I
Chapter
Settine
A
Noise is usually defined
as
8 NOISE
unwanted sound Any sound that may produce
physiological
or
or interfere with human communication work rest recreation or
psychological damage and
sleep is considered to be noise People now recognize that noise has become an environmental
pollutant that can threaten their quality of life
Sound
energies and intensities are measured in decibels dBA that are weighted to correct for
the relative frequency response of the human ear For example an A
weighted noise level
includes a de
emphasis on high frequencies of sound that can be heard by the canine ear but not
a human ear The zero on the decibel scale is based on the lowest sound level that a
by
healthy
detect
Unlike
other
units
such
as
inches
or
decibels
are
human
ear
can
unimpaired
pounds
measured on a logarithmic scale representing points on a sharply rising curve The decibel
system ofmeasuring sound gives arough connection between the physical intensity of sound and
its perceived loudness to the human eaz Ambient sounds generally range from 30 dBA very
quiet to 100 dBA very loud
The major
sources
of noise in the DSA include
a
and train traffic Downtown
regular freight and passenger train
activity that occurs in the heart of the DSA at all hours of the day and night and from the
80 The noise level of a freight train at a distance of 50 feet can be more than
freeway traffic on I
80 decibels dBA A busy street has a noise level of 75 dBA at a similaz distance These noise
levels aze generally considered to be compatible with most non
residential uses however and
usually pose no real problems to the commercial uses in this azea Actually the train activity in
the DSA is often a benefit to the historical atmosphere and therefore the tourist economy of the
Town The speed of both vehicles and trains as they pass through downtown Truckee are
generally slow and therefore they are not as loud as they otherwise might be
Truckee is noisier than most downtowns
e
automobile truck
as a
result of the
boundary of the DSA Noise levels at 50 feet from this source
of noise are estimated to be 70 dBA This level of noise is generally considered to be
incompatible with the residential land uses located in this area Because the highway is raised
above most of these homes they aze not within a direct line of sight to the freeway and the noise
levels they are subjected to are reduced somewhat
Interstate 80 defines the northern
B Evaluation Guidelines
Environmental
impacts that
are
associated with noise will be evaluated
against
the General Plan
Noise Element and the associated
projected noise levels specifically Standazds contained in
compatibility with noise Noise impacts will also be
standards for acceptable site
specific noise levels depending on land use
General Plan Table 6
1 for land
evaluated
against
type which are
the
use
outlined below
Downtown Truckee
Specific Plan Draft Environmental Impact Report
1
8
Physical damage to human hearing begins at prolonged exposure to more than 85 decibels
Exposure to high noise levels effects our entire system with prolonged noise exposure in excess
of 75 decibels increasing body tension affecting blood pressure functions of the heart and the
nervous system Extended periods of noise exposure above 90 dBA will result in permanent cell
damage A sound level of 190 dBA will rupture the ear drum and permanently damage the inner
ear
Noise impacts
be considered to be
are
exterior noise levels in outdoor
75 dBA CNEL at
significant if any ofthe following conditions exist
activity areas reach 65 dBA CNEL at any residential land use
office industrial commercial
or
recreational land
or
If and when it has
uses
been determined that noise levels of these magnitudes could be realized appropriate mitigation
measures will be required to be implemented that reduce noise to below these levels
C
Impacts
impacts due
Noise
with rail and
to buildout
anticipated to be primarily
However increased noise levels resulting from the
traffic noise
roadway
intensification of land
noise
of the DSA
uses
could also
Specific Plan
occur
In
aze
addition
there will almost
certainly
associated
be short term
impacts that result from construction activities associated with DSA
development All of
consists mainly of noise
impacts will add to the existing noise environment which
from the following sources Interstate 80 State Route 267 Donner Pass Road West River Street
and the Union Pacific LIP railroad line The Specific Plan land uses have been designed to
separate high
level noise generators from sensitive noise receptors and design review
development standards will be established to require landscaping and screening between noise
generators and sensitive noise receptors Noise impacts will be further mitigated by measures
these noise
listed under
D below
The Town of Truckee General Plan noise
contours for
major
analysis identifies future
General Plan Buildout noise
noise generators in the DSA These noise contours
ofthe General Plan Noise Element
hereby incorporated
the future 65 dBA CNEL noise contours there is
could be proposed in
to noise
a
identified in Table 6
2
by reference Based
likelihood that
levels
are
new
on
the location of
residential
than 65 dB CNEL Such
development
subject
higher
8
I
0
and
the
Railroad tracks and mixed
neaz
residentially designated properties
with a residential component along Donner Pass Road and West River Street
use
The mill site located
subject to
combined noise from
uses
areas
east of the lumber
planes depazting
yard
and north of the Truckee
from the
airport
and
neazby
should be limited to interior locations where noise
can
be blocked
River
is
azeas
include
properties
railroad activity Residential
by intervening buildings
to reduce exterior noise levels to 65 CNEL Because it is not possible to foresee all the
permissible uses and associated noise sources which may be proposed within the DSA a more
detailed analysis of potential noise sources and resulting noise levels will need to be conducted
when site
specific projects are proposed
Downtown Truckee
Specific Plan Draft Environmental Impact Report
2
8
D
Mitigation
The
Measures
following Specific
Plan noise
policies
will reduce noise
impacts to less than significant
levels
1
Specific
Plan
Chapter
In addition to the
7
Section 7D
mitigation
measures set
Policies contained in the Noise Element
further
mitigation
for
potential noise
policies
1
through
4
forth above the Town of Truckee General Plan Noise
incorporated by reference
impacts
are
into this document
r
a
Downtown Truckee
Specific Plan Draft Environmental mpact Report
3
8
as
Chapter
9 BIOLOGICAL AND SCENIC RESOURCES
A Settine
The
majority of the DSA is relatively flat The extreme southern and northern portions ofthe
study area beyond Jibboom Street around the cemetery the residential area between
Commercial Row and I
80 as well as portions of the Hilltop area are she only areas of
significant slope The Truckee River runs through the entire length of the DSA and Trout Creek
flows through the eastern portion before draining into the Truckee River The riparian areas in
and surrounding these waterways support the majority of the significant habitats for wildlife and
vegetation in the DSA Because of the elevation climate and topography of the DSA
populations of plants and animals present are consistent with those of the Canadian Life Zone
Specific species are listed below
Vegetation Types and Patterns
riparian areas and woodlands in and around the DSA are highly valued for wildlife habitats
watershed protection erosion control open space aesthetic and scenic amenities and recreation
A wide variety of vegetation types and patterns exist in these undeveloped areas These
undeveloped willands are located in the extreme southeastern portion of the DSA subarea 4
Truckee River corridor
The
Typical examples of native trees in and around the DSA include Jeffrey Pine Lodgepole Pine
Pinion Pine Incense Cedar Alder Willow Cottonwood and Aspen Besides trees there are
many species of shrubs and bushes and that are native to the DSA Among these are Sagebrush
brush Butterbrush Mountain Mahogany Utah Juniper Corn Lily Buckwheat Shrub Pea
Bitter
and Fireweed
The diversities and densities of the various
vegetation communities are perhaps most important
because of the habitat value that they provide Among the uses these habitats provide are
foraging nesting hiding breeding fawning etc
2 Wildlife
There is
Specifically wildlife species that have
habitats in and near the DSA include Deer Desert Jack Rabbit American Badger Beaver
Pocket Mouse Kangaroo Rat Ground Squirrel Chipmunk Mule Deer Chickaree Long
Toed
Pacific
Tree
Western
Fence
Salamander
Frog Yellow
Lizard Sagebrush Lizard
Legged Frog
Horned Lizard and Western Rattlesnake Wildlife movement corridors generally consist of
areas of continuous undisturbed
vegetation such as the riparian corridor along the Truckee River
an
Among the
abundance of wildlife in and around the DSA
various
species
of birds that occupy the
area are
Turkey Vulture Nighthawk
Chickadee Mountain
Pigeon eyed
Dark Junco
s Jay Pinion Jay Chipping Sparrow
sSolitaire Stellar
Bluebird American Robin Townsend
breasted Nuthatch Black
Billed Magpie Grey Flycatcher
Song Sparrow Cliff Swallow Red
Blue
Willow
Northern
Vesper Sparrow
Goshawk Black Swifr and
Sparrow
Fly Catcher
American
Dipper
tailed
Band
Downtown Truckee
Mountain
Specific Plan Draft Envrronmenta Impact Report
1
9
Yellow Warbler
be found in the waterways associated with the DSA include Eastern Brook Trout
Mackinaw Trout Brown Trout Rainbow Trout Lahontan Mountain Ephemeral Trout and
Fish that
can
Lahontan Lake Trout
While it is true that there
are
habitat
areas
in eastern Nevada
County for
species known to be rare threatened endangered or sensitive for
instance Plumas ivesia Tahoe yellow cress Sierra Nevada red fox wolverine American
peregrine falcon Northern spotted owl Yellow warbler Black swift Willow flycatcher and
Northern goshawk and that it is possible that these species could occasionally occur in the study
area it is important to note that none of these habitat areas nor the associated species have
been confirmed to exist within the boundaries of the DSA Chapter 9 of the Existing Conditions
Report Specific Plan volume I contains further information regarding the biological inventory
of the DSA as it exists today This documentation is incorporated by reference into this report
certain
plant and
animal
3 Scenic Resources
Scenic
resources are
of great
importance
in Truckee because of the
quality of life they provide
Significant visual resources
and their indirect economic benefits from the tourist economy
include prominent ridgelines open vistas streams and river views Scenic detriments to such
resources
pollution vandalized
areas
blighted development unsightly signs
and unscreened storage areas The most obvious areas where scenic detriments
exist include East River Street where there are several unscreened storage areas for heavy
and
y
include litter and
billboards
equipment abandoned vehicles
industrial land
the worst
uses
example
the gateway
and assorted junk West River Street also contains several
that create scenic
detriments
such
this kind of problem is the standard
unscreened outdoor storage Perhaps
practice of placing unsightly billboards at
as
entrances to Downtown Truckee
4 Water
Quality
Existing
quality within the DSA is currently impaired by a number of different sources
The maintenance of roadways and vehicular traffic serves as a significant source of pollutants
Salt and sand used on streets and highways during winter months are introduced into surface
runoff during snowmelt and precipitation events Vehicle emissions and lubricating agents which
leak from vehicles also contribute to the degradation of surface runoff quality Automotive
combustion effluents containing nitrogen oxides are discharged into the atmosphere and onto
roadway surfaces These pollutants are then introduced into surface runoff through atmospheric
deposition or dissolution into runoff Fertilizers pesticides herbicides and litter and debris are
also significant sources of pollution associated with urban land use Presently much of the
stormwater runoff produced in the DSA is discharged directly into the Truckee River or Trout
Creek The rest percolates through the soil and into groundwater
water
B Evaluation Guidelines
1
Vegetation
Wildlife Potential
impacts to biotic communities will
be evaluated
on
the basis
of reduction in the extent diversity or quality of native vegetation and animal species as well
as their associated habitats Because it is not
possible to determine the precise numbers of plants
Downtown Truckee
Specific Plan Draft Errvironmental Impact Report
2
9
J
and animals affected
by adoption of the Specific Plan careful tracking of biotic resources
essential in identifying mitigating and monitoring impacts that effect them
will be
2 Scenic Resources The determination of impact
significance relating to scenic resources is
perhaps the most subjective of all analyses because people have differing opinions as to what
constitutes a visual asset or detriment In general scenic resources will be adverserly affected by
location of prominent buildings on undeveloped ridgelines new or expanded unsightly land uses
visible from public roads and clear cutting of native vegetation and mass pad grading
3 Water
All
C
Impacts
1
Vegetation
new
development can potentially
Wildlife There is
cause
changes
in
percolation rates
or
and
amounts
flood
contamination
runoff
patterns
flows
levels
drainage
Any of these types
of impacts will be classified as potentially significant water quality impact requiring mitigation
t
Quality
potential for significant impacts to biological resources as a
result of increased development in the DSA because of the wide range of plant and animal
species and habitat present particulazly along the ripazian corridors of the Truckee River and its
tributaries Examples of such possible impacts include removal of sensitive riparian habitat the
invasion of exotic plants increased human use of fragile habitat disturbances by domestic dogs
and cats and the dispersion of pollutants through runoff into the storm drain system or DSA
waterways Other potential impacts relative to biological resources include wildlife disturbance
created by increased noise and lighting and increased erosion and sedimentation to DSA
waterways resulting in a degradation of fish habitat
a
The maintenance of healthy
riparian habitats is essential for the viability of the plants and
rely on them Riparian vegetation is critical to maintaining healthy fisheries Loss
of riparian vegetation leads to bank erosion reduction of wildlife habitat overheating of river
waters and ultimately reduced water quality Within the DSA areas of valuable riparian habitat
exist along the Truckee River and its tributaries of Trout Creek and Donner Creek Portions of
the existing habitat along Trout creek are heavily degraded by channelization and fill
encroachment In some areas of the Truckee River the riparian habitat has been removed to make
way for residential lawns Specific Plan policies have been developed to ensure that new
development does not further degrade the riparian habitat present in the DSA Furthermore
policies have been added to encourage habitat improvement along these waterways
animals that
a
2 Scenic Resources
Impacts to scenic and visual resources occur when buildings aze located
prominently on previously undeveloped ridges or in scenic azeas with little regard for blending
with the surrounding environment Implementation of the identified specific plan policies which
strive to ensure compatible designs will mitigate these potential adverse visual impacts to a less
than significant level On the whole however impacts to scenic resources that result from
adoption of the Specific Plan will be beneficial The mountains surrounding the DSA will be
unaffected for the most part while the visual quality of the study area itself should actually be
improved by the implementation of Specific Plan Design Guidelines as well as other measures
Downtown Truckee
Specific Plan Draft Environmental Impact Report
3
9
intended to remedy
3 Water
existing visual clutter inappropriate billboards
Quality According to th e Ca liforn ia Regional
Water
and
Quality
blight
Control Board
Lahontan the beneficial uses of the Truckee River include most types of water supply
recreation wildlife habitat ground water recharge and hydropower generation While the
majority of these uses occur outside of the DSA activities and events that affect water quality
that occur within the DSA will have an impact on downstream waters Therefore improved
treatment of runoff will be
necessary component of mitigation where water quality is concerned
measures below Development resulting from implementation of the
a
mitigation
Specific Plan as well as previously existing development may result in the disturbance of the
snatural system Such development interferes with the natural drainage process in
watershed
three ways First the removal of vegetative cover decreases the infiltration rate increases the
amount of surface water runoff and erosion and decreases the uptake of nutrients by plants
Second an increase in impervious surfaces such as parking lots decreases infiltration and
see impacts
and
increases surface
runoff
which in turn increases erosion
Third
unstable conditions
are
created
which also increase downstream runoff and sediment
slopes
by
from
surface runoff deposition siltation erosion and
increased
Impacts resulting
modification of drainage channels and patterns are potentially significant without mitigation
by
areas
left bare and
cut
and fill
loads
D
Mitigation Measures
The
policies will mitigate potentially significant impacts on biological
and water quality to a less than significant level
following Specific
and scenic
resources
Plan
Specific Plan Chapter 2
Section 2B
Specific Plan Chapter
Section 7B
7
policy 3
Section 2G policies 1
10
9
7
policies 1 through 7
2
7C policies 1
Section 7F policies 1
2
Section
Specific
Plan
Chapter
9
Section 9C
policy
4
C
1
1
Downtown Truckee
Specific Plan Draft Environmental Impact Report
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9
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1
1
Chapter
10 CULTURAL AND HISTORIC RESOURCES
A Bettina
1 Historic
t
one
of the richest locations in California in terms of the
variety of both cultural and historic
resources
Virtually
all of the
density and
Town is considered moderately
sensitive with regard to the presence of cultural resources The DSA is home to a
concentration
of structures that have historical significance These historic structures are
high
to
t
Background
The Town of Truckee is
extremely
preserved
and
Areas that
are
modern Town life in the historic district of downtown Truckee
incorporated into
moderately
sensitive in terms of cultural
resources
tend to be associated with hill
slopes Areas that are flatter but removed from water sources tend to be of high cultural
swaterways particularly flatter areas are of extreme
sensitivity Many areas along the Town
cultural sensitivity The precise locations of these resources particularly prehistoric
archaeological sites from the Martis and other cultures are considered confidential These
locations are only released by the State Archaeological Information Center to qualified
archaeologists doing site specific surveys
Collegiate Dictionary is something of relating to or
having the character of history with history comprising past events of an institution or location
The Town of Truckee is one of the richest locations in California in terms of the density and
variety ofrecorded cultural resources Virtually all of the Town is considered moderately to
extremely sensitive in terms of cultural resources In order to regulate future development in the
historic district in 1982 the Nevada County Board of Supervisors established a Historic
Preservation District for the Truckee Downtown area and adopted historic design guidelines
These historic design guidelines represent the historic period dating from the late 1800
s through
the eazly 1900
s Historic planning districts are established to ensure that new buildings aze
compatible with the existing historic buildings in the azea For planning purposes the
established time period provides the current definition for historic in the DSA and the type of
buildings built in this time period provide the base guidelines for the architectural design of new
Historic
8
as
defined
structures in the
by
s New
Webster
historic district
The modern
history
Station
founded in the Downtown
was
of Truckee
begins
in 1863 when
area
Gray Toll Station
s
later renamed Coburn
Like many western towns that
were
founded in the
19th century the streets of the
hastily renamed Town of Truckee were roughly laid out in a
rectangulaz grid pattern pazallel to the railroad tracks Because Donner Pass Road was the street
next to the railroad tracks and was the regional access road it became the main street of
commerce and activity of the town Numerous commercial buildings were constructed along the
north side of Donner Pass Road immediately west of Bridge Street In order to withstand the fury
of the numerous fires which swept the town throughout its history many of these commercial
buildings were constructed of brick In addition some of these commercial buildings are two
stories in height The south side ofDonner Pass Road is Southern Pacific railroad right
way
of
Downtown Truckee
Specific Plan Draft Environmental Impact Report
1
10
and
d eve lopment
freight depot and
on
this side of the street
passenger
depot
which
was
are
The north side ofDonner Pass Road from
forthcoming
not as
still
standing
Bridge Street
and in
to the
as
the north side A railroad
use were
Cottage
built in this
Hotel is the
area
area most
developed with historic structures with more than 90 of the street frontage occupied by
historic buildings Further to the west along Donner Pass Road a residential neighborhood
known as Brickelltown arose in the area previously occupied by the original Coburn
sstation
Some of the oldest residences aze found in Brickelltown The Church Street neighborhood
provided another residential azea for eazly Truckee and also was home to the Methodist Church
and Catholic Church The Town
s oldest structure Gray
slog cabin built in 1863 was relocated
to the Church Street neighborhood in 1903 The construction of Highway 267 in 1949
significantly impacted the cohesiveness of the neighborhood by bisecting the neighborhood The
eastern end ofthe neighborhood has slowly eroded with only two historic structures
remaining
By
th e
1870
s the area between
the railroad tracks and the Truckee River
was
developing
with
a
mixture ofresidences and commercial structures The existing historic structures ofthe River
Street
neighborhoods are varied in age and architectural type because of several fires which
resulted in their rebuilding The area south of the Truckee River developed as the neighborhood
for Truckee
sChinese residents The Chinese
were soon forced out of the Town and the
Chinatown South Truckee
and South River neighborhoods became home to new businesses and
residences There
the
are
only remaining
Hwy
only four remaining
267 and East South River
By 1885
historic structures in these neighborhoods
historic structure of the Chinese
community the
Herb
Shop
on
including
the
of
corner
Street
the town had
quickly expanded to the hilly terrain north of Donner Pass Road This
azea became a prime residential neighborhood because of the southern
exposure and view of the
Downtown area The Burckhaulter Area along Bridge Street and Keiser Avenue was developed
in the 1870
sand contains some of the town
s oldest residential buildings It also has a diverse
of
residential azchitectural types including Victorian Bungalow Utilitarian Italianate and
array
Box Spring Street was extended north to provide access to another residential neighborhood
north of the Downtown
core Chazles McGlashan
ssubdivision now known as the McGlashan
Addition The McGlashan Addition contains a number of residential buildings constructed
between 1885 and 1907 and like the Burckhaulter Area residences of varied azchitectural types
Some historic buildings along the northern edge of the neighborhood were removed as a result of
the construction of Interstate 80 The last residential
was
settled
by
Italian Families
along
neighborhood north
of the Downtown
core
the banks of Trout Creek in the 1890
s Unlike the
Burckhaulter Area and McGlashan Addition the Italian Quarters lacks the identification of an
historic neighborhood since only two historic buildings remain The neighborhood also lacks any
evidence of the ice
harvesting business which played
an
important role in
the
development of the
area
The number ofhistoric structures and their predominant structure type and architectural
each historic neighborhood aze provided in the following table
Downtown Truckee
Specific Plan Draft Errvironmental Impact Report
1
10
style
for
1
Table 6
1 Number of historic structures structure type
Historic
Neighborhood
Building
Brickelltown
style
Structure
Count
Architectural Tvae
Tvae
Residential
17
Vernacular
Utilitarian
Victorian
Burckhaulter
13
Residential
Vernacular Victorian
Chinatown South
2
Residential
Utilitarian
Truckee
Commercial
Church Street
19
Residential
Victorian
Utilitarian
Commercial District
28
Commercial
Vernacular Commercial
Italian Quarter
2
Residential
Utilitarian
McGlashan Addition
16
Residential
Utilitarian
5
Residential
Vernacular Victorian
30
Residential
Utilitarian
Moody
Extension
River Street
Commercial
a
South River
Source
Town
2 Historic
Residential
Utilitarian
of Truckee Historical Resources Inventory and Database
Buildings Inventory
The DSA has
a
rich collection of historic buildings
mixture of commercial
historic
structures
buildings to be found
and residential
dating from
the 1870
s to the 1930
s There is
spread throughout the DSA with
many residential structures especially those along Donner Pass Road being converted to
commercial uses Nearly halfof the structures in the DSA are considered to be historic with
large concentrations of historic buildings along Commercial Row Jibboom Street and River
Street Figure 6
2 in the Existing Conditions Report Volume 1 shows the exact locations ofthe
a
a
2
structures
in the DSA
3 Commercial Row
The area of Donner Pass Road known
Commercial Row has the
highest concentration by far
of historic buildings anywhere in Town Twenty
one of the twenty
two buildings located here are
as historic structures The
the
various buildings might be
of
officially designated
diversity
somewhat surprising considering the close proximity ofthe structures and the fact that they
originally at least were constructed around the same historical period Due to the chronic fire
prone nature of Truckee around the turn of the century practically every one of these buildings
Downtown Truckee
as
Specific Plan Draft Errvironmental Impact Report
3
10
IJ
has been
of these
destroyed
and rebuilt several times
during and
Simon building is brand
the Porter
structures
that time
period The newest
new having been completed just this
or
since
year
The vast
majority
story and
entirely
on
of the structures
Sierra Tavern
14
of 22
are
three Three
story Four are story
two
is four stories tall There
ofbrick and concrete block These
eleven buildings that
are
are
are one
constructed
buildings aze concentrated at each end of Commercial
strip aze at least partially brick with stucco or
Row Most of the structures in the middle of the
wood used in combination Furthermore the historic structures in this
part of the DSA
are
in
physical condition than any others mainly because of the maintenance necessary keep
successful businesses operational
better
Generally speaking
Commercial Row has
covered
on
shapes
pleasant visual
appearance at least from the Donner
sidewalk is made up of several different patterns of
in combination with a variety of concrete finishes The walk is continuously
Pass Road side The recently
custom brick
a
improved
3 mostly by 2nd story balconies above The remainder of the
1
sidewalk which is open to the sky above is perhaps even more appealing
the western
Commercial Row
to
the pedestrian because ofthe landscaping planters and benches that encourage a slower pace
Details such as the old lampposts and the scale of signage and storefronts help keep the
pedestrian visually
interested and involved
as
well
t
and most
it
actively discourage
gazbage
essentially
this
it
would
not
access
from
collection Even if shops offered customer
alley
likely be well
received considering the current dilapidated condition ofthe area It seems that the alley should
be improved or at the least kept clean but activities related to waste disposal and deliveries will
probably need to remain behind the businesses located there This will make it difficult to
incorporate appealing public access into the alley streetscape
Few stores have
access
The alley is
from the
used for
alley
some
behind Commercial
employee
access
Row
deliveries
and trash and
4 Other Historic Structures in the DSA
Besides Commercial Row the DSA includes several other historic districts Among these are
Brickelltown the Burckhaulter District the McGlashan Addition the Church Street Area and
the River Street Area
Brickelltown extends from
This
is known for its
area
been converted
to
just past
80 over crossing
the west end of Commercial Row to the I
large Utilitarian
commercial
uses
wood The Burckhaulter District is located
and Keiser Avenue The one and
and Victorian
style
The buildings in this
two
on the
azea
hill behind Commercial Row
story residential
structures found here
azchitectural
style Vernacular Victorian to Brickelltown
found just
the
to
west
residences many ofwhich have
are made almost exclusively from
are
Street
along High
t
t
of similaz
The McGlashan Addition
can
be
of the Burckhaulter District above behind Brickelltown One story
single
family residences make up the majority of the structures in this historic district The most
common building material in these areas is wood and Utilitarian azchitecture dominates
Downtown Truckee
Specific
Plan
Draft Emrronmental Impact Report
4
10
1
The Church Street historic
built
this
primazily
area
from wood
neighborhood consists of one
products It is no surprise that
and two story residences which were
the most prominent historic building in
is the United Methodist Church The historic district that
occurs
along
the River
s includes a long list of one and two story structures that originally were used as
Street
residences While a lazge percentage remain in residential use many have been converted to
commercial
uses
Furthermore
the
The
primary azchitectural building materials
style
of architecture is consistent with the other historic districts located outside
used hire
are stucco
and wood
of Commercial Row
previously stated the historical structures outside of Commercial Row are not as well
maintained as the buildings on Commercial Row While it is true that there are some fine
B White House there aze also examples of
examples of restored structures such as the C
and
historical
neglected dilapidated
deteriorating
buildings throughout the DSA
As
5 Railroad Related Features
For many people the railroad is the very essence of what is historical to Downtown Truckee The
Town is famous for the Southern Pacific line that runs through the heart ofthe DSA As part of
the first transcontinental
Truckee
1
quickly
railroad which
became the most
was
important
completed in the
mid 19th century the station in
hub of train service for the western United States
The old passenger depot building is still in use today for ticket sales and tourist information The
building has been functional for more than 100 years Another railroad related structure that is
in use is the freight depot which has been remodeled to allow commercial uses These
still
structures aze located on
property owned
by Union Pacific located
across
Donner Pass Road from
Commercial Row
6
Cemetery
For many
communities
the cemetery
can
be
a
focal
point of historical interest
Truckee is
no
different Just
being able to read names and dates associated with eras past can inspire a sense of
significance The cemetery is located in the extreme northeastern portion of the DSA
in the Burckhaulter District between Hwy 267 and I
80 accessed off of Jibboom Street The site
has been used as a graveyard for more than 100 years has several hundred headstones but is not
yet at capacity
historical
l
1
B Evaluation Guidelines
Impacts to archaeological ethnic or historic resources will be evaluated based upon the potential
for loss disruption or other adverse effect on said resources Basically any impact which has the
s or California
s history will be
potential to eliminate an important example of Truckee
significant impact Determinations of what constitutes an adverse effect on
azchaeological resources or an important example of history will often require consultation of a
or
qualified professional archaeologist or historian Impacts to cultural azchaeological and
will
be
evaluated
based
the
criteria
in
K
of the
historic resources
contained
upon
appendix
considered to be
a
Downtown Truckee
Specifrc
Plan
Draft Environmental Impact Report
S
0
CEQA guidelines
C
Impacts
Much of the DSA has not been
with respect to archaeological resources The entire
should therefore be considered sensitive in terms ofthe potential presence of both
study azea
prehistoric and historic
surveyed
resources
Unrecorded
archaeological saes could
construction activities
in
Determination of the
of prehistoric and historic
especially
significance
areas neaz water resources
be
exposed during
and historical
resources
areas
of activity
within the DSA must be
the criteria set forth in
using
Appendix K of the CEQA guidelines Furthermore
historic
can also be evaluated
sites
potentially significant
using the criteria to determine the
eligibility of resources to be included in the National Register of Historic Places There will
almost certainly be significant impacts to archaeological and historic resources that occur as
result of increased development in the DSA unless the mitigation measures listed below are
implemented
evaluated
Historic
resources
could be
a
destruction to make way for new development
or 2 of structures may be necessary to create
adversely affected by
The potential relocation of a small number
1
pazking
development Other structures in the DSA could
also be affected by development that occurs near them These factors could constitute a
significant impact depending upon the historic value of the structure
s condition of the
s the new location
structure
s for them if it is determined that relocation is a viable option
that
and the extent
they would be affected by development proposed by the Specific Plan
Potential destruction of historic structures is considered a significant impact Policies have been
included in the Specific Plan to regulate removal of historic structures
room
for the Jibboom Street
and retail
Historic chazacter may also be
Specific Plan contains historic
incompatible new
D
adversely affected by incompatible new development The
design requirements which will mitigate impacts created by
development
Mitigation Measures
The
following mitigation
significant level
Chapter
8
All
measures
policies in
will reduce
impacts to cultural
resources to a
less than
all sections
t
Downtown Truckee
Specific
Plan
Draft Emrronmenta mpact Report
6
0
1
Chapter
11 PUBLIC SERVICES AND INFRASTRUCTURE
A Setting
1 Wastewater Collection and Treatment
Wastewater collection and treatment services for the
provided
TSD
DSA
in
general are
Agency TTSA
Sanitary District
is a regional entity created in the 1970
s to transport treat and dispose of
by the Tahoe Truckee Sanitation
The TTSA
and the Truckee
area
and the Truckee
wastewater in the
sewer
Truckee area In Truckee the TTSA operates and maintains
North Tahoe
collection trunkline which parallels the Truckee River and delivers wastewater to a
level wastewater
tertiary
treatment
facility
located
on the
mile east of the DSA Treated wastewater is
south side of this river
a
approximately
into subsurface leach fields where
discharged
pollutants
percolates through the soil to Martis Creek
and the Truckee River The facility can treat and dispose of 7
4 million gallons per day 7 day
The
is
board
district
an
of directors composed of
average flow
governed by
independent
representatives from the TSD North Tahoe Public Utility District Squaw Valley County Water
District Tahoe City Public Utility District and the Alpine Springs County Water District
one
additional
are
removed
The TSD is responsible for
wastewater to TTSA
as
the wastewater
collecting wastewater
facilities The district
within the
was
in the Truckee
area
and
transporting the
formed in 1906 to collect and treat wastewater
of Truckee The district
community
provided wastewater treatment services until the
TTSA facility became operational in 1978 The district eventually expanded to serve new
development outside of Downtown including the Gateway area 1957 the Donner Lake area
1962 the Tahoe Donner subdivision
and the Glenshire
area
The district
now
encompasses
38 square miles serving 7
400 residential dwelling units and 415 commercial
connections The district is governed by an independent member
five board of directors which is
approximately
elected at large
Sewer mains
developed property in the DSA and the sewer mains are
sufficient in size to accommodate future development in these areas Vacant parcels on the
fringe areas i
e Old Mill Site may require extensions and or expansion of sewer mains for the
district to provide service
presently
serve most
The district has identified the
following forthcoming projects
the district
swastewater collection
capabilities
These
in the Downtown
projects
are
anticipated
to
area
to be
improve
funded
within the next two years
i
Commercial Row Mainline Extension This
project will replace an old mainline that
pipeline at the intersection of
be extended approximately 800 feet to the
inch diameter
A ten
1
currently services Commercial Row
Spring Street and Commercial Row will
intersection of Commercial Row and
Downtown Truckee Specifrc Plan
Hwy
267
Draft Environmental Impact Report
1
I1
East River Street Overhead
Crossing Replacement This project will replace
inch diameter pipeline where it crosses the Truckee River
approximately 400 feet often
the
end
at
east
of East River Street The current structure was designed and built in 1927
and does not meet current seismic code requirements The project will require a 375
foot
long overhead crossing of the Truckee River with a central main span of approximately
100 feet The pipeline will be increased to i2 inches in diameter to allow for future
lane emergency vehicle bridge
development of the Old Mill Site Provisions for aone
aze being considered by the district The Town is
considering working with the district to
the use the crossing as a bicycle pedestrian crossing to and from the Truckee Regional
Pazk
2 Water
Supply
The Truckee Donner Public
Utility District TDPUD
is the water service
provider for
the
DSA
and the Town in
swater system is composed ofthree components source
general The district
storage and distribution with the district divided into seven service areas Nearly all ofthe
Downtown Study Area is located in the North
Side Service Area the extreme western end of
West River Street in the DSA is located in the
Gateway Service Area In addition to the DSA
Airport azea Olympic Heights
the North
Side Service Area includes the Tahoe
Truckee
Ponderosa Fairway Estates and Martis Valley Estates
The present
Side
sources
of water for the North
Side Service Area
Well and the Sanders
are
the
Airport Well the North
Well These wells
provide water to several service azeas and
destination service areas for these wells will change with future development in the Town The
500 g
Airport Well 2
m primarily serves the Gateway and Tahoe Donner service azeas but
p
the water must go through the North
Side Service Area for distribution to these areas The North
Area
utilizes
Side Service
presently
surplus water from this well in excess of the present demand
of the Gateway and Tahoe Donner service azeas Upon buildout of the Tahoe Donner
Side Service Area will not be able to utilize water from the Airport Well
Subdivision the North
The Sanders Well 300 g
m was developed as part of the Tahoe Donner supply system but
p
now provides water to the North
Side Service Area Like the Airport Well the North
Side
Service Area will not be able to utilize water from the Sanders Well upon buildout of the Tahoe
Donner Subdivision The North
Side Well 2
500 g
m is the primary source of water for the
p
Side Service Area The well
North
was
Side Service
developed to serve both the North
Area and
the Tahoe Donner Service Area
The 1990 maximum day demand for the service
combination ofthe three well
sources
At buildout ofthe service
is
azea
is
approximately
to meet the current
350 g
m and the
p
demands of the service
adequate
existing zoning uses and densities
under
the
projected
Side Well is sufficient in
180 g
approximately 1
m The North
p
capacity to meet this projected demand and the removal ofthe Airport Well and Sanders Well
from the North
Side Service Area distribution system will not adversely affect water supply for
azea
maximum
the service
day
azea
demand is
area
Downtown Truckee
Specifrc
Plan
Draft Errvironmental Impact Report
2
I1
The
Airport
Tank and the North
Side Tank store
water
for the North
Side Service Area The
Airport Tank is a prestressed concrete tank constructed in 1981 with a storage capacity of
000 gallons The tank was developed as part ofthe Tahoe Donner water
approximately 600
Side Tank
supply system and water from the Airport Tank must be pumped into the North
Side Service Area distribution system The North
Side Tank is a
before delivery into the North
welded steel tank constructed in 1971 with a storage capacity of 400
000 gallons The tank stores
water for the DSA and Olympic Heights distribution systems and to receive water from the
Side Well for distribution to Tahoe Donner An existing 100
North
000 gallon bolted steel tank
constructed in 1971 is located on the south side of the Truckee River near Tonini Springs but is
not presently in use because of previous contamination of the spring
The 1990 storage
i
requirements daily storage
fire storage emergency storage and flow
through
The
TDPUD does
000
600
approximately
gallons
North Service Area were
storage for the Side
Side Service Area because water must be
not consider the Airport Tank as storage for the North
Tank
the
from
the
to
Side
North
Tank Consequently the service area has a
pumped
Airport
present storage deficit of at least 200
000 gallons Storage requirements upon buildout will
increase to 000
000 gallons The TDPUD
300 gallons resulting in a buildout deficit of 900
1
concludes
be
a
that additional storage is necessary for the service area This storage is considered to
priority because of the existing storage deficit As part of their Master Plan the TDPUD has
identified two
area
These
sites for water storage tanks to serve the projected demands of the service
the Tonini Tank site and a site located near the intersection of Shaneva Road
potential
are
and Euer Valley Road
storage is needed
the
Tonini
referred
to as Trout Creek
000 gallons of
Tank It is anticipated that 300
000 gallons to be developed at
remaining 600
at the Trout Creek Tank with the
Tank site
h
Based on structure floor
type of construction exposure to adjacent structures and presence
of fire sprinkling systems the Truckee Fire Protection District estimates that a minimum fire
flow of 2
500 gpm is necessary for the DSA The existing distribution system has adequate
azea
pressure to deliver this fire flow
However
as
stated
before
the service
azea
is deficient in water
storage This significantly impacts the ability of the system to deliver the minimum fire flow for
extended periods Approximately 300
000 gallons of water is required to sustain a minimum fire
flow of 5
hour period The North
Side Tank has adequate capacity to provide
2
00 gpm fora 2
fire flow for this duration but water delivery to users in the service azea may be adversely
affected
The District has identified the
of the service
following major facility improvements
to
serve
buildout demand
azea
New transmission pipelines to
Trout Creek
Storage
replace
Tank with
a
or
supersede existing pipelines
000 gallons to be
capacity of 300
Valley Road
located
intersection of Shaneva Road and Euer
14 transmission main from Trout Creek Tank to Jibboom Street
Downtown Truckee
1
Specific Plan Draft Environmental mpact Report
ll
3
neaz
Tonini storage tank
s with
Bald Mountain
3
a
capacity
of
000 gallons
610
to be located at foot of
Drainage
The natural terrain of the DSA provides
man
made
these
or
natural means
aze
a
number of drainage
which
eventually through
and oil traps separators
to dischazge into the Truckee waterways Trout Creek is the major drainage
for the watershed generated from the Tahoe Donner subdivision and other smaller
do not include water treatment facilities
drainages
infiltration prior
course
courses
directed into the Truckee River or Trout Creek The majority of
drainage
courses
within the DSA Trout Creek also
e grease
i
empties
into the Truckee River at the
easternmost end ofthe DSA
drainage plan has not been fully developed or implemented for the DSA The
existing drainage systems or lack of same are discussed by subarea in the paragraphs that
follow The subareas that aze referenced here aze the same as those described at the beginning
chapter 5
A stormwater
The commercial
core area
drainage system of inlets lining Donner
Pass
Road which
of
are meant to
collect surface water runoff from within the azea utilize culverts to direct water into the Truckee
River or Trout Creek The system is intended to accommodate all drainage generated from
Donner Pass Road
subarea 1
and north of Donner Pass Road to Interstate 80
subarea 2
Resurfacing of Donner Pass Road deterioration of the roadway and the lack of defined drainage
courses along residential streets has caused runoff to be directed onto Donner Pass Road below
grade and or away from the existing drainage inlets Areas prone to standing water exist along
Donner Pass Road Jibboom
inadequacy
Street
and West River Street segments and intersections due to the
drainage system Additionally accumulation of
and deterioration of the current
sediment and debris has caused
partial blockage of the existing drainage inlets
resulting in decreased system capacity
The most
severe
problem
areas aze
along Jibboom
Street
on
azea
Water must be pumped out of the
culverts
both sides of the street and at the
northwest intersection of Hwy 267 and West River Street Jibboom Street
low elevation ofthe
and
flooding
is due to the
area
Subareas 3 and 4 West River Street industrial subarea and Truckee River corridor
respectively are located on either side of the Truckee River in the westernmost portion of the
pazcels in this azea do not utilize a centralized runoff treatment
facility The more recently approved industrial uses employ grease and oil traps separators
while the older uses drain stormwater runoff directly to the Truckee River There is a drainage
culvert which runs along West River Street that drains into the Truckee River as it leaves the
subarea Drainage from the Truckee River corridor subarea on the south side of the river is
allowed to flow directly over or through the ground and into the river
DSA Most of the industrial
Downtown Truckee
Specific Plan
Drafi Errvironmenta mpact Report
4
11
1
The River Street residential
subarea 5 and the Hilltop area subarea 6 also drain directly
into the Truckee River As a result there is the potential for trace amounts of toxic substances to
be washed into the river This statement holds true for other untreated drainages as well
area
The
remaining subareas of the DSA are 7 lumber yard old mill site East River Street
industrial azea and 8 cemetery Hwy
267 north Both of these azeas drain directly into Trout
Creek which in turn flows into the Truckee River just outside the DSA eastern boundary
Subarea 7 is between subazea 8 and the river so drainage from the cemetery Hwy 267 flows
through the old mill site The majority of drainage from these subareas therefore flows directly
into the Truckee River by way of Trout Creek
i
Chapter 6 Section g of the Downtown Specific Plan Volume 2 summarizes the results of a
focussed drainage study for the DSA Existing drainage deficiencies and the improvements
necessary to correct these deficiencies aze identified in this Section of the Specific Plan and
herby icorporated by reference
are
4 Police Protection
Police
s
protection is provided under contract with the Town by the Nevada County Sheriff
the
Town
the
service
level
and
effectiveness
and
is
Department Currently
evaluating
considering different options including the creation of a separate police Department for the
time parking enforcement officer
Parking restrictions are enforced through afull
Town
5 Fire Protection
a
The Truckee Fire Protection District is
independent fire protection agency with a boazd
elected from the district The district provides fire suppression and emergency response to the
rural and suburban areas in and surrounding the incorporated Town of Truckee District
an
facilities in the DSA include Station No 91 which is located
Road
across
from Commercial Row
on
This site has been utilized
as a
fire station for
more
than
100 years The present building was constructed in the 1940
s with several additions in
subsequent yeazs The station serves as the administrative headquarters for the district and
includes the chiefofficers
however
an
offices public
access
public relations and data processing It is
providing staff support during emergency
unstaffed fire station with volunteers
calls It encompasses
approximately 4
600 square feet of floor
and
000 square feet for offices
apparatus 1
Vehicular equipment includes a 1984 Type
azea with 2
300 square feet for
feet
for
fire
300 square
1
prevention functions
I Pumper and two squad vehicles The District
sonly
fully station is Station No 92 which is staffed 24 hours per day with professional
staffed
firefighters It is located on Donner Pass Road between Highway 89 and Northwoods Boulevazd
approximately mile west ofthe DSA and is the nearest station to Downtown Truckee except
for Station No 91
Water storage for fire protection purposes is discussed in the Water section of this report The
TDPUD has identified a water storage deficiency for the Central Truckee service area and plans
to add water
storage
to address these deficiencies
Downtown Truckee
iFt
the south side of Donner Pass
Specific Plan Draft Environmental Impact Report
5
11
J
There is
and
a
need to add fire
improve
hydrants
in the DSA to decrease distances to structures from
hydrants
hydrants along the new water mains
Also requirements for new development generally include
fire flow The TDPUD has
which will be installed Downtown
the installation of fire
hydrants for the
The location of Station No 91
along
plans
to
install fire
new structures
Donner Pass Road and
the Donner Pass Road
Hwy
provision of fire protection services to Downtown
properties south of the railroad tracks and the Martis Valley and Airport area Due to traffic
congestion at peak periods and railroad traffic at Donner Pass Road and Highway 267 timely
responses by the Station aze often difficult The District has preliminary plans to relocate this
station to the Hwy 267 Truckee Airport area to improve responses to properties south of the
railroad There are no plans at this time with regazd to the fate of the existing station facility
267 intersection is
a
major
neaz
limitation for the
Snow
Storage Removal
All ofthe roadways in the DSA with the exception of State Hwy 267 aze part of the Town
maintained road system These streets aze plowed as needed during winter months in order to
keep the roads accessible to vehicular traffic The commercial core azea occasionally requires
that snow be hauled away once the storage areas become full to capacity Snow is stored on the
south side of Donner Pass Road along the entire length of Commercial Row Furthermore
6
additional
snow can
be stored
at each end of Commercial Row neaz the
alley
and Post Office
on
Bridge Street and between the intersection of Jibboom Street and the alley and Donner Pass
Road on Spring Street As the DSA develops snow will have to be trucked out especially during
heavy snowfall events
7 Schools
The DSA is
currently
served
by
Tahoe Truckee Unified School District
the
B Evaluation Guidelines
impacts to public services are evaluated against the following criteria to determine
potentially significant impacts Increases in storm water runoff or drainage which exceed current
system capacities increases in sewage generation or sewer system problems that result from
exceeding existing capacities impacts that create the need for increased or expanded water
services fire or police protection services and school capacity
Potential
i
t
agencies were contacted in order to determine the extent ofthe potential
Truckee
impacts relative to their particulaz area of concern or expertise For instance the Tahoe
Unified School District
sresponse to the Notice of Preparation NOP for this DEIR identified
the mitigation fees required to be paid by developers of new residential units in order for the
district to provide the increased services that would be necessary to accommodate the
Various
public
service
Downtown Truckee
Specific Plan Draft Errvironmental mpact Report
6
11
I
i
1
i
additional
development and associated population growth Similarly agencies which handle
sewage disposal solid waste disposal water service and power were all contacted These special
districts have clearly stated that they would be both willing and capable of providing the
increased service
to the DSA that would be necessary should the
Specific
Plan be
adopted
and
implemented
Each infrastructure system is discussed below with regard to the need for increased capacity
where necessary to serve additional development All of the special districts and other service
providers have made it clear that they can either accommodate the proposed growth with their
existing infrastructure and service support system or expand their service capacity ofren by
way of development impact fee imposition in order to accommodate the development proposed
by the Specific Plan Therefore while many of these impacts to public services and infrastructure
would be potentially significant they can easily be mitigated to levels of insignificance by the
mitigation measures set forth below
1
Energy Additional development accommodated by the General Plan will result in increased
energy consumption natural gas and electricity According to the Truckee Donner Public Utility
District
the additional energy that will be necessary to accommodate this increased need
will be available However appropriate mitigation measures to reduce this demand are included
PUD
below
Water The PUD also provides water service
infrastructure that would be required to
water
Plan is already in
measures
to the DSA This agency indicated that most of the
development proposed by the Specific
that become necessary will be provided by
serve
the
place Any new water lines
as development impact fees Furthermore the TDPUD has indicated that the
uses proposed by the plan would not cause significant adverse impacts on the
such
kinds ofland
existing infrastructure
Sewer The Truckee
Sanitary
District
TSD provides sewer
service for the
DSA
as
well
as
most
of the greater Truckee area The District is divided into nine primary service areas the downtown
azea is in the Central Truckee service azea Virtually 100 of the existing pazcels within the
DSA
by the TSD The District has plans to increase wastewater connections as the
urban area expands This service increase is expected to mitigate impacts relating to sewer
service to less than significant levels
aze
served
Solid Waste
Disposal This service is provided by the Eastern Regional Landfill which is
located on Highway 89 South approximately 2 miles south of the westernmost portion ofthe
study area This facility acts as a transfer station only however as all ofthe incoming solid
waste is transported to a facility known as Lockwood Landfill in the State ofNevada According
to Paul Achiro a representative of the Eastern Regional Landfill Lockwood has sufficient
capacity to accept all incoming waste including that which originates in California for the next
100 years As a result increased solid waste production resulting from Specific Plan
development will not be a significant impact
Downtown Truckee
Specific Plan Draft Environmental mpact Report
ll
7
Th e
Specific Plan
improvements to the majority of the roads in the DSA
Drainage improvements are incorporated as part of the Downtown Specific Plan improvements
proposals Impacts to existing drainage infrastructure that result from increased development
called for in the Specific Plan could be significant because of increased drainage amounts
running off from lazger areas of impervious surface coverage As a result the mitigation
measures listed below that alleviate these potential drainage problems will be required to be
implemented to reduce impacts to a less than significant level
Drainage
Snow
calls for
Storage Removal Increased development particularly the
infill
variety has the potential
to reduce the amount of space available for snow storage Impacts of this variety would be
significant particularly during periods of excessive snowfall In order to mitigate urban snow
management impacts the Specific Plan sets forth a snow removal program
Fire Protection Increased fire
protection is a necessary component
of all
local fire
development A
of approval for new
new
protection district usually provides their own standard conditions
development projects These requirements typically include such items as the extension of
adequate fire flow devices fire hydrant locations minimum driveway and street width turning
radius requirements snow staking and vegetation clearing near structures among others
s TDFPD ability to respond to
Potential impacts to the Truckee
Donner Fire Protection District
s requirements for these improvements as well as
emergencies will be mitigated by the District
standards
development standards
currently in place
Police Protection The town may need to increase its
capacity to protect the public through the
development Currently the Town contracts with
the Nevada County Sherries department for police protection Options available to the Town
include a no increase in the amount of peace officers on duty at any one time b increasing
the scope of the existing contract with the Sherrif s department to include more officers and
or
more area patrolled or c create the Town
s own police department The level of service
desirable in the DSA will be determined by the Town Council and the staffing determined
accordingly
use
of peace officers
as a
result of Specific Plan
S c h ools The Tahoe
Truckee Unified School District
Fee
its
Mutual Benefit School
Impact
of 1990 in order to generate additional funds needed to house
This
students
agreement between the developer and the District states that the developer agrees
to pay an increased squaze footage fee to offset or mitigate any associated impacts of his
her
Agreement
in
adopted
September
residential
s 1995
1996 Fiscal Yeaz Impact Fee is 2
83 per
development project The District
foot
ofassessable
to
Denise
a
TTUSD
Gaddis
squaze
space According
planning analyst no
developer fees are collected by the district until the building permits have been applied for
Impacts
to
to the school
district will be
Plan
but
Specific
buildout
impact fees discussed here
significant up to 150 students could be directly attributable
mitigable to non
significant levels through the collection ofthe
Parks and Recreation Based on data
Downtown Truckee
regarding the
use
of the
existing Truckee
Specific Ptan Draft Errvironmentat mpact Report
Donner
8
11
t
Recreation and Park
District facilities
both from the Recreation and Park District Staff and
outside users it appears that most District facilities are at capacity or are experiencing
overcrowding at this time Impact fees are currently in place to address the impacts In
the
Plan sets forth
number of new
Specific
community recreation demands
s
D
Mitigation
a
parks proposals
which would
help
serve
Measures
The
following Specific Plan policies will mitigate potential impacts on Public Services
than significant level
1
Snow
Storage
and Removal
Law Enforcement
Fire Protection
Sewer Power
Water
Drainage
Parks
addition
the
Recreation
to a less
All policies in
Specific Plan Chapter 6 Section 6B
All policies in Specific Plan Chapter 6 Section 6D
All policies in Specific Plan Chapter 6 Section 6E
All policies in Specific Plan Chapter 6 Section 6F
All policies in Specific Plan Chapter 6 Section 6G
New park proposals identified in Chapter 9
n
Y
1
i
Downtown Truckee
Specifrc
Plan
Draft Environmental Impact Report
9
11
1
Chapter
12 NATURAL HAZARDS SAFETY HAZARDS
Settin
1 Fire
Given the historical
fire nature of Truckee both in Town and in the surrounding forested
prone
landscape
generally understood that fire is one of the greatest threats to the environment
The Truckee Fire Protection District was established in the late 19th century to help combat this
chronic problem In recent years the actual occurrence of structure fires has been significantly
reduced largely due to the modernization of methods equipment and general safety practices
associated with fire prevention
it is
2
Earthquake
Seismic
events in the
northern Sierra Nevada
are
relatively
rare
although there
aze
documented
instances of earthquake
occur
within the
activity in the greater Truckee azea There aze no known fault lines that
DSA although a number of small fault traces have been identified within the
Town boundaries
These fault
by the State of California Department ofMines and Geology
and the State Board of Reclamation The actual danger both to the health and safety of the
general population and property damage associated with seismic activity is believed to be quite
areas
have been studied
low
3 Avalanche
Avalanche
azeas aze
mazked
on
zoning
maps as Potential Snow Avalanche Areas red
PSAA
red which denotes high avalanche hazazd or PSAA blue which denotes moderate avalanche
hazard There aze presently none of these PSAA zones within the DSA There are however
certain areas of steep slope located on the south side of the Truckee River as it flows pazallel to
West River Street where it is evident that avalanche activity has occurred and will likely
continue
4 Flood
The Federal
the
event
and to
in
lesser extent along Trout Creek The flood danger within the DSA boundaries
experienced in the January 1997 flood when a number ofriverfront properties were
River
was
Emergency Management Agency FEMA has identified azeas subject to flooding
of a 100
yeaz flood In the DSA these areas exist along the banks of the Truckee
a
damaged or threatened In many locations the flood waters rose substantially above the limits of
the mapped 100 yeaz flood plain Portions of nearly all properties adjacent to the Truckee River
are within the mapped 100 yeaz floodplain
B Evaluation Guidelines
Any impacts that aze associated with exposure of people or property to increased risk from
flooding fire hazards avalanches or earthquakes aze considered potentially significant
Downtown Truckee
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Plan
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12
l
C
Impacts
Geologic hazards in the DSA consist of eazthquake and landslides The Boca Truckee and Dog
Valley Faults are located near the Town and a number of small fault traces have been identified
within the Town boundaries None of these faults have been designated as an Alquist
Priolo
which
is
a
used
State
of
California
the
to
Zone
Special Study
designation
by
identify significant
hazazds along faults The identified faults along with the potential for damage from earthquakes
in the Truckee area have been studied by the State The State Division of Mines and Geology
has conducted general geologic studies of the region while the State Board of Reclamation
which operates dams in the area has studied faults in the region in more detail The conclusions
ofthese studies are that the potential for strong ground shaking from faults in the area is not
considered great and that the potential for damage is also not high The potential for seiche
flooding in areas surrounding rivers as a result of earthshaking was also studied and found to be
minimal The existing Town of Truckee Building Code requirements for seismic safety are
considered sufficient to prevent earthquake damage No portions of the DSA are constrained due
to earthquake hazazds Unreinforced masonry construction is common in the historic commercial
row area Retrofit ofthese structures has not been given a high priority in Truckee due to the
relatively low earthquake hazard in the area
Landslide hazazds
can
result from
weak soils
on
steep
hazazds have not been studied for any part of Nevada
therefore
slopes and from earthshaking Landslide
County including downtown Truckee it is
not possible to
identify precise areas subject to landslide hazazds The information
available concerning potential earthshaking indicates that landslides on gentle slopes or
liquefaction soil movement on flat lands due to earthshaking and weak soils represent minimal
hazards In order to avoid the potential for impacts in this area zoning standards in Volume III of
the Specific Plan require clustering of development away from areas of steeper slopes
Adverse
impacts could occur from flooding along Trout Creek and the Truckee River There aze
areas along these waterways that have been designated by the Federal Emergency
Management
Agency FEMA as subject to flooding in the event of a 100
year flood These azeas aze
generally not considered appropriate for residential land uses For development proposals in
areas subject to flooding in the event of a 100
year flood more detailed study of flood hazards
will be required as a part of development design and approval In addition since construction
within the 100
yeaz flood plain can have an effect on the size of the flood plain blocking flood
waters in one area can cause them to spread further in another area new construction in the
flood plain should be limited unless it can be shown that it will not increase flood hazards in
other areas Current Lahontan RWQCB prohibitions on development within the 100 year
floodplain will mitigate potential hazards to new development
As stated
above
risks associated with
earthquake activity are minimal they are not considered
significant
Specific Plan development is not likely
and is also considered to be insignificant Like flood hazazds any potential fire hazards that
might result from development in the DSA would be mitigable by development guidelines
Increased risk of fire that would result from
Downtown Truckee
Specifrc
Plan
Draft Environmental Impact Report
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12
i1
designed specifically
D
Mitigation
for fire
safety
Measures
Impacts relating to safety hazards and natural hazards aze potentially significant but mitigable to
less than significant levels by these measures In addition to the mitigation measures listed
above all Town of Truckee General Plan Safety Policies under Safety Goal 2 2
1 through 2
11
have been incorporated by reference into this document This mitigation program is meant to
reduce impacts related to the range of safety concerns to levels of insignificance
Fire
Impacts
Avalanche
I
Flood
Soil
Impacts
Impacts
Instabiliy
Specific
Plan
Chapter 6
all
Specific
Plan
Chapter 7
Section
Specific
Plan
Chapter 6 Section 6G policies
DSA
Zoning Ordinance
clustering of development
policies
under Section 6
E
7F policy
2
1
through
4
Section 11
02 DPD standazds
05
away from
areas
of steep
requiring
slopes
n
r
i
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Plan
Draft Environmental Impact Report
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12
Chapter
A Cumulative
13
CEQA
ASSESSMENTS
PROJECT ALTERNATIVES
Impacts
Cumulative
impacts of the proposed Specific Plan are tied closely to the growth and
development that is accommodated by the Town of Truckee General Plan By its very nature the
environmental analysis contained in this DEIR is cumulative since it looks at environmental
impacts associated with projected 20 year buildout of the Downtown Specific Plan Cumulative
impact analysis for the Downtown Specific Plan is tiered off the Truckee General Plan EIR
which is hereby incorporated by reference
B Unavoidable
Significant Impacts
Significant
impacts will occur related to traffic and air quality Due to the
severity of existing traffic problems proposed roadway improvements may not be capable of
mitigating further LOS impacts to less than significant levels until the Highway 267 Bypass is
constructed The intersections of Bridge Street and Commercial Row will continue to experience
LOS F conditions until through traffic is diverted to the Highway 267 Bypass Similarly
because air quality in Truckee has exceeded State and Federal Standards for particulate matter it
may not be possible to mitigate impacts to air quality to a less than significant level prior to
adoption and implementation of the Air Quality Management Plan for Truckee
and Unavoidable
1
The Town of Truckee General Plan also identifies
as
1
both unavoidable and
to less than
significant
It
significant levels primarily
The Town Council will need to make
identified traffic and air quality
C Growth
was
a
impacts in the
determined that these
areas
of traffic and air
impacts
could not be
quality
mitigated
because of existing traffic and air quality conditions
statement of overriding considerations for the
impacts in order to adopt
the Downtown
Specific
Plan
Imnacts
Inducing
The
adoption and implementation of the Downtown Specific Plan will accommodate significant
growth and development as described in the Land Use Impacts Chapter Chapter 5 The
Specific Plan establishes land uses and infrastructure improvement requirements based upon
policy direction contained in the Town of Truckee General Plan The Specific Plan provides for
year time frame but does not provide excess development capacity
growth projected over a 20
inconsistent with the Town of Truckee General Plan
The
s
development potential accommodated by the Specific Plan is based upon the General Plan
the
While
DSA
encouraging growth the Specific Plan
policies directing infill development to
to
environmental
detailed
implements
mitigate potential
programs
impacts and maintain the
historic mountain character of the
D
area
Project Alternatives
This section discusses the
respective potential
possible
alternatives to the
adverse environmental
proposed Specific Plan as well as their
impacts CEQA requires that alternatives be selected
ability to mitigate potentially unmitigable environmental impacts Because the
significant unmitigable traffic and air quality impacts are based on existing impacted conditions
none of the identified alternatives will reduce these impacts to a less than significant level
based
on
their
These alternatives
aze
listed and described below
Project Alternative
Project Alternative
Alternative 1 Preferred
Alternative 2 No
Alternative 3 Reduced Growth Alternative
Description ofAlternatives Probable Environmental Impacts
The preferred project alternative 1 is described in Volume II of the Specific Plan the Vision
Plan and in the project description contained in this document This alternative was developed
to meet the needs ofthe community for residential commercial and industrial development
while providing environmental protection to the DSA This alternative provides for substantial
expansion of residential commercial and mixed use development wihtin the DSA during the
next 20 yeazs The preferred plan relates infrastructure needs specifically to development and
establishes policy direction to create programs to finance necessary upgrades to infrastructure
and public services which reduces the fiscal impact of development on the Town and the general
public The environmental effects of the preferred alternative aze reduced by the implementation
of a program of specific mitigation measures
The No
Project alternative 2 would maintain the existing zoning within the DSA This
alternative would maintain zoning which is inconsistent with the Town of Truckee General Plan
adopted in February 1996 Adoption of the Downtown Specific Plan is intended to address long
standing problems with land uses and environmental problems in the DSA therefore the no
project alternative would preclude implementation of important Specific Plan policies which re
intended to mitigate long standing environmental problems The amount of industrial
development accommodated in the DSA would be substantially higher under this alternative
since existing industrially zoned azeas would remain unchanged The amount of infill residential
and commercial uses would be reduced under this alternative due to the maintenance of large
azeas of industrial zoning Significant and unmitgabee environmental impacts would remain with
this alternative and all other environmental impacts identified in this EIR would be unmitigated
due to the lack of environmental protection policies put in place by the proposed Downtown
Specific Plan
development potential of the DSA by 2
This alternative would result in a smaller amount of projected growth being accommodated in the
DSA primazily in the Mill Site and Hilltop master plan areas Under this alternative the Specific
Plan policies to address long standing environmental and land use problems would be adopted
The Reduced Growth alternative would reduce the
but the Town of Truckee General Plan direction to accommodate infill
growth would not be
implemented to the fullest extent possible Potential environmental impacts under this altemative
may be reduced slightly however the significant and unmitigatle impacts would remain
Downtown Truckee
Specific
Plan
Draft Errvrronmental Impact Report
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6