HomeMy WebLinkAbout!Ch 05.09 PS 5.9 Public Services
Otay Ranch Village 8 West EIR
CV EIR 10-03; SCH No. 2010062093 Page 5.9-1
City of Chula Vista
November 2013
5.9 Public Services
This section describes the public services that would serve Village 8 West and evaluates the potential for
impacts to public services due to implementation of the project. This section of the EIR includes a
subsection for each public service. Fire and emergency medical services are addressed in subsection
5.9.1; police services are addressed in subsection 5.9.2; schools in subsection 5.9.3; libraries in
subsection 5.9.4; and parks, recreation, open space, and trails in subsection 5.9.5.
As stated in Section 2.3, Purpose and Legal Authority, this EIR tiers from the 2013 GPA/GDPA SEIR (09-
01). Section 5.7, Public Services, of the Final SEIR for the GPA/GDPA (EIR 09-01) addressed existing
conditions, potential impacts, and mitigation measures related to public services that would result from
implementation of the land uses proposed in the GPA/GDPA, including Village 8 West. The SEIR
concluded that impacts to fire, police, school, library, and parks and recreation services would be less
than significant with compliance with General Plan and GDP policies that require public services to be
provided concurrent with need. The public service analyses in this section update the applicable
information in the SEIR, which is incorporated by reference.
5.9.1 Fire and Emergency Medical Services
5.9.1.1 Existing Conditions
A. Regulatory Framework
1. City of Chula Vista General Plan
The General Plan recognizes that fire protection and emergency services will need to expand as the
city’s population grows. The Public Facilities and Services Elements includes objectives to maintain
sufficient levels of fire protection and emergency medical service to protect public safety and property
(Objective PFS 5) and provide adequate fire protection services to newly developing and redeveloping
areas of the city (Objective PFS 6). Additionally, Growth Management Objective GM 1 and Policy GM
1.11 encourage withholding discretionary approvals and subsequent building permits from projects
demonstrated to be out of compliance with applicable threshold standards for fire and emergency
medical services.
The General Plan identifies the current and planned fire station locations in Otay Ranch. Fire Station #7
at 1640 Santa Venetia Street is the closest existing station to Village 8 West. Fire Station #10 is proposed
within the EUC.
2. Otay Ranch General Development Plan
The purpose of the fire protection and emergency facility section of the Otay Ranch GDP is to establish
goals, objectives, policies, standards, and processing requirements for the timely prov ision of these
facilities. As stated therein, the goal is to provide protection to the Otay Ranch project area and
surrounding communities from loss of life and property due to fires and medical emergencies. The GDP
also states that four new fire stations are necessary to serve the Otay Ranch Project Area at build-out. In
accordance with ongoing demand, one station (Fire Station #7) has been developed to serve Otay
Ranch. The Otay Ranch GDP shows a fire station location within the EUC. Fire Station #10 is designated
to meet projected growth within the Otay Ranch under the build-out of the EUC and other villages
within the vicinity. This station is not yet built. The remaining two fire stations that would be needed to
5.9 Public Services
Otay Ranch Village 8 West EIR
CV EIR 10-03; SCH No. 2010062093 Page 5.9-2
City of Chula Vista
November 2013
serve the Otay Ranch GDP area at build-out have not yet been planned by the CVFD, due to extensive
areas of the GDP in which future development plans are still unknown. One GDP policy pertains to fire
service:
■ Objective: Provide sufficient fire and emergency services facilities to respond to calls within the
Otay Ranch urban communities: within a 7-minute response time in 85 percent of the cases.
■ Policies:
Otay Ranch SPA plans shall include emergency disaster plans to become operative during
periods of major emergency.
Otay Ranch shall participate in cooperative agreements with urban and rural emergency
services providers.
Incorporate the Otay Ranch project area into existing regional disaster preparedness
programs.
Otay Ranch shall site fire and emergency services facilities consistent with the following
factors:
Ability to meet travel/response time policies;
Proximity to a pool of volunteer firefighters for service within the unincorporated
areas, when appropriate;
Ability of the site to support the appropriate facility to serve current and future
development in the intended service area;
Distances from other fire stations, including those operated by neighboring districts;
Safe access to roadways in emergency responses;
Special needs for fire suppression, and emergency services, including needs created by
recreation areas and industrial land uses;
Avoid close proximity to fault traces; and
Ability to meet any adopted local community facility level standard, if appropriate.
Consideration shall be given to shared law enforcement and fire service facilities such as
public safety "storefronts" within village centers, training rooms, and equipment storage.
Otay Ranch shall evaluate the provision of fire suppression sprinkler systems for residential
development within the project area as part of SPA plans.
Fire protection and emergency services facilities shall be available or will be available
concurrent with need.
In areas lacking local public structural fire protection and within the sphere of influence of a
fire protection agency, approval of Otay Ranch discretionary applications shall be
conditioned on the annexation to that agency.
3. Fire Station Master Plan
The existing Fire Station Master Plan (FSMP), dated 1997, establishes six guidelines to assess alternative
fire station needs and networks. These guidelines address travel time, response time, cost, and relative
workloads among stations. The FSMP recommends 1.5-acre sites for all fire stations and calls for a total
of nine fire stations in the city. An updated FSMP has been prepared and identifies two additional
planned facilities, but is pending review and approval by the City Council.
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4. Chula Vista Municipal Code Growth Ordinances
CVMC Section 19.80.030 (Controlled Residential Development) is intended to ensure that new
development would not degrade existing public services and facilities below acceptable standards for
fire and other public services. The preparation of a PFFP is required in conjunction with the preparation
of the SPA Plan for the project to ensure that the development of the project is consistent with the
overall goals and policies of the General Plan and would not degrade public services. Similarly, Section
19.09 of the CMVC (Growth Management) provides policies and programs that tie the pace of
development to the provision of public facilities and improvements. Section 19.09.040B specifically
requires that “properly equipped and staffed fire and medical units shall respond to calls throughout the
city within 7 minutes in 80 percent of the cases.” Section 19.09 also requires a PFFP and the
demonstration that public services, such as fire services, meet the growth management program’s
quality of life threshold standards.
B. Existing Fire Protection and Emergency Services
Fire protection and emergency services for the city of Chula Vista are provided by the CVFD. The CVFD
employs 134 people including firefighters and administrative staff. There are currently nine fire stations
which service a population of approximately 223,423 people and an area covering over 52 square miles.
According to the GMOC 2012 Annual Report, in fiscal year 2011, the CVFD received approximately 9,916
calls for service (City of Chula Vista 2012f). Of these calls, 78.1 percent were responded to within 7
minutes during the 2011 fiscal year. The current GMOC threshold standard for emergency fire response
is 7 minutes or less in 80 percent of calls. The CVFD did not meet the GMOC threshold standard in fiscal
year 2011.
Table 5.9-1 lists the locations of CVFD stations. Table 5.9-2 summarizes staffing for the department.
Village 8 West is currently located within the response district of Fire Station #7, which is located at
1640 Santa Venetia Road in Otay Ranch Village 2, approximately one mile from the northern border of
Village 8 West. Distances to interior locations within Village 8 West increase as much as a mile due to
the geographic size of the site. CVFD Fire Station #7 serves the communities of Otay Ranch, Village of
Heritage, Heritage Hills, and the Village of Countryside. A total of 24 firefighters, which includes three
Battalion Chiefs, operate out of Fire Station #7 (City of Chula Vista 2009b), which is equipped with one
fire engine, one fire truck, as well as one reserve fire engine and one reserve fire truck. During a typical
24-hour shift there are 36 line firefighters and two Battalion Chiefs on constant duty spread among the
city's nine fire stations. Each station has a captain, engineer, and one firefighter. Fire Station #7 is the
battalion headquarters for the eastern part of the city.
The CVFD currently has mutual aid agreements with Bonita-Sunnyside, Imperial Beach, National City,
San Diego, and San Diego County. Emergency medical services for the city of Chula Vista are contracted
to the American Medical Response. The American Medical Response ambulance station located closest
to the project area is at 861 Otay Lakes Road. Currently, two full-time units are stationed within city
limits and are dedicated to Chula Vista, while two other full-time units are shared with other cities (City
of Chula Vista 2009b).
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Table 5.9-1 City of Chula Vista Fire Station Facilities
Station Location Service Area Equipment
Current Facilities(1)
Station #1 447 F Street
Chula Vista, CA 91910
Downtown, Bay Front, Northwest City, I-5,
I-54 & I-805/North
Engine 51; Truck 51;
Battalion 51
Station #2 80 East J Street
Chula Vista, CA 91910
Central City, I-805/Central,
Hilltop, Country Club
Engine 52/Reserve 53
Station #3 1410 Brandywine Avenue
Chula Vista, CA 91911
Sunbow, I-805 South,
Woodlawn Park, East/Main Street
USAR 53; USAR 53
Tender/Trailer
Station #4 850 Paseo Ranchero
Chula Vista, CA 91910
Rancho Del Rey, Bonita Long Canyon,
Southwestern College
Engine 54
Station #5 391 Oxford Street
Chula Vista, CA 91911
Montgomery, Harborside, Otay, I-5/
South Southwest City, West/Main Street
Engine 55 /Reserve 3
Station #6 605 Mt. Miguel Road
Chula Vista, CA 91914
East Lake, Rolling Hills Ranch,
San Miguel Ranch
Engine 56; Brush 52
Station #7 1640 Santa Venetia Road
Chula Vista, CA 91913
Otay Ranch, Village of Heritage,
Heritage Hills, Village of Countryside
Engine 57; Truck 57;
Battalion 52
Station #8 1180 Woods Drive
Chula Vista, CA 91914
East Lake, Rolling Hills Ranch, San Miguel
Ranch, Tour De Elegance, The Woods
Engine 58
Station #9 291 East Oneida Street
Chula Vista, CA 91911
Sunbow, I-805 South,
Woodlawn Park, East/Main Street
Engine 59
Planned Facilities(2)
Station #10 Eastern Urban Center Otay Ranch EUC Engine;
EUC Truck
Bayfront Fire
Station
North East corner of Bay
Boulevard and J Street
Chula Vista Bayfront Bayfront Engine; Bayfront
Truck
Sources: (1) CVFD 2012; (2) City of Chula Vista 2010a
Table 5.9-2 Chula Vista Fire Department Staffing
Position Number of Employees
Administrative Secretary 1
Battalion Chief 6
Deputy Fire Chief 3
Division Chief 1
Facility & Supply Specialist 1
Fire Captain 35
Fire Chief 1
Fire Engineer 34
Fire Inspector I/II 5
Fire Engineer/Investigator 1
Firefighter 42
Office Specialist 1
Public Safety Analyst 1
Secretary 1
Senior Fire Inspector/Investigator 1
Total 134
Source: City of Chula Vista 2012b
5.9 Public Services
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November 2013
5.9.1.2 Thresholds of Significance
According to Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines and the City of Chula Vista, impacts to fire and
emergency medical services would be significant if the project would:
■ Threshold 1: Result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of 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 fire protection and emergency services.
■ Threshold 2: Further reduce the ability of properly equipped and staffed fire and medical units
to respond to calls throughout the city within 7 minutes in 80 percent of the calls.
■ Threshold 3: Be inconsistent with General Plan, GDP, and other objectives and policies regarding
fire protection and emergency medical services thereby resulting in a significant physical impact.
5.9.1.3 Impact Analysis
A. Threshold 1: Result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with
the provision of 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 fire protection and emergency services.
The project would result in an increase in demand for fire services because the land use is changing from
vacant land to developed conditions that would require fire protection and emergency services . The
project does not specifically propose any new fire protection or emergency medical service facilities;
however, a fire station would be conditionally permitted in the Neighborhood Edge, Neighborhood
General, and Neighborhood Center Zones, and the Town Center. The SPA Plan does not specify the
construction of government facilities, but does not preclude them. Construction impacts from general
development in Village 8 West would be similar to impacts resulting from construction of a fire facility
and are evaluated in the various topical sections in Chapter 5, Environmental Impact Analysis, of this EIR
along with mitigation measures to address any significant impacts. Physical impacts from project
construction would be less than significant for air emissions from building construction, noise, cultural
resources, biological resources, hydrology, and water quality with implementation of the mitigation
measures identified in this EIR. Significant and unavoidable construction air emissions from mass
grading, surface improvements, and simultaneous construction would occur as a result of development
across the entire site and would occur whether or not the proposed development includes civic facilities.
Further environmental review would be required if a specific facility is proposed for construction, but
such facilities are not proposed as part of the Village 8 West SPA Plan.
B. Threshold 2: Further reduces the ability of properly equipped and staffed fire
and medical units to respond to calls throughout the city within 7 minutes in
80 percent of the calls.
The CVFD did not meet the Chula Vista Growth Management Program’s Fire and Emergency Medical
Services GMOC threshold standard of responding to 80 percent of calls within 7 minutes in fiscal year
2011. According to the 2012 GMOC Annual Report, the CVFD responded to 78.1 percent of calls within 7
minutes in fiscal year 2011. Project build-out would result in a residential population of approximately
5,737 people and approximately 300,000 square feet of non-residential uses. This increase in residences
5.9 Public Services
Otay Ranch Village 8 West EIR
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and commercial facilities would result in an increase in demand for fire and emergency medical services,
and an increase in demand for water for fire protection. An increase in demand for fire and emergency
medical services could also increase response times. American Medical Response has indicated that one
relocated medical unit and one new medical unit would be needed to adequately serve Village 8 West
(PMC 2012).
Fire services and implementation of the CVFD’s Fire Station Master Plan are funded through
development impact fees collected as part of the Chula Vista Public Facilities Development Impact Fee
(PFDIF) Program. Implementation of the project would require the collection of the PFDIF. The PFDIF
addresses the project’s proportional impact on capital facilities, such as structures and equipment,
associated with the fire protection. It does not address the impact associated with operations and
maintenance for those facilities. It is the city’s policy to use public funds such as property taxes, sales
taxes, and fees generated by the project to cover the incremental costs associated with providing fire
services. Development within Village 8 West would be required to pay the PFDIF, as well as all future
taxes and fees adopted by the city to cover fire protection services.
The Chula Vista City Council, as part of the City’s Growth Management Program, adopted quality of life
threshold standards for eleven public facility and service topics, including fire and emergency medical
services. Adherence to these citywide standards is intended to preserve and enhance both the
environment and residents’ quality of life as growth occurs. The GMOC was created to provide an
independent, annual, review of the effectiveness of the General Plan in regard to development and
growth-oriented issues; to make determinations in regard to the impact of development of the “quality
of life” in Chula Vista, using adopted threshold criteria as a basis; and to publish findings and make
recommendations. Should the GMOC determine that the growth management threshold standard is not
being satisfied because of the impacts of growth, the City Council shall consider adopting measures to
bring the condition into conformance, prior to issuing further building permits.
The SPA Plan has been prepared in coordination with the CVFD in order to meet the GMO standard. For
planning purposes, the CVFD generally assumes that development located within 2.5 miles from a CVFD
facility can be reached by the CVFD within a five minute response time. According to the CVFD, and
demonstrated in the Fire Protection Plan, all areas of Village 8 West are within the five minute response
time area of the existing fire station in Village 7 (Gipson 2011). Additionally, the EUC includes a proposed
fire station that would serve Village 8 West. Therefore, the project is within a response time area that
would meet the GMOC standards for fire protection and would not decrease average response time by
locating new facilities outside of the existing CVFD service area.
The city Growth Management Program also requires new development to pay its fair share to maintain
the quality of life standards for the city. The PFFP includes a fiscal impact analysis for Village 8 West to
determine the revenues and costs expected to be generated by the development. Net revenues are
used to finance costs associated with operations and maintenance associated with the public services
required to serve the project. Additional fire equipment, staff and facilities required to serve the
increased population proposed by the project is identified in the PFFP. The PFFP ensures that project
development will not adversely impact the city quality of life standards.
While the combination of PFDIF fees from the applicant, implementation of the PFFP, and compliance
with existing city policies and mechanisms would ensure that the GMOC threshold standard is achieved.
This impact would be potentially significant if these mechanisms are not enforced. Therefore, mitigation
is required.
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Otay Ranch Village 8 West EIR
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The project would create demand for water for fire protection that would result in an adverse impact if
adequate water supply is not available to provide the necessary fire flows for the site. The project’s
water demand is addressed in Section 5.15.1, Water. As discussed in this section, required fire flows and
durations are included in the total water demand calculated for the project (0.79 mgd). The OWD
approved a WSAV in November 2010 for Village 8 West. The WSAV determined that sufficient water
supplies are planned for and are intended to be available over a 20-year planning horizon, under normal
conditions and in single-dry and multiple-dry water years to meet the projected demand of the
proposed Village 8 West project and the existing and other planned development projects to be served
by OWD. Furthermore, fire flow requirements for each building within the project site will be a function
of building design including height and structure type.
As required by mitigation measure 5.15.1-2, the applicant is required to prepare and obtain approval of
a SAMP which, among other things, addresses fire flow requirements (e.g. flow rate, duration, hydrant
spacing, etc.). As part of the building permit process, the City of Chula Vista will evaluate the fire flow
requirements for each project in accordance with adopted Fire Code and approved SAMP. Approval of
the SAMP prior to approval of the first final map will ensure that adequate and appropriate
infrastructure is developed to serve the project’s water needs, including fire flows for individual
buildings. Therefore, impacts related to fire flows would be less than significant.
C. Threshold 3: Be inconsistent with General Plan, GDP, and other objectives and
policies regarding fire protection and emergency medical services thereby
resulting in a significant physical impact.
Table 5.9-3 evaluates the consistency of the project with the applicable General Plan objectives. As
shown, the project would be consistent with policies that would specifically apply to the project. This
impact would be less than significant with implementation of the PFFP, PFDIF, and compliance with
applicable city policies.
Table 5.9-3 Project Consistency with Applicable General Plan Fire Service Policies
Applicable Policies Evaluation of Consistency
Objective LUT 76: Provide public services and facilities to
meet the needs of the Otay Ranch residents.
Policy LUT 76.1: Services and facilities will be conveniently
located and efficiently managed and provided to Otay Ranch
residents concurrent with needs.
Consistent. The project would provide the public services
necessary to meet the needs of Otay Ranch residents.
Compliance with the city GMO and implementation of the
PFFP would ensure that services are provided concurrently
with development. Services and facilities would be
conveniently concentrated in the Town Center, which would
be accessible by all modes of transportation. Park facilities
would be provided throughout the project area, including a
neighborhood park, community park, and town square.
Objective PFS 5: Maintain sufficient levels of fire protection,
emergency medical service and police services to protect
public safety and property.
Policy PFS 5.1: Continue to adequately equip and staff the Fire
Department to ensure that established service standards for
emergency calls are met.
Consistent. With implementation of the PFFP, the project
would be consistent with this objective and supporting
policies. The PFFP for Village 8 West identifies the public
facilities needed to support the project including fire, police
and emergency medical services. The PFFP identifies when
these services will be required and the appropriate funding
mechanism(s) to ensure that facilities, equipment and
personnel are operational prior to or concurrent with need.
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Table 5.9-3 Project Consistency with Applicable General Plan Fire Service Policies (continued)
Applicable Policies Evaluation of Consistency
Policy PFS 5.2: Upgrade fire and emergency medical
equipment, as required, to protect the public from hazards
and to ensure the safety of firefighters.
Policy PFS 5.3: Support the provision of new fire stations, as
deemed necessary through the existing or updated FSMP.
Policy PFS 5.7: Prior to approval of any discretionary projects,
ensure that construction is phased with provision of police
and fire protection services such that services are provided
prior to or concurrent with need.
Objective PFS 6: Provide adequate fire and police protection
services to newly developing and redeveloping areas of the
city.
Policy PFS 6.1: Continue to require new development and
redevelopment projects to demonstrate adequate access for
fire and police vehicles.
Policy PFS 6.2: Require new development and redevelopment
projects to demonstrate adequate water pressure to new
buildings.
Consistent. With implementation of the PFFP, the project
would be consistent with this objective and supporting
policies. See Objective PFS 5, above. As discussed in Section
5.15.1, Water, according the WSAV prepared for the SPA Plan,
adequate water would be available to support the project.
Through approval of a SAMP, new development would be
required to demonstrate adequate fire protection
requirements such as flow rate, duration, hydrant spacing,
etc.
Objective GM 1: Concurrent public facilities and services.
Policy GM 1.9: Require that all major development projects
prepare a PFFP that articulates infrastructure and public
facilities requirements and costs and funding mechanisms.
Policy GM 1.11: Establish the authority to withhold
discretionary approvals and subsequent building permits from
projects demonstrated to be out of compliance with
applicable threshold standards.
Consistent. With implementation of the PFFP, the SPA Plan
would be consistent with this General Plan objective and
policies because the PFFP will identify the fire staffing
requirements for the SPA Plan, when these services will be
required and the appropriate funding mechanism(s) to ensure
that facilities, equipment and personnel are operational prior
to or concurrent with need. The City Council has the authority
to withhold discretionary approvals and subsequent building
permits from projects demonstrated to be out of compliance
with applicable threshold standards.
Objective GM 3: Create and preserve vital neighborhoods.
Policy GM 3.3: Assure that all new and infill development
within existing urban areas pays its proportional share of the
cost for urban infrastructure and public facilities required to
maintain the threshold standards, as adopted for its area of
impact.
Consistent. See analysis for Objective GM 1.
Table 5.9-4 evaluates the consistency of the project with the applicable GDP objectives. As shown, the
project would be consistent with applicable policies. This impact would be less than significant with
implementation of the PFFP, PFDIF, and compliance with applicable city policies.
Additionally, implementation of Village 8 West would not interfere with implementation of the fire
station guidelines in the existing FSMP. An updated FSMP has been prepared and identifies two
additional planned facilities, but is pending review and approval by the City Council. Development in
Village 8 West would be required to conform to any approved Fire FSMP. Therefore, the proposed
project would not result in any conflict with the FSMP.
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Table 5.9-4 Project Consistency with Applicable GDP Fire Service Policies
Applicable Policies Evaluation of Consistency
Part II, Chapter 5 – Capital Facilities, Section E – Community Facility Plans
Goal: Provide protection to the Otay Ranch project area and
surrounding communities from the loss of life and property
due to fires and medical emergencies.
Objective: Provide sufficient fire and emergency service
facilities to respond to calls within the Otay Ranch urban
communities within a 7-minute response time in 85 percent of
the cases.
Policy: Otay Ranch SPA plans shall include emergency disaster
plans to become operative during periods of major
emergency.
Policy: Otay Ranch shall participate in cooperative agreements
with urban and rural emergency services providers.
Policy: Incorporate the Otay Ranch project area into existing
regional disaster preparedness programs.
Policy: Otay Ranch shall site fire and emergency services
facilities consistent with the following factors:
a. Ability to meet travel/response time policies;
b. Proximity to a pool of volunteer firefighters for service
within the unincorporated areas, when appropriate;
c. Ability of the site to support the appropriate facility to serve
current and future development in the intended service
area;
d. Distances from other fire stations, including those operated
by neighboring districts;
e. Safe access to roadways in emergency responses;
f. Special needs for fire suppression, and emergency services,
including needs created by recreation areas and industrial
land uses;
g. Avoid close proximity to fault traces; and
h. Ability to meet any adopted local community facility level
standard, if appropriate.
Policy: Consideration shall be given to shared law enforcement
and fire service facilities such as public safety storefronts
within village centers, training rooms and equipment storage.
Policy: Otay Ranch shall evaluate the provision of fire
suppression sprinkler systems for residential development
within the project area as part of SPA plans.
Policy: Fire protection and emergency services facilities shall
be available or will be available concurrent with need.
Policy: In areas lacking local public structural fire protection
and within the sphere of influence of a fire protection agency,
approval of Otay Ranch discretionary applications shall be
conditioned on the annexation to that agency.
Policy: Otay Ranch shall cooperate in the development of a
strategy to address emergency medical service facilities and
responsibilities in areas lacking a local provider of these
services.
Consistent. The CVFD did not meet the GDP Objective of
responding to 85 percent of calls within 7 minutes in fiscal
year 2011. In addition, the Fire Protection Plan demonstrates
that the project site is within 2.5 miles of the nearest fire
station. The increase in residential and employment
population in Village 8 West would result in an increase in
demand for fire and emergency medical services, which could
also increase response times. However, the combination of
PFDIF fees from the applicant, implementation of the PFFP,
and existing city policies and mechanisms would reduce
impacts associated with fire safety operations and
maintenance to less than significant by providing the funding
for adequate services to ensure that the response time
standards for the city is met. Implementation of the PFFP and
compliance with the city’s growth management ordinance
would ensure that fire protection and emergency services
facilities will be available concurrent with need. Fire stations
are a permitted use throughout the SPA Plan.
If the CVFD determines that Village 8 West would be an
appropriate area for a fire station via an approved Fire
Facilities Master Plan, siting of the facility would be subject to
the siting requirements in the Otay Ranch GDP. Additionally,
the Otay Ranch GDP polices in support of this objective require
SPA plans to include emergency disaster plans to become
operative during periods of major emergency and evaluate the
provision of fire suppression sprinkler systems for residential
development within the project area as part of SPA plans. As
discussed in Section 3.3.1.5, SPA Elements, the SPA Plan for
Village 8 West includes an emergency disaster plan by
implementing the plans already developed for the area. On
January 1, 2011, the 2010 California Building Standards Codes
went into effect, which require all new one- and two-family
dwellings and townhouses constructed in California to include
fire sprinklers. Therefore, all residences constructed in Village
8 West would be required to install fire suppression sprinklers.
The project would consistent with the GDP objective and
policies related to fire services with implementation of the
PFFP, PFDIF, and compliance with applicable city policies.
Additionally, the SPA Plan includes a fire protection plan to
minimize wildfire risk. Public safety storefronts are an
allowable use in the Town Center. As discussed in Section 5.15,
Utilities, adequate water supply would be available for the
project’s fire flow demand.
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Table 5.9-4 Project Consistency with Applicable GDP Fire Service Policies (continued)
Applicable Policies Evaluation of Consistency
Policy: Otay Ranch shall work with affected fire protection
agencies to cooperatively develop guidelines for appropriate
water provision requirements necessary for fire protection in
ground water dependent areas.
Policy: Otay Ranch shall participate in fire mitigation fee or
development impact fee programs to enable fire protection
agencies to meet the facility and equipment needs generated
by Otay Ranch.
5.9.1.4 Level of Significance Prior to Mitigation
A. Fire and Emergency Medical Facilities
No significant impacts related to fire and emergency medical facilities have been identified for the
project.
B. Fire Protection Service Standard
The anticipated increase in residential population of 5,737 people and the employment base from
300,000 square feet of commercial and office development would increase demand on fire and
emergency medical services. The increase in demand would be significant if fully operational and
appropriately equipped and staffed fire stations are not provided commensurate with the demand on
fire and emergency medical services.
C. Consistency with Fire and Emergency Medical Service Policies
The increase in fire and emergency medical service demand associated with the project would be
significant if fully operational and appropriately equipped and staffed fire stations are not provided
commensurate with the demand on fire and emergency medical services.
5.9.1.5 Mitigation Measures
A. Fire and Emergency Medical Facilities
No mitigation measures are required.
B. Fire Protection Service Standard
5.9.1-1 Public Facilities Development Impact Fees. Prior to the approval of each building permit, the
applicant shall pay a Public Facilities Development Impact Fee in accordance with the fees in
effect at the time of building permit issuance and phasing approved in the Public Facilities
Finance Plan. Subject to approval of the City Council, in lieu of paying the required impact fee,
the applicant may satisfy that requirement through a written agreement, by which the
applicant agrees to either pay the fee or build the facility in question, pursuant to the terms of
the agreement.
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5.9.1-2 Growth Management Program’s Fire and Emergency Medical Service Threshold Standard.
The City of Chula Vista shall continue to monitor the Chula Vista Fire Department responses to
emergency fire and medical calls and report the results to the Growth Management Oversight
Commission on an annual basis.
5.9.1-3 Fire Code Compliance. Prior to the approval of each building permit and to the satisfaction of
the City of Chula Vista Fire Marshal, the project shall meet the provisions of the current city-
adopted California fire code. In meeting said provisions, the project shall meet the minimum
fire flow requirements based upon construction type and square footage.
C. Consistency with Fire and Emergency Medical Service Policies
Mitigation measures 5.9.1-1 through 5.9.1-3 would also reduce impacts related to consistency with fire
and emergency medical service policies.
5.9.1.6 Level of Significance After Mitigation
A. Fire and Emergency Medical Facilities
Impacts would be less than significant without mitigation.
B. Fire Protection Service Standard
With implementation of mitigation measures 5.9.1-1 through 5.9.1-3 identified above, fire protection
service standard impacts related to implementation of the SPA Plan and TM would be mitigated to less
than significant.
C. Consistency with Fire and Emergency Medical Service Policies
With implementation of mitigation measures 5.9.1-1 through 5.9.1-3 identified above, fire and
emergency medical services impacts related to implementation of the SPA Plan and TM would be
mitigated to less than significant.
5.9.2 Police Services
5.9.2.1 Existing Conditions
A. Regulatory Framework
1. City of Chula Vista General Plan
The Chula Vista General Plan recognizes that police services will need to expand as the city’s population
grows. The Public Facilities and Services Element of the General Plan includes objectives to maintain
sufficient levels of police service to protect public safety and property (Objective PFS 5) and to provide
adequate police protection services to newly developing and redeveloping areas of the city (Objective
PFS 6). Additionally, Growth Management Objective GM 1 and Policy GM 1.11 encourage withholding
discretionary approvals and subsequent building permits from projects demonstrated to be out of
compliance with applicable threshold standards for police services.
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2. Otay Ranch General Development Plan
The purpose of the Law Enforcement Facilities section of the Otay Ranch GDP is to establish goals,
objectives, policies, standards, and processing requirements for the timely provision of law enf orcement
facilities. As stated therein, the goal is to protect life and property and prevent the occurrence of crime.
The Otay Ranch GDP also states that one central police station, located in the EUC, is necessary to serve
the Otay Ranch project area at build-out.
3. Chula Vista Municipal Code Growth Ordinance
CVMC Section 19.80.030 is intended to ensure that new development would not degrade existing public
services and facilities below acceptable standards for police protection. The preparation of a PFFP is
required in conjunction with the preparation of a SPA Plan to ensure that the development of the
project is consistent with the overall goals and policies of the General Plan and would not degrade public
services. Similarly, Section 19.09 (Growth Management) of the CVMC provides policies and programs
that tie the pace of development to the provision of public facilities and improvements. Section
19.09.040A specifically requires that properly equipped and staffed police units shall respond to 81
percent of Priority One emergency calls within 7 minutes and maintain an average response time to all
Priority One emergency calls of 5.5 minutes or less. Section 19.09 also requires that properly equipped
and staffed police units shall response to 57 percent of Priority Two urgent calls within 7 minutes and
maintain an average response time of 7 minutes and 30 seconds or less. Finally, Section 19.09 requires a
PFFP and the demonstration that public services, such as police services, meet the Growth Management
Program’s quality of life threshold standards.
B. Existing Police Services
The Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD) provides police protection services for the Otay Ranch area
from its existing police facility at 315 Fourth Avenue in downtown Chula Vista, approximately seven
miles from Village 8 West. The CVPD is currently authorized for 307 employees (City of Chula Vista
2012b), a ratio of approximately one sworn personnel per 1,000 residents. Village 8 West is located in
Beats 24 and 32 (City of Chula Vista 2002a). At least one patrol car serves each beat in the city 24 hours
a day. As the city continues to grow and the demand for police services increases, the CVPD regularly
evaluates beat structure. In addition, the CVPD participates in regional mutual aid agreements (City of
Chula Vista 2009b).
The 2012 GMOC Annual Report indicates that the CVPD responded to 85.7 percent of Priority One
emergency calls within 7 minutes and maintained an average response time for Priority One calls of 4
minutes 40 seconds during fiscal year 2011. This met the GMOC threshold standard requiring properly
equipped and staffed police units to respond to 81 percent of Priority One emergency calls within 7
minutes with an average response time of 5 minutes 30 seconds. During the same period addressed in
the 2012 GMOC Annual Report, the CVPD responded to 49.8 percent of Priority Two urgent calls within
7 minutes and maintained an average response time for Priority Two calls of 10 minutes 06 seconds.
This did not meet the GMOC threshold standard that requires properly equipped and staffed police units
to respond to 57 percent of Priority Two urgent calls within 7 minutes with an average response time of
7 minutes and 30 seconds.
5.9.2.2 Thresholds of Significance
According to Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines, the project would result in a significant impact to
police protection services if it would:
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■ Threshold 1: Result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of 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 police protection services.
■ Threshold 2: Exceed the city’s growth management threshold standard to respond to Priority
One emergency calls throughout the city (within 7 minutes in 81 percent of the cases and an
average response time to all Priority One calls of 5.5 minutes or less); and/or exceed the city’s
growth management threshold standard to respond to Priority Two urgent calls throughout the
city (within 7 minutes in 57 percent of cases and an average response time to all Priority Two
calls of 7.5 minutes or less).
■ Threshold 3: Be inconsistent with General Plan objectives and policies regarding police
protection thereby resulting in a significant physical impact.
5.9.2.3 Impact Analysis
A. Threshold 1: 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 police protection services.
The project would result in an increase in demand for police services. While the SPA Plan conditionally
permits civic facilities, such as a police station, the project does not specifically include the development
of a police station or facilities. The construction impacts of general development in the SPA would be
generally similar to impacts from construction of a policy facility and are evaluated in the various topical
sections in Chapter 5, Environmental Impact Analysis, of this EIR, along with mitigation measures to
address significant impacts. As discussed in this EIR, project construction impacts would be less than
significant for air emissions from building construction, noise, cultural resources, biological resources,
hydrology, and water quality. Significant and unavoidable construction air emissions from mass grading,
surface improvements, and simultaneous construction would occur as a result of development across
the entire site and would occur whether or not the proposed development would include civic facilities.
Further environmental review would be required if a specific facility is proposed , but such facilities are
not proposed as part of the Village 8 West SPA Plan.
B. Threshold 2: Exceed the city’s growth management threshold standard to
respond to Priority One emergency calls throughout the City (within 7 minutes
in 81 percent of the cases and an average response time to all Priority One
calls of 5.5 minutes or less); and/or exceed the city’s growth management
threshold standard to respond to Priority Two urgent calls throughout the City
(within 7 minutes in 57 percent of cases and an average response time to all
Priority Two calls of 7.5 minutes or less).
The CVPD met the growth management response time threshold for Priority One calls, but not Priority
Two calls in fiscal year 2011. Development of the project would increase the demand for police services
as a result of increased population and development density. Demand for police services would increase
response times due to a potential increase in the frequency of police calls and contacts. Although
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population is only one factor of many that generate a demand for police services, it is the best estimate
for the project’s need for police services given current available information. To estimate the calls for
service for different land use types, the CVPD uses local or regional per acre (or per unit) averages for
similar properties or areas.
The central police station at Fourth Avenue and F Street is sufficient to meet the law enforcement needs
created by the increased demand associated with the project because patrol officers respond to calls for
service from the field rather than a fixed station. Although police substations would be a permitted use
in the SPA Plan, construction is not required for several reasons. A substation would not reduce service
response times because patrol officers respond to calls for service from the field rather than from a
fixed station. Additionally, the cost to build a substation was estimated at over $15 million (City of Chula
Vista 2009b).
The CVPD does not currently meet the GMOC response time thresholds for Priority Two calls. The
project would incrementally increase Priority Two calls, which could make meeting the priority threshold
more difficult. Additional staffing and equipment would be required to bring the CVPD in compliance
with the Priority Two call threshold.
Implementation of the project would require the collection of PFDIF. The PFDIF addresses the project’s
proportional impact on capital facilities, such as structures and equipment, associated with police
protection. It does not address the impact associated with operations and maintenance for those
facilities. Public funds such as property taxes, sales taxes, and fees generated by the project would be
used to cover the incremental costs associated with providing police services. The PFFP for Village 8
West includes a fiscal impact analysis to determine the revenues and costs expected to be generated by
the development. Net revenues are used to finance costs associated with operations and maintenance
associated with the public services required to serve the project.
The physical design and features of a project can also reduce demand on police services by affecting the
ability of the police to respond to reported activities or reduce/ increase the potential for accidents or
criminal activity. As the design of the project would affect the impact of the project on police services,
all building plans would be submitted to the CVPD for review to determine the use of crime prevention
through environmental design (CPTED) features. Crime prevention in Village 8 West is addressed
through optimization of community interaction and street activity and a minimization of secluded areas
that could foster crime. CPTED features that are encouraged in the SPA Plan development guidelines
and regulations include:
■ Requiring parks to provide maximum public visibility (SPA Section 4.7.5, Community Use
Landscaping)
■ Enhancing pedestrian visibility in the Town Center (SPA Section 5.8, Traffic Calming)
■ Locating bicycle parking facilities in highly visible areas to the greatest extent feasible (SPA
Section 3.3.1, General Regulations Applying to all Zones)
■ For residential courtyards, requiring the pedestrian entrance to be visible from the public street
frontage (SPA Section 3.4, Building Configurations)
■ Requiring commercial entries to be visible from the public street frontage (SPA Section 3.4,
Building Configurations)
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■ Orienting of single-family residences to provide a front door that is visible from the street (SPA
Section 4.4, Attached Residential Design Guidelines, and Section 4.5, Detached Residential
Design Guidelines)
■ Maintaining landscaping to avoid overgrown trees and shrubs (SPA Section 3.6, Performance
Standards)
■ Using of urban couplets to promote activity and visibility in the Town Center (Section 5.4,
Vehicular Circulation Network)
■ Orienting community-use buildings and buildings in the Town Center toward public streets,
pedestrian pathways and/or active spaces (SPA Section 4.6, Community Use Facility Design
Guidelines, and Section 4.3, Town Center Design Guidelines)
■ Orienting the front door entrance of multi-family residences along the public street. Internally,
buildings would be oriented toward common open space areas and major pathways whenever
possible (SPA Section 4.4, Attached Residential Design Guidelines)
■ Providing clear walkways to residential and commercial entrances from parking areas, common
areas and the street (Section 3.0, Development Code)
■ Lighting and landscape elements would be used if the front entry location of a multi-family
residents is not immediately obvious due to building configuration (SPA Section 4.4, Attached
Residential Design Guidelines)
■ Lighting would be provided at activity areas, parking lots, and along major pathways (SPA
Section 4.6, Community Use Facility Design Guidelines)
■ Including adequate lighting and well-designed shelters at transit stops (SPA Section 5.2, Multi-
modal Planning Principles)
■ Allowing fencing in residential areas (SPA Section 3.5, Frontage Types)
■ Incorporating streetscape features such as lights, signs, and decorative features to create a
sense of a dedicated community (SPA Chapter 4.0, Community Design)
■ Allowing a variety of uses in the commercial areas to ensure people are present at all hours (SPA
Section 4.1.1, Community Character)
■ Encouraging surveillance by providing on-street parking and slower vehicle speeds (Chapter 5.0,
Circulation and Corridor Design)
As listed above, the SPA Plan requires safety features such as clearly defined and readily identifiable
pedestrian entrances to parking structures, stairwells, and elevators. These areas would be designed to
be safe and user-friendly and to allow effective surveillance. Additionally, the use of construction
materials and design approaches that reduce interior noise levels in habitable rooms may reduce calls to
the police for activities that generate a high noise level, such as parties, outdoor events, or people
conversing in the street. Noise reducing features that would be implemented under the SPA Plan and
TM include dual-glazed windows and sound attenuation walls where necessary to meet city noise
standards (see Section 5.5, Noise).
The combination of PFDIF fees from the applicant, implementation of the PFFP, existing city policies and
mechanisms, and incorporation of CPTED principles would ensure that implementation of the Village 8
West does not incrementally decrease the CVPD’s ability to meet the GMOC threshold standard for
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Priority Two calls, or maintain compliance with the threshold for Priority One calls. If these mechanisms
are not implemented this impact would be potentially significant. Therefore, mitigation is required.
C. Threshold 3: Be inconsistent with General Plan objectives and policies
regarding police protection thereby resulting in a significant physical impact.
The proposed SPA Plan is compared to the applicable General Plan objectives and policies in Table 5.9-5.
Table 5.9-6 compared the project to the applicable GDP goals and objectives. As shown these tables, the
project would be consistent with all applicable General Plan and GDP policies related to police
protection.
Table 5.9-5 Project Consistency with Applicable General Plan Police Service Policies
Applicable Policies Evaluation of Consistency
Objective PFS 5: Maintain sufficient levels of fire protection,
emergency medical service and police services to protect
public safety and property.
Policy PFS 5.4: Provide adequate law enforcement staff and
equipment pursuant to Police Department strategic plans to
meet established service standards.
Policy PFS 5.5: Explore the need to establish local, community-
based satellite or storefront police offices to enhance
community well-being.
Policy PFS 5.6: Encourage crime watch programs in all
neighborhoods.
Policy PFS 5.7: Prior to approval of any discretionary projects,
ensure that construction is phased with provision of police and
fire protection services such that services are provided prior to
or concurrent with need.
Consistent. The SPA Plan is consistent with these relevant
policies. The PFFP for the SPA Plan identifies the public
facilities needed to support the project including police
services. The PFFP identifies when these services will be
required and the appropriate funding mechanism(s) to ensure
that facilities, equipment and personnel are operational prior
to or concurrent with need. The SPA Plan permits police
substations. Crime watch programs will be encouraged in all
neighborhoods and the SPA Plan would implement CPTED
principles.
Objective PFS 6: Provide adequate fire and police protection
services to newly developing and redeveloping areas of the
city.
Policy PFS 6.1: Continue to require new development and
redevelopment projects to demonstrate adequate access for
fire and police vehicles.
Policy PFS 6.3: Encourage CPTED techniques in new
development and redevelopment projects.
Consistent. The SPA Plan is consistent with these relevant
policies. Refer to Objective PFS 5.
The circulation design of Village 8 West facilitates emergency
vehicle access to all areas of the village. As part of the process
to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy, new buildings in Village 8
West would be required to demonstrate that the building site
provides adequate access for police vehicles.
The SPA Plan has incorporated several features that encourage
CPTED, listed under Threshold 2.
Objective GM 1: Concurrent public facilities and services.
Policy GM 1.9: Require that all major development projects
prepare a PFFP that articulates infrastructure and public
facilities requirements and costs and funding mechanisms.
Consistent. With implementation of the PFFP, Village 8 West
would be consistent with this policy because the PFFP will
identify the police staffing requirements for the SPA Plan,
when these services will be required and the appropriate
funding mechanism(s) to ensure that facilities, equipment and
personnel are operational prior to or concurrent with need.
Objective GM 3: Create and preserve vital neighborhoods.
Policy GM 3.3: Assure that all new and infill development
within existing urban areas pays its proportional share of the
cost for urban infrastructure and public facilities required to
maintain the threshold standards, as adopted for its area of
impact.
Consistent. See analysis for Objective GM 1.
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Table 5.9-6 Project Consistency with Applicable GDP Police Service Policies
Applicable Policies Evaluation of Consistency
Part II, Chapter 5 – Capital Facilities, Section E – Community Facility Plans
Goal: Prevent injury, loss of life and damage to property
resulting from crime occurrence through the provision of
justice facilities.
Objective: Make provisions for justice facilities, including jails,
courts, and police facilities adequate to serve the Otay Ranch
project area.
Consistent. The SPA Plan does not contain justice facilities but
police facilities area permitted use in the mixed-use Town
Center.
Goal: Prevent injury, loss of life and damage to property by
having adequate justice facilities to serve Otay Ranch
residents.
Objective: Cooperate with the County to identify an equitable
funding method for the development of justice facilities based
on the needs of Otay Ranch and their benefit to Otay Ranch
residents.
Objective: Justice facilities serving Otay Ranch residents will
be sited in appropriate locations and in a timely manner,
irrespective of jurisdictional boundaries.
Objective: Enhance public safety by utilizing land use and site
design techniques to deter criminal activity.
Consistent. The SPA Plan does not propose any justice
facilities; however, the design of Village 8 West fosters
community interaction and awareness that deters criminal
activity. Design techniques include “eyes on the street”
orientation of commercial, mixed use, and residential uses
towards the street and placement of parks and paths as focal
points in the community. These techniques minimize hidden
locations where criminal activity may occur.
Goal: Protection of life and property and prevention of crime
occurrence.
Objective: Make provisions for criminal justice facilities,
including jails, courts, and police facilities adequate to serve
the Otay Ranch project area.
Objective: Enhance conditions for public safety by utilizing
land use and site design techniques to deter criminal activity
and promote law enforcement.
Objective: Site law enforcement facilities to appropriate
locations in order to serve the population.
Policy: Urban Service: Provide properly equipped and staffed
law enforcement units to respond to 84 percent of Priority
One emergency calls within 7 minutes and maintain an
average response time of all Priority One emergency calls of
4.5 minutes or less.
Policy: Urban Service: Provide properly equipped and staffed
law enforcement units to respond to 62 percent of Priority
Two urgent calls within 7 minutes and maintain an average
response time to all Priority Two calls of 7 minutes or less.
Consistent. As discussed above, police facilities may be
located in the Town Center. The design of Village 8 West
fosters community interaction and awareness that deters
criminal activity. With implementation of the PFFP, the
proposed SPA Plan would be consistent with the GDP goal
pertaining to police services because the PFFP will identify the
police staffing requirements for Village 8 West, when these
services will be required and the appropriate funding
mechanism(s) to ensure that facilities, equipment and
personnel operational prior to or concurrent with need. In
addition, the proposed SPA Plan includes CPTED features that
will reduce the demand on police services police substations
would be permitted in the SPA.
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5.9.2.4 Level of Significance Prior to Mitigation
A. Police Service Facilities
No significant impacts related to police service facilities have been identified for implementation of the
project.
B. Police Service Standard
The project would not result in significant impacts associated with the provision of new or expanded
police facilities. The project would result in a potentially significant increase demand on police
protection if additional police officers are not provided commensurate with demand.
C. Consistency with Police Service Policies
The project would conflict with police service policies if additional police officers are not provided
commensurate with demand.
5.9.2.5 Mitigation Measures
A. Police Service Facilities
No mitigation measures are required.
B. Police Service Standard
The following mitigation measures have been identified to reduce police service impacts associated with
the project to below a level of significance.
5.9.2-1 Public Facilities Development Impact Fees. Prior to the issuance of each building permit for
any residential dwelling units, the applicant(s) shall pay a Public Facilities Development Impact
Fee in accordance with the fees in effect at the time of building permit issuance and phasing
approved in the Public Facilities Finance Plan, unless stated otherwise in a separate
development agreement.
5.9.2-2 Growth Management Program’s Police Threshold Standard. The City of Chula Vista shall
continue to monitor the Chula Vista Police Department responses to emergency calls and
report the results to the Growth Management Oversight Commission on an annual basis.
5.9.2-3 Crime Prevention through Environmental Design Features. Prior to the issuance of each
building permit, site plans shall be reviewed by the Chula Vista Police Department or their
designee to ensure the incorporation of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design
features and other recommendations of the Chula Vista Police Department, including, but not
limited to, controlled access points to parking lots and buildings; maximizing the visibility
along building fronts, sidewalks, and public parks; and providing adequate street, parking lot,
and parking structure visibility and lighting.
C. Consistency with Police Service Policies
Mitigation measures 5.9.2-1 through 5.9.2-3 would also reduce impacts related to consistency with
police service policies.
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5.9.2.6 Level of Significance After Mitigation
A. Police Service Facilities
Impacts would be less than significant without mitigation.
B. Police Service Standard and
With implementation of mitigation measures 5.9.2-1 through 5.9.2-3 identified above, police service
standard impacts would be reduced to below a level of significance.
C. Consistency with Police Service Policies
With implementation of mitigation measures 5.9.2-1 through 5.9.2-3 identified above, impacts related
to consistency with police service policies would be reduced to below a level of significance.
5.9.3 Schools
5.9.3.1 Existing Conditions
A. Regulatory Framework
1. California Senate Bill 50
Two public school districts provide primary and secondary school facilities and services for the city of
Chula Vista: the Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD) (kindergarten through sixth grade) and
the Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) (seventh through twelfth grade). Senate Bill (SB) 50,
enacted in 1998, allows both the CVESD and the SUHSD to levy a fee, charge, dedication, or other
requirement against any development project within its boundaries for the purpose of funding the
construction or reconstruction of school facilities. Pursuant to Government Code Section 65996, the
payment of these fees by a developer serves to fully mitigate all potential project impacts on school
facilities to less than significant levels.
2. City of Chula Vista General Plan
The General Plan recognizes that demand for school facilities will continue to increase as the city’s
population grows and states that it is the intent of the City of Chula Vista to facilitate the efforts of the
districts to provide school services. The Public Facilities and Services Element includes objectives to
efficiently locate and design school facilities (Objective PFS 10).
3. Otay Ranch General Development Plan
The purpose of the school Facility Section of the GDP is to establish goals, objectives, policies, and
processing requirements to ensure the timely provision of local school facilities. As stated therein, the
goals of the GDP with respect to school facilities is to provide high quality educational facilities for Otay
Ranch residents by coordinated planning of school facilities with the appropriate school district and to
coordinate the planning of adult educational facilities with the appropriate district. In addition, the GDP
states that buildout of the Otay Ranch GDP would generate a demand for 13 elementary schools, two
middle schools, and two high schools.
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The GDP also includes a list of criteria for siting schools within the individual villages. The siting criteria
address site size, location in proximity to residential development and parks and accessibility to all
modes of transportation including pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular traffic, topographic and soil
considerations, proximity to high-level noise generators, accessibility to utilities and services, and
distance to Brown Field. The GDP notes that while it is unlikely that every site can meet all the criteria,
each site should meet most of the listed criteria. One GDP objective relates to schools:
■ Objective: School facilities shall be provided concurrently with need and integrated with related
facility needs, such as childcare, health care, parks, and libraries, where practical.
■ Policies:
Coordinate the planning and siting of schools, recreational facilities, childcare centers,
libraries and other related public facilities.
Additional facilities needed to serve children generated by the new development shall be
provided concurrent with need, and shall be of the quality and quantity sufficient to meet,
at a minimum, California Department of Education standards.
4. Chula Vista Municipal Code Growth Ordinances
CVMC Section 19.80.030 (Controlled Residential Development) is intended to ensure that new
development would not degrade existing public services and facilities below acceptable standards for
schools and other public services. The preparation of a PFFP is required in conjunction with the
preparation of the SPA Plan for the project to ensure that the development of the project is consistent
with the overall goals and policies of the General Plan and would not degrade public services. Similarly,
Section 19.09 (Growth Management) of the CVMC provides policies and programs that tie the pace of
development to the provision of public facilities and improvements. Section 19.09.040.C requires that
the city annually provide the two local school districts with a 12- to 18-month development growth
forecast and requests an evaluation from the districts of their ability to accommodate the forecast and
continuing growth. The districts must address the following:
1. Amount of current capacity now used or committed;
2. Ability to absorb forecast growth in affected facilities;
3. Evaluation of funding and site availability for projected new facilities;
4. Other relevant information the district(s) desire(s) to communicate to the city and the GMOC.
The growth forecast and school district response letters are delivered to the GMOC for inclusion in its
review. Section 19.09 also requires a PFFP and the demonstration that public services, including schools,
meet the growth management program’s quality of life threshold standards. The analysis of school
services provided in this section, along with the PFFP to ensure funding for any needed expansion of
services, ensure that schools will be provided commensurate with development and demand.
B. Existing School Conditions
The CVESD, established in 1892, is the largest kindergarten through sixth grade school district in
California, and serves approximately 27,500 students in 45 elementary schools with approximately 2,525
employees (both certified and classified) district wide. Kindergarten through third grade classrooms have
a capacity of 20 students (CVESD 2010). Elementary schools are planned for Village 11 and Village 2. The
school in Village 11 is under construction and anticipated to open in July 2013 (CVESD 2012). The
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elementary school in Village 2 was expected to commence construction in 2011; however, construction
has not begun and no construction update is available.
Founded in 1920, the SUHSD serves more than 42,000 students in middle and high school (grades 7-12)
and more than 32,000 adult learners at 32 campuses. Olympian High School was opened in 2006 within
Village 7 of Otay Ranch, and has a capacity of 2,600 students. A middle school and high school are
planned for Otay Ranch Village 11. The middle school was scheduled to commence construction in 2010
and construction of the high school was scheduled to commence in 2011 (City of Chula Vista 2009a);
however, these projects have not been completed and no update is available.
There are five elementary schools in the CVESD that now serve students residing within the Otay Ranch
GDP area. These include Heritage Elementary, McMillin Elementary, Hedenkamp Elementary, Veterans
Elementary, and Wolf Canyon Elementary. Secondary schools include Otay Ranch and Olympian High
Schools. Enrollment and capacity in these schools are shown in Table 5.9-7.
Currently, the district-wide student enrollment is stable. However, according to the 2012 GMOC Annual
Report, both the CVESD and the SUHSD have indicated that facilities will be required to accommodate
growth in the next five years, and that the facilities are constructed when funding is available (City of
Chula Vista 2011b). In 2012, the CVESD began construction of a new elementary school in Village 11.
Table 5.9-7 Project Area Schools
School Enrollment Capacity
Heritage Elementary 989 863
McMillin Elementary 855 845
Hedenkamp Elementary 1,021 1,045
Veterans Elementary 856 850
Wolf Canyon Elementary 942 849
Otay Ranch High School 2,603 2,432
Olympian High School 1,720 1,942
Source: City of Chula Vista 2012f
5.9.3.2 Thresholds of Significance
According to Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines and the Otay Ranch GDP, the project would result in a
significant impact to schools if it would:
■ Threshold 1: 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
educational facilities services.
■ Threshold 2: Locate schools in areas where disturbing factors such as traffic hazards, airports, or
other incompatible land uses are present; in areas where they are not integrated into the
system of alternative transportation corridors, such as bike lanes, riding and hiking trails, and
mass transit; where private elementary and secondary schools are not spaced far enough from
public schools and each other to prevent a concentration of school impacts; with at least 10
usable acres for an elementary school; without a central location to residential development;
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adjacent to a street or road which cannot safely accommodate bike, foot, and vehicular traffic;
in areas not adjacent to parks, thereby discouraging joint field and recreation facility uses; at an
unsafe distance from contaminants or toxins in the soil or groundwater from landfills, fuel tanks,
agricultural areas, power lines, utility easements, and so on; or inside of floodplains; on unstable
soils; or near fault lines.
■ Threshold 3: Be inconsistent with General Plan, GDP, and other objectives and policies regarding
school services thereby resulting in a significant physical impact.
5.9.3.3 Impact Analysis
A. Threshold 1: 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 educational facilities services.
While governmental facilities are not specifically planned for Village 8 West, the SPA Plan does not
preclude them. Government facilities do not, in and of themselves, generate school children. The
residential uses including single-family and multi-family dwelling units would generate school age
children. Potential environmental impacts related to traffic generated by the proposed schools are
addressed in Section 5.3, Transportation/Traffic.
1. Elementary Schools
The CVESD has estimated that buildout of the proposed SPA Plan’s 2,050 residential units would
generate approximately 556 elementary school students, as shown in Table 5.9-8. To provide for future
elementary school demand, an 11-acre elementary school site has been designated as Parcel S on the
site plan (see Figure 3-3, Site Utilization Plan). This site would be reserved for acquisition by the school
district. If selected by the Chula Vista Elementary School District, this school site would be large enough
to accommodate up to 750 students and would be adequate to serve the project. Construction timing of
the school would be determined by the school district. Until such time that the school would be
completed, students residing within Village 8 West would attend schools in neighboring villages as
determined by the school district.
Table 5.9-8 School Obligations
Units
Elementary School(1) Middle School(2) High School(2)
Rate Students Rate Students Rate Students
Mixed Use 899 x 0.2091 188 x 0.0810 73 x.0.1171 106
Multi-Family 530 x 0.2091 111 x 0.0810 43 x 0.1171 63
Single-Family
(Attached/Cluster)
290 x 0.4114 120 x 0.0936 28 x 0.1939 57
Single-Family Detached 331 x 0.4114 137 x 0.0936 31 x 0.1939 65
Total 2050 556 175 291
(1) Elementary school generation rates were negotiated with the Chula Vista Elementary School District.
(2) High school and middle school student generation rates were negotiated with Sweetwater Union High School District.
Source: Otay Land Company 2012
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Currently, the CVESD's inventory consists of 45 elementary schools including six charter schools, with a
total capacity for approximately 29,212 students. Projected enrollment for October 2010 was 27,484
students. Therefore, the CVESD currently has excess capacity for 1,728 elementary school students.
There is sufficient capacity throughout the district at this time to accommodate additional elementary
school students.
2. Middle Schools
The district wide student enrollment for middle school age children in the SUHSD is stable. According to
the SUHSD, the Village 8 West project is within the EastLake Middle School attendance area. Historically,
enrollment at this school has met or exceeded capacity (SUHSD 2012). The project would generate
approximately 175 middle school students, as shown in Table 5.9-8. To fulfill the educational need of
new middle school students, a 21-acre middle high school site has been designated on the site plan in
Planning Area D. This school would be large enough to accommodate up to 1,000 students; therefore, it
would be adequate to serve buildout of the project. The site would be reserved for acquisition by the
Sweetwater Union High School District. Construction timing of the school would be determined by the
school district. Until such time that the school would be completed, students residing within Village 8
West would attend schools in neighboring villages as determined by the school district. This could result
in temporary impact on neighboring schools; however, impacts would be less than significant following
completion of the new middle school.
3. High Schools
The project would generate approximately 291 high school students, as shown in Table 5.9-8. According
to the SUHSD, high school students residing in Village 8 West would attend Olympian High School,
located in Village 7, adjacent to the proposed middle school. Olympian High School was constructed
according to the GDP in order to accommodate planned growth in the area surrounding the school,
including Village 8 West. However, as shown in Table 5.9-8, this high school does not have the capacity
to accommodate all of the high school students from Village 8 West. In the future, high school students
from Village 8 West or currently attending Olympian High School may be able to attend the proposed
school in Village 11. Another high school is being planned at the intersection of Hunte Parkway and
Eastlake Parkway. Until such time that another school would be completed, the project would result in
temporary impact on Olympian High School.
Provisions for continuing education are not required; however, the project site is located approximately
three miles from Southwest College and one mile from a proposed university. In addition, the CPF would
provide an opportunity for educational facilities, which could include on-going education.
B. Threshold 2: Locate schools on sites that are not appropriate for school
facilities, including areas where:
■ Disturbing factors such as traffic hazards, airports, or other incompatible
land uses are present;
■ They are not integrated into the system of alternative transportation
corridors, such as bike lanes, riding and hiking trails, and mass transit;
■ Private elementary and secondary schools are not spaced far enough
from public schools and each other to prevent a concentration of school
impacts;
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■ Less than 10 usable acres are available for an elementary school;
■ A central location to residential development is not provided;
■ An adjacent street or road is not available which can safely
accommodate bike, foot, and vehicular traffic;
■ Parks are not located adjacent to the site, thereby discouraging joint field
and recreation facility uses;
■ The school would be within an unsafe distance from contaminants or
toxins in the soil or groundwater from landfills, fuel tanks, agricultural
areas, power lines, utility easements, and so on; or
■ Risks from floodplains, unstable soils, and nearby fault lines exist.
Two schools are proposed in Village 8 West: an 11-acre elementary school located on the western
border of the project area north of Otay Valley Road, and a 21-acre middle school located at the
northeast corner of the project area. With respect to proximity to airports, the project site is located
approximately one mile to the north of the Brown Field boundary within the airport’s area of influence.
Village 8 West is located within the FAA Height Notification Boundary and Airport Overflight Notification
Area so development on the project site is required to provide proper notification in compliance with
the Brown Field ALCUP. Compliance with the ALCUP would reduce potential safety impacts to a less than
significant level. Additionally, due to the limited height permitted as part of the SPA Plan (no more than
four stories), it is not anticipated that development would result an obstruction to air traffic (see Section
5.13, Hazards and Hazardous Materials, regarding safety of structures within this distance). Therefore,
the proposed schools would not be an incompatible land use with Brown Field.
Regarding traffic hazards, the elementary school is bounded by Otay Valley Road, Street A, and Street B .
Adjacent to the school, Otay Valley Road would be a four-lane major roadway but would include bike
lanes and a sidewalk on the side of the road adjacent to the school. The roadway would be separated
from the pedestrian facilities by a landscaped parkway. Street A and Street B are low-speed, residential
collector streets. A sidewalk would also be provided along Street A. The village pathway on Street B
would be adjacent to the school boundary. The middle school would be bounded by westbound Main
Street and Magdalena Avenue. Both streets would be part of the village pathway, which would be
located along the school boundary. Main Street is a low-speed street within Village 8 West and would
also include bike lanes. Intersection bulb-outs, which would slow traffic and improve pedestrian
visibility, would be included at the intersection of Street A and Street B, Magdalena Avenue and Main
Street, and Main Street and Street A. Therefore, the roadways that would surround the proposed
schools would be separated from the schools by pedestrian facilities and would include traffic calmi ng
measures and/or low speed limits to minimize traffic hazards surrounding the schools.
As discussed above, bicycle lanes and pedestrian facilities are available on the streets surrounding both
schools. Both schools are located along the village pathway. Additionally, both schools would be located
within 0.4 mile of a transit stop. As such, the proposed alternative transportation network would
support the future elementary and middle schools, and adjacent traffic would safely accommodate
bicycle, pedestrian, and vehicle traffic. Vehicular traffic generated by the proposed schools is addressed
in Section 5.3, Transportation/Traffic. The proposed elementary school site is 11 acres; therefore, the
school meets the minimum site requirement of 10 acres.
Private schools are conditionally permitted throughout Village 8 West. No private schools are proposed
as part of the project, and it is unknown if, and in what location, future private schools would be built.
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As a conditionally permitted use, a proposed private school would not be permitted in close proximity to
an incompatible use, such as a public school. The proposed middle school and elementary schools sites
are both located adjacent to residential development and less than one-quarter mile from a park.
Therefore, the schools are located in central residential areas in Village 8 West, adjacent to parks.
The proposed school sites must comply with the CVESD and state standards regarding health and safety
issues, including the potential for toxins in the soil. As discussed in Section 5.13, Hazards and Hazardous
Materials, the possible presence of pesticide/herbicides has been detected in on-site soils in some areas
of the project. As such, additional testing would occur prior to grading and any contaminated soils would
be remediated in accordance with County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and
RWQCB requirements. Implementation of mitigation measure 5.13-3, which requires the remediation of
any contaminated soils, would reduce this potential conflict with the school site. As discussed in Section
5.8, Geology and Soils, and Section 5.11, Hydrology and Water Quality, Village 8 West is not within a
floodplain or on a fault line but unstable soils could occur on site and the region is seismically active.
Implementation of mitigation measure 5.8-1, which requires conformance with site-specific
geotechnical studies, would reduce this school site consideration to below significance.
C. Threshold 3: Be inconsistent with General Plan, GDP, and other objectives and
policies regarding school services thereby resulting in a significant physical
impact.
Table 5.9-9 compares the project to the General Plan policies related to school services and Table 5.9-10
compared the project to the GDP. The proposed SPA Plan would be consistent with the Chula Vista
General Plan and GDP objectives and policies pertaining to schools, as shown in Tables 5.9-9 and 5.9-10.
Table 5.9-9 Project Consistency with Applicable General Plan School Policies
Applicable Policies Evaluation of Consistency
Objective PFS 9: Develop schools that cultivate and educate
people of all ages, that meet the needs of the workforce, and
that serve as community centers.
Policy PFS 9.1: Coordinate with local school districts during
review of applicable discretionary approval to provide adequate
school facilities, to meet needs generated by development, and
to avoid overcrowding, in accordance with the guidelines and
limitations of Government Code 65996(b).
Policy PFS 9.3: Assist school districts in identifying and acquiring
school sites for new construction in needed timeframes.
Consistent. The Village 8 West SPA Plan is consistent with these
General Plan policies. The applicant and City have been
coordinating with the CVESD in the site selection for an
elementary school and middle schools within Village 8 West.
High school students generated by Village 8 West would attend
Olympian High School in Village 7.
Objective PFS 10: Efficiently locate and design school facilities.
Policy PFS 10.3: Require that proposed land uses adjacent to a
school site be planned in such a manner as to minimize noise
impacts and maximize compatibility between the uses.
Policy PFS 10.6: Consider siting elementary schools adjacent to
neighborhood parks, where feasible, to allow for expanded use
of the school grounds and classrooms by the general public and
the park area by the school children.
Consistent. The SPA Plan is consistent with these General Plan
policies. In coordination with the school district, the OLC has
identified an approximately 11-acre elementary school site
adjacent to a neighborhood park and residential neighborhoods,
and a 22-acre middle school site in the mixed-use Town Center.
As discussed in Section 5.5, Noise, all potential noise impacts to
schools that would potentially result from implementation of
Village 8 West would be mitigated to a less than significant level
with implementation of mitigation measures 5.5-4 and 5.5-6.
With the implementation of General Plan policies to require the
coordination of siting needs with the CVESD, compatibility issues
related to the school site would be reduced to below
significance.
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Table 5.9-10 Project Consistency with Applicable GDP School Policy
Applicable Policies Evaluation of Consistency
Part II, Chapter 5 – Capital Facilities, Section E – Community Facility Plans
Goal: Provide high quality, kindergarten through twelfth
educational facilities for Otay Ranch residents by coordinated
planning of school facilities with the appropriate school district.
Goal: Coordinate the planning of adult educational facilities
with appropriate district.
Objective: School facilities shall be provided concurrently with
need and integrated with related facility needs, such as
childcare, health care, parks, and libraries, where practical.
Objective: Provide school district with 12- to 18-month
development plan and 3- to 5-year development forecasts so
that they may plan and implement school building and/or
allocation programs in a timely manner.
Consistent. Two potential school sites are provided within
Village 8 West to fulfill the demand for education facilities in the
area. Adult education facilities can be accommodated in the
mixed use and CPF sites or as a shared use with the public
schools.
5.9.3.4 Level of Significance Prior to Mitigation
A. School Facilities
Project implementation would result in a significant impact to elementary and middle schools unless
construction of an elementary school, a middle school, and high school coincides with student
generation and associated service demands.
B. School Siting
The potential exists for pesticides/herbicides to occur at the future school site and for potential unstable
soils to occur on site. Impacts would be potentially significant.
C. Consistency with School Policies
No significant impacts related to consistency with schools policies have been identified for the project.
5.9.3.5 Mitigation Measures
A. School Facilities
5.9.3-1 School Service Fees. Prior to the issuance of each building permit, the applicant(s) shall
provide the city with evidence or certification by the Chula Vista Elementary School District
that any fee charge, dedication, or other requirement levied by the school district has been
complied with or that the district has determined the fee, charge, dedication or other
requirements does not apply to the construction.
5.9.3-2 School Site Protection. Prior to approval of a final map for private development on Planning
Areas D or S, designated for future schools, the applicant shall provide evidence from the
Chula Vista Elementary School District or Sweetwater Unified High School District that the site
has not been determined by the district to be needed for use as a school site.
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B. School Siting
Mitigation measures 5.8-1 and 5.8-2 in Section 5.8, Geology and Soils, and 5.13-1 in Section 5.13,
Hazards and Hazardous Materials, would reduce impacts related to school siting.
C. Consistency with School Policies
No mitigation measures are required.
5.9.3.6 Level of Significance After Mitigation
A. School Facilities
With implementation of mitigation measures 5.9.3-1 and 5.9.3-2 identified above, impacts related to
school services related to the project would be reduced to below a level of significance.
B. School Siting
With implementation of mitigation measures 5.8-1, 5.8-2, and 5.13-1, impacts related to school siting
related to the project would be reduced to below a level of significance.
C. Consistency with School Policies
Impacts would be less than significant without mitigation.
5.9.4 Libraries
5.9.4.1 Existing Conditions
A. Regulatory Framework
1. City of Chula Vista General Plan
The 2005 Chula Vista General Plan recognizes that demand for library facilities will continue to increase
as the city’s population grows in the eastern areas of the city through new development, and that
location is the most important reason residents choose to utilize a particular public library. The General
Plan’s Public Facilities and Services Element includes objectives for the city to provide a library system of
facilities and programs that meets the needs of Chula Vista residents of all ages (Objective PFS 11) and
to efficiently locate and design library facilities (Objective PFS 12). Additionally, Growth Management
Objective GM 1 and Policy GM 1.11 encourage withholding discretionary approvals and subsequent
building permits from projects demonstrated to be out of compliance with applicable threshold
standards for library services.
2. Otay Ranch General Development Plan
The purpose of the Library Facility section of the GDP is to establish goals, objectives, policies, standards,
and processing requirements for the timely provision of library facilities. As stated therein, the goal is to
provide sufficient libraries to meet the information and education needs of Otay Ranch residents. In
addition, the GDP states that a library facility in the EUC is necessary to serve the Otay R anch at build-
out, and would serve as a main library for all residents of Otay Ranch. The GDP also states that
expansion of other libraries may be necessary.
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3. Chula Vista Public Library Strategic Facilities Plan
The purpose of the Chula Vista Public Library Strategic Facilities Plan, currently in draft form, is to
identify ways to improve the library service delivery to the community, particularly to residents of
eastern Chula Vista. The plan determined that the additional needed library square footage can be
developed as multiple smaller branches, or as one large library. Because the library’s operating budget
has been significantly reduced and capital funding is not currently available, the facilities plan does not
decide which option would be implemented. The options will be evaluated when capital and operating
funds become available. Additional measures such as mall outlets, book vending machines, a
bookmobile, and service partnerships are identified as possible interim measures. An additional interim
measure is the mall branch at Otay Ranch Town Center, which opened in April 2012.
4. Chula Vista Municipal Code Ordinances
CVMC Section 19.80.030 (Controlled Residential Growth) is intended to ensure that new development
would not degrade existing public services and facilities below acceptable standards for libraries and
other public services. The preparation of a PFFP is required in conjunction with the preparation of the
SPA Plan for the project to ensure that the development of the project is consistent with the overall
goals and policies of the General Plan and would not degrade public services. Similarly, Section 19.09
(Growth Management) of the CVMC provides policies and programs that tie the pace of development to
the provision of public facilities and improvements. Section 19.09.040D specifically requires “500 square
feet (gross) of adequately equipped and staffed library facility per 1,000 population. The City of Chula
Vista shall construct 60,000 gross square feet of additional library space, over the June 30, 2000, gross
square feet total, in the area east of I-805 by buildout.” The analysis of library services provided in this
section, along with the PFFP are intended to ensure funding for any needed expansion of services, while
also ensuring that library services will be provided commensurate with development and demand.
B. Existing Library Facilities
The City of Chula Vista operates three library facilities: the South Chula Vista Branch Library, the Civic
Center Branch Library, and the Otay Ranch Branch Library (City of Chula Vista 2010c, 2012d). The South
Chula Vista Branch Library is located at 389 Orange Avenue, approximately 5.5 miles from Village 8
West, and consists of approximately 37,000 square feet. This branch has two conference rooms seating
approximately 25 and 50 each, three small study rooms for groups of two or more that may be reserved
on site, and the Rosemary Lane Galleria which acts as an exhibition space for local artists (City of Chula
Vista 2009b). The Civic Center Branch Library is located at 365 F Street, approximately seven miles from
Village 8 West, and is the largest library facility within the city, consisting of a two-story, 55,000 square
foot building. It also has a 152-seat auditorium, a 26-seat conference room, and serves as a multi-use
facility including storage for the Heritage Museum and limited exhibition space (City of Chula Vista
2009b). The Otay Ranch Branch Library is located at 2015 Birch Road in the Otay Ranch Town Center,
approximately one mile northeast of Village 8 West, and consists of approximately 3,400 square feet
with one small study room.
In addition to the existing libraries described above, the current Library Facilities Master Plan calls for
construction of the Rancho del Rey Library, which would be approximately 30,000 square feet in size, at
the intersection of East H Street and Paseo Ranchero, approximately three miles from Village 8 West.
However, the Rancho del Rey Library has been delayed indefinitely due to budget constraints (City of
Chula Vista 2011c).
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The GMOC threshold standard for libraries is 500 square feet of library space per 1,000 residents.
According to the 2012 GMOC Annual Report, the current service ratio for Fiscal Year 2011 was 414
square feet to every 1,000 residences, but dropped to 387 square feet to every 1,000 residents as a
result of the closure of the Eastlake Branch (City of Chula Vista 2011b). Therefore, the city currently does
not meet the GMOC threshold standard for libraries.
5.9.4.2 Thresholds of Significance
According to Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines, the project would result in a significant impact to
library services if it would:
■ Threshold 1: Result in substantial adverse physical impact associated with the provision of 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 library services.
■ Threshold 2: Fail to meet the city’s growth management threshold standard of 500 gross square
feet of library space, adequately equipped and staffed, per 1,000 population.
■ Threshold 3: Be inconsistent with General Plan, GDP or other objectives and policies regarding
library services thereby resulting in a significant physical impact.
5.9.4.3 Impact Analysis
A. Threshold 1: Result in substantial adverse physical impact associated with the
provision of 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 library services.
The project would result in an increase in demand for libraries that would have the potential to require
the construction of new library facilities. The Chula Vista Library Master Plan establishes a standard of
500 square feet of adequately equipped and staffed library facilities per 1,000 residents. Based on the
projected population, Village 8 West would generate a demand for approximately 2,868 square feet of
additional library facilities within the city. While the SPA Plan permits public community facilities such as
libraries throughout the SPA, the project does not specifically include the development of a library.
Construction impacts of development in the project area are evaluated in the various topical sections in
Chapter 5, Environmental Impact Analysis, of this EIR, along with mitigation measures to address
significant impacts. As discussed in this EIR, project construction impacts would be less than significant
for air, noise, cultural resources, biological resources, hydrology, and water quality. Impacts specifically
related to new governmental facilities would be less than significant.
B. Threshold 2: Fail to meet the City’s threshold standard of 500 gross square feet
of library space, adequately equipped and staffed, per 1,000 population.
Village 8 West would generate a demand for approximately 2,865 square feet of additional library
facilities within the city. As discussed above, the city does not currently meet the GMOC threshold
standard of 500 square feet of library service for every 1,000 residents. As envisioned in Chula Vista’s
Library Facilities Master Plan, a future library is proposed in the EUC that would serve Village 8 West.
Construction of the Rancho del Rey and the library facility proposed in the EUC would result in a total of
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60,000 gross square feet of library space. This amount would accommodate the increase in population
as a result of the development proposed in Village 8 West, and maintain acceptable service ratios.
Library facilities would also be permitted throughout Village 8 West. The CPF site may be suitable for
new library facilities, as identified in the SPA Plan; however, a library is not specifically proposed.
Implementation of the project would require the collection of the PFDIF. The PFDIF addresses the
project’s proportional impact on capital facilities, such as structures and equipment, associated with the
library. It does not address the impact associated with operations and maintenance for those facilities.
The city development impact fee program for library facilities assumes the construction of facilities
sufficient to meet the service standard of 600 square feet of library space per 1,000 population, which is
more conservative than the GMOC standard of 500 square feet per 1,000 population. The funds are
expended on a number of projects, but for the most part are being reserved for planned facilities yet to
be constructed in eastern Chula Vista. These funds on account will be combined with the impact fees to
be collected from future development, including Village 8 West. According to the draft Strategic
Facilities Plan, these funds are anticipated to fully offset the cost of new library construction to meet the
600 square feet of library space per 1,000 population service threshold (CVPL 2011). Therefore, payment
of the PFDIF would provide the SPA Plan’s fair share contribution to meet the city threshold standard for
library space.
It is the City’s policy to use public funds such as property taxes, sales taxes, and fees generated by the
project to cover the incremental costs, including operation and maintenance, associated with providing
library services and other public services such as parks, police and fire protection, etc. The PFFP
prepared for Village 8 West includes a fiscal impact analysis to determine the revenues and costs
expected to be generated by the development. Net revenues are used to finance costs associated with
operations and maintenance associated with the public services required to serve the project.
Additionally, as discussed in Section 5.9.1.3.B, the GMOC assesses, on an annual basis, compliance with
the growth threshold standards. Should the GMOC determine that the library growth management
threshold standard is not being satisfied because of the impacts of growth, the City Council shall
consider adopting specific measures to bring the threshold into conformance. Funding for required
facilities would be necessary to reduce impacts to operations and maintenance of library facilities to less
than significant.
C. Threshold 3: Be inconsistent with General Plan, GDP or other objectives and
policies regarding library services thereby resulting in a significant physical
impact.
Table 5.9-11 evaluates the consistency of the project with the applicable General Plan policies and Table
5.9-12 evaluates the project’s consistency with the GDP. As shown in these tables, the project would be
consistent with applicable policies. The Chula Vista Public Library Strategic Facilities Plan does not
identify any library facilities for Village 8 West. As discussed under Threshold 1, no libraries are
specifically planned for Village 8 West, but the SPA Plan does not preclude their development.
Therefore, Village 8 West would not conflict with the library facilities plan.
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Table 5.9-11 Project Consistency with Applicable General Plan Library Policies
Applicable Policies Evaluation of Consistency
Objective GM 1: Concurrent public facilities and services.
Policy GM 1.9: Require that all major development projects
prepare a PFFP that articulates infrastructure and public facilities
requirements and costs and funding mechanisms.
Consistent. The SPA Plan is consistent with this policy because
the PFFP will identify the library staffing requirements for the
SPA Plan, when library services will be required and the
appropriate funding mechanism(s) to ensure that facilities,
equipment and personnel are operational prior to or
concurrent with need.
Objective GM 3: Create and preserve vital neighborhoods.
Policy GM 3.3: Assure that all new and infill development within
existing urban areas pays its proportional share of the cost for
urban infrastructure and public facilities required to maintain the
threshold standards, as adopted for its area of impact.
Consistent. See analysis for Objective GM 1.
Table 5.9-12 Project Consistency with Applicable GDP Library Policy
Applicable Policies Evaluation of Consistency
Part II, Chapter 5 – Capital Facilities, Section E – Community Facility Plans
Goal: Sufficient libraries to meet the information and education
needs of Otay Ranch residents.
Objective: Provide high quality and contemporary library
facilities and services, which meet the needs of the entire Otay
Ranch project area.
Objective: City of Chula Vista: 500 square feet of adequately
equipped and staffed library facilities per 1,000 populations.
Objective: County of San Diego: 350 square feet (gross) of
adequately equipped and staffed regional/area library facilities
per 1,000 populations.
Objective: Otay Ranch libraries will be equitably financed by all
new development that will benefit from the facilities.
Consistent. Library facilities are a permitted us on the CPF site
and may be provided in conjunction as an ancillary use to any
of the many schools within or immediately adjacent to the
project area. In addition, all development within Village 8
West is subject to a PDIF, which is used to fund improvements
such as libraries and other public facilities. The PFFP will
identify the library staffing requirements for the SPA Plan,
when library services will be required and the appropriate
funding mechanism(s) to ensure that facilities, equipment and
personnel are operational prior to or concurrent with need.
5.9.4.4 Level of Significance Prior to Mitigation
A. Library Facilities
No significant impacts related to library facilities have been identified for the project.
B. Library Service Standard
The project would increase demand on library services, which would be significant if library resources
are not provided commensurate with demand.
C. Consistency with Library Policies
No significant impacts related to consistency with library policies have been identified for the project.
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5.9.4.5 Mitigation Measures
A. Library Facilities
No mitigation measures are required.
B. Library Service Standard
5.9.4-1 Public Facility Development Impact Fees. Prior to the issuance of each building permit for any
residential dwelling units, the applicant shall pay a required Public Facilities Development
Impact Fee in accordance with the fees in effect at the time of building permit issuance and
phasing approved in the Public Facilities Finance Plan.
5.9.4-2 Growth Management Program’s Libraries Threshold Standard. The City of Chula Vista shall
continue to monitor library facilities and services and report the results to the Growth
Management Oversight Commission on an annual basis.
C. Consistency with Library Policies
No mitigation measures are required.
5.9.4.6 Level of Significance After Mitigation
A. Library Facilities
Impacts would be less than significant without mitigation.
B. Library Service Standard
With implementation of mitigation measures 5.9.4-1 and 5.9.4-2 identified above, library service
impacts related to implementation of Village 8 West would be reduced to below a level of significance.
C. Consistency with Library Policies
Impacts would be less than significant without mitigation.
5.9.5 Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Trails
5.9.5.1 Existing Conditions
A. Regulatory Framework
1. City of Chula Vista General Plan
The goals of the General Plan to provide and maintain infrastructure and public services and to improve
sustainability of the city’s natural resources are established in the Public Facilities and Services and
Environmental Elements of the General Plan. The Public Facilities and Services Element contains
objectives to provide new facilities for residents of new development (Objective PFS 15). The
Environmental Element of the General Plan establishes the policy framework for improving
sustainability through the responsible stewardship of the city’s natural and cultural resources (Policy
E.1.1), including the preservation of open space and development of connecting trails. Additionally,
Growth Management Objective GM 1 and Policy GM 1.11 encourage withholding discretionary
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approvals and subsequent building permits from projects demonstrated to be out of compliance with
applicable threshold standards for fire and emergency medical services.
2. Otay Ranch General Development Plan
The parks and open space goal of the Otay Ranch GDP is to provide diverse park and recreational
opportunities within Otay Ranch which meet the recreational, conservation, preservation, cultural, and
aesthetic needs of project residents of all ages and physical abilities. The Otay Ranch GDP also
establishes the following policies:
■ Provide 15 acres of regional park and open space per 1,000 Otay Ranch residents.
■ Provide a minimum of three acres of neighborhood and community park land (as governed by
the Quimby Act) and 12 acres per 1,000 Otay Ranch residents of other active or passive
recreation and open space areas.
In order to achieve these goals and policies, the GDP establishes a four tier system of parks to be
provided throughout the community, including:
■ Park amenities in town square parks;
■ Active play facilities in neighborhood parks;
■ Community-level playing fields in community parks, and
■ Region-wide active and passive recreational areas in designated regional parks.
The GDP Parks and Open Space policies also state that parks will be established at the SPA Plan level.
3. Chula Vista Municipal Code and Growth Ordinances
The City of Chula Vista park dedication policies are contained in CVMC Chapter 17.10, Park Land
Dedication Ordinance, which establishes requirements for parklands and public facilities, including
regulations for the dedication of land and development of improvements for park and recreational
purposes (Section 17.10.010); determination of park and recreational requirements (Section 17.10.020);
area to be dedicated (Section 17.10.040); specifications for park improvements (Section 17.10.050);
criteria for area to be dedicated (Section 17.10.060); procedures for in lieu fees for land dedication
and/or park development improvements (Section 17.10.070); and, other regulations regarding park
development and collection and distribution of fees. The Park Land Dedication Ordinance, which has a
coefficient factor of 2.61 persons per multi-family household, requires the dedication of three acres of
parkland per 1,000 people or a combination of land dedication, in-lieu fees, or park development
improvements to be offered at the time of final map or in the case of a residential development that is
not required to submit a final map, at the time of the first building permit application.
CVMC Section 19.80.030 (Controlled Residential Development) is intended to ensure that new
development would not degrade existing public services and facilities below acceptable standards for
parkland and other public services. The preparation of a PFFP is required in conjunction with the
preparation of the SPA Plan for the project to ensure that the development of the project is consistent
with the overall goals and policies of the General Plan and wouldn’t degrade public services. Similarly,
Section 19.09 (Growth Management) provides policies and programs that tie the pace of development
to the provision of public facilities and improvements. Section 19.09.040 E specifically requires a
population coefficient of “three acres of neighborhood and community park land with appropriate
facilities per 1,000 residents east of I-805.” Section 19.09 also requires a PFFP and the demonstration
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that public services, such as parks, meet the growth management program’s quality of life threshold
standard for parks and recreation.
4. Greenbelt Master Plan
The Chula Vista Greenbelt Master Plan provides guidance and continuity for planning open space and
constructing and maintaining the greenway trail. For the purpose of the greenbelt, there are two
general types of trails, multi-use and rural. Multi-use trails are designed for a variety of users, such as
bicyclists, equestrians, pedestrians, joggers and other non-motorized activities. According to the
Greenbelt Master Plan, even a single-track pedestrian-only trail would be considered multi-use, since it
could accommodate hikers, backpackers, runners, bird watchers, etc. Minimum standards for trails are
set forth in the city landscape manual and in the Greenbelt Master Plan. A multi-use trail may also be
improved with a variety of trail surfaces, with concrete and asphalt surfacing to accommodate the
broadest range of users in an urban setting. A concrete multi-use trail would be 10 feet with two-feet of
natural shoulders. However, variation in the minimum standards may be allowed, based on
consideration of the number and types of trail users and environmental constraints. Other minimum
standards include greenbelt trail signs.
The segment of the greenway trail applicable to the SPA Plan is the Otay Ranch Village greenway
segment. The village greenway segment has been added to the Greenbelt Master Plan as a major trail
linkage identified in the GDP. This trail presents an opportunity as a multi-use trail that would provide
mobility for residents between several villages and connectivity between recreation areas in Village 8
West and other future parks along the greenway. The village greenway is intended to connect active and
passive users, provide them with the opportunity to stop and enjoy an enhanced open space area, and
ensure connectivity to the Greenbelt Trail system. Under the Greenbelt Master Plan, the greenway trail
through Otay Ranch that would provide a link through Otay Ranch and Wolf Canyon that would connect
Salt Creek to the Otay Valley.
5. Chula Vista Parks and Recreation Master Plan
The Chula Vista Parks and Recreation Master Plan, adopted by City Council in 2002, describes a
comprehensive parks and recreation system that services the community at large through the delivery
of a variety of park sites containing a variety of recreational experiences. As stated in the document,
each park within the system is viewed in the context of the whole park system to insure that it functions
properly in providing a balance of recreational opportunities. The document describes existing and
future park sites and as such identifies parks within the Otay Ranch area. The plan requires 5.6 acres of
community or neighborhood parks to be developed in Village 4 and 8.0 acres of parks to be developed in
Village 8, based on the 1993 GDP Village boundaries. The plan specifically lists a 5-acre neighborhood
park in Village 4 and 7-acre neighborhood park in Village 8 as part of the future facilities.
The city is currently in the process of updating the 2002 Parks and Recreation Master Plan in response to
the 2005 update of the General Plan. A draft Park and Recreation Master Plan Update was released in
December 2010. The 2010 Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update identifies a range of passive and
active park elements to serve the residents of Village 8 West, including 7.5 acres of neighborhood parks
and 3.0 acres of town squares. The plan also contains several policies that address the design and
delivery of park sites.
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B. Existing Parks and Recreational Facilities
The Chula Vista park system contains 59 public parks and recreation facility sites, including nine
community parks totaling 226 acres, 282 acres of neighborhood parks, 12 acres of urban and mini parks,
one 3.4 acre special purpose park, four community centers, one senior center, four gymnasiums, and
two swimming pools totaling approximately 530 acres (City of Chula Vista 2012d). The city currently
meets the Growth Management Program’s threshold standard of three acres of neighborhood and
community parkland per 1,000 residents in east Chula Vista. The GMOC’s 2012 Annual Report indicated
a parkland ratio of 3.16 acres per 1,000 residents in eastern Chula Vista (City of Chula Vista 2012f).
There are seven existing parks located within two miles of Village 8 West. These parks are Heritage Park
and Community Center, Harvest Park, Santa Cora Park, Santa Venetia Park, Windingwalk Park, All
Seasons Park, and Cottonwood Park. Public parks in the city are open to all of the area’s citizens.
Neighborhood parks generally serve a local adjacent or nearby residential neighborhood, while
community parks serve the broader community and provide a greater range of services. Regional and
County parks and the Otay Ranch Preserve are also located in eastern Chula Vista and adjacent San
Diego County. As of 2004, Chula Vista had over 9,433 undeveloped acres of regional parks, including
significant portions of the Sweetwater and Otay River Valleys and the Otay Reservoirs (City of Chula
Vista 2005a). These facilities are described below.
1. Neighborhood Parks
Heritage Park and Community Center, 1381 Palomar Street: This park encompasses 10.17 acres and is
located approximately 1.25 miles northwest of Village 8 West. Facilities include an amphitheater,
barbeque facilities, basketball courts, an open green space, a park shelter/gazebo, a picnic area, play
equipment, recreation center, restrooms, a multi-purpose field, and skateboard park.
Harvest Park, 1550 East Palomar Street: This 6.8 acre park is located approximately 1.5 mile north of
Village 8 West. Facilities include barbeque facilities, an open green space/multi-purpose field, a park
shelter/gazebo, picnic area, play equipment, restrooms, and a soccer field.
Santa Cora Park, 1365 Santa Cora: This park encompasses 5.7 acres and is located approximately 1.5
miles north of Village 8 West. Facilities include barbeque facilities, a tennis court, a basketball court, an
open green space, a picnic area, and play equipment.
Santa Venetia Park, 1500 Magdalena: This park encompasses 7.7 acres and is located approximately 1.5
mile northeast of Village 8 West. Facilities include picnicking and barbeque facilities, an open green
space, a park shelter/gazebo, play equipment, basketball courts, restrooms, a multi-purpose field, and
ball field.
Windingwalk Park, 1675 Exploration Street: This park encompasses 7.1 acres and is located
approximately two miles northeast of Village 8 West. Facilities include picnicking and barbeque facilities,
an open green space, a park shelter/gazebo, play equipment, restrooms, a ball field, a basketball court,
and a tennis court.
Cottonwood Park, 1778 East Palomar Street: This 6.57 acre park is located approximately two miles
north of Village 8 West. Facilities include barbeque facilities, a ball field, a basketball court, an open
green space, a park shelter/gazebo, picnic areas, play equipment, restrooms, and a multi-purpose field.
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2. Regional and County Parks and Preserve
Otay Valley Regional Park. This park is located coincident with the southern border of Village 8 West
and is bisected by the SR-125. The Otay Valley Regional Park will ultimately encompass 8,000 acres
passing through the jurisdictions of the County of San Diego and cities of San Diego and Chula Vista. The
regional park is located in the Multiple Habitat Planning Area of the city of San Diego and the preserve
management area of the city of Chula Vista under each MSCP Subarea Plan and represents one of the
major open spaces within southern San Diego County.
Otay Lakes County Park. This park is operated by the County of San Diego Department of Parks and
Recreation, located approximately 3.5 miles east of Village 8 West. The approximately 78-acre park,
which provides picnicking, playground, hiking trails, and a native plant/demonstration garden, will
ultimately be the eastern gateway/staging area for the Otay Valley Regional Park.
Otay Ranch Preserve. This preserve will contain approximately 11,375-acres, all of which will be
included in the MSCP subregional preserve. To date, approximately 3,000 acres of the Otay Ranch
Preserve has been dedicated to Chula Vista and the County of San Diego. For every acre approved for
development in Otay Ranch, 1.188 acres is dedicated to the Otay Ranch Preserve. The land developers
contributing to this preserve have established a financing program to ensure funds are available to pay
for the active management of the entire preserve system in perpetuity. The preserve’s dedicated
conservation lands will connect large areas of open space through a series of wildlife corridors, including
connections between large, regional open spaces, such as Otay Reservoir and San Miguel Mountain.
5.9.5.2 Thresholds of Significance
According to Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines, the project would result in a significant impact to
parks, recreation, open space, and trails if it would:
■ Threshold 1: 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.
■ Threshold 2: Require the construction or expansion of recreational facilities which might have
an adverse physical effect on the environment.
■ Threshold 3: Fail to meet the City’s growth management threshold standard for parks and
recreation of three acres of neighborhood and community parkland per 1,000 residents east of
I-805.
■ Threshold 4: Be inconsistent with General Plan, GDP or other relevant objectives and policies
regarding parks thereby resulting in a significant physical impact.
5.9.5.3 Impact Analysis
A. Threshold 1: 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.
The project would potentially increase use of existing and proposed regional and community parks.
However, the project would provide parks and recreational facilities to serve the population of Village 8
West. According to the GDP and the Quimby Act, Village 8 West would be required to provide three
acres of neighborhood and community parkland for every 1,000 residents. The projected population of
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Village 8 West would be a maximum of 5,737 people, assuming 2.58 persons per household for multi-
family dwelling units and 3.3 persons per household for single-family dwelling units. Therefore,
approximately 17.2 acres of parkland would be required by the GDP under the Quimby Act. According to
the CVMC Chapter 17.10, the method used to calculate the amount of actual required park space is 460
square feet developed park land per each single-family unit and 341 square feet per each multi-family
unit. According to this method, Village 8 West would be obligated to provide approximately 17.8 acres
of parkland. The project would exceed the requirements of the GDP, Quimby Act, and CVMC. The
project would provide a total of 27.9 acres of parks, of which 27.1 acres are eligible for credit to meet
city and GDP parkland requirements. Proposed parks include 17.4 acres of land that would be added to
the Otay Ranch Community Park (16.6 acres eligible for park credit), a 7.5 acre neighborhood park, and a
three acre town square in the Town Center. The project would also provide approximately 39.1 acres of
open space and provisions for an off-site trail connection to the Otay Valley Regional Park. In addition to
dedicating land for development of parks, development in Village 8 West would also pay the PFDIF for
park facilities, which provides for development of major recreational facilities, including community
centers and aquatic facilities.
The Otay Ranch Community Park would be a gathering place for residents of Village 8 West and
surrounding villages. The Community Park area is identified in the Chula Vista Parks and Recreation
Master Plan and would be an extension of the approximately 53 acre community park proposed north
and west of Village 8 West in Village 4. Recreational facilities over the entire park would include ten
lighted softball fields, six lighted soccer fields, four lighted tennis courts, four lighted basketball courts, a
lighted skate (skateboard and/or roller skate) facility, picnic facilities (with BBQs), play areas with play
equipment, walkways (with security lighting), pathways, trails, multi-purpose open turf areas, lighted
parking lots, other park support fixtures and furnishing, a 65,000 square feet aquatic complex with
support buildings, a 21,000 square feet recreation center, and restrooms. Vehicular access to the park
from Village 8 West would be provided via Main Street. The Neighborhood Park would be a medium
sized park that would provide active and passive recreation for the surrounding neighborhood and
include amenities such as small scale multi-purpose play fields, lighted sport courts, age-appropriate
play grounds, and picnic areas. The Community Park and Neighborhood Park would comply with
applicable city policy documents including, but not limited to, the Chula Vista Parks Master Plan, Parks
Facility Master Plan and the PFDIF Plan.
A town square is a small plaza or open space located within a high-density area. These spaces provide
relief from the urban fabric. The Town Square in Village 8 West would serve as a central gathering place
and would consist of flexible spaces that can be used for multiple functions such as farmer’s markets, art
shows, and other events. The Town Square may also include gardens and urban spaces for quiet
reflection.
Additionally, in concert with the Park Land Dedication Ordinance (CVMC 17.10) , the City of Chula Vista
Parks and Recreation Master Plan (PRMP) recognizes the practice of aggregating park acreage
obligation, from various development areas, to create and site community parks (typically 30 acres and
larger in size). The PRMP establishes goals for the creation of a comprehensive parks and recreation
system that meets the needs of the public by effectively distributing park types and associated
recreation facilities and programs throughout the city. Consistent with PRMP, the Community Park
represents the aggregation of park obligation from area Villages. The portion of the future community
park currently located within Village 8 West represents aggregated park acreage obligation from Village
8 West and Village 9 and it is the intent of the Village 8 SPA Plan to obligate the dedication of such park
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acreage from Village 8 West to satisfy a portion of Village 9’s park obligation as needed. Therefore, the
project would provide adequate parks and recreational facilities for new residents in Village 8 West.
With implementation of the project, Village 8 West would not increase the use of existing facilities such
that substantial deterioration would not occur. However, if construction of new parks would not
coincide with development of residences in Village 8 West, a potentially significant impact would occur.
B. Threshold 2: Require the construction or expansion of recreational facilities
which might have an adverse physical effect on the environment.
The development of parks and trails is a component of the proposed SPA Plan and TM. Construction of
the parks and open space would occur within Village 8 West and would not directly impact off -site
areas, including adjacent villages or regional open space or habitat areas, with the exception of the
provisions for the trail to the Otay Valley Regional Park. Mitigation measures provided in Section 5.6,
Biological Resources, and Section 5.11, Hydrology and Water Quality, would reduce potential direct and
indirect impacts associated with construction of the Village 8 West recreational facilities to a less than
significant level, including off-site impacts associated with the trail to the regional park. Construction air
quality emissions would be minimized to the extent feasible with the mitigation proposed in Section 5.4,
Air Quality, and only a small amount of total construction emissions would be attributable to
recreational facility construction. Payment of the PFDIF for park facilities would be used for the
development of major recreational facilities, including community centers and aquatic facilities.
Therefore, the project would have a less than significant impact associated with construction or
expansion of recreational facilities.
C. Threshold 3: Fail to meet city’s growth management threshold standard for
parks and recreation of three acres of neighborhood and community
parkland per 1,000 residents east of I-805.
As discussed above under Threshold 1, According to the CVMC Chapter 17.10, the method used to
calculate the amount of actual required park space is 460 square feet developed park land per each
single-family unit and 341 square feet per each multi-family unit. According to this method, Village 8
West would be obligated to provide approximately 17.8 acres of parkland. Village 8 West would provide
a total of 27.1 acres of eligible parks, including 16.6 acres of land that would be added to the Otay Ranch
Community Park, a 7.5 acre neighborhood park, and a 3-acre town square in the Town Center, also
described under Threshold 1. The SPA Plan and TM would exceed the city threshold for parkland
following implementation of the proposed parks.
Additionally, in concert with the Park Land Dedication Ordinance (CVMC 17.10) , the City of Chula Vista
Parks and Recreation Master Plan (PRMP) recognizes the practice of aggregating park acreage
obligation, from various development areas, to create and site community parks (typically 30 acres and
larger in size). The PRMP establishes goals for the creation of a comprehensive parks and recreation
system that meets the needs of the public by effectively distributing park types and associated
recreation facilities and programs throughout the city. Consistent with PRMP, the Community Park
represents the aggregation of park obligation from area Villages. The portion of the future community
park currently located within Village 8 West represents aggregated park acreage obligation from Village
8 West and Village 9 and it is the intent of the Village 8 SPA Plan to obligate the dedication of such park
acreage from Village 8 West to satisfy a portion of Village 9’s park obligation as needed. However, if
construction of new parks would not coincide with development of residences in Village 8 West, a
potentially significant impact would occur.
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D. Threshold 4: Be inconsistent with General Plan, GDP or other relevant objectives
and policies regarding parks thereby resulting in a significant physical impact.
1. General Plan
Table 5.9-13 evaluates the consistency of the project with the applicable General Plan objectives. As
shown, the project would be consistent with policies that would specifically apply to the project.
Table 5.9-13 Project Consistency with Applicable General Plan Park Policies
Applicable Policies Evaluation of Consistency
Objective LUT 81: Develop a higher density, mixed use, transit-
oriented town center positioned on the intersection of Main
Street and La Media Road, surrounded by lower intensity
residential use and a large community park that preserves Rock
Mountain as an important landform and visual resource.
Policy LUT 81.1: Develop approximately 70 acres of Village 4
west of La Media as a large community park to serve Otay Ranch.
Consistent. The project would be consistent with this policy
because the SPA Plan would dedicate 17.4 acres to the Otay
Ranch Community Park at the intersection of Main Street and La
Media Road. The remaining portion of the park would be
provided in Village 4.
Objective PFS 15: Provide new park and recreation facilities for
residents of new development, city-wide.
Policy PFS 15.1: Continue to pursue a city-wide standard for the
provision of developed parkland for new development projects
of three acres per estimated one thousand new residents.
Policy PFS 15.7: Work with proponents of new development
projects and redevelopment projects at the earliest stages to
ensure that parks, recreation, trails, and open space facilities are
designed to meet city standards and are built in a timely manner
to meet the needs of residents they will serve.
Consistent. The project would be consistent with these policies.
As discussed under Threshold 3, the project would exceed the
city-wide standard of three acres per estimated one thousand
new residents by providing 27.1 eligible acres of parkland,
including a community park, neighborhood park, and town
square. The City of Chula Vista would have discretionary
approval of the SPA Plan and future development, including the
proposed parks, trails, and other recreational facilities.
Objective PFS 16: Develop active and passive recreational uses
within portions of the Otay Valley Regional Park located within
the city of Chula Vista, in accordance with the MSCP.
Consistent. The project is consistent with this objective because
the SPA Plan proposes a Greenbelt trail connection to the Otay
Valley Regional Park. The proposed open space preserve allows
for habitat preserves and passive recreation such as hiking and
nature trails pursuant to the regulations of the MSCP, the RMP,
and the Otay Valley Regional Park Concept Plan. As discussed in
Section 5.6, Biological Resources, the project would be
consistent with the MSCP and RMP.
Objective PFS 18: Allow the appropriate joint-use of school and
park facilities.
Policy PFS 18.3: Consider siting elementary schools adjacent to
neighborhood parks, where feasible, to allow for expanded use
of the school grounds and classrooms by the general public and
the park area by the school children.
Consistent. The SPA Plan is consistent with this objective and
policy because the proposed elementary school is located
adjacent to the Neighborhood Park.
Objective E 11: Improve Chula Vista’s open space and trails
network, including the provision of additional internal
connections between the various elements of the network.
Policy E 11.1: Provide an integrated network of open space
areas, as needed, throughout the city to serve residents, as well
as to serve as a regional asset and attractor of visitors (e.g., on
the bayfront and within the Otay River Valley).
Policy E 11.2: Plan for the long-term preservation and
enhancement of open space within the Chula Vista greenbelt.
Consistent. The SPA Plan is consistent with this objective and
supporting policies. The SPA Plan includes a greenbelt trail,
consistent with the Greenbelt Master Plan and the Otay Valley
Regional Park Concept Plan, which connects Village 8 West to
the Otay Valley Regional Park via a dual purpose multi-use
trail/sewer access road. The SPA Plan also includes an open
space preserve area consistent with the RMP to provide a
comprehensive open space area in the Otay River Valley.
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Table 5.9-13 Project Consistency with Applicable General Plan Park Policies (continued)
Applicable Policies Evaluation of Consistency
Policy E 11.5: Encourage the creation of connected sidewalks and
trails between community activity areas and enhance with kiosks
and rest stations.
Policy E 11.7: Expand upon and encourage urban community-
based green infrastructure that is distinct from habitat
conservation (e.g., community, neighborhood, and pocket parks,
disturbed canyons, community and roof gardens, and vegetated
drainages) and ensure that such facilities are integrated into new
development and redevelopment in western Chula Vista.
Village 8 West also proposes a village pathway along Main
Street and a regional trail along Otay Valley Road that connects
the activity areas in the Town Center, as well as connects the
Town Center to the surrounding neighborhoods and villages.
As discussed in Section 5.10, Global Climate Change, Village 8
West would be subject to the California Green Building
Standards. Additionally, Village 8 West proposes a community
park, neighborhood park, and town square, and would
accommodate additional smaller parks, which would potentially
accommodate gardens. Community gardens would be
permitted within all residential, mixed-use, park, and CPF sites.
Objective E 12: Provide connections between Chula Vista’s open
space and trails network and the regional network.
Policy E 12.1: Collaborate with San Diego County, the City of San
Diego, and other applicable agencies to provide connections
between Chula Vista’s open space and trails network and the
regional network, in accordance with the Chula Vista MSCP
Subarea Plan and Otay Valley Regional Park Concept Plan.
Consistent. The SPA Plan proposes a Greenbelt trail that
connects Village 8 West to the Greenbelt Trail System and the
Otay Valley Regional Park trail system. This trail would connect
to a regional trail along Otay Valley Road. The regional trail and
a proposed village pathway along Main Street would provide
regional connections to surrounding villages.
2. Otay Ranch General Development Plan
Table 5.9-14 evaluates the consistency of the project with the applicable GDP objectives. As shown, the
project would be consistent with policies that would specifically apply to the project.
Table 5.9-14 Project Consistency with Applicable GDP Park Policies
Applicable Policies Evaluation of Consistency
Part II, Chapter 4 – Parks, Recreation, Open Space
Goal: Provide diverse park and recreational opportunities within
Otay Ranch which meet the recreational, conservation,
preservation, cultural, and aesthetic needs of project residents of
all ages and physical abilities.
Objective: Identify park, recreational and open space
opportunities, where appropriate, to serve the South County
region and San Diego County as a whole.
Policy: Provide 15 acres of regional park and open space per
1,000 Otay Ranch residents.
Policy: Plan for the development of multi-use trail facilities in the
regional park and open space setting with appropriate
connections to adjacent parks and facilities.
Objective: Maximize conservation, joint uses and access and
consider safety in the design of recreational facilities.
Policy: Encourage public transit service to regional parks and
provide access to handicapped and disabled persons, in
accordance with the latest federal guidelines.
Consistent. The SPA Plan proposes diverse park and
recreational opportunities to meet the recreational,
conservation, preservation, cultural, and aesthetic needs of all
residents. The Village 8 West parks, pathways, and trails would
be located in several areas throughout Village 8 West, as shown
in Figure 3-15, Parks and Open Space. The distribution of the
parks and plazas in Village 8 West is intended to facilitate
pedestrian access, with each unit in the Village 8 West no more
than a few minutes walk from a public park, and to serve as
neighborhood focal elements. The SPA would be served by
transit and the system of pathways and trails would connect the
transit stops to recreational resources.
The SPA Plan includes a preserve area and open space to
conserve natural resources. The proposed parks would be
available for a variety of uses. The Town Square would be the
site of community gatherings and events. The Community Park
would provide amenities that bring the community together,
such as lighted athletic fields, recreation facilities, and group
picnic areas. The Neighborhood Park is a medium sized parks
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Table 5.9-14 Project Consistency with Applicable GDP Park Policies (continued)
Applicable Policies Evaluation of Consistency
Policy: Commercial recreation opportunities may be permitted
within town square, community and regional parks to generate
revenue to defray park operational expenses.
Policy: Utilize conservation measures including reclaimed water,
efficient irrigation systems and drought tolerant plant material in
the development of public and private parks where allowed.
Policy: Minimize park operation and maintenance costs and
identify funding sources for continued operation and
maintenance of all Otay Ranch parks and open space land.
Objective: Provide neighborhood and community park and
recreational facilities to serve the recreational needs of local
residents.
Policy: Provide a minimum of three acres of neighborhood and
community parkland (as governed by the Quimby Act) and 12
acres per 1,000 Otay Ranch residents of other active or passive
recreation and open space area.
Policy: Encourage the design of park sites adjacent to public
schools and other public lands where co-location of facilities is
feasible. Joint use agreements with school districts are
encouraged.
that provides active and passive recreation for the surrounding
neighborhood and include amenities such as multi-purpose play
fields, lighted sport courts, age-appropriate play grounds, and
picnic areas. Additional common areas would be provided in the
residential districts, as required in the SPA Plan.
The SPA would incorporate park amenities in town square parks
and active play facilities in neighborhood parks; to incorporate a
pedestrian open space/trail corridor across the Village 8 West
which ties parks and other land uses together; to provide a
network of pedestrian spaces, plazas, malls, promenades, and
squares to create a pedestrian oriented environment; to
integrate pedestrian plazas with individual buildings and
building clusters; and to incorporate fountains or artistic
features as visual focus. A town square and neighborhood park
are proposed in the project area. The regional trail would
traverse Village 8 West and directly connect the Community
Park, Town Square, and Neighborhood Park. The SPA Plan
includes design guidelines to develop pedestrian oriented
development, including pedestrian spaces, and focal objects and
other forms of architectural relief.
As discussed in Section 5.3, Transportation/Traffic, pedestrian
facilities are available to connect all uses in the SPA.
Village 8 West would use recycled water for landscape
irrigation, including medians, parks, open space, and common
landscaped areas. Landscaping on the project site would be
required to comply with the Landscape Water Conservation
Ordinance (CVMC Section 20.12). The PFFP for the project
identifies the funding required for park maintenance.
Approximately 17.2 acres of parkland would be required by the
GDP under the Quimby Act. The project would exceed the
requirements of the GDP and Quimby Act. Village 8 West would
provide a total of 27.1 acres of eligible parkland.
The SPA Plan does not include a joint use with schools districts;
however, the proposed elementary school is located adjacent to
the Neighborhood Park.
3. Greenbelt Master Plan
The proposed project includes a greenbelt trail that will begin at the southerly terminus of Street A,
follow the alignment of the proposed sewer main, and will ultimately connect to the Greenbelt Trail as
part of the Otay Valley Regional Park system. The trail would be open to bicycles, pedestrians, and other
non-motorized modes of transportation. Connections to this trail would be provided by the regional trail
along Otay Valley Road and the village pathway along Main Street. These trails would provide internal
connections as well as linkages with several other villages, consistent with the Greenbelt Master Plan.
The trail would connect regional trail users with the Otay Valley, also consistent with the Greenbelt
Master Plan. The pathways would be constructed of decomposed granite or concrete, and would be a
minimum of 10 feet wide, subject to review and approval.
As presented in Table 5.9-15, the project would be consistent with the Master Plan goal to establish a
greenbelt system that would visually reinforce the character of the community and integrate cultural
resources, to ensure public access through an active and passive recreation park system with trails
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connecting each segment, to accommodate a wide range and number of users, to offer a variety of
active and passive recreation experiences, to provide disability access, and to provide other amenities
that enhance the greenbelt system. Therefore, the project would be consistent with the applicable
policies of the Greenbelt Master Plan and would have a less than significant impact with respect to city
threshold standards.
Table 5.9-15 Comparison of the SPA Plan to the Applicable Goals and Policies
of the Greenbelt Master Plan
Greenbelt Master Plan Goal Evaluation of Consistency
Goal 1.0: To establish a comprehensive and coordinated
greenbelt system that visually reinforces the natural
character of the community and integrates unique historic
and cultural resources, open space areas, creeks and trails.
Consistent. The SPA Plan and TM would implement the village
pathway, connecting Village 8 West with Village 3, Village 4,
Village 7, and Village 8 East; and the regional trail, connecting
Village 8 West with Village 7 and Village 8 East. Along these routes
through Village 8 West, these trails would connect three parks
(Community Park, Town Square, and Neighborhood Park), the
proposed school sites, the open space along the western and
southern borders of the SPA, the greenbelt trail, and the Otay
Ranch Preserve. The width of the trails and connectivity to several
park areas would accommodate and allow access to destination
uses and activity areas in Village 8 West. The regional trail would
consist of a 10-foot-wide trail outside the Town Center. In the
Town Center, this trail would transition into a paved trail that is
more consistent with the urban character of the area. The village
pathway would be paved throughout the SPA, consistent with the
urban character of the Town Center and surrounding area. These
trails would accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists.
Goal 2.0: To provide connected open space surrounding
Chula Vista to enhance the natural beauty and to preserve
native biological and cultural resources as well as sensitive
habitats.
Consistent. The project would incorporate a segment of the village
greenway through implementation of the village pathway, the
regional trail, and greenbelt trail that would ultimately provide
connectivity between the village and to the natural habitats in Salt
Creek, Wolf Canyon, and the Otay Valley Regional Park.
Policy 2.1: The City of Chula Vista will strive to ensure the
protection of the natural habitat from encroachment of trail
users through education, fencing, signing, and design.
Consistent. As discussed in Section 5.6, Biological Resources, the
proposed trail in the Village 8 West preserve area would be
consistent with the requirements of the Chula Vista MSCP and
Otay Ranch RMP to protect natural habitat. Additionally, the trail
would be paved to clearly designate its alignment. Landscaping
and signage along the trail would also discourage encroachment
into the surrounding natural area.
Policy 2.5: The city will locate trails in areas that avoid or
minimize conflicts with natural resources.
Consistent. The mitigation measures identified in Section 5.6,
Biological Resources, would reduce all impacts to sensitive natural
resources from buildout of Village 8 West to a less than significant
level, including proposed trails. The proposed trail in the Village 8
West preserve area would be consistent with the requirements of
the Chula Vista MSCP and Otay Ranch RMP to protect natural
habitat.
Policy 2.6: All proposed trails shall adhere to guidelines
contained within the city-adopted MSCP as well as
stipulations contained in other mitigation agreements.
Consistent. As discussed in Section 5.6, Biological Resources, the
proposed trail in the Village 8 West preserve area would be
consistent with the requirements of the Chula Vista MSCP and
Otay Ranch RMP
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Table 5.9-15 Comparison of the SPA Plan to the Applicable Goals and Policies of the Greenbelt Master Plan (continued)
Greenbelt Master Plan Goal Evaluation of Consistency
Policy 2.7: Impervious trails should be avoided in watershed
and flood plain areas where potential contamination of
resources could occur.
Consistent. The greenbelt trail and village pathway would be
paved and impervious; however, the Village 8 West site is not
located within a floodplain. As discussed in Section 5.11,
Hydrology and Water Quality, potentially significant
contamination of resources would not occur because as all surface
water runoff would be collected in a storm water drainage system
and routed to master drainage facilities, including
detention/storm water quality management basins.
Goal 3.0: To establish a greenbelt that ensures public access
within the greenbelt through an active and passive
recreation park system with trails connecting each segment.
Consistent. The village pathway and regional trail through Village
8 West would connect and provide public access to the Town
Center, schools, residential neighborhoods, and the three parks in
the SPA Area, as well as providing ultimate connection to on-site
and off-site parks and recreational sites, including the Otay Valley
Regional Park.
Policy 3.1: The city will actively pursue open space programs
and develop trail links connecting to parks and regional
trails.
Consistent. The project would support this policy through the
provision of a segment of the village pathway, as previously
discussed under Goal 3.0.
Policy 3.2: The city will design trails that will accommodate
a wide range of number of users anticipated.
Consistent. Please refer to Goal 1.0, above.
Policy 3.3: The city will develop a greenbelt system that
offers a variety of active and passive recreation experiences.
Consistent. Please refer to Goal 1.0, above.
Policy 3.4: The city will develop trails, wherever possible,
which provide for accessibility for all, including those with
disabilities.
Consistent. As the village pathway and regional trail would take
the form of major pathways through Village 8 West, these facilities
would be consistent with all state-mandated ADA requirements.
Policy 3.5: The city will locate staging areas, parking areas,
and other amenities in areas that enhance the greenbelt
system.
Consistent. The village pathway and regional trail would pass
through the Town Center, where visitor parking areas would be
readily available. Other amenities, including access to the Town
Center and neighborhood commercials areas, schools, and parks
would enhance the greenbelt system by providing an interesting
destination or stop-over, in which passing users may lunch, rest, or
shop.
Goal 4.0: To provide a Greenbelt system that receives the
necessary resources for open space acquisition, park and
trail development, maintenance, and to establish volunteer
programs.
Consistent. The SPA Plan provides the necessary resources for
acquisition and development of a greenbelt system in Village 8
West. The SPA Plan includes village pathway and regional trails
through Village 8 West, which would be privately developed
concurrently with the phased development of Village 8 West,
would be acquired by the city as public sidewalks. Maintenance
districts or other mechanisms may be established to ensure
proper management and maintenance. The internal trails would
connect to the greenbelt trail system to the south and future trails
within adjacent villages to the east and west of the site.
Policy 4.4: The city will collaborate with private
organizations for constructing, maintaining, and monitoring
trails.
Consistent. The project would support this policy through the
private development of a segment of the village pathway, as
discussed under Goal 4.0.
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Table 5.9-16 Project Consistency with Parks and Recreation Master Plan
Parks and Recreation Master Plan Policy Project Consistency
Policy 1.1: The City of Chula Vista will actively pursue
opportunities, such as state and federal bonds/grants, in order
to acquire land for the development of new parks in previously
developed portions of the city, that were not subject to the
requirements of new subdivision development.
Consistent. The project would be consistent with Policy 1.2
because it would meet the Park Land Dedication ordinance of
three acres per 1,000 people under the ordinance’s existing
coefficient factors.
Policy 1.11. The city will require new community parks and
neighborhood parks in the developing master plan
communities to be distributed and sized in accordance with
the following table in order to maintain a balanced system for
both community parks and satellite neighborhood parks.
Otay Ranch Community Park – 70 acres
Village 4 Neighborhood Park – 5.6 acres
Village 8 Neighborhood Park – 8 acres
Consistent. Village 8 West would provide 17.4 acres dedicated
to the Community Park; the remainder would be developed in
Village 4. The SPA Plan also proposes a 7.5 acre neighborhood
park. Therefore, the project is generally consistent with the
Master Plan defined range of recreational experiences
anticipated to serve the demands of the Village 8 West
residents.
Policy 1.12: Community parks are redefined as a community
park has a minimum net-useable area of 30-acres or more,
which is designed to serve more than one neighborhood. The
minimum acreage for future community parks, that already
have an approved GDP/SPA or are in the Western part of the
city, may be waived if the city determines that existing land
use constraints prevent development of a 30 acre park. Typical
facilities contained in a community park include lighted ball
fields and courts, recreation complexes, and parking areas as
needed for programmed uses. The field areas provided shall
be of a flexible design so they can be scheduled primarily for
competition games and practice games but also for non-
programmed use. In addition, community parks include
facilities that are also found in neighborhood parks, such as
picnic facilities, informal fields, and children's play areas.
Policy 1.14: The city will require the following primary facilities
and support facilities to be located in future community parks.
Primary Facilities: Athletic field(s) with lighting, hard court(s)
with lighting, picnic shelters, picnic tables, play area with play
equipment, in-season league storage area(s), restrooms,
maintenance building, community center building and at least
two recreation components from the following: gymnasium,
gymatorium, community pool, senior annex, or teen annex.
Support Facilities: Open lawn areas, paved walkways with
lighting, parking areas with lighting
Consistent. The proposed Community Park would be
consistent with Policy 1.12 and Policy 1.14 because it would
have a useable area of more than 30 acres, would serve more
than one neighborhood, and would include a variety of
facilities, including play fields, picnic facilities, and play areas.
Final design of the Community Park would be required to
include all of the facilities listed in Policy 1.12; however, not all
of these facilities are required to be provided in the Village 8
West portion of the park.
Policy 1.15: Community parks shall be sited adjacent to middle
schools where feasible.
Consistent. The SPA Plan would be consistent with this policy
because the Community Park and middle school would both
be located along the northern edge of the project area,
separated by a portion of the Town Center. They would be
connected by the off-street village pathway.
Policy 1.16: Neighborhood park is redefined as a seven-acre
(minimum net-useable area) to a twelve-acre (maximum net-
useable area) sized park that primarily provides for the daily
recreation needs of residents within walking distance
(approximately 1/2 to 3/4 mile) of the park. Typical facilities
contained in a neighborhood park include children's play area,
Consistent. The SPA Plan would be consistent with Policies
1.16 and 1.18 because the Neighborhood Park would be more
than seven acres in size and would provide of the daily
recreation needs of residents. Facilities would include athletic
fields, sports courts, picnic areas, play equipment, restrooms,
open play areas, and walkways.
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Table 5.9-16 Project Consistency with Parks and Recreation Master Plan (continued)
Parks and Recreation Master Plan Policy Project Consistency
picnic facilities, restroom facilities, informal field areas, hard
courts, and parking spaces. The field areas provided shall be of
a flexible design so they can be scheduled for informal use, but
also for practice games and competition games. Where
possible a neighborhood park site should adjoin a school
district site to enable the development of joint use policies.
Policy 1.18: The city will require the following Primary facilities
and support facilities to be located in future neighborhood
parks:
Primary Facilities: Athletic field(s), hard court(s), picnic
shelters, picnic tables, play area with play equipment,
restrooms.
Support Facilities: Open lawn areas, paved walkways with
lighting, maintenance building.
Policy 1.19: Neighborhood parks will be sited adjacent to
elementary and middle schools where feasible.
Consistent. The SPA Plan would be consistent with Policy 1.19
because the Neighborhood Park is proposed adjacent to the
proposed elementary school.
Policy 1.21: The city will promote and facilitate the integration
of public art in Chula Vista parks.
Consistent. The project would be consistent with Policy 1.21
because the SPA Plan promotes the use of public art in public
areas of the Town Center and community use facilities, such as
parks.
4. Chula Vista Parks and Recreation Master Plan
The Chula Vista Parks and Recreation Master Plan identifies a range of passive and activity park
elements to serve the residents of Village 8 West. The existing plan, which was prepared in 2002 and is
based on the 1993 GDP, specifically lists a 5-acre neighborhood park in Village 4 and 7-acre
neighborhood park in Village 8 as part of the city’s future facilities. The project would provide a total of
27.9 acres of parks, including a 7.5-acre neighborhood park. Therefore, the project is generally
consistent with the Master Plan’s park guidelines. The 2010 draft of the updated Parks and Recreation
Master Plan identifies 7.5 acres of neighborhood parks and three acres of town squares for Village 8
West. As discussed above, the project would include a 7.5 acre neighborhood park and three acres of
town squares. The project is compared to the applicable Parks and Recreation Master Plan regulations in
Table 5.9-16. As shown in this table, the project would be consistent with all applicable policies of the
PRMP. Impacts would be less than significant.
5.9.5.4 Level of Significance Prior to Mitigation
A. Deterioration of Facilities
The project would increase demand on recreational facilities, which would be significant if the proposed
parks and recreational facilities are not provided commensurate with demand.
B. New Recreational Facilities
No significant impacts related to new recreational facilities have been identified for the project.
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C. Parks and Recreation Growth Management Threshold Standard
The project would increase demand on recreational facilities, which would be significant if the proposed
parks and recreational facilities are not provided commensurate with demand.
D. Consistency with Park Policies
No significant impacts related to consistency with park policies have been identified for the project.
5.9.5.5 Mitigation Measures
A. Deterioration of Facilities
5.9.5-1 Public Facility Development Impact Fees. Prior to the issuance of each building permit for any
residential dwelling units, the applicant shall pay recreation facility development impact fees
(part of the Public Facilities Development Impact Fee) in accordance with the fees in effect at
the time of building permit issuance and phasing approved in the Public Facilities Finance Plan,
subject to approval of the Director of Library and Recreation.
5.9.5-2 Park Acquisition and Development Fees. Prior to the approval of each final map for the
project, or, for any residential development project within Village 8 West that does not
require a final map, prior to building permit approval, the applicant shall pay applicable Park
Acquisition and Development in-lieu fees for the area covered by the final map(s). The
payment of in-lieu fees shall be in accordance with the phasing indicated in the Project's
approved SPA Plan, and a park agreement, if any, subject to approval of the Director of Library
and Recreation. In-lieu fees shall be based on the Park Acquisition and Development fees in
effect at the time of issuance of building permits, unless stated otherwise in a parks or
development agreement.
5.9.5-3 Growth Management Program’s Parks and Recreation Threshold Standard. The City of Chula
Vista shall continue to monitor parks and recreation services and report the results to the
Growth Management Oversight Commission on an annual basis.
5.9.5-4 Dedication of Parkland. Prior to approval of the first final map for the project, the applicant
shall offer for dedication all public parkland identified in the Project's approved SPA Plan, or as
approved by the Director of Library and Recreation. Park facilities such as the Neighborhood
Park and Town Square indentified as being required to meet the overall park obligation shall
be identified on the first final map.
5.9.5-5 Town Square Park. Prior to issuance of the final map containing the 383rd residential building
permit, the Town Square Park shall be completed to the satisfaction of the Director of Library
and Recreation.
5.9.5-6 Park Development Agreement. Prior to the approval of the first final map for Village 8 West
the applicant shall enter into an agreement with the City that provides the following:
dedication of public park sites, payment of Park Development Agreement Fees, schedule for
completion of improvements, including utilities to streets adjacent to the park sites, all to the
satisfaction of the Director of Library and Recreation. Under the current method for delivery
of new parks the city will award a design-build contract for the Project's neighborhood park.
The agreement will include provisions that in the event the City chooses not to go forward
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with a design-build contact, the applicant will be obligated to fully comply with the Parkland
Ordinance and park threshold standards by constructing the parks in accordance with all City
standards and under a time schedule as specified in the agreement.
B. New Recreational Facilities
No mitigation measures are required.
C. Parks and Recreation Growth Management Threshold Standard
Mitigation measures 5.9.5-1 through 5.9.5-6 would also reduce impacts related to the parks and
recreation growth management threshold standard.
D. Consistency with Park Policies
No mitigation measures are required.
5.9.5.6 Level of Significance After Mitigation
A. Deterioration of Facilities
With implementation of mitigation measures 5.9.5-1 through 5.9.5-6 identified above, deterioration
impacts related to implementation of the SPA Plan and TM would be reduced to below a level of
significance.
B. New Recreational Facilities
Impacts would be less than significant without mitigation.
C. Parks and Recreation Growth Management Threshold Standard
With implementation of mitigation measures 5.9.5-1 through 5.9.5-6 identified above, impacts related
to the parks and recreation growth management threshold standard would be reduced to below a level
of significance.
D. Consistency with Park Policies
Impacts would be less than significant without mitigation.
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