Element
contains several goals and policies to alleviate risk related to earthquakes and better project the City’s residents
from seismic hazards. The proposed new Safety Element policies as well as the proposed edits and revisions to the
element would be consistent and would not interfere with the implementation of policies meant to reduce
earthquake risk. Additionally, the potential for significant adverse impacts to result from these phenomena would
be substantially reduced through adherence to requirements specified in the Alquist–Priolo Act, the Uniform
Building Code, Title 24 of the California Building Code, and all development regulations of the City. Compliance with
these building standards would minimize impacts associated with seismic hazards.
b–e: Most lowland areas with relatively level ground surface are not prone to landslides. Other forms of slope
instability are also unlikely to occur except along stream banks and terrace margins. The foothill areas are more
susceptible to slope instability. The strong ground motion that occurs during earthquakes is capable of inducing
landslides and debris flow (mudslides). These types of failure generally occur where unstable slope conditions
already exist. The City has in place geologic review procedures to address these hazards. Hillside areas with
landslide potential are of particular concern, and slope stability requires appropriate treatment of vegetative cover
during and after residential development. The City's General Plan and zoning Code contain policy and regulation to
minimize potential impacts from developing on geologically hazardous land or resulting in substantial soil erosion.
City regulations and policies cover landslides, seismic shaking, surface rupture, seiches, liquefaction, subsidence,
expansive soils, and soil erosion. All new development is required to be consistent with these regulations.
f: Depending on the location, future development in the City has the potential to directly or indirectly destroy a
unique paleontological resource or site or unique geologic feature. The existing General Plan contains policies for
the protection of paleontological resources, and all new development must be consistent with these policies. The
Safety Element Update and Environmental Justice Element would not change or alter these policies.
Based on the above, the Safety Element Update and the Environmental Justice Element would result in less than
significant impacts associated with geology and soils.
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3.8 Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
VIII. GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS – Would the project:
a) Generate greenhouse gas emissions, either
directly or indirectly, that may have a
significant impact on the environment?
b) Conflict with an applicable plan, policy or
regulation adopted for the purpose of
reducing the emissions of greenhouse
gases?
Explanation of Checklist Judgements:
a–b: Less Than Significant Impact.
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are the result of burning fossil fuels, most commonly from vehicles and other
gas-powered equipment. The Safety Element Update and the Environmental Justice Element contain goals and
policies meant to guide the City’s land use decisions and future development within the City. Although the adoption
of the document would not result in any physical development, the policies seek to expand pedestrian- and bicycle-
oriented facilities, which would reduce new vehicle trips in exchange for pedestrian and bicycle resulting in a
reduction of GHG emissions. Further, any future new development projects associated with the new policies, such
as affordable housing units, would be required to comply with the Green Building Code, which also reduces
GHG emissions.
3.9 Hazards and Hazardous Materials
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
IX. HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS – Would the project:
a) Create a significant hazard to the public or
the environment through the routine
transport, use, or disposal of hazardous
materials?
b) Create a significant hazard to the public or
the environment through reasonably
foreseeable upset and accident conditions
involving the release of hazardous
materials into the environment?
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Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
c) Emit hazardous emissions or handle
hazardous or acutely hazardous materials,
substances, or waste within one-quarter
mile of an existing or proposed school?
d) Be located on a site that is included on a
list of hazardous materials sites compiled
pursuant to Government Code Section
65962.5 and, as a result, would it create a
significant hazard to the public or the
environment?
e) For a project located within an airport land
use plan or, where such a plan has not
been adopted, within two miles of a public
airport or public use airport, would the
project result in a safety hazard or
excessive noise for people residing or
working in the project area?
f) Impair implementation of or physically
interfere with an adopted emergency
response plan or emergency evacuation
plan?
g) Expose people or structures, either directly
or indirectly, to a significant risk of loss,
injury or death involving wildland fires?
Explanation of Checklist Judgements:
a–c and e–g: No Impact. d: Less Than Significant Impact.
As defined in Chapter 6.95 of Division 20 of the California Health and Safety Code, Section 25501(o), a hazardous
material is “…any material that, because of its quantity, concentration, or physical or chemical characteristics,
poses a significant present or potential hazard to human health and safety or to the environment if released into
the workplace or the environment. Hazardous materials include, but are not limited to, hazardous substances,
hazardous waste, and any material which a handler or the administering agency has a reasonable basis for believing
that it would be injurious to the health and safety of persons or harmful to the environment if released into the
workplace or the environment.”
a–c: The Safety Element Update and the Environmental Justice Element are policy documents, and therefore,
adoption would not, in itself, result in potential impacts from hazards and hazardous material that may endanger
residents or the environment. Implementation of the goals and policies would also not result in the routine use,
transport, or disposal of hazardous materials or generate significant quantities of hazardous materials.
Implementation of Policy 5.1 which states the City would adopt an inclusionary housing ordinance, and Policy 5.5,
which states the City would continue to explore a Tiny Homes project, could indirectly result in development of
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additional housing units in the future. However, these policies are guidelines for City action, they would not
guarantee any future development. All future development would be subject to project-level environmental analysis,
and would be subject to local, state, and federal regulations related to handling hazards and hazardous materials.
Further, the existing Safety Element includes goals and policies specifically designed to reduce impacts from
human-caused hazards to City residents and the environment. As such, no negative impacts would occur.
d: The Safety Element Update and the Environmental Justice Element are policy documents and adoption will not,
in itself, result in negative environmental impacts. Implementation of the policies could indirectly result in
development in the future; however, the proposed policies would not change land use designations or zoning, or
result in new land uses that are not already existing. All sites of future development would be evaluated using
appropriate databases including the California Department of Toxic Substances Control EnviroStor database which,
pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5, lists Federal Superfund, State Response, Voluntary Cleanup,
School Cleanup, Hazardous Waste Permit, and Hazardous Waste Corrective Action sites. The potential impacts
related to any listed hazardous materials sites associated with any specific future development would be assessed
at the time the projects are actually proposed. As such, the Housing Element and Public Health, Safety, and
Environmental Justice Element Updates would result in less than significant impacts.
e–g: There are no public or private airports in the City of Arcadia. The airport nearest the City is the El Monte Airport.
The City does not fall within the safety hazard overlay zone for the El Monte Airport. Future development in the
southern section of the City could extend into navigable airspace of the El Monte Airport, and would be required to
comply with Federal Aviation Regulations Part 77 and all other applicable local regulations. The proposed goal and
policy updates would not result directly in physical development and would not result in incompatible land uses.
Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.
Based on the above, the Safety Element Update and the Environmental Justice Element would result in no negative
impact on hazards or hazardous materials.
3.10 Hydrology and Water Quality
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
X. HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY – Would the project:
a) Violate any water quality standards or
waste discharge requirements or otherwise
substantially degrade surface or ground
water quality?
b) Substantially decrease groundwater
supplies or interfere substantially with
groundwater recharge such that the project
may impede sustainable groundwater
management of the basin?
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Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
c) Substantially alter the existing drainage
pattern of the site or area, including
through the alteration of the course of a
stream or river or through the addition of
impervious surfaces, in a manner which
would:
i) result in substantial erosion or
siltation on or off site;
ii) substantially increase the rate or
amount of surface runoff in a
manner which would result in
flooding on or off site;
iii) create or contribute runoff water
which would exceed the capacity of
existing or planned stormwater
drainage systems or provide
substantial additional sources of
polluted runoff; or
iv) impede or redirect flood flows?
d) In flood hazard, tsunami, or seiche zones,
risk release of pollutants due to project
inundation?
e) Conflict with or obstruct implementation of
a water quality control plan or sustainable
groundwater management plan?
Explanation of Checklist Judgements:
a, c–d: Less than Significant Impact. b and e: No Impact.
The Safety Element Update and the Environmental Justice Element are policy documents, specifically related to
risks associated with climate change and environmental justice issues. Therefore, adoption of these updates would
not, in itself, result in physical development that would produce negative environmental impacts. Certain proposed
policies, such as Policy 5.6 could result in development of projects in the future. Future residential development
are expected to be located on infill sites in urbanized areas and the City has procedures and regulations in place to
ensure that there would be no significant impacts associated with hydrology and water quality.
a: Construction of future development projects would be subject to compliance with applicable local, regional, state
and federal regulations designed to protect water resources, including those regulations requiring implementation
of Best Management Practices (BMPs), preparation of Stormwater Pollutio n Prevention Plans (SWPPPs), and
submittal of Erosion Control Plans in compliance with National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
provisions. Consistency with this regulatory framework would adequately ensure that su ch impacts would be
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avoided or reduced to less than significant. As such, the proposed policies would not generate a significant impact
on water quality over current projections for population and housing units.
b: Adoption of the General Plan Amendment for the Safety Element Update and the Environmental Justice Element
would not affect the City’s ability to implement the water goals outlined within the Resources Element of the General
Plan as no physical development is current proposed. Potential future development could involve impervious
surfaces, which prevent the absorption of water into the groundwater basin. However, other future development
could include parks, which would include pervious surfaces which would encourage groundwater recharge.
Implementation of the Safety Element Update and the Environmental Justice Element would not deplete
groundwater supplies.
c–d: There are no areas in the City that lie within a 100 -year floodplain. However, storm flooding and flooding due
to dam inundation related to the Santa Anita Dam do present potential risk to the City. The existing Safety Element
addresses risk associated with flooding. Seiche and mudflow risk would also be negligible, as the City is not located
near a large contained body of water or downslope from an unstable hillside. With regard to tsunami risk the City is
not located in an area with high risk due to its elevation and distance from the ocean (Arcadia 2010). The proposed
policies would not conflict with the existing policy framework established in the Safety Element to mitigate flood risk.
e: The Safety Element Update and the Environmental Justice Element are policy documents that establish the City’s
goals, policies and actions related to climate change related hazards expanding equitable resources within the City.
The Safety Element Update and the Environmental Justice Element does not propose any policies or actions that
would result in negative impacts related to hydrology and water quality, and would not propose goals and policies
that would conflict with the policy framework established to manage the water system and reduce impacts to
water quality.
Based on the above, Safety Element Update and the Environmental Justice Element would have a less than
significant impact on hydrology and water quality.
3.11 Land Use and Planning
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
XI. LAND USE AND PLANNING – Would the project:
a) Physically divide an established
community?
b) Cause a significant environmental impact
due to a conflict with any land use plan,
policy, or regulation adopted for the
purpose of avoiding or mitigating an
environmental effect?
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Explanation of Checklist Judgements:
a: No Impact. b: Less than Significant.
The Safety Element Update and the Environmental Justice Element are policy documents that establish the City’s
goals, policies and actions related to the climate change related risks and the expansion of equitable resources
across the City. The Safety Element Update and the Environmental Justice Element do not propose any policies or
actions that would result in physically dividing an existing community. Additionally, the Public Health, Safety, and
Environmental Justice Element Update would not conflict with General Plan policy or Municipal Code regulations,
adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect. The intended purpose of the Safety
Element Update and the Environmental Justice Element is to guide land use decisions in such a way that climate
change related risks and environmental justice concerns are avoided to the maximum extent feasible, especially in
disadvantaged areas. Therefore, the Safety Element Update and Environmental Justice Element would have a less
than significant impact on land use and planning.
3.12 Mineral Resources
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
XII. MINERAL RESOURCES – Would the project:
a) Result in the loss of availability of a known
mineral resource that would be of value to
the region and the residents of the state?
b) Result in the loss of availability of a locally-
important mineral resource recovery site
delineated on a local general plan, specific
plan, or other land use plan?
Explanation of Checklist Judgements:
a–b: No Impact.
The City has identified Mineral Resource Zones (MRZs, Categories 1–3) as defined by the State Mining and Geology
Board (Arcadia 2010). Of the areas designated as a MRZ, one area contains the Livingston-Graham sand and gravel
extraction site. The Safety Element Update and the Environmental Justice Element does not contain any goals or
policies that would prevent the extraction of mineral resources in the future. Further, the proposed goals and
policies would not conflict with existing policies in the Resource Sustainability Element of the General Plan meant
to protect mineral resources. The Safety Element Update and the Environmental Justice Element do not propose
any polices that would result in the loss of mineral resources; therefore, there would be no impact associated with
adoption of the Element.
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3.13 Noise
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
XIII. NOISE – Would the project result in:
a) Generation of a substantial temporary or
permanent increase in ambient noise levels
in the vicinity of the project in excess of
standards established in the local general
plan or noise ordinance, or applicable
standards of other agencies?
b) Generation of excessive groundborne
vibration or groundborne noise levels?
c) For a project located within the vicinity of a
private airstrip or an airport land use plan
or, where such a plan has not been
adopted, within two miles of a public airport
or public use airport, would the project
expose people residing or working in the
project area to excessive noise levels?
Explanation of Checklist Judgements:
a–b: Less Than Significant Impact. c: No Impact.
Noise varies with time, geographic location, proximity to the source, and duration of the noise event. The effects of
noise are considered in several ways: how a proposed project may increase existing noise levels and how those
noise levels would affect surrounding land uses. Certain land uses are considered more sensitive to ambient noise
levels than others, due to the amount of noise exposure and the types of activities involved.
The Safety Element Update and the Environmental Justice Element are policy documents, and therefore, adoption
would not, in itself, result in potential impacts related to elevated noise levels that would affect residents or the
environment. Implementation of the goals and policies would also not result in land uses that would create conflicts
of uses due to ambient noise. Implementation of Policy 5.6, which states the City would continue to explore a Tiny
Homes project, could indirectly result in development of additional housing units in the future. However, these
policies are guidelines for City action, they would not guarantee any future developmen t. All future development
would be subject to project-level environmental analysis, and would be subject to the policies of the Noise Element,
and requirements and regulations of the Municipal Code related to allowable ambient noise levels, and noise
mitigation. The proposed goals and policies would not conflict with the compliance if future projects to the existing
regulatory framework. As such, no negative impacts would occur.
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3.14 Population and Housing
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
XIV. POPULATION AND HOUSING – Would the project:
a) Induce substantial unplanned population
growth in an area, either directly (for
example, by proposing new homes and
businesses) or indirectly (for example,
through extension of roads or other
infrastructure)?
b) Displace substantial numbers of existing
people or housing, necessitating the
construction of replacement housing
elsewhere?
a–b: Less Than Significant Impact.
The Safety Element Update and Environmental Justice Element are policy documents that establish the City’s goals,
policies and actions related to mitigating risk related to climate change, and continued and expanded distribution
of equitable resources across the City. The Safety Element Update and Environmental Justice Element do not
propose any policies that would induce growth or population of the City, or displace people or housing. The proposed
policies, especially the policies related to environmental justice issues associated with housing, would reduce
potential impacts to citizens related to the provision of housing and other services in the City. As such, the proposed
goals and policies would not result in impacts related to population and housing.
3.15 Public Services
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
XV. PUBLIC SERVICES
a) Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or
physically altered governmental facilities, need for new or physically altered governmental facilities, the
construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable
service ratios, response times, or other performance objectives for any of the public services:
Fire protection?
Police protection?
Schools?
Parks?
Other public facilities?
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Explanation of Checklist Judgements:
a(i–v): Less Than Significant Impact.
The Safety Element Update and the Environmental Justice Element are policy documents, and therefore, adoption
would not, in itself, result in physical development nor in land use changes that would create conflicts of land uses.
The proposed policies would not induce population growth which would result in an increased demand on public
services. All future development would be subject to project-level environmental analysis, and would be subject to
the policies of the Land Use Element, and the Parks, Recreation and Community Resources Element, as well as
requirements and regulations of the Municipal Code related to park facilities or other public service facilities, and
noise mitigation. The proposed goals and policies would not conflict with the compliance if future projects to the
existing regulatory framework. Therefore, the Safety Element Update and the Environmental Justice Element do not
propose any policies or actions that would result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the
provision of new or physically altered governmental facilities, need for new or physically altered governmental
facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable
service ratios, response times, or other performance objectives for any of the public services.
3.16 Recreation
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
XVI. RECREATION
a) Would the project increase the use of
existing neighborhood and regional parks or
other recreational facilities such that
substantial physical deterioration of the
facility would occur or be accelerated?
b) Does the project include recreational
facilities or require the construction or
expansion of recreational facilities which
might have an adverse physical effect on
the environment?
Explanation of Checklist Judgements:
a-b: Less Than Significant Impact.
The proposed new Environmental Justice Element addresses mitigating air and noise pollution at new or existing
parks, however does not include any new goals and policies that would result in the development of specific
recreational facilities or the construction or expansion of recreational facilities that might have an adverse physical
effect on the environment. Goals and policies would help shape the type of future recreation-related facilities.
Proposed goals and policies would not induce growth in the City that could result in increased demand on existing
recreational facilities.
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Based on the above, the Safety Element Update and the Environmental Justice Element would have a less than
significant impact on recreational facilities.
3.17 Transportation
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
XVII. TRANSPORTATION – Would the project:
a) Conflict with a program, plan, ordinance, or
policy addressing the circulation system,
including transit, roadway, bicycle, and
pedestrian facilities?
b) Conflict or be inconsistent with CEQA
Guidelines section 15064.3, subdivision
(b)?
c) Substantially increase hazards due to a
geometric design feature (e.g., sharp curves
or dangerous intersections) or incompatible
uses (e.g., farm equipment)?
d) Result in inadequate emergency access?
Explanation of Checklist Judgements:
a–d: Less Than Significant Impact.
The Safety Element Update and Environmental Justice Element are policy documents that establish the City’s goals,
policies and actions related to mitigating risk related to climate change, and continued and expanded distribution
of equitable resources across the City. The Safety Element Update and Environmental Justice Element do not
propose any policies that would induce growth of population or jobs within the City, which would as a result have
the potential to impact transportation systems. The proposed goals and policies would not result directly in physical
development, but would shape the planning and implementation of development in the City. Specifically, proposed
Environmental Justice policies focus on the provision of accessible and safe pedestrian and bicycle facilities. Future
development associated with implementation of the proposed goals and policies would be expected to generate
fewer vehicle miles traveled and more multi-modal trips than conventional development. Potential traffic impacts
related to increased transportation system demands associated with specific future residential projects would be
assessed at the time the projects are proposed using the vehicle miles traveled (VMT) methodology, consistent with
state guidelines. Mitigation measures would then be adopted as necessary, in conformance with CEQA. The
proposed goals and policies would not increase hazards due to a design feature, result in inadequate emergency
access, or conflict with adopted policies, plans, or programs supporting alternative transportation. Based on the
above, the Safety Element Update and Environmental Justice Element would result in a less than significant impact
on transportation/traffic.
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3.18 Tribal Cultural Resources
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
XVIII. TRIBAL CULTURAL RESOURCES
Would the project cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a tribal cultural resource, defined
in Public Resources Code section 21074 as either a site, feature, place, cultural landscape that is
geographically defined in terms of the size and scope of the landscape, sacred place, or object with cultural
value to a California Native American tribe, and that is:
a) Listed or eligible for listing in the California
Register of Historical Resources, or in a
local register of historical resources as
defined in Public Resources Code section
5020.1(k), or
b) A resource determined by the lead agency,
in its discretion and supported by
substantial evidence, to be significant
pursuant to criteria set forth in subdivision
(c) of Public Resources Code Section
5024.1. In applying the criteria set forth in
subdivision (c) of Public Resource Code
Section 5024.1, the lead agency shall
consider the significance of the resource to
a California Native American tribe?
Explanation of Checklist Judgements:
a–b: Less Than Significant Impact.
The Safety Element Update and Environmental Justice Element are policy documents, no actual physical
development are proposed as part of the project. Therefore, its adoption would not, in itself, produce environmental
impacts. Further, the implementation would not change or alter policies established to protect tribal
cultural resources.
The City completed the tribal consultation process, consistent with the requirements of Senate Bill 18 and Assembly
Bill 52. All California Native American tribal representatives (that have requested notification) who are traditionally
or culturally affiliated with the geographic area of the proposed project were sent letters from the City on November
9, 2023. No tribal representatives responded or requested consultation regarding the project.
Based on the outcome of the notification process, the Safety Element Update and the Environmental Justice
Element would result in less than significant impacts to tribal cultural resources.
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3.19 Utilities and Service Systems
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
XIX. UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS – Would the project:
a) Require or result in the relocation or
construction of new or expanded water,
wastewater treatment, or storm water
drainage, electric power, natural gas, or
telecommunications facilities, the
construction or relocation of which could
cause significant environmental effects?
b) Have sufficient water supplies available to
serve the project and reasonably
foreseeable future development during
normal, dry, and multiple dry years?
c) Result in a determination by the
wastewater treatment provider, which
serves or may serve the project that it has
adequate capacity to serve the project’s
projected demand in addition to the
provider’s existing commitments?
d) Generate solid waste in excess of State or
local standards, or in excess of the capacity
of local infrastructure, or otherwise impair
the attainment of solid waste reduction
goals?
e) Comply with federal, state, and local
management and reduction statutes and
regulations related to solid waste?
Explanation of Checklist Judgements:
a–c and e: No Impact; d: Less than Significant Impact.
Generally, increased demand on utilities and service systems would occur as a result of increased density,
development, or induced growth. The Safety Element Update and Environmental Justice Element are policy
documents, consisting of goals and policies and no physical development would occur as part of implementation
of the project. Further, none of the proposed goals and policies would result in indirect growth, increased
development, or density. Therefore, its adoption would not, in itself, result in impacts to the provision of utilities and
service systems. The proposed goals and policies would not conflict with other policies or regulations related to the
provision of utilities and service systems. As such, the impact would be less than significant.
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3.20 Wildfire
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
XX. WILDFIRE – If located in or near state responsibility areas or lands classified as very high fire hazard
severity zones, would the project:
a) Substantially impair an adopted emergency
response plan or emergency evacuation
plan?
b) Due to slope, prevailing winds, and other
factors, exacerbate wildfire risks, and
thereby expose project occupants to,
pollutant concentrations from a wildfire or
the uncontrolled spread of a wildfire?
c) Require the installation or maintenance of
associated infrastructure (such as roads,
fuel breaks, emergency water sources,
power lines, or other utilities) that may
exacerbate fire risk or that may result in
temporary or ongoing impacts to the
environment?
d) Expose people or structures to significant
risks, including downslope or downstream
flooding or landslides, as a result of runoff,
post-fire slope instability, or drainage
changes?
Explanation of Checklist Judgements:
a–d: Less Than Significant Impact.
The Safety Element Update and Environmental Justice Element are policy documents, related to mitigating risk
associated with climate change, and continued and expanded distribution of equitable resources across the City.
The Safety Element Update includes additional discussion of climate-change related wildfire and urban fire risks,
and proposed new policies intended to mitigate potential risk. Specifically, the following policies are related to
wildfire and would implementation of these policies would reduce impacts related to wildfire events.
Policy S-6.5: Prohibit new subdivisions in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones unless the new subdivision
is generally surrounded by existing built or entitled development or is located in an existing
approved specific plan and meets secondary egress route requirements and the level of capacity
of adjoining major highways and street networks can accommodate evacuation. Discourage new
subdivisions in all other Fire Hazard Severity Zones.
Policy S-6.8: Encourage rebuilds and additions to comply with fire mitigation guidelines.
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Policy S-6.9: Reduce the risk of wildfire hazards by meeting minimum State regulations for fire -resistant
building materials, vegetation management, fire smart landscaping, fuel modification, and other
fire hazard reduction programs.
Policy S-6.10: Ensure long-term maintenance of all fire hazard reduction projects, including community fire
breaks and private road and public road clearance.
Because these policies would reduce risk and potential impacts related to wildfire events, the implementation of
the proposed goals and policies would result in less than significant impacts related to wildfire.
3.21 Mandatory Findings of Significance
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
Impact With
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
XXI. MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE
a) Does the project have the potential to
substantially degrade the quality of the
environment, substantially reduce the
habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a
fish or wildlife population to drop below
self-sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate
a plant or animal community, substantially
reduce the number or restrict the range of a
rare or endangered plant or animal or
eliminate important examples of the major
periods of California history or prehistory?
b) Does the project have impacts that are
individually limited, but cumulatively
considerable? (“Cumulatively considerable”
means that the incremental effects of a
project are considerable when viewed in
connection with the effects of past projects,
the effects of other current projects, and
the effects of probable future projects)?
c) Does the project have environmental
effects which will cause substantial adverse
effects on human beings, either directly or
indirectly?
Explanation of Checklist Judgements:
a–c: Less Than Significant Impact.
As discussed throughout the above portions of the Initial Study/Negative Declaration, the Safety Element Update
and Environmental Justice Element are policy documents and adoption of these updates alone would not produce
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environmental impacts. Although implementation of the proposed goals and policies could indirectly result in
development of public facilities or other projects in the future, implementation of the General Plan Amendment to
adopt the Safety Element Update and Environmental Justice Element would not permit or allow specific
development projects. The proposed goals and policies would guide the vision and requirements of future
development in the City. Therefore, the adoption of the Safety Element Update and Environmental Justice Element
would not have the potential to result in environmental impacts, either limited or cumulative, affecting habitat; plant
or animal communities; rare, endangered or threatened species; historic resources; or human beings. As discussed
in Sections 3.1 through 3.20 of this Initial Study/Negative Declaration, impacts associated with the adoption of the
Safety Element Update and Environmental Justice Element would either result in no negative impacts, or less than
significant impacts.
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4 References and Preparers
4.1 Initial Study/Negative Declaration References Cited
City of Arcadia. 2010. Arcadia General Plan. November 2010. https://www.arcadiaca.gov/shape/
development_services_department/planning___zoning/general_plan.php#outer-446. Accessed
January 2024.
California Department of Conservation (DOC). 2022. California Important Farmland Finder. Available at
https://maps.conservation.ca.gov/DLRP/CIFF/. Accessed January 2024.
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INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
218
1
Fiona Graham
From:Ashley Werner <Ashley.Werner@doj.ca.gov>
Sent:Monday, November 4, 2024 3:55 PM
To:Fiona Graham
Subject:Arcadia's Environmental Justice Element
<hƩps://members.ironscales.com/staƟc/webapp/images/iron_icon_color_7_2021.png> IRONSCALES couldn't
recognize this email as this is the first Ɵme you received an email from this sender Ashley.Werner @ doj.ca.gov
CAUTION: This email originated from outside your organizaƟon. Exercise cauƟon when opening aƩachments or clicking
links, especially from unknown senders.
Hi Fiona,
I am an aƩorney in the Bureau of Environmental JusƟce at the AƩorney General’s Office and do work related to SB 1000
implementaƟon. I saw that the City of Arcadia has prepared a draŌ environmental jusƟce element and wanted to pass
along resources our office developed related to SB 1000. Our Office published a Best PracƟces guidance document for
implemenƟng SB 1000, and also a spreadsheet with example policies in each of the required topic areas. Those resources
can be found here: hƩps://oag.ca.gov/environment/sb1000. SecƟon V of the Best PracƟces document addresses the
characterisƟcs of effecƟve EJ elements and policies, including addressing the needs of disadvantaged communiƟes.
If you have any quesƟons about these guidance documents, please feel free to reach out to me.
Thank you,
Ashley Werner
Deputy AƩorney General | Bureau of Environmental JusƟce
California Department of JusƟce
1300 I Street, 15th Floor | Sacramento, CA 95814
Tel.: 916‐210‐6642
She/Her/Hers
219
2
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This communicaƟon with its contents may contain confidenƟal and/or legally privileged
informaƟon. It is solely for the use of the intended recipient(s). Unauthorized intercepƟon, review, use or disclosure is
prohibited and may violate applicable laws including the Electronic CommunicaƟons Privacy Act. If you are not the
intended recipient, please contact the sender and destroy all copies of the communicaƟon.
220
ARCADIA PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2024
Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the Planning Commission regarding any item on this agenda will be made
available for public inspection in the City’s Planning Services Office located at 240 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia, California,
during normal business hours.
CALL TO ORDER Chair Wilander called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Chair Wilander, Vice Chair Tallerico, Commissioners Arvizu, and Hui
ABSENT: Commissioner Tsoi
It was moved by Vice Chair Tallerico and seconded by Commissioner Arvizu to excuse Commissioner
Tsoi from the meeting.
Without objection, the motion was approved.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS
Deputy Development Services Director, Lisa Flores, reported that two letters in support of the project
were received and forwarded to the Commissioners by email and hard copies were also provided on the
dais.
PUBLIC COMMENTS (5 minute time limit per person)
There were none.
PUBLIC HEARING
1.Resolution No. 2160– Approving Conditional Use Permit No. CUP 23-11 and Minor
Administrative Modification No. Minor AM 24-13 for a new music and tutoring school with up to
50 students at 900 S. Baldwin Avenue
CEQA: Exempt
Recommendation: Adopt
Applicant: Baldwin Investment Inc.
MOTION - PUBLIC HEARING
Chair Wilander introduced the item and Senior Planner Edwin Arreola presented the staff report.
Commissioner Hui asked if the proposal that was approved in 2018 was for the same use.
Mr. Arreola said yes, the proposal, including the number of students and employees, remains the
same. He added that there were adjustments to the proposal, including the ADA parking and the
trash enclosure, because the property owner took over the exterior improvements.
Chair Wilander asked whether a new use in the adjacent property, which is owned by the same
property owner, would require more parking.
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Mr. Arreola explained that if the new use has the same parking ratio as a retail use, then there
would be no change in the parking requirement, and also that the site has nine (9) spaces
available if there is an increase in the parking ratio.
Commissioner Arvizu asked if a public hearing would be required if a new business were to be
proposed at the adjacent property.
Mr. Arreola said only if that new business requires a Planning Commission Administrative
Modification or Conditional Use Permit.
The public hearing was opened.
With the assistance of a translator, Linyou Jiang introduced himself as the applicant and the CEO
of 360 Education Academy. Mr. Jiang stated that his school specialized in the use of Steinway
pianos and is the only school in the United States that offers this music education. Mr. Jiang
moved to Arcadia and his goal is to serve the community and meet the needs of students
passionate about learning how to play piano.
Commissioner Arvizu asked the Applicant if they will be teaching students to use other
instruments.
Mr. Jiang said that it depends on the needs of the students. He added that there will also be a
recording studio to record music and help improve the students’ skills and then do performances.
Commissioner Hui asked the Applicant what makes his music school stand out from other schools
in the area and what inspired him to teach this specific style of piano.
Mr. Jiang said that his music school stands out from other schools because he offered lessons
on a limited-edition Steinway piano he purchased in 2017. The piano cost six hundred thousand
dollars which not many schools in the country own. The piano also had recording functions that
would allow CDs to be recorded directly from the piano. Mr. Jiang said he owns a few other high-
end pianos and was inspired to offer music lessons to students who were interested in learning
piano, especially the best piano players in the community.
Commissioner Hui asked if there will be security given that the instruments are very expensive.
Mr. Jiang said there will be surveillance cameras throughout the property.
Rex Reeves introduced himself and spoke in support of the proposal on behalf of the property
owner.
No one else spoke in favor of the proposal.
No one spoke in opposition to the proposal.
Vice Chair Tallerico made a motion to close the public hearing. Commissioner Hui seconded the
motion.
Without objection, the motion was approved.
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DISCUSSION
Vice Chair Tallerico said he was fascinated by the piano and believed the music school is a
wonderful addition to the City and wished the Applicant the best of luck.
Commissioner Arvizu thanked Staff for their work on the staff report and spoke in support of more
art schools in the City. Mr. Arvizu wished the Applicant well wished on his business endeavors.
Commissioner Hui spoke in support of the music school and was in favor of approving the project.
Chair Wilander concurred with the Commission and said the music school will be an exciting
opportunity for students and the residents.
MOTION
It was moved by Commissioner Hui, seconded by Vice Chair Tallerico to adopt Resolution No.
2160 approving Conditional Use Permit No. CUP 23-11 and Minor Administrative Modification No.
Minor AM 24-13 for a new music and tutoring school with up to 50 students at 900 S. Baldwin
Avenue in which the findings were made and is CEQA exempt.
ROLL CALL
AYES: Chair Wilander, Vice Chair Tallerico, Commissioners Arvizu, and Hui
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Tsoi
The motion was approved.
There is a ten (10) day appeal period. Appeals are to be filed by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, November 22, 2024.
2. Resolution No. 2158– Approving an Addendum to the Adopted Mitigated Negative Declaration
and a new four-story hotel (“Hilton by Tempo”) with 93 guestrooms located at 181 Colorado Place
CEQA: Exempt
Recommendation: Adopt
Applicant: VG Property Investments, LLC and 181 Colorado LLC
MOTION - PUBLIC HEARING
Chair Wilander introduced the item and Associate Planner Gary Yesayan presented the staff
report.
Commissioner Arvizu asked if there were any letters received from the residents located north of
the project site.
Mr. Yesayan said staff received five letters and four of them were signed by business owners.
The fifth letter did not indicate who the signer was.
Commissioner Hui recalls that there were neighbors that were opposed of the rooftop bar at the
Hilton hotel.
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Mr. Yesayan confirmed staff did not receive any letters from the neighbors in opposition of the
proposal. He added that this project will not have a rooftop bar.
Vice Chair Tallerico asked if there was a contingency plan if there was not enough parking.
Ms. Flores said if they exceed a 90% occupancy rate, valet parking will be offered, and the cars
will be stacked.
Commissioner Hui asked if there will be a banquet or conference room.
Mr. Yesayan stated there will not be a banquet room but there will be a small conference room
for business meetings.
Ms. Flores clarified that the Hilton hotel will have a banquet room for big events, and they will
share the parking spaces with USC Keck and the Tempo hotel.
Commissioner Arvizu pointed out that the basement on the plans does not have any labeled uses
and asked what the rooms in the basement will be used for.
Ms. Flores stated that the architectural plans are conceptual and not the final plans. She added
that the spaces will be defined when they go through the plan check process to ensure they are
in compliance with the Building Code.
Commissioner Arvizu asked if there was a proposed use for the rooftop.
Mr. Yesayan said there are no plans for the rooftop.
The public hearing was opened.
Steven Soo introduced himself and spoke on behalf of the property owner. Mr. Soo introduced
the project and explained why they decided to go through with the plans to build the Tempo by
Hilton.
Vice Chair Tallerico stated he was satisfied with their parking plan and asked Mr. Soo if they had
anything further to add regarding parking.
Mr. Soo emphasized that they would plan to offer valet parking and that it is important to them to
have enough parking because it is good customer service.
Commissioner Hui asked why they chose the brand Tempo by Hilton.
Mr. Soo explained that they first considered building a Home2 Suites by Hilton but decided against
it when they heard the same hotel would be built in the City of Duarte. Therefore, they decided to
build the Tempo, which is Hilton’s newest branch hotel. Mr. Soo added that the Tempo’s style and
aesthetic complimented the area.
Chair Wilander asked Mr. Soo if they would consider installing more electric vehicle and handicap
accessible parking spaces.
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Mr. Soo said the architectural plans only show the EV and ADA parking spaces at the Tempo
hotel but there will be more EV and ADA parking spaces throughout the entire property.
Commissioner Arvizu asked if there will be valet parking during regular business hours.
Mr. Soo said they will strongly consider having valet parking in the evenings and weekends at the
Hilton because it will be a full-service hotel. However, the Tempo will not expect the same traffic
patterns because the intended market will be for younger travelers who work remotely during the
daytime and will not be doing a lot of driving therefore requiring fewer parking spaces.
Commissioner Arvizu asked if the valet parking will be complimentary to the customers or if it will
be a charged service.
Mr. Soo said that it will be a charged service.
Ms. Flores stated that if valet parking becomes permanent, the Applicant will need to get it
approved by the City. She added that off-site parking at Santa Anita Park will also be an option to
consider.
Vice Chair Tallerico said the racetrack will benefit greatly from the proposed hotel because it will
attract more visitors to the City, furthermore these travelers will most likely not need a vehicle due
to the proximity to the racetrack. He asked the Applicant if they had factored that into their parking
analysis.
Mr. Soo said yes, they are working closely with the racetrack to share the benefits of the new
hotels in the area.
Commissioner Hui said the three buildings on the property complement each other because the
USC Keck building will operate during the daytime leaving the parking spaces available to the
hotels to use after hours.
No one spoke in favor of the proposal.
No one spoke in opposition to the proposal.
Commissioner Hui made a motion to close the public hearing. Vice Chair Tallerico seconded the
motion.
Without objection, the motion was approved.
DISCUSSION
Commissioner Arvizu expressed concerns about the modification for less than required parking
spaces but was satisfied with the parking analysis report and the shared parking agreement with
USC Keck. Mr. Arvizu added that he was relieved to learn there were no concerns or oppositions
from the neighbors.
Commissioner Hui said the proposed project was compatible with the area and complemented
the other hotels. Ms. Hui added that the tax revenue will be beneficial to the City and that she was
in support of the project.
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Vice Chair, Tallerico said the proposal was great and emphasized how much the letters in support
of the project meant to him.
Chair Wilander concurred with the other Commissioners. Ms. Wilander said that the project was
well throughout, the height was not a problem, and the setbacks exceed the requirement. She
added that this was a good project and was in favor of approving it.
MOTION
It was moved by Vice Chair Tallerico, seconded by Commissioner Hui to adopt Resolution No.
2158 approving the Addendum to the Adopted Mitigated Negative Declaration and a new four-
story hotel (“Hilton by Tempo”) located at 181 Colorado Place in which the findings were made
and is CEQA exempt.
ROLL CALL
AYES: Chair Wilander, Vice Chair Tallerico, Commissioners Arvizu, and Hui
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Tsoi
The motion was approved.
There is a ten (10) day appeal period. Appeals are to be filed by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, November 22, 2024.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Minutes of the October 8, 2024, Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission
Recommendation: Approve
Commissioner Arvizu motioned to approve the minutes and seconded by Vice Chair Tallerico.
ROLL CALL
AYES: Chair Wilander, Vice Chair Tallerico, Commissioners Arvizu, and Hui
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Tsoi
The motion was approved.
MATTERS FROM CITY COUNCIL LIAISON
City Council Member Wang had nothing to report.
MATTERS FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSONERS
Vice Chair Tallerico pointed out that the CEQA determination was omitted from the agenda.
Ms. Flores stated that it was inadvertently excluded.
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Assistant City Attorney Kellen Martz explained that it is not legally required to include the CEQA
determination on the agenda, but it is required to be included in the resolution.
Commissioner Hui asked about the community meeting regarding the Elara project on Live Oak Avenue
in unincorporated Los Angeles County.
Ms. Flores informed the Commission that the City was going to host a community meeting on November
19 for the developer of the project to answer the questions of Arcadia residents.
Commissioner Hui asked if the Commissioners are allowed to speak at the meeting.
Ms. Flores said they are only allowed to speak as residents of the City.
MATTERS FROM ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY
Mr. Martz had nothing to report.
MATTERS FROM STAFF INCLUDING UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS
Ms. Flores reported that the Environmental Justice/Safety Element will be on the schedule for November
26 and then it will be before the City Council on December 17.
Ms. Flores reported that there will be three items on the December 10 agenda including a multi-family
project, a tract map, and a text amendment.
Ms. Flores informed the Commission that the December 24 meeting will be cancelled, and the Arcadia
Town Center will be before the Planning Commission on January 14, 2025.
Ms. Flores reported that the Historic Landmark will be before the City Council on December 16.
ADJOURNMENT
The Planning Commission adjourned the meeting at 8:19 p.m., to Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at 7:00
p.m. in the City Council Chamber.
Chair Wilander, Planning Commission
ATTEST:
Lisa L. Flores
Secretary, Planning Commission
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