Notice of Preparation - Visalia General Plan Update

Proposal for the City of Visalia
General Plan Update and EIR
impacts. The level of significance associated with each impact will be clearly identified
both prior to and following mitigation. It is expected that, to the extent feasible, potential
impacts will be mitigated by policies, programs, or objectives developed as a part of
the Environmental Resources Management Element. The EIR will address the potential
for increased runoff as a result of buildout of the General Plan, and any related impacts
to drainage systems in the City and downstream, such as the potential for increased
flooding. Risks to people or structures as a result of construction within the
FEMA floodplains will be addressed. The EIR will also identify any potential impacts
related to water quality as a result of General Plan buildout. This qualitative analysis
will consider sources and types of pollutants based on the proposed land uses. Conclusions
from the assessment of water supply and availability prepared for General Plan
buildout by Provost and Pritchard will be incorporated into the evaluation of potential
impacts on groundwater and surface water resources. Impacts both within the City and
downstream will be addressed, and feasible mitigation measures will be developed to
reduce impacts below significance thresholds.
• Safety and Hazardous Materials (D&B). Review available database information on location
and transport of hazardous materials. Discuss the general constraints that contaminated
soils and groundwater may pose to development and all applicable federal,
state, and local regulations with regard to contamination management and clean up.
Identify and characterize areas at the urban fringe that are particularly vulnerable to the
threat of fire. Identify fuel reduction methods and techniques consistent with protection
of special status species and habitats. Identify any restrictions on land uses and intensities
appropriate for areas identified as susceptible to fire hazard.
• Cultural Resources (D&B). Document any historic resources that are currently listed
on the National Register of Historic Places and reference materials from the Directory
of Properties, which is maintained by the State Office of Historic Preservation. Evaluate
how the General Plan Update will affect or disrupt the preservation of historic, cultural,
and archaeological resources. Evaluate Plan policies and recommend any additional
feasible mitigation measures that will avoid, reduce, or mitigate any impacts on historic
and prehistoric cultural resources. The mitigation measures will identify appropriate
implementation procedures, timing, responsible parties, and any necessary reporting
procedures. This work does not include a citywide historic resources evaluation. As
part of this task, D&B will conduct the notification and consultation with the Native
American Historical Commission and with Native American tribes required under
SB18. A maximum of one meeting with Native American representatives is included.
• Visual Quality (D&B). Apply significance criteria that have been derived from CEQA
Guidelines, which include view obstruction, or degradation, creation of an aesthetically
offensive site, impairment of an object having aesthetic significance, conflict with
adopted environmental plans and goals, or production of new light or glare. Assess how
future development under the new elements may affect city view sheds, particularly
views from public viewpoints (e.g. parks).
• Climate Change (D&B, with Urban Green). Evaluate the potential impacts of the General
Plan update on greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) using the results of the travel demand
forecasting models and buildout calculations for other potential sources of GHG
and assess what policies and actions are included in the General Plan update that may
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