10. ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES ELEMENT It is critical for a community to strike a balance at facilitating development without endangering the protection and sanctity of its natural resources. These resources should be managed in a way that sustains the natural environment and protects our foothills, desert washes, parks, wildlife and open space legacy. The policies and programs contained within this element also seek to foster energy and water conservation, cleaner air and cleaner water and the protection of our archaeological heritage. The Environmental Resources Element is organized in the following manner: 10.a. Introduction 10.b. Goals, Objectives and Policies 10.c. Conservation and Environmental Plan 10.d. Implementation Program 10.a. INTRODUCTION The City of Peoria’s explosive growth rate has been well documented in other sections of the General Plan. The growth rate is not unique to Peoria but rather indicative of the robust economy and quality of life in the Phoenix metropolitan area that has attracted newcomers at a high rate. In many ways Peoria has benefited from this growth in its high- quality family oriented neighborhoods, enhanced city services and urban amenities. However, growth can also have unintended consequences on the natural environment including the degradation of air and water quality, the loss of habitats and the disruption of view corridors. Fortunately for Peoria, most of the scenic desert landscape in the northern half of the city remains in its natural state. Several planning efforts have been completed in the last few years including the Peoria Desert Lands Conservation Master Plan (1999), Peoria Trails Master Plan (1999), Peoria Rivers Master Plan (1999), Peoria Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Master Plan (2002), and the Lake Pleasant North Area Specific Plan (1999) and the Loop 303 Specific Area Plan. Although these plans each have their specific purposes, they do share common themes. Growth should be planned, attractive and directed into appropriate areas at reasonable densities with particular sensitivity to the natural landscape, recreational resources and viewsheds enjoyed by the community. However, continued local and regional growth will invariably place development pressures on lands in the urban fringe. The challenge remains at achieving a balance between orderly growth and the protection of Peoria’s natural resources. Air quality, water quality and other natural systems are regional elements without regard to political boundaries. The slogan “think globally [regionally], act locally” rings especially true for these resources. This element specifically discusses the resource elements listed below. The policies and strategies in this element are largely broad-based with community-wide applicability. The discussion and strategies are also intended to complement and support those identified in other sections, with specific attention to the Recreation and Open Space Element. ? Air Quality ? Water Quality ? Energy Conservation ? Archaeological Resources ? Natural Habitat Preservation ? Sensitive Lands Management 10.b. GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES GOAL 10.1: PROMOTE A HIGH LEVEL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY WITH A SAFE, HEALTHY AND ENJOYABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR PEORIA RESIDENTS. AIR QUALITY ______________ OBJECTIVE 10.1.A: Support efforts to attain high standards of air quality in Peoria. ___________ Policy 10.1.A.1: The City shall utilize Transportation System Management (TSM) techniques (e.g. synchronized traffic signals, efficient traffic flow and turning movements, bus pullouts along arterials, HOV lanes for transit) to minimize automobile generated air pollution. ___________ Policy 10.1.A.2: The City should utilize Transportation Demand Management techniques, (e.g., employer-based carpooling and vanpooling, staggered work shifts, improved public transit service) to minimize congestion and automobile-generated air pollution. ___________ Policy 10.1.A.3: The City should strive to expand bus service in the City of Peoria through recommendations provided through the 2000 Long-Range Transit Study. ___________ Policy 10.1.A.4: The City should encourage new park and ride facilities at appropriate locations (i.e. near major employment centers, along the freeway corridor, along transit routes). ___________ Policy 10.1.A.5: The City shall promote other modes of transportation (bikeways, walking) as an alternate to automobiles. ___________ Policy 10.1.A.6: The City shall encourage the paving of dirt and gravel roads and discourage the creation of new unimproved roads. ___________ Policy 10.1.A.7: The City shall encourage land use configurations in all new or revitalized development projects that minimize vehicle trips and trip lengths. ___________ Policy 10.1.A.8: The City should encourage jobs/housing balance by promoting land use patterns that decrease automobile travel between home and the workplace. WATER QUALITY ______________ Objective 10.1.B: Design, maintain and operate the City’s water and wastewater system and capital plants to efficiently provide healthful potable-water and wastewater services to our customers. ___________ Policy 10.1.B.1: The City shall maintain Water Infrastructure, Water Resource and Wastewater Master Plans. These plans, taken as a whole, will define and describe the City’s comprehensive policy for conserving water resources and identifying appropriate uses for all available water resources. ___________ Policy 10.1.B.2: The City shall promote the long-term conservation of water resources through the use of renewable water resources. This will include the development of infrastructure to treat and deliver surface water for potable uses. ___________ Policy 10.1.B.3: The City shall develop the infrastructure necessary to treat and deliver reclaimed water and encourage its use for non- potable purposes including landscape irrigation and industrial processes. ___________ Policy 10.1.B.4: The City shall continue to treat reclaimed water for the purpose of groundwater recharge. ___________ Policy 10.1.B.5: The City shall continue to promote individual water conservation through the use of low-flow plumbing fixtures and the use of xeriscape landscaping principles, including the installation of low water use plant materials and efficient irrigation systems (drip/low-flow). ___________ Policy 10.1.B.6: The City shall require the use of public wastewater systems for all types of development to minimize the potential for groundwater contamination. ___________ Policy 10.1.B.7: The City shall continue to devote time and resources toward the public education of the needs and benefits of water conservation. ENERGY CONSERVATION _____________ Objective 10.1.C: Promote energy conservation within Peoria. ___________ Policy 10.1.C.1: The City shall utilize recycled products where appropriate in its operations, and encourage a "buy recycled" campaign to help create markets for recycled materials. ___________ Policy 10.1.C.2: The City shall encourage development plans that will incorporate energy conservation through: ? Transportation System Management (TSM) techniques ? Travel Demand Management (TDM) techniques ? Use of active and passive solar energy systems ? Appropriate building orientation, site planning and landscape shading ___________ Policy 10.1.C.3: The City shall continue to apply and upgrade energy conservation techniques in municipal facilities and operating procedures. ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES ______________ Objective 10.1.D: Retain the archaeological resources of Peoria. ___________ Policy 10.1.D.1: The City should strive to identify, and preserve all significant artifacts and archaeological features within the City. ___________ Policy 10.1.D.2: The City should seek to identify and promote opportunities for adaptive reuse of underutilized historic structures. NATURAL HABITAT PRESERVATION _______________ Objective 10.1.E: Maintain connections between wildlife habitats by identifying and protecting corridors for unimpeded movement. __________ Policy 10.1.E.1: The City shall establish sufficient trails, wildlife corridors, and other linear linkages between large open space areas. __________ Policy 10.1.E.2: The City shall provide an effective means for the safe and uninterrupted movement of wildlife through open space corridors at all infrastructure and roadway crossings (i.e. bridges, ramps, overpasses, oversized culverts). ___________ Policy 10.1.E.3: The City shall minimize man-made environmental hazards. ___________ Policy 10.1.E.4: The City shall limit development in areas that may pose natural or man-made environmental hazards, such as steep slopes and floodplains. ___________ Policy 10.1.E.5: The City should allow walls and fences where they do not disrupt natural wildlife movement patterns and design all infrastructure and roadways to minimize the impact on wildlife corridors. __________ Policy 10.1.E.6: The City should incorporate design techniques and measures that minimize conflicts between humans and wildlife. ___________ Policy 10.1.E.7: The City should design public recreational spaces to be wildlife friendly whenever possible. ___________ Policy 10.1.E.8: The City shall promote enhanced landscaping along washes and wildlife corridors to promote the use of such areas by native wildlife. SENSITIVE LANDS MANAGEMENT ______________ Objective 10.1.F: Protect environmentally sensitive lands. ___________ Policy 10.1.F.1: The City shall as part of the Site Plan Review Process, require Site Plans to designate rare-landscape elements. ___________ Policy 10.1.F.2: The City shall promote minimum site grading to encourage integration with the natural contours of the land. ___________ Policy 10.1.F.3: The City shall develop a Wash Setback Ordinance protecting riparian areas and wash corridors. ___________ Policy 10.1.F.4: The City shall encourage that changes in natural drainage patterns be avoided. Where changes to the natural drainage patterns are necessary, a master drainage plan showing how the altered flows will be handled shall be prepared. ___________ Policy 10.1.F.5: The City should evaluate the Sonoran Desert Environment of future and past annexations (not covered by the Desert Conservation Master Plan) and designate the appropriate sensitive lands for conservation _____________ Objective 10.1.G: Promote the establishment of large, intact areas of native desert vegetation. ______________ Policy 10.1.G.1: The City shall develop a Native Plant Restoration and Salvage Ordinance. ______________ Policy 10.1.G.2: The City shall promote the restoration and revegetation of disturbed areas with native plant species and match the plant densities of these revegetated areas to be consistent with the undisturbed setting. ___________ Policy 10.1.G.3: The City shall recognize and protect areas of significant natural vegetation (such as areas along washes, natural spring areas, or on slopes) which are advantageous to the increased densities of the native desert vegetation. ___________ Policy 10.1.G.4: The City shall encourage the use of indigenous or desert adapted plant materials in new developments and minimize the use of invasive and non-native plant species in the study area identified in the Peoria Desert Lands Conservation Master Plan. _____________ Objective 10.1.H: Strive to create and maintain a consistent, high level of community appearance throughout Peoria. ___________ Policy 10.1.H.1: The City shall continue to encourage well designed landscaping for commercial, office and industrial uses through design guidelines. ___________ Policy 10.1.H.2: The City shall continue to discourage desert dumping and encourage regular area-wide cleanup on a scheduled basis. ___________ Policy 10.1.H.3: The City shall develop visual resource corridors to protect views to and from prominent landscape features such as mountains, buttes, rock outcroppings, washes, and rivers. ______________ Objective 10.1.I: Strive to retain the Agua Fria River and New River as continuous open space and multi-use amenity. __________ Policy 10.1.I.1: The City shall minimize natural and man-made environmental hazards adjacent to the river corridors. __________ Policy 10.1.I.2: The City shall restrict residential development from known seismic and subsidence areas, or other known geological limitations such as sand and gravel operations in the river beds. 10.c. CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL PLAN The Conservation and Environmental Plan is broken down into six major topic areas including: ? Air Quality Management ? Water Conservation and Management ? Energy Conservation ? Archaeological Resource Management ? Natural Habitat Preservation ? Sensitive Lands Management AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT Air quality continues to be one of the more serious concerns in Maricopa County. Rampant urbanization has presented many challenges to regional air quality. The significant increase in population has added more cars to the transportation system; low- density development patterns have extended the urban environment further to the fringe areas resulting in longer trips and inefficient utilization of land use and; remaining unpaved roads, shoulders and parking lots continue to affect the amount of particulate matter in the air. These are a few of the factors that have contributed to the regions’ air quality issues. To exacerbate the problem, the metropolitan area is prone to a weather condition known as temperature inversion. In a temperature inversion, air doesn’t rise because it is “trapped” near the surface by a warmer layer of air above it. Smog and other smog-forming pollutants become trapped as well. As people continue to drive and other sources continue to release pollutants, the smog level worsens until sufficient winds can disperse the ‘brown cloud.” The pervasive air quality conditions have affected the County’s status as a designated “non-attainment” area for three criteria pollutants: carbon monoxide, ozone, particulate matter (PM10). To enforce the requirements of the Clean Air Act and its subsequent amendments, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is charged with administering national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for six criteria pollutants: ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), lead (Pb) and particulate matter whose aerodynamic size is less than ten micrometers (PM10). In Maricopa County, there are 23 air- monitoring stations. The closest local monitoring sites are at the Lake Pleasant Desert Outdoor Center and in nearby Glendale at 59th and Olive Avenues. Particulate matter or PM10 is caused by two factors, one of which can be controlled. High winds and blowing storms cause the particulate matter to exceed national standards as can truck and automobile travel on unpaved roads. The standard for PM10 is based on 24-hour and annual standards. The 24-hour standard is 150 ugm (micrograms per cubic meter) and 50 ugm for the annual average. The City is continually monitoring its existing dirt road inventory to determine when paving is necessary. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality recommends paving or treatment of dirt roads when they exceed 250 trips per day. The City’s transportation budget includes funding to improve dirt roads as necessary. The General Plan seeks to mitigate this problem proactively by discouraging new development that will place additional burden on nearby dirt roads. The 1999-2000 Carbon Monoxide pollution season ran from October 1, 1999 to February 29, 2000 and concluded with nine non-attainment exceedances for PM10 and one exceedance for Carbon Monoxide on November 30, 1999, recorded at Grand Avenue monitor at 33rd Avenue and Indian School Road. Land Use designations and mixed-use development centers included in the Land Use Plan attempt to reduce unnecessary automobile trips that increase carbon monoxide levels from automobile emissions. Land use policies that support transit are also encouraged to decrease automobile use. Bicycle lanes and trail systems can also contribute to decreased automobile trips. Promotion of transportation demand strategies is another tool utilized to reduce the amount of cars on the road during peak hours. Telecommuting and flexible work schedules that avoid peak travel times are strategies of transportation demand management as well. High levels of ozone have been significantly reduced in the valley. The Phoenix ozone non-attainment area is completing its third straight year of no violations of the NAAQS. This enables Maricopa County to a determination that the clean air standard has been attained avoiding a threat to be classified in the severe non- attainment status. Programs eliminating gas powered movers and equipment and refueling vehicles in non-peak hours have proved successful. WATER CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT Despite dramatic growth in the City of Peoria, effective water management strategies are being utilized to provide and maintain needed water resources for today and the future. As the third phase of State Groundwater Management Act begins, Peoria has reduced the average gallons per capita per day (gpcd) from 193 to the 182 gpcd target. The City has also converted to a renewable water resources strategy where a greater amount of water is being put into the aquifer as is being pumped from wells. The City currently pumps water from potable system production wells and purchases potable water from Citizens Utilities in Sun City. Land use policy also plays a large role in the impact of water usage. The Land Use Plan, Public Services and Facilities Plan and the Water Resources Plan each provide the City with consistent development policies to ensure a water supply for the growth and development through 2010. The City is proactive in informing residents and developers about the benefits of water conservation. ENERGY CONSERVATION The City’s ability to promote energy conservation encompasses a wide range of areas and disciplines within the governmental organization. Land use designations incorporate several basic planning concepts relating to energy consumption. There is an attempt to locate higher density residential neighborhoods near employment centers reducing the distance and amount of energy needed to move between the uses during a daily commute. Large industrial users are designated near major transportation corridors eliminating additional trips within the City. The City also promotes Transportation Demand Management and Transportation System Management that makes travel more efficient and less energy consumptive. These strategies also reduce congestion on the city streets that is a great waste of both time and energy. The City can also address energy conservation through the promotion of recycling efforts, solar-conscience design, and educational campaigns informing residents about the importance and need to be energy conscience. The following listing provides additional strategies to promote energy conservation. ? Whenever possible, utilize recycled products. ? Utilize energy conservation techniques and operating procedures at municipal facilities. ? Encourage residents, developers, and employers to utilize recycled products and recycle those products that can be reused. ? Develop a municipal recycling center, including separate trash and recycle containers for residential residents. ? Encourage the use of TDM and TSM strategies optimize efficient traffic flow, and street networks. ? Encourage architecture that considers solar energy systems, orientation, and site development. ? Encourage landscape design and plantings that incorporate energy conservation by providing, shade in summer and solar access in winter months. ? Encourage the use of transit and the extension of bus service to reduce the amount of fuel consumption and traffic congestion. ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Archaeological resources include residences occupied or utilized by humans both in historic and prehistoric times for a sufficient length of time to construct features or deposit artifacts. These features and artifacts are resources that the City wishes retain as a cultural resource of the City. Current development projects and roadways are required to prepare an archaeological survey if the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) feels the area is a potential to contain historic features. An archaeological survey may result in further archaeological investigation, if deemed necessary. The City encourages protection of archaeological sites by requiring surveys and mitigation by developers (if necessary) and restricting information regarding the location of sites to potential vandals or artifact collectors. Future acquisition and/or protection of significant sites or features should be considered on a case by case basis as any of the following conditions occur. ? Significant sites or features are found in development applications or roadway improvements. ? Future or existing studies that identify significant archaeological sites for preservation. ? Significant sites and features Identified by the City Parks Department, Planning Division, or any other entity. ? Significant sites and featured identified by a community association, group, or coalition. NATURAL HABITAT PRESERVATION A diversity of plant and wildlife species plays a critical role in preserving the quality and function of the natural environment. To this end, it is imperative that land that supports diverse wildlife and plant communities be preserved and protected from fragmentation. The impacts from development and other human activities can be significant. An activity that disrupts a segment of the ecosystem may have ripple effects upon the rest of the system. Therefore, responsible planning principles would promote the preservation and conservation of significant plant and wildlife communities. An objective within this element promotes the preservation and maintenance of connections between wildlife habitats by identifying open space corridors for unimpeded movement. These corridors can also function as trails linking pedestrians, bicyclists and equestrian users to open spaces. The adopted Trails and Rivers Master Plans referenced herein recognize the City’s rivers corridors as the “recreational spines of the City.” Additionally, this element promotes wildlife-friendly recreational spaces and addresses the impacts from development upon wildlife corridors. ? Preserve wildlife corridors for endangered and threatened species. ? Establish open space lands restricting and limiting human use to protect significant plant and animal habitats. ? Preserve a system of linkages, connections, and gateways between significant open spaces and significant animal and plant habitats. ? Identify areas to restrict the development of fences and barriers that will block the natural movement near wildlife corridors. ? Develop standards within the Design Guidelines to address measures that minimize conflicts between the built environment and open space, and wildlife habitat. SENSITIVE LANDS MANAGEMENT Peoria has completed groundwork efforts to protect sensitive lands by completing the Peoria Desert Lands Conservation Master Plan. The City can further this effort by utilizing GIS-based analysis to create detailed information that can help guide development near sensitive lands. The City is dedicated to further evaluate and protect the following resources. ? Limit man-made environmental hazards near sensitive lands and lands not suitable for intensive development or hazardous materials. ? Restrict development on steep slopes and floodplains. ? Utilize the river open spaces to provide multi-use corridors for wildlife access, recreational use, floodplain protection, and open space view corridors. ? Restrict development in the identified river corridor open space. ? Limit the development of hazardous man-made structures adjacent to the river corridor open spaces. ? Develop a GIS based inventory of seismic and subsidence area and other known geological limitations. Restrict development in these areas that is non-compatible. ? Develop a GIS based inventory for soils, vegetation, and habitats that can be utilized to direct preservation and development efforts. 10.d. IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM The Implementation Program for the Environmental Resources Element of the Peoria General Plan is presented in Table 10-1, Environmental Resources Implementation Program. The table is presented under the following four headings: Implementation Measure Lists the action necessary to carry out the Environmental Resources Element of the General Plan. Lead Department/Agency Identifies the responsible City department for accomplishing that particular measure. Projected Timeframe Identifies and prioritizes the timeframe for the measure to be initiated. Potential Funding Sources Lists the potential funding, City staff, volunteer or other community resource necessary to carry out the implementation action. TABLE 10-1 ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM Implementation Measure Lead Department/ Agency Projected Timeframe (Years) Potential Funding Sources 1. Update City Water Resources Master Plan Utilities Department / Consultant 5-10 ? Development Impact Fees ? Water Operating Fund 2. Update City Wastewater Master Plan Utilities Department / Consultant 0-3 ? Development Impact Fees ? Wastewater Operating Fund 3. Update City Water Infrastructure Master Plan Utilities Department / Consultant 5-6 ? Development Impact Fees ? Water Operating Fund 4. Update Water Reuse Master Plan Utilities Department / Consultant 5 ? Development Impact Fees ? Water and Wastewater Operating Fund 5. Develop a strategy to revitalize and promote adaptive reuse for historic buildings Community Development Department / Economic Development Director 2-5 ? General Operating Fund ? ½ cent Sales Tax Funds 6. Develop an Environmental Sensitive Lands Ordinance (ESLO) Community Development Department / Consultant 0-2 ? General Operating Fund TABLE 10-1 ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM (Continued) Implementation Measure Lead Department/ Agency Projected Timeframe (Years) Potential Funding Sources 7. Develop a Native Plant Restoration and Salvage Ordinance in conjunction with the ESLO Community Development / Consultant 0-2 ? General Operating Fund 8. Develop a Wash Setback Ordinance in conjunction with the ESLO Community Development / Consultant 0-2 ? General Operating Fund Source: City of Peoria, 2001; Amended 2003 The Planning and Zoning Commission should review and provide recommendations to the City Council for revisions to the Implementation Program on an annual basis in order to continue to pursue implementation of the Peoria General Plan. The Director of the Community Development Department and staff persons responsible for the General Plan implementation should monitor the status of each implementation action throughout the year and provide a general recommended framework to the Planning and Zoning Commission for annually updating the General Plan’s Implementation Program. 10. ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES ELEMENT PEORIA GENERAL PLAN PEORIA, ARIZONA 10-19 10. ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES ELEMENT PEORIA GENERAL PLAN PEORIA, ARIZONA 10-1