Preface Executive Summary 1 - Introduction 2 - Project Description 3 - Setting, Impacts, and Mitigation Measures 4 - Alternatives to the Project 5 - List of Persons Preparing this EIR 6 - Bibliography Appendices A - Notice of Preparation B - Responses to Notice of Preparation C - Goals, Objectives, Policies, Implementation Actions and Strategies D - General Plan Update Opinion Surveys  EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PROJECT DESCRIPTION The project discussed and analyzed in this EIR is adoption of an updated City of Grass Valley General Plan, including updates of nine "elements" of the General Plan. The nine elements being updated consist of the following: Land Use, Circulation, Conservation and Open Space (combined element), Noise, Safety, Recreation, Community Design and Historical. The proposed project seeks to maintain a tight development pattern, minimizing urban sprawl. It assigns the majority of future development to the north and east of downtown so that most new development will be 1) within the Wolf Creek watershed, for efficient provision of infrastructure and extension of facilities and 2) convenient to downtown, Glenbrook, the Litton/Sierra College complex, and existing industrial and business parks. Gravity flow of wastewater from most future developments to the City wastewater treatment plant on Freeman Lane/Wolf Creek is substantially accomplished by the proposed land use pattern. Significant transportation improvements, including non-vehicular facilities (e.g., bikeways, sidewalks, trails) as well as street and highway improvements, are planned in order to facilitate circulation, especially within the triangle formed by Brunswick Road, East Bennett, and the freeway. Vehicular access to downtown from the east, a new interchange at Dorsey, and connections between Idaho-Maryland Road and East Bennett are necessitated in part by existing development and by proposed development north and east of Downtown. The North Star, Loma Rica Ranch and Kenny Ranch annexation areas (identified as Special Development Areas or SDA in the General Plan) will develop per annexation agreements. The agreements prescribe acreages to be devoted to specified land uses, plus the allowable number of housing units in each. Commercial development will occur in the forms of 1) upgrading and intensification of present commercial areas and 2) expansion to vacant, commercially designated properties. Upgrading and intensification will occur in downtown, Glenbrook, and the Pine Creek complex, as well as commercial strips along East Main, South Auburn, and Highway 174. Some expansion of the existing commercial areas will occur in or near Glenbrook and Pine Creek. New expansion sites include 22 acres at Kenny Ranch, the North Star Central Business District (CBD) (commercial allocation per annexation agreement), and Railroad Avenue/Idaho Maryland Road and at the 70 acre Bear River Mill site bounded by Highway 49 and La Barr Meadows Road. The current General Plan was adopted in 1982. Thus, the current General Plan has been "in place" for 17 years, within the 15 to 25 year planning "horizon" recommended by California Government Code §65300. Several factors led to an update the General Plan at this time. The pace of growth and development has been slower than that projected in the 1982 General Plan, causing discrepancies between Plan policies and actual circumstances. Certain developments were not adequately anticipated by the current General Plan, notably the establishment of Sierra College. Certain General Plan elements had been updated or added since 1982, including the Housing Element, and were determined to be sufficiently current. Others, it was determined by City decision-makers, needed revision to reflect actual conditions, assure internal consistency among the General Plan Elements, and provide an opportunity for the City and its citizens to forge new directions as the City approached the Year 2000. SUMMARY OF IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES Section 15123(b)(1) of the Guidelines for Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act (State CEQA Guidelines) provides that the summary shall identify each significant effect with proposed mitigation measures that would reduce or avoid that effect. This information is summarized in Table S-1, Summary of Potential Impacts and Proposed Mitigation Measures/Mitigation Monitoring Program. POTENTIAL AREAS OF CONTROVERSY AND ISSUES TO BE RESOLVED The following issues are most likely to produce controversy in reviewing and considering the proposed General Plan Update: Conversion of open space land to urban uses Impacts to biological resources Growth-inducing impacts Drainage and increase in downstream flows due to new development in the Grass Valley area Impacts to air quality Increase in traffic volumes due to new development Impacts on public services and utilities Impacts on community character ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROJECT Section 15126.6 of the State CEQA Guidelines requires the EIR to describe a reasonable range of alternatives to the project or to the location of the project which would reduce or avoid significant impacts, and which could feasiblely accomplish the basic objectives of the project, and to evaluate the comparative merits of the alternatives. Alternatives which would reduce or avoid significant impacts represent an environmentally superior alternative to the proposed project. However, if the environmentally superior alternative is the "no project" alternative, the EIR must also identify an environmentally superior alternative among the other alternatives. The EIR identifies Alternative #2 (Northerly Emphasis Development Scenario) as the environmentally superior alternative. The EIR evaluates the following alternatives: Alternative #1: No Project Alternative The "no project" alternative is considered a continuation of the existing 1982 Grass Valley General Plan. This alternative compares development in accordance with the 1982 General Plan with the 2020 development scenario of the proposed General Plan Update. However, development is limited by available infrastructure and services. Alternative #2: General Plan - Northerly Emphasis Development Scenario The Northerly Emphasis seeks to maintain a tight development pattern, minimizing urban sprawl. The Northerly Emphasis assigns future development to the north and east of downtown as much as possible. By steering growth accordingly, most new development will be 1) within the Wolf Creek watershed (efficient provision and extension of infrastructure, especially wastewater, storm drainage, recreation, and circulation facilities) and 2) convenient to downtown, Glenbrook, the Litton/Sierra College complex, and existing industrial and business parks. Gravity flow of wastewater (from new developments) to the City wastewater treatment plant on Freeman Lane/Wolf Creek is accomplished under this Alternative. Alternative #3: General Plan - Southerly Emphasis Development Scenario The Southerly Emphasis assigns most new residential development to the southern portion of the Planning Area, generally south of McKnight Way. Residential development to the north includes prezoned residential allocations to Kenny Ranch and Loma Rica Ranch (100 and 180 dwelling units, respectively), and a maximum potential of 900 infill units. No outfill units are assumed (other than the three major annexation areas of North Star, Loma Rica Ranch and Kenny Ranch). City annexations and service extensions are to the south, whereas most of the potential for outfill development is north of downtown.

TABLE S-1

SUMMARY TABLE

POTENTIAL IMPACTS AND PROPOSED MITIGATION MEASURES

MITIGATION MONITORING PROGRAM

Impact Number	Impact	Mitigation Number	Mitigation Measure	Level of Significance After Mitigation
3.1-1	Development in areas of unstable geology.		None required.	Less than significant
3.1-2	Erosion and unstable soil conditions.		None required.	Less than significant
3.1-3	Subsidence associated with former mining activities.		None required.	Less than significant
3.1-4	Development on expansive soils.		None required.	Less than significant
3.1-5	Impacts to unique geologic or physical features.		None required.	Less than significant
3.2-1	Discharge into surface water.		None required.	Less than significant
3.2-2	Building in 100-year flood zone.	3.2-1	Update CIP and Drainage Master Plan to reflect 2020 needs.	Less than significant
3.2-3	Changes in quantity and quality of ground water.		None required.	Less than significant
3.2-4	Disposal of wastewater, groundwater and surface water contamination.		None required.	Less than significant
3.3-1	Reduce/destroy habitat of sensitive species.	3.3-1	No net loss of habitat.	Less than significant
3.3-2	Impacts to wetlands	3.3-1	No net loss of habitat.	Less than significant
		3.3-2	Review Grading Ordinance to protect wetlands.	Less than significant
3.3-3	Impact movement or dispersal of wildlife.		None required.	Less than significant
3.4-1	Increase in emissions of non-attainment air pollutants.	3.4-1	Incorporate mitigation specified in the Indirect Source Review Guidelines of the Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District.	Significant cumulative impact
3.4-2	Emissions of pollutants, exposure of sensitive land uses to odors.		None required.	Less than significant
3.5-1	Strain local water supplies.		None required.	Less than significant
3.5-2	Strain local water treatment facilities.		None required.	Less than significant
3.5-3	Strain local water distribution system, create demand for expanded services/facilities.	3.2-1	Update CIP and Drainage Master Plan to reflect 2020 needs.	Potentially significant
3.5-4	Strain locate sewer and septic systems, create demand for expanded services/facilities.	3.5-2	Amend SSMP to reflect 2020 Plan, reexamine fiscal base of SSMP, include development fee, coordinate timing/phasing of planned wastewater facility extensions/improvements with planned extension of other services/annexations as appropriate.	Less than significant
3.5-5	Strain stormwater drainage systems and create demand for expanded services and facilities.	3.2-1	Update CIP and Drainage Master Plan to reflect 2020 needs.	Less than significant
3.5-6	Strain fire protection services and create demand for expanded services and facilities	3.5-3	Update CIP in the future to meet public service and facility demands through 2020.	Less than significant
3.5-7	Strain police services and create demand for expanded services and facilities	3.5-3	Update CIP in the future to meet public service and facility demands through 2020.	Less than significant
3.5-8	Create demand for new recreational facilities.		None required.	Less than significant
3.5-9	Strain schools and create demand for expanded services	3.5-1	Collect development impact fees authorized by State law, levy additional fees in accordance with SB 50; Mello-Roos bonds, private bank loans, treasury anticipation notes, LeRoy Green new construction fund, bus transportation fee, and/or year-round school.	Less than significant
3.5-10	Strain solid water disposal system, create demand for expanded services and facilities.		None required.	Less than significant
3.5-11	Strain communication systems and create demand for expanded services and facilities.		None required.	Less than significant
3.6-1	Increase amount of residential development in comparison to existing setting.		None required.	Less than significant
3.6-2	Increase amount of commercial development in comparison to existing setting.		None required.	Less than significant
3.6-3	Increase amount of industrial development in comparison to existing setting.		None required.	Less than significant
3.6-4	Changes in phasing of future development.		None required.	Less than significant
3.6-5	Physical improvements to infrastructure and roadways conflicting with adjacent land uses.		None feasible.	Less than significant
3.6-6	Cumulative impact on land use.		None required.	Less than significant
3.7-1	Increase population and housing in community.		None required.	Less than significant
3.8-1	Impact scenic vistas or scenic highways.		None required.	Less than significant
3.8-2	Damage scenic resources.		None required.	Less than significant
3.8-3	Have a demonstrable negative visual effect on community.		None required.	Less than significant
3.8-4	Create new source of light and glare.	3.8-1	Require shielding or downward direction of lighting.	Significant cumulative
3.9-1	Traffic volumes exceeding LOS D on area streets.	3.9-1	Provide dual left turn lanes eastbound and westbound and separate the southbound left turn lane at the Main/Idaho Maryland/SR 49 southbound ramps.	Less than significant Significant and unavoidable for three collector roadways
		3.9-2	Add northbound right turn lane at South Auburn/Empire Street.
		3.9-3	Add northbound right turn lane at Mill St./Neal St.
3.9-1 Cont.	Cont.	3.9-4	Add traffic signal at Freeman/McKnight.	Cont.
		3.9-5	Add traffic signal at Brunswick Rd./Whispering Pines
		3.9-6	Add traffic signal at Brunswick Rd./Dorsey (extension).
3.9-2	Traffic operations at intersections exceeding LOS D		None required.	Less than significant
3.9-3	Increased demand for public transportation and make it difficult to meet roadway LOS/meet air quality goals in absence of improved public transportation.		None required.	Less than significant
3.9-4	Increased demand for bicycle facilities.		None required.	Less than significant
3.9-5	Increased demand for pedestrian facilities.		None required.	Less than significant
3.9-6	Increased demand for movement of goods.		None required.	Less than significant
3.9-7	Place strain on parking facilities		None required.	Less than significant
3.9-8	Place strain on emergency services due to overall road network.		None feasible.	Significant and unavoidable
3.9-9	Traffic volumes continue to increase after 2020		Updating CIP, Regional Transportation Plan and providing amendments to current documents, as well as implementing General Plans goals, objectives, policies and implementation actions and strategies will reduce this impact, but not to a less than significant level.	Significant and unavoidable cumulative impact
3.9-10	Increased traffic at build out of 2020 Plan		Same as above.	Significant and unavoidable cumulative impact
3-9-11	Build out of Plan will strain public transportation services		Same as above.	Less than significant cumulative impact
3.9-12	Build out of Plan will strain bicycle facilities		None required.	Less than significant cumulative impact
3.9-13	Build out of Plan will strain pedestrian facilities		None required.	Less than significant cumulative impact
3.9-14	Build out of Plan will strain goods movement facilities		None feasible	Significant and unavoidable cumulative impact
3.9-15	Build out of Plan will strain parking facilities		None required.	Less than significant cumulative impact
3.9-16	Build out of Plan will strain emergency service logistics.		None required.	Less than significant cumulative impact
3.10-1	Increase noise levels in association with increased traffic.		None required.	Less than significant
3.10-2	Increases in fixed source noise levels		None required.	Less than significant
3.10-3	Increased noise associated with air port.		None required.	Less than significant
3.10-4	Increased noise associated with build out of Plan.		None required.	Less than significant cumulative impact
3.11-1	Expose property/people to hazardous materials		None required.	Less than significant
3.11-2	Interfere with emergency response/evacuation plans.		None required.	Less than significant
3.11-3	Development in the vicinity of the Airport could result in safety hazards.		None required.	Less than significant
3.11-4	Increased wildland fire hazard.		None feasible.	Potentially significant
3.11-5	Increased flood hazard.	3.2-1	CIP shall be updated along with drainage System master Plan in the future in order to extend service/infrastructure needs through 2020.	Less than significant
3.11-6	Exposure to naturally occurring asbestos in soil.		None feasible.	Potentially significant
3.12-1	Impacts on cultural resources from new development	3.12-1 3.12-2	Add Policy 10-HP to the Final General Plan: Where historic and prehistoric cultural resources have been identified, the City shall require that development be designed to protect such resources from damage, destruction, or defacement whenever possible. Add Policy 11-HP to Final General Plan: If previously undiscovered cultural resources or human remains are encountered during construction or excavation, the procedures identified in Section 15064.5 to the CEQA Guidelines shall be followed.	Less than significant
3.13-1	New growth will place increased pressure on park and recreation facilities.		None required.	Less than significant
3.14-1	Growth and development will increase pressure to develop open space.		None feasible.	Significant and unavoidable cumulative impact.