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HomeMy Public PortalAbout4-13_PublicServicesRecreation.pdf4.13 PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION 4.13-1 This section describes potential impacts from the proposed project on public services including fire, police, snow removal, schools, and parks and recrea- tion. A. Fire and Emergency Services 1. Regulatory Setting This section describes the federal, State, and local regulations that provide for fire protection services in the United States and California. a. Federal Regulations There are no federal regulations regarding fire protection services that are applicable to the proposed project. b. State Regulations i. California Building Code The 2010 California Building Code (CBC) is included in Title 24 of the Cali- fornia Code of Regulations and is a portion of the California Building Stand- ards Code. Under State law, all building standards must be centralized in Title 24 or they are not enforceable. Through the CBC, the State provides a minimum standard for building design and construction. The CBC contains requirements that relate to fire safety. The building permit process includes review of building plans for compliance with the applicable provisions of the CBC. In addition, all operations and buildings must meet the California Fire Code. c. Local Regulations i. Nevada County Fire Plan The Nevada County Fire Plan (NCFP) was prepared to reduce the risk from wildland fires to life, property, and natural resources in Nevada County and comply with the Disaster Management Act of 2000 and the Healthy Forest TOWN OF TRUCKEE CANYON SPRINGS DRAFT EIR PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION 4.13-2 Restoration Act of 2003.1 This NCFP was accepted by the Nevada County Board of Supervisors in 2005. The NCFP includes an extensive series of rec- ommendations for the Nevada County Board of Supervisors aimed at reduc- ing wildland fire risk in Nevada County, including fuel management and de- fensible space enforcement strategies, public education, infrastructure im- provements to increase fire-fighting capacity, and coordination with local fire agencies to ensure consistent and effective wildland fire mitigation efforts. ii. Town of Truckee Emergency Operations Plan The Town of Truckee Emergency Operations Plan (TEOP) was prepared in February 2008 and serves as an extension of the California Emergency Plan. The TEOP addresses the Town’s responsibilities in emergencies associated with natural disasters, including wildfires. It provides a framework for coor- dination of response and recovery efforts within the Town in coordination and with local, State, and federal agencies. The TEOP establishes the emer- gency organization, assigns tasks, specifies policies and general procedures, and provides for coordination of planning efforts of the various emergency staff and service elements utilizing the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS). The plan also meets requirements established by the Nation- al Incident Management System (NIMS). iii. Town of Truckee Standard Condition for Fire Protection Services The Town established the Town of Truckee Standard Condition for Fire Protection Services on April 20, 2009 to identify the applicability of Truckee Fire Protection District (TFPD) requirements on Town-approved projects and the public official responsible for verifying compliance with the condi- tion.2 The Standard Condition for Fire Protection Services policy states that the review authority must make a finding of such before the review authority 1 The Nevada County Fire Plan: A framework for reducing threats to public safety and reducing costs and losses as a result of wildfire in Nevada County by the Fire Plan Committee (FPC) for the Nevada County Board of Supervisors, August 2004. 2 Town of Truckee Community Development Department, Policies, Proce- dures, and Determinations, Director’s Determination #43. TOWN OF TRUCKEE CANYON SPRINGS DRAFT EIR PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION 4.13-3 may approve a zoning clearance, development permit, or use permit to ensure adequate provisions for emergency vehicle access and fire protection. The finding focuses on the installation of physical infrastructure, facilities, and improvements on or adjacent to the property and the payment of develop- ment fees for the construction of facilities and purchase of equipment to ad- dress cumulative impacts on fire services. Because the land use permit is ap- proved by the Town, a Town official should be responsible for verifying compliance with this finding in coordination with the TFPD Fire Marshal. The following condition of approval shall be applied to the approval of all zoning clearances, development permits, and use permits: “As determined by the Community Development Director in coordination with the District Fire Marshal, the project shall comply with all applicable TFPD ordinances and requirements related to the construction or installation of physical infrastructure, facilities, and improvements and the payment of mitigation fees for the construction of facilities and the purchase of equip- ment. These ordinances and requirements may include, but not be limited to, installation of fire hydrants, minimum fire flow, automatic sprinkler systems for buildings, driveway and turnaround specifications, and fuel clearance. The physical infrastructure, facilities, and improvements shall be installed at the time of development and completed prior to occupancy of buildings and the land, and the mitigation fees shall be paid in accordance with adopted Council rules for administration of the mitigation fee program.” iv. Town of Truckee 2025 General Plan The Town of Truckee 2025 General Plan contains goals and policies related to fire protection and management of fire hazards in the Town. Relevant goals and policies are contained in Table 4.13-1. 2. Existing Conditions The Town of Truckee lies within a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, as defined by the California Department of Forestry, indicating that wildland TOWN OF TRUCKEE CANYON SPRINGS DRAFT EIR PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION 4.13-4 TABLE 4.13-1 TOWN OF TRUCKEE GENERAL PLAN GOALS AND POLICIES RELEVANT TO FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES Policy or Goal No. Goals and Policies Goal LU-4 Coordinate land development with provision of services and infrastruc- ture. LU-P4.1 Work with all special districts, including the Tahoe-Truckee Unified School District, to ensure that development within the Town is co- ordinated with provision of services. LU-P4.2 Cooperate with special districts to plan for and identify suitable fu- ture sites for needed facilities, including schools, fire stations, solid and liquid waste disposal sites, and utilities infrastructure, so that the local population can be safely and efficiently served, while minimiz- ing potential environmental impacts. LU-P4.3 Approve rezoning and development permits only when adequate services are available, or when a program to provide services has been approved by the applicable District and the Town of Truckee. Standards of services for new development applicable to this policy are shown in Table LU-6. Require that sewer be provided for all new residential subdivisions creating more than four lots, and all new commercial and industrial uses. Existing legal lots and new subdivisions of four or fewer lots in areas currently without sewer may be developed with residential uses using septic systems with the approval of the appropriate health and environmental agencies. Such lots may be required to establish connections to the sewer sys- tem if they are located in close proximity to existing or future sewer lines. Goal SAF-4 Protect lives and property from risks associated with wildland and urban fire. SAF-P4.2 Continue to cooperate with the Fire Protection District to imple- ment fire safety ordinances to minimize wildland fire hazards, in- cluding incorporation of fire resistant building and roofing materials, and attainment and maintenance of “defensible space.” Defensible space may include revegetation with less flammable species, such as fire resistant native and adapted species, and the use of mulch to pre- vent erosion on bare soil. TOWN OF TRUCKEE CANYON SPRINGS ADMINISTRATIVE DRAFT EIR PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION TABLE 4.13-1 TOWN OF TRUCKEE GENERAL PLAN GOALS AND POLICIES RELEVANT TO FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES (CONTINUED) 4.13-5 Policy or Goal No. Goals and Policies SAF-P4.3 Promote fire hazard reduction through cooperative fuel management activities in association with the Truckee Fire Protection District, the California Department of Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service. Such strategies may include identifying and implementing opportu- nities for fuel breaks in very high fire hazard severity zones, and ensuring that fire breaks are provided where necessary and appropri- ate. SAF-P4.4 Require new development to incorporate adequate emergency water flow, emergency vehicle access and evacuation routes. SAF-P4.5 Continue to support the mitigation fee program for the Fire Protec- tion District, to ensure that the District is able to meet the future fire protection needs of the community as it grows. SAF-P4.6 Support, as appropriate, efforts to implement the recommendations of the 2005 Nevada County Fire Plan, and programs of Fire Safe Nevada County. SAF-P4.7 Ensure that the development review process addresses wildland fire risk, including assessment of both construction- and project related fire risks particularly in areas of the Town most susceptible to fire hazards. Cooperate with the TFPD in reviewing fire safety plans and provisions in new development, including aspects such as emer- gency access, site design for maintenance of defensible space, and use of non-combustible materials. Source: Town of Truckee 2025 General Plan. fires are considered to pose a significant hazard. The level of fire danger risk within the project site is considered to be very high.3 The TFPD, established in 1894, is an independent Special District and public agency that provides fire prevention, fire suppression, emergency medical care and/or transportation, assorted rescue services, and public education services to a 125-square-mile area, which includes the Town of Truckee. 3 Town of Truckee General Plan 2025, Figure SAF-4, Community Areas at Risk from Wildland Fire, page 9-9. TOWN OF TRUCKEE CANYON SPRINGS DRAFT EIR PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION 4.13-6 According to the TFPD, there are currently 49 full-time employees and nine part-time fire fighters and two part-time prevention officers.4 The TFPD cur- rently operates eight fire stations, four of which are staffed on a 24-hour basis. Equipment operated by the TFPD includes fire engines, water tender, ambu- lances, water rescue equipment, and a hazardous response vehicle. The pro- ject site would be primarily served by Station 95 (Glenshire), and Station 92 (Gateway) would serve as a backup. Station 95 (Glenshire) is a residential fire station located at 10900 Manchester Drive in the Glenshire subdivision, approximately 1.2 miles from the project site. Station 95 is staffed on a 24-hour basis by a Fire Captain and a Firefight- er/Paramedic. Apparatus located at this station include an ambulance and a fire engine. Station 95 was remodeled and expanded in March 2011, and has space available within the station for future increases in personnel and/or equipment. Station 95 is responsible for the protection of the Glenshire sub- division, the Boca and Stampede recreation areas, and the Interstate 80 corri- dor to the Nevada State Line.5 Station 92 (Gateway) is located at 11473 Donner Pass Road adjacent to Truckee High School, approximately 10 miles from the project site. Station 92 is TFPD’s “main station,” and houses the Office of the Battalion Chief. Station 92 is staffed by a Fire Captain and four Firefighter/Paramedics.6 Response distance relates directly to the linear travel distance (i.e. miles be- tween a station and a site) and the TFPD’s ability to successfully navigate the given accessways and adjunct circulation system. Roadway congestion and intersection level-of-service along the response route can affect the response distance when viewed in terms of travel time. The response time goal of TFPD is approximately five minutes in the vicinity of the proposed project 4 Melvin, Linda. TFPD. Personal communication with The Planning Center | DC&E. September 1, 2011. 5 http://www.truckeefire.org/about_us/station_95, retrieved August 2011. 6 http://truckeefire.org/about_us/station_92, retrieved, August 2011. TOWN OF TRUCKEE CANYON SPRINGS DRAFT EIR PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION 4.13-7 site. However, due to the weather constraints between November and April, response times can increase to approximately ten minutes.7 In addition to fire protection services provided by TFPD, the California De- partment of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) provides wildland fire protection to undeveloped forested area of the Sierra Nevada, including parts of the Town of Truckee. Furthermore, the TFPD has automatic mutual-aid agreements with adjoining fire departments at Northstar, Squaw Valley, and North Tahoe to provide backup assistance during an emergency.8 3. Standards of Significance The proposed project would have a significant impact with regard to fire and emergency services if it would: ¤ Result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provi- sion of new or physically altered government facilities, need for new or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain ac- ceptable service ratios, response times or other performance objectives for fire protection services. 4. Impact Discussion The project is anticipated to generate 2.529 persons per household, which would result in approximately 468 new residents for the project’s proposed 185 residential units.9 Because the proposed project would result in new pop- ulation and residential development on an undeveloped site that is currently limited to open space, the project would represent a more intense use of the site. Although the relationship is not directly proportional, more intense uses of land typically result in the increased potential for fire and emergency inci- 7 Melvin, Linda, TFPD. Personal communication with The Planning Center | DC&E, September 1, 2011. 8 Melvin, Linda, TFPD. Personal communication with The Planning Center | DC&E, September 1, 2011. 9 Town of Truckee General Plan 2007-2014 Housing Element, Appendix A – Housing Profile, page HA-7. TOWN OF TRUCKEE CANYON SPRINGS DRAFT EIR PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION 4.13-8 dents. Thus, the project would create an increased demand for fire protection services. Physical augmentation of the site would include removal of some of the exist- ing vegetation and trees, and development of manufactured slopes, building pads, and on-site roadways. While Glenshire Drive and Martis Peak Road currently serve the project area, new internal access roads would be created on the project site. The privately owned and maintained internal roadway system would provide residential and emergency vehicle access. Vehicles would circulate through the project area using the internal roadway system and main entrance point. As noted in the Project Description (and shown on Figure 3-5), emergency access would be provided by creating a secondary ac- cess point to the project off of Edinburgh Drive located on the western bor- der of the project site. Fire lanes and turning radii would be designed to meet the standards of the TFPD so as to be adequate for emergency response vehi- cles. Roadways would be designed with all weather surfaces and would be capable of supporting emergency vehicles up to 40,000 pounds. The project would incorporate a number of fire safety features in accordance with applicable TFPD fire-safety code and Town regulations for construction, access, fire flows, and fire hydrants. As described in the May 12, 2011 letter submitted to the Town by TFPD included in Appendix B of this Draft EIR, these required fire safety features include, but would not be limited to, instal- lation of fire hydrants, provision of minimum flow requirement of 1,500 gal- lons per minute (gpm) for a two-hour duration with a 20-pounds per square inch (psi) residual, minimum 24-foot-wide roadways, adequate building spac- ing, use of fire resistive building materials, and adequate vegetative clearance around structures. The project would be required to comply with the Town of Truckee Stand- ard Condition for Fire Protection Services and obtain a “Will Serve” letter from the TFPD prior to the issuance of building permits. In addition, the project applicant would pay all mandatory Development Impact Fees as de- termined by the Fire Chief or his designee after consultation with the appli- TOWN OF TRUCKEE CANYON SPRINGS DRAFT EIR PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION 4.13-9 cant. According to the TFPD, revenue for fires services equivalent to $164 per new single family home per year, $129 per new multi-family unit per year, and 7.8¢ per square foot of new non-residential development per year, inflated, beginning July 1, 2010, at the rate of two percent would be require.10 As discussed in Section 4.15, Utilities and Service Systems, of this Draft EIR, the installation of off-site water infrastructure improvements would provide the necessary fire flow (water pressure) to serve the proposed project.11 Sub- sequently, as illustrated in Section 4.10, Land Use and Planning, of this Draft EIR, the project would be consistent with all applicable General Plan policies aimed at reducing fire hazards in the Truckee area. In addition, according to the Interim Fire Chief, Bob Bena, the TFPD can meet the Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO) Public Protection Classification Program’s fire suppression rating of 5.0 following full buildout of the pro- posed project. 12 The ISO fire suppression rating schedule grades a communi- ty’s fire protection ability on a scale of 1.0 to 10.0, with 1.0 being the highest rating possible. By classifying a communities' ability to suppress fires, ISO helps communities evaluate their public fire protection services. The additional 468 residents could increase the number of service calls, which could increase the need for additional service levels, but the TFPD does not expect that construction of additional facilities or acquirement of additional equipment would be necessary.13 Therefore, considering the project as a whole, including the project’s design features, compliance with mandatory regulations, including the payment of TFPD Development Impact Fees, and the recent expansion of Station 95, constructing new or expanded facilities or 10 Bena, Bob, Fire Chief, TFPD. Written communication with Denyelle Nishimori, Associate Planner, Town of Truckee, May 12, 2011. 11 Kaufman, Neil, Water System Engineer, TDPUD. Email communication with Denyelle Nishimori, Associate Planner, Town of Truckee., August 25, 2011. 12 Melvin, Linda, TFPD. Personal communication with The Planning Center | DC&E, September 1, 2011. 13 Bena, Bob, Fire Chief, TFPD. Written communication with Seung Hong, The Planning Center | DC&E, March 29, 2012. TOWN OF TRUCKEE CANYON SPRINGS DRAFT EIR PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION 4.13-10 adding new personnel as a result of the construction and occupation of the proposed project would not be necessary to maintain acceptable service ratios, response times, or other performance objectives for fire protection services. Accordingly, project impacts related to fire protection services would be less than significant and no mitigation measures are required. 5. Cumulative Impacts This section analyzes potential impacts to fire and emergency services that could occur from a combination of the project with the Town buildout iden- tified in the Town of Truckee 2025 General Plan and reasonably foreseeable projects in the TFPD service area. This analysis only takes into account the Town’s buildout projections because, as noted in Chapter 4, Environmental Evaluation, of this Draft EIR, there is no foreseeable project in the surround- ing area. The project, in conjunction with the buildout projections identified in the Town of Truckee 2025 General Plan, would cumulatively increase the demand for fire protection services in the TFPD, and would likely result in the need for the District to construct additional fire protection facilities, which could result in additional environmental impacts. The timing and location of antic- ipated new or expanded fire protection facilities is unknown at this time and any potential environmental impacts resulting from the construction of new or expanded facilities would be identified and evaluated at the time such facili- ties were proposed. Since Truckee represents the largest concentration of population for the TFPD service area, facilities needed to service the growth projections of the Town of Truckee 2025 General Plan, which include the pro- posed project at a higher density (213 units) than what is currently proposed (185 units), would also be adequate to meet the demand generated by any oth- er planned growth occurring within the TFPD’s service area. As with the project, the applicants of the projects in the TFPD’s service area would be required to pay Developer Impact Fees to the TFUD, obtain a ‘Will Serve” letter, and be consistent with the applicable fire protection policies identified in the General Plan; combined, these regulatory requirements would ensure any cumulative impacts on fire protection services would be less than signifi- TOWN OF TRUCKEE CANYON SPRINGS DRAFT EIR PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION 4.13-11 cant. As stated previously, the project’s impacts to fire protection services would be less than significant. Therefore, the project would not contribute to any potential cumulative impacts, and cumulative impacts to fire protection services would be less than significant and no mitigation measures are required. 6. Impacts and Mitigation Measures Project and cumulative impacts related to fire protection services would be less than significant and no mitigation measures are required. B. Police 1. Regulatory Setting This section describes the federal, State, and local regulations that provide for police protection services in the United States and California. a. Federal and State Regulations There are no federal or State regulations related to police protection services that are applicable to the proposed project. b. Local Regulations i. Town of Truckee General Plan The Town of Truckee 2025 General Plan contains goals and policies related to police protection in the Town. Relevant goals and policies are contained in Table 4.13-2. 2. Existing Conditions The Truckee Police Department (TPD) provides all police-related services for the Town, including: Administration, Uniformed Patrol, Boat Patrol on Donner Lake, Investigative Services, a School Resource Officer, and Traffic Enforcement. The TPD operates out of its headquarters at 10183 Truckee Airport Road. The Operations Division consists of Patrol, Traffic, Marine Operations, Reserves, and Volunteers in Police Services (VIPS) units. The Patrol Unit has a total of 26 sworn officers and four non-sworn personnel TOWN OF TRUCKEE CANYON SPRINGS DRAFT EIR PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION 4.13-12 who provide service to the Town’s 16,200 permanent residents.14 This equates to a ratio of 1.68 police per thousand people.15 There is no established standard staffing ratio. The TPD also provides service to non-residents, in- cluding vacationers and weekend and holiday visitors. The Town is under contract with the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) for dispatch services.16 All calls are responded to from the TPD’s headquarters. Response times to calls range from 30 seconds up to ten minutes, depending on the location within Truckee as well as the type of call received. An officer is typically on scene within 3 to 5 minutes for emergen- cy calls, whereas non-emergency calls tend to be responded to within ten minutes if an officer is available.17 A police beat is a designated area of a police department’s service area that is regularly patrolled along a specified route by a police unit. The project area is located within Patrol Beat 3.18 3. Standards of Significance The proposed project would have a significant impact with regard to police services if it would: ¤ Result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provi- sion of new or physically altered government facilities, need for new or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which 14 Town of Truckee website, www.townoftruckee.com, retrieved September 1, 2011. 15 McLeod, Charlie, Record Technician, Truckee Police Department. Personal communication with The Planning Center | DC&E, December 2, 2011. 16 Town of Truckee, 2011/12 Annual Budget Detail, Public Safety – Police. 17 Trygg, Andrew, Nevada County Sheriff’s Department. Email communica- tion with The Planning Center | DC&E, December 7, 2011. 18 Whinery, Sheri, Community Service Officer, TPD. Personal communica- tion with The Planning Center | DC&E, September 1, 2011. TOWN OF TRUCKEE CANYON SPRINGS DRAFT EIR PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION 4.13-13 ¤ TABLE 4.13-2 TOWN OF TRUCKEE GENERAL PLAN GOALS AND POLICIES RELEVANT TO POLICE SERVICES Policy or Goal No. Goals and Policies Goal LU-4: Coordinate land development with provision of services and infrastruc- ture. LU-P4.1 Work with all special districts, including the Tahoe-Truckee Unified School District, to ensure that development within the Town is co- ordinated with provision of services. LU-P4.2 Cooperate with special districts to plan for and identify suitable fu- ture sites for needed facilities, including schools, fire stations, solid and liquid waste disposal sites, and utilities infrastructure, so that the local population can be safely and efficiently served, while minimiz- ing potential environmental impacts. LU-P4.4 Review all development proposals to ensure that demand generated for police services can be adequately met; periodically evaluate cur- rent funding mechanisms for police services to determine if they are adequate, and consider revisions as necessary. Source: Town of Truckee 2025 General Plan. could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain ac- ceptable service ratios, response times, or other performance objectives for police services. 4. Impact Discussion Buildout of the project would result in an estimated 468 new residents.19 The additional number of people and activity on the project site would result in an increase in the need for police services in the TPD service area. The crime rate, which represents the number of crimes reported, affects the “needs” pro- jection for staff and equipment for the TPD. A number of factors contribute to the resultant crime rate, such as police presence, crime prevention measures, and on-going legislation/funding. Therefore, the potential for in- creased crime rates is not necessarily directly proportional to increases in 19 Town of Truckee General Plan 2007-2014 Housing Element, Appendix A – Housing Profile, page HA-7. TOWN OF TRUCKEE CANYON SPRINGS DRAFT EIR PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION 4.13-14 population or development. According to the Truckee Police Department Monthly Activity Reports for 2009 and 2010, overall calls for service de- creased from 15,715 to 15,076 and violent crimes decreased from 411 to 385.20 The project would be consistent with all applicable General Plan policies aimed at maintaining adequate police protection services for the Truckee area. While the project would increase the number of persons and level of activity on the project site, given the project site has been regularly used for recrea- tion and is surrounded by the types of uses associated with residential, it is reasonable to expect that the project would not result in a meaningful in- crease in the amount of crime in the project area. Accordingly, the affect that the project would have on response times would be minimal. Further, while additional police equipment and staff may be necessary to ac- commodate the project, the additional demand for police services created by the project would not require the need for new or altered police facilities. However, considering the future residents would be required to pay property taxes, which provide funding for law enforcement, and the project would be consistent with the applicable police protection policies identified in the Gen- eral Plan, buildout of the proposed project would not affect the delivery of police services and require additional police facilities in TPD service area.21 Therefore, project impacts to police services would be less than significant and no mitigation measures are warranted. 5. Cumulative Impacts This section analyzes potential impacts to police services that could occur from a combination of the project with the Town buildout identified in the Town of Truckee 2025 General Plan and reasonably foreseeable projects in the TPD service area. This analysis only takes into account the Town’s buildout 20 Town of Truckee website, www.townoftruckee.com, Departments, Police, Records, Statistics, Truckee Police Department Monthly Activity Reports, retrieved September 1, 2011. 21 McLeod, Charlie, Record Technician, Truckee Police Department. Personal communication with The Planning Center | DC&E, December 2, 2011. TOWN OF TRUCKEE CANYON SPRINGS DRAFT EIR PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION 4.13-15 projections because, as noted in Chapter 4 of this Draft EIR, there is no fore- seeable project in the surrounding area. The project, in conjunction with the Town buildout identified in the Town of Truckee 2025 General Plan, would cumulatively increase the demand for po- lice protection services in the TPD. During the 20-year life of the General Plan, the population could increase by 28,520 individuals and the number of residential units could increase by 20,082 dwelling units under the conserva- tive buildout projections used in the General Plan EIR; subsequently, it is anticipated that approximately 14,270 additional people will reside in Truck- ee. The current ratio of police officers per thousand residents in the Town is 1.63. Assuming a similar ratio is maintained in the future, the additional 14,270 persons would require an increase in police staffing by approximately 24 officers. This increase in population at buildout would likely result in the need for the Town to construct additional police facilities, which could result in additional environmental impacts. The timing and location of anticipated new or expanded police facilities is unknown at this time and any potential environmental impacts resulting from the construction of new or expanded facilities would be identified and evaluated at the time such facilities were proposed. As with the project, the future projects in the TPD’s service area would be required to pay property taxes, which provide funding for law en- forcement, and be consistent with the applicable fire protection policies iden- tified in the General Plan; combined, these regulatory requirements would ensure any cumulative impacts on police services would be less than signifi- cant. As stated previously, the project’s impacts to police services would be less than significant. Therefore, the project would not contribute to any po- tential cumulative impacts, and cumulative impacts to police services would be less than significant and no mitigation measures are required. 6. Impacts and Mitigation Measures Project and cumulative impacts related to police protection services would be less than significant and no mitigation measures are warranted. TOWN OF TRUCKEE CANYON SPRINGS DRAFT EIR PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION 4.13-16 C. Snow Removal Services 1. Regulatory Setting This section describes the federal, State, and local regulations that provide for snow removal services in the United States and California. a. Federal and State Regulations There are no federal or State regulations related to snow removal services that are applicable to the proposed project. b. Local Regulations i. Town of Truckee Municipal Code Chapter 10.17 Snow Removal The Town of Truckee Municipal Code provides the regulatory authority for the snow removal in the Town for the health, safety, and welfare of the resi- dences and visitors of Truckee. 2. Existing Conditions The Town of Truckee Public Works Department and their contractors are responsible for snow removal on the majority of non-State and non-federal public roadways starting in November and ending in April. Nevada County, Placer County, and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) District 3 are responsible for snow removal on designated county and State roadways. Caltrans District 3 provides snow removal services from the Truckee Maintenance Station located in the Town of Truckee adjacent to Interstate 80. Roadway maintenance and snow removal on private roads and private property is the responsibility of the land owners. Depending on conditions, snow removal on Truckee roadways occurs seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Top priority is given to support for emergency agency responses in an effort to achieve the Town’s goal of safe and timely snow removal operations. Other priorities are as follows: ¤ Main arterial and school bus routes. ¤ Secondary residential streets ¤ Cul-de-sacs. ¤ High elevation areas subject to high winds. TOWN OF TRUCKEE CANYON SPRINGS DRAFT EIR PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION 4.13-17 Snow is stored along roadways in the Town rights-of-way, and in designated snow storage areas (such as snow storage easements). The Town also hauls some snow from areas such as Downtown Truckee on an as-needed basis. The Town currently requires the dedication of 20-foot snow storage ease- ments across new commercial and residential development fronting public roadways. In a large storm event, the easement alone may not be capable of containing the entire quantity of the snow. During intense snow storm peri- ods, equipment and facilities can be been overburdened and unable to main- tain the roads clear of snow within the Town’s goal of clearing each street twice daily.22 3. Standards of Significance The proposed project would have a significant impact with regard to snow removal services if it would: ¤ Result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provi- sion of new or physically altered government facilities, need for new or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain ac- ceptable service ratios, response times or other performance objectives for snow removal services. 4. Impacts Discussion Snow removal on the project site would be the responsibility of the new Canyon Springs Homeowners Association until revenue neutrality is reached. As shown on Figure 3-9, the project roadways are designed to meet the Town’s Public Improvement & Engineering Standards (PIES). However, the emergency access connection to Edinburgh Drive would have a reduced roadway width. Single-family homes do not have minimum snow storage requirements. However, the adequacy of snow storage areas adjacent to roadways and public areas would meet the Town’s snow storage requirements 22 Wilkins, Dan, Department of Public Works, Town of Truckee. Personal communication with Seung Hong, The Planning Center | DC&E, April 3, 2012. TOWN OF TRUCKEE CANYON SPRINGS DRAFT EIR PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION 4.13-18 of a 20-foot snow storage easement.23 In general, all the roads in the internal circulation network would have a 60-foot wide right-of-way.24 However, the emergency access connection to Edinburgh Drive would have a reduced roadway width. All roadways would include 20-foot snow storage easements (SSE) on each side, allowing for a 20-foot travel lane on all roadways, with the exception of the Edinburgh Drive emergency access. As discussed in Chapter 3, Project Description, of this Draft EIR, snow management would be ad- dressed to ensure that residents and visitors are provided safe and convenient access to and from their homes and within the public use areas (i.e. mailbox cluster area and recreational area) during storm events. Roadway maintenance and snow removal on private roads and private prop- erty will initially be the responsibility of the land owners through the new Canyon Springs Homeowners Association. At the time that the project re- quires snow removal services from the Town, the required payment of De- veloper Impact Fees, which are levied on all new development to provide funding for the provision of needed services in the Town, would ensure that project impacts to the Town’s snow removal services would be less than signif- icant and no mitigation measures are required. 5. Cumulative Impacts This section analyzes potential impacts to snow removal services that could occur from a combination of the project with the Town buildout identified in the General Plan and reasonably foreseeable projects in the Town’s service area. This analysis only takes into account the Town’s buildout projections because, as noted in Chapter 4 of this Draft EIR, there is no foreseeable pro- ject in the surrounding area. 23 Town of Truckee Municipal Code, Title 18, Development Code, Chapter 18.30, General Property and Development Use Standards, Section 18.30.130 – Snow Storage. 24 Town’s Public Improvement & Engineering Standards, Standard Drawing (SD) #6. SD#6 is the standard for a Local Road (Public). TOWN OF TRUCKEE CANYON SPRINGS DRAFT EIR PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION 4.13-19 The project, in conjunction with the buildout projections identified in the General Plan, would cumulatively increase the demand for snow removal services in the Town, and would likely result in the need for the Town to acquire additional snow removal equipment or contract for additional snow removal services, and to potentially construct additional facilities to store and maintain such equipment. The Town Public Work Department has a plan to construct additional facilities, such as storage buildings, at the Town Corpora- tion Yard site to response to the cumulative demand for snow removal ser- vices in the town.25 As stated previously, the project’s impacts to snow re- moval services would be less than significant. Therefore, the project would not contribute to any potential cumulative impacts, and cumulative impacts to snow removal services would be less than significant and no mitigation measures are required. 6. Impacts and Mitigation Measures Project and cumulative impacts related to snow removal services would be less than significant and no mitigation measures are required. D. Schools 1. Regulatory Setting This section describes the federal, State, and local regulations that provide for school services in the United States and California. a. Federal Regulations There are no federal regulations related to school services that are applicable to the proposed project. 25 Wilkins, Dan, Department of Public Works, Town of Truckee. Email communication with The Planning Center | DC&E, April 3, 2012. TOWN OF TRUCKEE CANYON SPRINGS DRAFT EIR PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION 4.13-20 b. State Regulations i. Assembly Bill 2926 The State of California has traditionally been responsible for the funding of local public schools. To assist in providing facilities to serve students generat- ed by new development projects, the State passed Assembly Bill 2926 (Chap- ter 887/Statutes 1986) in 1986. This bill allowed school districts to collect impact fees from developers of new residential and commercial/industrial building space. The provisions of AB 2926 have since been expanded and revised by AB 1600 in 1987, which created Sections 66000 et seq. of the Gov- ernment Code.26 ii. California Education Code Title 5 Education Code of the California Code of Regulations governs all aspects of education within the State. Pursuant to California Education Code Section 17620(a)(1), the governing board at any school district is authorized to levy a fee, charge, dedication, or other requirement against any construction within the boundaries of the district, for the purpose of funding the construc- tion or reconstruction of school facilities.27 iii. Senate Bill (SB 50) and Proposition 1A of 1998 On August 27, 1998, the Governor signed into law Senate Bill 50 (SB 50), the Leroy F. Greene School Facilities Act of 1998, which is identified as Chapter 407/Statutes 1998. SB 50 along with bond procedures under Proposition 1A of 1998 regulate school financing and mitigation by setting development fee caps, removing authority for denial of a development application based solely on current school capacity levels, and ensuring that impacts to schools are mitigated under CEQA. California Government Code Section 65996(a) al- lows the payment of developer fees as a means to mitigate an environmental effect under CEQA from the construction of new school facilities. Accord- 26 A Planner’s Guide to Financing Public Improvements, Chapter 5, http://ceres.ca.gov/planning/financing/chap5.html accessed on, November 30, 2011. 27 Education Code Section 17620-17626, http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi- bin/displaycode?section=edc&group=17001-18000&file=17620-17626, accessed on November 30, 2011. TOWN OF TRUCKEE CANYON SPRINGS DRAFT EIR PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION 4.13-21 ing to Government Code Section 65996, the payment of fees “…is deemed to be full and complete mitigation of the impacts of any legislative or act, or both, involving, but not limited to, the planning, use, or development of real property, or any change in governmental organization or reorganization.” These provisions are in effect until 2012 and will remain in place as long as subsequent State bonds are approved and available. c. Local Regulations New development in Truckee is required to pay impact fees to Tahoe- Truckee Unified School District (TTUSD) to address the impacts of new population on school facilities.28 According to the TTUSD, a fee of $2.63 per square foot is required for new residential development to pay for the con- struction of new school facilities.29 In addition to these developer impact fees, the TTUSD receives parcel tax revenue from residential parcels within the service area since 1989 based on Measure A, which is scheduled to expire in 2012 unless renewed by voters.30 i. Town of Truckee General Plan The Town of Truckee 2025 General Plan contains goals and policies related to school services in the Town. Relevant goals and policies are contained in Ta- ble 4.13-3. 2. Existing Conditions The project site would be served by the TTUSD which covers an area of ap- proximately 720 square miles, encompassing portions of Nevada, Placer, and El Dorado Counties. The TTUSD consists of five elementary schools, two 28 Tahoe-Truckee Unified School District, http://www.ttusd.org/Default. asp?DivisionID=2455&DepartmentID=2387&SubDepartmentID=0&keyword=% 20fees, accessed on November 30, 2011. 29 Rivera, Todd, TTUSD Facilities Department. Written communication with The Planning Center | DC&E, December 7, 2011. 30 Tahoe-Truckee Unified School District, http://www.ttusd.org/Default. asp?DivisionID=6550&DepartmentID=0&SubDepartmentID=0&keyword=parcel% 20tax, accessed on November 30, 2011. TOWN OF TRUCKEE CANYON SPRINGS DRAFT EIR PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION 4.13-22 TABLE 4.13-3 TOWN OF TRUCKEE GENERAL PLAN GOALS AND POLICIES RELEVANT TO SCHOOL SERVICES Policy or Goal No. Goals and Policies Goal LU-4 Coordinate land development with provision of services and infrastruc- ture. LU-P4.1 Work with all special districts, including the Tahoe-Truckee Unified School District, to ensure that development within the Town is coor- dinated with provision of services. LU-P4.2 Cooperate with special districts to plan for and identify suitable future sites for needed facilities, including schools, fire stations, solid and liquid waste disposal sites, and utilities infrastructure, so that the local population can be safely and efficiently served, while minimizing po- tential environmental impacts. Source: Town of Truckee 2025 General Plan. middle schools, one alternative middle school, two high schools, and one con- tinuation high school. According to the California Department of Education Educational Demographics Unit’s District Enrollment Report the TTUSD had a combined enrollment of approximately 3,909 students for the 2010-11 school-year and has generally seen a consistent decline in enrollment over the past three years.31 Students of the proposed project would generally attend the following schools: Glenshire Elementary School with an estimated maxi- mum attendance capacity of 500; Alder Creek Middle School with an estimat- ed maximum capacity of 802; and Tahoe-Truckee High School with an esti- mated maximum capacity of 905, for an estimated total capacity of 2,207 stu- dents.32 Glenshire Elementary, located at 10990 Dorchester Drive, had an enrollment of 487 in the 2010-11 school-year which represents a decline of approximately 40 students since the 2008-09 school-year. Alder Creek Middle School, located at 10931 Alder Drive, had an enrollment of 581 students in the 2010-11 school-year which represents a slight increase of 21 students since 31 California Department of Education, Educational Demographics Office, DataQuest website, http://dq.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/, retrieved September 8, 2011. 32 Capital Program Management, Inc., 2007. TTUSD Facilities Master Plan Draft Report, Table 6 Truckee High School Attendance Area Present Facility Capacity. TOWN OF TRUCKEE CANYON SPRINGS DRAFT EIR PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION 4.13-23 the 2008-09 school-year. Tahoe-Truckee High School, at 11725 Donner Pass Road, had an enrollment of 674 students in the 2010-11 school year which represents a decline of 128 students since the 2008-09 school year. According to the TTUSD, existing housing has generated enrollment as high as 5,000 students. 3. Standards of Significance The proposed project would have a significant impact with regard to other public facilities if it would: ¤ Result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provi- sion of new or physically altered government facilities, need for new or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain ac- ceptable service ratios, response times or other performance objectives for school services. 4. Impact Discussion Truckee, like other recreation and resort communities, has a high proportion of second homes and vacation homes; however, current population patterns in the Town indicate that households similar to those proposed by the project (i.e. Glenshire subdivision) are occupied year round. Therefore, the addition- al number of school-age children associated with the project site could result in an increase in the need for school services in the TTUSD service area. This approach represents a conservative analysis when considering the schools that would serve the project have generally experienced a steady decline in en- rollment and not all schools are at capacity. Based on the project’s 177 single- family residential units and 26 multi-family residential units, the application of the TTUSD’s Student Yield Rates for Single-Family and Multi-Family Res- idential, the project has the potential to generate approximately 66 Kindergar- ten through Twelfth grade students. The estimated break down is 39 elemen- TOWN OF TRUCKEE CANYON SPRINGS DRAFT EIR PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION 4.13-24 tary school, 12 middle school, and 15 high school students.33 However, ac- cording to the TTUSD student yield rates from similar housing constructed in the nearby Glenshire subdivision, the proposed project could potentially generate as many as 45 elementary school, 20 middle school, and 30 high school students.34 According to the TTUSD, current enrollment at Glenshire Elementary is 515 students, at Alder Creek Middle School is 536 students and at Tahoe-Truckee High School is 633 students.35 Applying the higher student yield rate of 45 elementary school students would indicate that Glenshire El- ementary School, with a maximum capacity of 500, would experience over- crowding at project buildout. However, both Alder Middle School and Ta- hoe-Truckee High School would have capacity at project buildout. As discussed in Chapter 3 of this Draft EIR, the project would be constructed over eight phases spanning a 20-year period, so it is unlikely the project would yield the estimated numbers in the immediate future. In the short- term, the TTUSD plans to expand the site and hard court areas at Truckee Elementary school to accommodate the current capacity; reconstruct class- room wings at Tahoe-Truckee High; renovate fields at Tahoe-Truckee High; and renovate or replace the portable classrooms approaching their recom- mend useful life (i.e. 20 years); however, the TTUSD does not currently have the funding necessary to implement these projects. While no new schools are planned in the near future, TTUSD recognized that in the long term, additional school facilities will be needed and would do so through the construction of new facilities or through the expansion of exist- ing schools. Therefore, according to TTUSD, if Glenshire Elementary School is operating at capacity at project buildout, then students generated 33 Capital Program Management, Inc., 2007. TTUSD Facilities Master Plan Draft Report, Table 14 and 15, Student Yield Rates for Single-Family and Multi-Family Resi- dential. 34 Rivera, Todd, TTUSD Facilities Department. Written communication with The Planning Center | DC&E, December 7, 2011. 35 Rivera, Todd, TTUSD Facilities Department. Written communication with The Planning Center | DC&E, December 7, 2011. TOWN OF TRUCKEE CANYON SPRINGS DRAFT EIR PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION 4.13-25 from the project may have to be housed at other TTUSD sites within the Truckee area. Additionally, the current school boundaries may be reassessed at this site if it is at its development capacity and is unable to expand its exist- ing school facility due to site size restrictions.36 Based on the developer fees established by the TTUSD, the project applicant would be required to pay $2.63 per square foot of residential development. While the TTUSD is con- cerned that the payment of these fees only covers a portion of the true cost of constructing schools, as provided in Section 65996 of the California Govern- ment Code, the payment of such fees is deemed to fully mitigate the impacts of new development on school services. Therefore, with payment of these required developer fees and property taxes, project impacts to school services would be less than significant and no mitigation measures are required. 5. Cumulative Impacts The project, in conjunction with the Town buildout identified in the General Plan, would cumulatively increase the demand for school services in the TTUSD. At buildout, under implementation of the General Plan, projected population levels are 28,520 individuals with 20,082 projected dwelling units and new commercial development; subsequently, it is anticipated that approx- imately 14,270 additional people will reside in Truckee. However, payment of developer fees and property taxes would fully mitigate any impact that the new projects would have on school services. As stated previously, the pro- ject’s impacts to school services would be less than significant. Therefore, the project would not contribute to any potential cumulative impacts, and cumu- lative impacts to school services would be less than significant and no mitiga- tion measures are required. 6. Impacts and Mitigation Measures Project and cumulative impacts related to school services would be less than significant and no mitigation measures are required. 36 Rivera, Todd, TTUSD Facilities Department. Written communication with The Planning Center | DC&E, December 7, 2011. TOWN OF TRUCKEE CANYON SPRINGS DRAFT EIR PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION 4.13-26 E. Parks and Recreation 1. Regulatory Setting This section describes the federal, State, and local regulations that provide for park and recreation services in the United States and California. a. Federal Regulations There are no federal regulations related to park and recreation services that are applicable to the proposed project. b. State Regulations i. Quimby Act The 1975 Quimby Act (California Government Code Section 66477) author- izes municipalities to pass ordinances requiring that developers set aside land, donate conservation easements, or pay fees for park improvements in combi- nation with their projects. The goal of the Quimby Act was to require de- velopers to help mitigate the impacts of development. Revenues generated through the Quimby Act cannot be used for the operation and maintenance of existing park facilities.37 Under the Quimby Act, municipalities with a high ratio of park space to in- habitants can set a standard of 5 acres per thousand persons for new develop- ment. However, cities with a lower current ratio can only require the provi- sion of up to 3 acres of park space per 1,000 population. The calculation of a city’s park space to population ratio is based on a comparison of the popula- tion count of the last federal census to the amount of city- or town-owned parkland. c. Local Regulations i. Truckee Donner Recreation and Park District Master Plan The Truckee Donner Recreation and Park District (TDRPD) adopted a ten- year Truckee Donner Recreation and Park District Master Plan (TDRPD Master 37 California Park and Recreation Society, http://www.cprs.org/members on- ly/ Sum02_Quimby.htm, accessed on April 21, 2011. TOWN OF TRUCKEE CANYON SPRINGS DRAFT EIR PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION 4.13-27 Plan) for the community in 1990 formulated to “facilitate the establishment of a balanced park, recreation and open space system that satisfied current needs and planned for future growth.” The TDRPD Master Plan specifies a series of standards and goals for various types of parkland. ii. Town of Truckee Trails and Bikeways Master Plan The Truckee Trails and Bikeways Master Plan (TBMP) is intended to supple- ment and implement the TDRPD Master Plan by providing the more-detailed analysis necessary for the development of a town-wide trail and bikeway sys- tem. The purpose of the TBMP is to have a community-based planning effort promoting the development of a local multi-use trail and bikeway system designed to increase recreational, educational, and alternative transportation opportunities for the benefit of local residents and visitors to the Truckee area. The TBMP is considered a community plan to be used by all public and pri- vate entities proposing development of a recreational trail or on-street bikeway project within its boundaries. It is intended to be used as a guide for future local, State, and federal roadway improvement projects and all future recreational trail projects. When reasonable and warranted, all local, State, and federal sponsored projects providing an opportunity to implement the objectives of the TBMP will be strongly encouraged to expand or modify the scope of these individual projects to be consistent with the TBMP. The goals and policies of the TBMP provide guidance for the planning, development, and management for the type, design, and general location of trail corridors within the Town. iii. Town of Truckee General Plan The Town of Truckee 2025 General Plan contains goals and policies related to park and recreation services in the Town. Relevant goals and policies are contained in Table 4.13-4. In order to meet conditions required for application of the Quimby Act, the Town included the General Plan Conservation and Open Space Element Pol- TOWN OF TRUCKEE CANYON SPRINGS DRAFT EIR PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION 4.13-28 icy COS-P8.1, which requires land or in-lieu fees for parks to be provided by new development at a minimum ratio of 5 acres per thousand population, to conform with standards established by Town Ordinance 96-04 (Quimby Fees). According to the Truckee-Donner Recreation and Park District a Quimby Fee of $3,832 per parcel would be required.38 iv. Town of Truckee Resolution No. 2008-28 Resolution No. 2008-28 is a resolution of the Town Council, which adopted a recreational facilities mitigation fee and established rules for the administra- tion of the Recreational Facilities Mitigation Fee Program. Exhibit A, Recre- ational Facilities Mitigation Fee, of the resolution identifies the fee that shall be applied to all applications for a building permit submitted to the Town on or after August 1, 2008 and to any building permit issued by the Town, re- gardless of the date of submittal of the application, on or after December 1, 2008. According to Exhibit A, a single family detached unit would require a payment of $0.86 per square foot and $1.27 per square foot for a multi-family unit. v. Town of Truckee Resolution No. 2008-29 Resolution No. 2008-29 is a resolution of the Town Council, which adopted a Subdivision Park and Recreational Fee and established rules for the admin- istration of the Subdivision Park and Recreational Fee Program. Exhibit A, Subdivision Park and Recreational Fee, of the resolution identifies the fee that shall be applied to all applications for a for a tentative map or tentative map waiver submitted to the Town and determined to be complete on or after June 16, 2008. According to Exhibit A, a single family detached unit would require a payment of $3,832 per parcel and $2,633 per parcel for a multi- family unit. 38 Mitchell, Sue, District Clerk, Truckee-Donner Recreation and Park District. Email communication with Denyelle Nishimori, Associate Planner, Town of Truck- ee, July 26, 2010. TOWN OF TRUCKEE CANYON SPRINGS DRAFT EIR PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION 4.13-29 TABLE 4.13-4 TOWN OF TRUCKEE GENERAL PLAN GOALS AND POLICIES RELEVANT TO PARK AND RECREATION SERVICES Policy or Goal No. Goals and Policies Goal LU 1 Manage growth so as to maintain the unique qualities and character of the Town as a small mountain community. LU-P1.1 All new development shall meet important community goals for design quality, open space preservation, and promotion of a livable, sustainable community. Development that does not fulfill these goals shall not be allowed. Goal LU-4 Coordinate land development with provision of services and infrastruc- ture. LU-P4.1 Work with all special districts, including the Tahoe-Truckee Unified School District, to ensure that development within the Town is co- ordinated with provision of services. Goal LU-5 Encourage a mix of land uses in the Town to promote a vibrant commu- nity and to reduce traffic, while addressing the need to minimize land use conflicts. LU-P5.3 Support development of neighborhood centers through establish- ment of uses and facilities that provide a direct benefit to the neigh- borhood, such as educational and recreation facilities, day care ser- vices, places of worship, community meeting centers, fire stations, small parks, libraries and other public facilities, telecenters, and neighborhood commercial uses. Goal LU-7 Encourage clustered residential development to create efficient develop- ment patterns, and to minimize environmental impacts and threats to public safety. LU-P7.5 Preserve the portions of parcels not developed with clustered resi- dential used as undeveloped open space. Preservation and manage- ment options for open space include: ¤ Dedication to a homeowners association. ¤ Dedication to a public agency such as the Parks District, or to a land trust or other non-profit agency. ¤ Use of building envelopes in conjunction with conservation easements or deed restrictions. Goal CC-1 Preserve open space in Truckee that contributes to the town’s scenic mountain community character. CC-P1.1 Utilize the mechanisms and strategies identified in the Conservation and Open Space Element of the General Plan as a tool to actively protect open space in Truckee, including that containing or contrib- uting to the town’s scenic mountain qualities. TOWN OF TRUCKEE CANYON SPRINGS DRAFT EIR PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION TABLE 4.13-4 TOWN OF TRUCKEE GENERAL PLAN GOALS AND POLICIES RELEVANT TO PARK AND RECREATION SERVICES (CONTINUED) 4.13-30 Policy or Goal No. Goals and Policies CC-P1.3 Cluster new development so as to preserve the maximum amount of desired types of open space, as identified in the Conservation and Open Space Element. CC-P1.4 Create a connected network of open spaces in Truckee that is acces- sible to the community for outdoor recreation and other use and enjoyment, as a key aspect of local community character. Goal CC-10 Strengthen and enhance Truckee’s neighborhood centers, and create new centers where they do not exist today. CC-P10.2 Create new neighborhoods centers or focal points in neighborhoods where they do not currently exist. Such centers may include small commercial convenience centers like those found in Glenshire and Tahoe Donner, or may be focused around non-commercial commu- nity-serving uses such as those described in the sidebar opposite. Goal CC-12 Enhance the character of Truckee’s rural residential neighborhoods. CC-P12.4 Provide sidewalks along at least one side of major roadways in Truckee’s rural residential neighborhoods, except those of the most rural character, where sidewalks should be minimized and pedestrian connections enhanced instead through development of off-road trails. CC-P12.5 Retain an expansive open space and mountain landscape quality as the dominant feature of Truckee’s rural residential neighborhoods. Goal CIR-10 Provide a safe, comprehensive, and integrated system of facilities for pe- destrians and cyclists and other non-motorized modes of transportation. CIR-P10.2 Implement the network of trails and bikeways described in the Trails & Bikeways Master Plan, with priority given to establishment of a trail from Donner Lake along Donner Creek and the Truckee River to the eastern Town limit. This cross-town trail would serve as the main "artery" of the Town's trail network, with other trails connect- ing to it along its length, and would provide a critical link to major regional trails including a trail to the west that connects to Donner Summit and the Pacific Crest Trail, and to the east to trails that fol- low the Truckee River to Nevada. CIR-P10.3 Identify and implement new pedestrian facilities beyond those identi- fied in the Trails & Bikeways Master Plan and Downtown Streetscape Plan. These facilities may include, but not be limited to, pedestrian facilities along Donner Pass Road between Cold Stream Road and South Shore Drive, along Highway 89 South, and along West River Street. Goal COS-1 Preserve existing open space in Truckee, and increase the amount of de- sired types of open space under permanent protection. TOWN OF TRUCKEE CANYON SPRINGS DRAFT EIR PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION TABLE 4.13-4 TOWN OF TRUCKEE GENERAL PLAN GOALS AND POLICIES RELEVANT TO PARK AND RECREATION SERVICES (CONTINUED) 4.13-31 Policy or Goal No. Goals and Policies COS-P1.1 Acquire and preserve open space lands in Truckee, and purchase development rights for the purpose of open space preservation, with priority given to the following open space types: ¤ Regional parks. ¤ Neighborhood parks. ¤ Pristine open space and large blocks of undeveloped open space. ¤ Open space corridors that provide connections between different open space areas. ¤ Lands with a high level of scenic value. COS-P1.4 Cluster new development where appropriate in order to maximize preservation of land in open space. Clustering shall conform to the guidelines established in Policies and Actions listed under Goal LU-7 in the Land Use Element. COS-P1.5 Adhere to the following criteria for open space preserved through direct actions of the Town, through open space and clustered devel- opment requirements and incentives, and through the development review process: ¤ Provide the maximum possible degree of community benefit, as expressed through the Vision for Truckee and the guiding princi- ples, goals and policies of the General Plan. ¤ Preserve open space that, to the greatest possible extent, occurs in large blocks and is contiguous and connected. ¤ Provide the greatest possible level of public access while respect- ing private property rights, sensitive habitat values, and safety concerns. ¤ Provide maximum benefit in terms of habitat preservation. ¤ Enhance the overall character of Truckee as a scenic, mountain community. Goal COS-3 Protect and increase the amount of pristine open space in and around Truckee. COS-P3.2 Support appropriate trail construction to provide public access to and across wilderness and other pristine open space areas. Goal COS-8 Provide or support a comprehensive, high quality system of parks and other recreational open space facilities in Truckee. COS-P8.1 Require land or in-lieu fees for parks to be provided by new devel- opment at a minimum ratio of 5 acres per thousand population, to conform with standards established by the Town in accordance with the Quimby Act. TOWN OF TRUCKEE CANYON SPRINGS DRAFT EIR PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION TABLE 4.13-4 TOWN OF TRUCKEE GENERAL PLAN GOALS AND POLICIES RELEVANT TO PARK AND RECREATION SERVICES (CONTINUED) 4.13-32 Policy or Goal No. Goals and Policies COS-P8.2 Support efforts to create a new regional park, neighborhood parks in new neighborhoods, and at least an additional two new neighbor- hood parks for existing neighborhoods in Truckee. Goal COS-9 Link open space areas in Truckee through a well-connected network of open space corridors and trails. COS-P9.1 Provide for links between open space areas, both within Truckee and beyond the Town limits, to create contiguous habitat areas and en- hance public access through greater connectivity. COS-P9.2 Support the development and construction of a town-wide system of trails and bikeways, including, as priorities, the development of the Donner Lake/Truckee River parkway (see Goal COS-10), and the establishment of trails linking the Downtown with the Gateway Area and surrounding developed areas. COS-P9.3 Require new development to incorporate trail corridors identified in the Trails & Bikeways Master Plan into the overall project site plan. COS-P9.4 Preserve existing open space corridors, and connections to adjacent open space areas, and integrate publicly accessible trails and open space corridors into new development to the extent feasible. Source: Town of Truckee 2025 General Plan. vi. Town of Truckee Impact Fee Program In accordance with California Government Code sections 66000-66025, the Town of Truckee administers development impact fees through its AB1600 Impact Fee Program. These fees are levied on all new development to pro- vide funding for the provision of parks and recreation facilities and other needed services in the Town. As of November 1, 2011 the facilities impact fee for a single-family unit is $2,602 and $1,586 for a multi-family unit.39 39 Town of Truckee, Fee Schedules, http://www.townoftruckee.com/index. aspx?page=15, retrieved November 8, 2011. TOWN OF TRUCKEE CANYON SPRINGS DRAFT EIR PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION 4.13-33 2. Existing Conditions The Town of Truckee and the surrounding area outside the Town limit, in- cluding United States Forest Land, State Parks, and other State protected lands located within approximately 4 miles of the Town’s center, offer a wide variety of public and privately operated summer and winter recreational ven- ues. As identified in Table 4.13-5 and discussed below, 120 acres40 of publicly- owned and operated parks and recreational facilities are located within the Town limit. a. Truckee Donner Recreation and Park District The majority of Truckee’s parks are operated by the Truckee Donner Recrea- tion and Parks District (TDRPD). The TDRPD was founded in 1963 as a Special District to provide parks and recreation facilities in eastern Nevada County. The TDRPD currently owns and maintains 15 parks and recreational facili- ties in their service area, and is actively working to expand services. The TDRPD together with a coalition of local community leaders and the Town of Truckee have collaborated to develop a Next Step for Truckee Plan to create additional hiking, walking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and biking trails that safely connect neighborhoods with downtown and other destina- tions; provide a performing arts facility for music, dance, and theater pro- grams for children, teens, adults, and seniors; and add a year-round aquatic facility to the new community center for swim lessons, lap swimming, com- petitions, recreational swimming, and senior swim and therapy programs. The Next Step for Truckee Plan proposes to create a new 1½-mile paved trail connecting Tahoe Donner to downtown and complete the Truckee River Legacy Trail to Glenshire with a paved trail for walking, biking, cross- country skiing, snowshoeing and running along the Truckee River as well as a safe and green alternative transportation option to and from Glenshire. The 40 This acreage does not include the Donner Memorial State Park. TOWN OF TRUCKEE CANYON SPRINGS DRAFT EIR PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION 4.13-34 TABLE 4.13-5 TRUCKEE PUBLIC PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITIES Name Acres Features Parks Billy Rose Park 0.3 Playground, picnic tables Donner Memorial State Park 1,750* Museum, beach, campground, trails, fish- ing Donner Lake Boat Launch Facility 1.5 Boat ramps, floating dock, fish cleaning station Donner Lake Public Piers 2.5 37 public piers Glenshire Park 6 Baseball/softball field, open turf Meadow Park 6 Ball-fields, picnic area, playground Riverview Sports Park 31 Sportsfields, baseball diamond, soccer field, BMX track Shoreline Park 1.6 Fishing dock, boat launch Truckee River Regional Park 62 Skate park, ice-skating rink, volleyball, nature and river trails, rodeo arena, am- phitheater West End Beach 10 Pavilion, swim area, fishing area, play- ground, volleyball Other Facilities Activity Center -- Classrooms, pool tables, outdoor patio Community Center -- TDRPD office, meeting rooms, auditori- um, gym, fitness area, running track, kitchen, playground Community Arts Center -- Future plans include building a theatre in place of the current gym and providing arts, music and drama classes. Community Swimming Pool -- 15x25 yard pool, diving board Veterans Building -- Meeting rooms, kitchen/dining area, in- door basketball court Truckee High School and Middle School -- Athletic fields, track, basketball hoops Alder Creek Middle School -- Basketball hoops, soccer field, outdoor amphitheater * Includes acreage outside of Truckee Town limits in Placer County ** With the opening of the new Community Recreation Center in December of 2009, the exist- ing Community Center, located at 10046 Church Street in Truckee, is becoming the Community Arts Center. Source: Town of Truckee 2025 General Plan and Truckee Donner Park and Recreation District website, http://www.tdrpd.com/index.html, retrieved September 2011. TOWN OF TRUCKEE CANYON SPRINGS DRAFT EIR PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION 4.13-35 Truckee River Legacy Trail is currently 2¼ miles spanning the Truckee River on south side from Downtown to Glenshire.41 The proposed extension would complete the segment from the Truckee River Regional Park to Glen- shire. The plan extension would be funded by a bond measure that would be matched with funding from TDRPD and private grants.42 b. Tahoe-Truckee Unified School District Schools play an important function as recreational facilities, but their primary function is education. As such, the schools may provide limited public access to swimming pools, gymnasiums, and other facilities. The TTUSD owns and operates recreational facilities within the Town limit. Students in the project area would have access to the Truckee High School athletic fields, pool, run- ning track, and basketball facilities, and Alder Creek Middle School basket- ball and volleyball facilities, soccer fields, and outdoor amphitheater. c. State Parks The Donner Memorial State Park is the closest state park to the Town and is partially within the Town limit. Donner Memorial State Park is located on Donner Lake. The park includes a public boat ramp operated by the TDRPD and fishing is permitted from the park. The park also offers fishing boat and other watersport equipment rentals through a private vendor. Ap- proximately 2½ miles of hiking trails link to the Emigrant Trail that leads up to U.S. Forest Service and the Pacific Crest trails beyond the park. Camping facilities in the park include 154 sites, day use and picnic tables are also pro- vided. The Park also includes the Emigrant Trail Museum and Pioneer Mon- ument and provides groomed cross-country trails for winter use.43 41 Town of Truckee, 2007. Truckee Trails & Bikeways Master Plan, Appendix B, Exhibit 1 – Recreational Trail Segment Descriptions, page 6. 42 The Next Step for Truckee, An Update on the Plan to Take the Next Step to Provide Services and Amenities for Truckee Residents, Truckee Donner Park and Recreation District website, http://www.tdrpd.com/index.html, retrieved September 2011. 43 California State Parks, Donner Memorial State Park, http://www.parks. ca.gov/?page_id=503, accessed on April 5, 2012. TOWN OF TRUCKEE CANYON SPRINGS DRAFT EIR PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION 4.13-36 d. United States Forest Land The Town is surrounded by the Truckee Ranger District of the Tahoe Na- tional Forest (TNF). The TNF comprises 800,000 acres of public land inter- spersed with 400,000 acres of private land in a checker board ownership pat- tern. Recreational opportunities provided by the TNF include camping, hik- ing, picnicking, backpacking, equestrian use, snowmobiling, back country skiing and snowshoeing, and off-highway vehicle use. Several commercial downhill ski resorts are operated with special-use permits on TNF land. 44 e. Existing Town Trail System Publicly accessible trail systems in Truckee and the surrounding area include a network of informal trails and well-known trails, such as the Pacific Crest Trail, Commemorative Emigrant Trail, Tahoe Rim Trail, and Sawtooth Rim Trail. According to the TBMP, the current Truckee recreational trail system, including the network of trails and unpaved roads on the project site, is char- acterized by a series of informal trails that lack cohesiveness or planned con- nections. This network extends into adjacent lands on all sides of the project site and subsequently, the project site is accessed by surrounding subdivision residents for year-round unauthorized use, such as cross-country and back- country skiers in the winter and hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians in other seasons. f. Privately Owned Recreation Facilities Several privately-owned and operated recreational facilities are located in close proximity to the Town boundary, such as Northstar Lake Tahoe, which offers year-round recreation opportunities, and several privately-owned facili- ties located within Town boundaries, such as the ten golf courses within 6 miles of the Town’s center. Although public use of these facilities, where allowed, is fee based, they nonetheless offer additional recreational opportuni- ties for Truckee’s residents. Additional recreational opportunities located both within and adjacent to Town boundaries, including skiing, mountain 44 United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Tahoe National Forest, http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/tahoe/home, accessed on April 5, 2012. TOWN OF TRUCKEE CANYON SPRINGS DRAFT EIR PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION 4.13-37 biking, and golfing are provided by private operators, and are open to the public. 3. Standards of Significance The proposed project would have a significant impact with regard to other public facilities if it would: ¤ Result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provi- sion of new or physically altered government facilities, need for new or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain ac- ceptable service ratios, response times or other performance objectives for park and recreational services. ¤ 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. ¤ Include recreational facilities or require the construction or expansion of recreational facilities which might have an adverse physical effect on the environment. 4. Impact Discussion Based on the existing estimated population of approximately 16,200, the cur- rent parks ratio in Truckee is approximately 7.4 acres per thousand popula- tion.45 The project is anticipated to generate 2.529 persons per household, which would result in approximately 468 new residents,46 including approxi- mately 66 school-aged children,47 and thus, would create an additional de- 45 Ratio is based on locally-operated, public parks, and does not include the State Park, private recreational facilities, or TTUSD properties. 46 Town of Truckee General Plan 2007-2014 Housing Element, Appendix A – Housing Profile, page HA-7. 47 Capital Program Management, Inc., TTUSD Facilities Master Plan Draft Report, Table 14 and 15, Student Yield Rates for Single-Family and Multi-Family Res- idential, August 22, 2007. TOWN OF TRUCKEE CANYON SPRINGS DRAFT EIR PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION 4.13-38 mand of 2.34 acres of dedicated parkland.48 Further, consistent with Devel- opment Code 18.46.050 standard, the project would be required to dedicate 106.5 acres of open space. Consistent with General Plan goals and policies identified in Table 4.13-4 above, the project would preserve and connect open space, provide connectiv- ity and recreational opportunities through a series of publicly accessible trails, and provide a neighborhood recreation center. a. Proposed Open Space The proposed project would provide 176.17 acres of public open space to be permanently reserved as part of the future Canyon Springs Home Owner’s Association-owned open space/common area. The project’s dedicated open space would exceed the 50 percent minimum required by 69.67 acres or 65.4 percent.49 The proposed open space would connect to the adjacent open space on the project’s western border. b. Proposed Trail System As shown on Figure 4.13-1, the proposed project would include a publicly accessible trail system made up of 3.83 miles of 2-foot-wide soft-surface earth- en trails and 0.76 mile of 12-foot-wide gravel trails. As described in Chapter 3 of this Draft EIR, the proposed trail system is con- sistent with the TBMP.50 The proposed 4.5-mile trail system would be pub- licly accessible for summer and winter non-motorized uses such as hiking, running, mountain biking, equestrian use, cross-country skiing, and snow- shoeing. Motorized use of the trails by off-road vehicles, dirt bikes, and 48 0.005 (5 acres per 1000 residents) x 185 (residential units) x 2.529 (expected household size) = 2.34 acres. 49 Town of Truckee Municipal Code, Title 18, Development Code, Chapter 18.46 Open Space/Cluster Requirements, Section 18.46.050, Minimum Open Space. 50 Town of Truckee, 2007, Truckee Trails & Bikeway Master Plan, Appendix D, Exhibit 1, Existing and Proposed Trail and Bikeway Network, Section 42, as of May 17, 2007. Source: Design Group Inc. TOWN OF TRUCKEE CANYON SPRINGS DRAFT EIR PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION FIGURE 4.13-1 PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE TRAIL MAP NORTH TOWN OF TRUCKEE CANYON SPRINGS DRAFT EIR PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION 4.13-40 snowmobiles would not be permitted on the project site. As illustrated on Figure 4.13-1 in Chapter 3 of this Draft EIR, the proposed trail system in- cludes many internal access points and four public access points that utilize existing trail alignments to provide connectivity to the surrounding commu- nity for permitted and lawful use of on-site trails by the public. The pro- posed trail signage would identify trail access points, permitted trail uses, and trail distance and provide educational information and trail use protocol. A detailed discussion on proposed trail systems is provided in Chapter 3 of this Draft EIR. c. Proposed Recreation Center While the Town does not require recreation amenities for new subdivisions, as described in Chapter 3 of this Draft EIR, the project includes a 24,015- square-foot (0.55-acre) recreational area to be centrally located within the pro- ject site that would be available for use by future residents and the public. A detailed discussion on proposed trail systems and recreational features is pro- vided in Chapter 3 of this Draft EIR. While the project would eliminate the current unauthorized year-round use of the informal trail network on the project site, the project would create a permitted and lawful publicly accessible 4.5-mile trail system and a recreation facility, and preserve approximately 176 acres of open space that will ulti- mately increase the overall amount of publicly accessible recreational facilities in the Truckee area. Therefore, considering the project’s provision of public- ly available recreational amenities and consistency with applicable General Plan policies, in conjunction with the collection of applicable Town Devel- oper Impact Fees that support the Town’s park and recreation fund, Quimby Fees and TDRPD Park and Recreational Fees, the project’s impacts on the Town’s recreational facilities would be less than significant and no mitigation measures are required. 5. Cumulative Impacts The project in conjunction with the Town buildout identified in the General Plan would cumulatively increase the demand for park and recreational ser- TOWN OF TRUCKEE CANYON SPRINGS DRAFT EIR PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION 4.13-41 vices in the Town. At buildout, under implementation of the General Plan, projected population levels are 28,520 individuals with 20,082 projected dwell- ing units and new commercial development; subsequently, it is anticipated that approximately 14,270 additional people will reside in Truckee. Howev- er, as with the project, the applicants of the new projects would be required to preserve open space, provide land or in-lieu fees for parks at a minimum ratio of 5 acres per thousand population, and pay Town Developer Impact Fees, Quimby Fees, and TDRPD Park and Recreational Fees, which provides funding for the provision of parks and recreation facilities and other needed services in the Town, and would fully mitigate any impact that the new pro- jects would have on park and recreational services in the Town. As stated previously, the project’s impacts to park and recreational services would be less than significant. Therefore, the project would not contribute to any po- tential cumulative impacts and cumulative impacts to park and recreational services would be less than significant and no mitigation measures are required. 6. Impacts and Mitigation Measures Project and cumulative impacts related to park and recreational services would be less than significant and no mitigation measures are warranted. TOWN OF TRUCKEE CANYON SPRINGS DRAFT EIR PUBLIC SERVICES AND RECREATION 4.13-42