HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 2C - Lucker changes for GP UpdateFrom:David Newell
To:Anita Fields
Subject:Fw: Lucker changes for GP Update
Date:Tuesday, September 10, 2024 3:52:32 PM
Attachments:Lucker suggested changes.docx
PastedGraphic-2.tiff
Public comment.
From: Chris Lucker <chris.luckeranderson@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, September 9, 2024 6:01 PM
To: David Newell <David.Newell@palmspringsca.gov>
Subject: Lucker changes for GP Update
NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open
attachments unless you are sure the content is safe.
David
Attached is a Word.doc for my suggested changes for the General Plan 2040 Update.
I believe I tied the text I am providing to the current pages in the General Plan draft.
I had some changes for the 2007 Recreation, Open Space and Conservation Element, the Air
Quality Element, the Noise Element and the Community Design Element, however, I do not
where to place these comments within the context of the General Plan Update document. I
have tried to best place them within the 2040 General Plan Update document context.
Thank you, David.
Chris
Chris Lucker
Chris.LuckerAnderson@gmail.com
(310) 489 1605
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Lucker suggested changes for
Palm Springs General Plan 2040
Chris Lucker, 1801 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, #101 Palm Springs, CA 92262
(310) 489-1605 chris.luckeranderson@gmail.com
GP Update Land Use page 60/661 INSTITUTIONAL (SCHOOLS/PUBLIC USES/UTILITIES)
Public/Quasi-public (0.35 FAR). This designation includes government offices and corporation
yards, hospitals, City-owned museums, cemeteries, and libraries. Other than uses in the E-I and
M2 zones where other FAR rules apply, the public/quasi-public uses identified on the Land Use
Map predominantly reflect existing uses that are located throughout the City to effectively serve
the community. Public/quasi-public uses comprise a relatively small component of the City’s
total land area.
Public/Utilities. Multiple utilities and service providers operate within the City of Palm Springs.
This land use designation Includes, but is not limited to:
• utilities, both publicly and privately-owned;
• water storage facilities;
• electrical substations;
• electrical generating stations and other facilities, including;
• Wind Energy Conversion Systems;
• Solar energy generation;
• Clean natural gas energy production;
• Cogeneration;
• Hydrogen production by means of all generally recognized and modern processes
including, but not limited to, electrolyzer technology, natural gas reformation and steam
methane reforming;
• Hydrogen manufacturing, generation, storage and distribution facilities, including
highway-related refueling stations, pipeline and electrical interconnections;
• Carbon dioxide sequestering facilities;
• Utility-grade battery facilities;
• Battery manufacturing facilities;
• Energy storage flywheels;
• Facilities and infrastructure related to the uses above;
• And, any energy use the Planning Commission or City Council finds is consistent with
the policies and goals of this General Plan.
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GP Update Land Use page 63/661 OVERLAY AREAS
Watercourse Zone Overlay. The Watercourse Zone Overlay is intended to reflect land uses
located within a watercourse area that have either been developed under the provisions of a hold-
harmless agreement with the City, releasing it from any liability for damage incurred in flood
waters, or it is a property that is no longer classified as a fringe area of a 100-year flood. The
overlay represents the path of the watercourse, but allows for the underlying uses to coexist
within the flood designation.
Energy Overlay. Palm Springs’ innovative and world famous energy industry is a centrally
important component of the Palm Springs economic base.
Wind Energy Conversion Systems (WECS) are permitted in areas designated with the overlay
classification. This is due primarily to the prevailing West Wind at this latitude and the air
pressure differences that exist between the Coastal regions and the Coachella Valley. As air
moves from the high pressure to low pressure area, it is funneled through the San Gorgonio
pass which is recognized as one of the best wind energy resources in the world. These areas
are predominantly located within areas designated as E-I, M2, Desert, Industrial, or Open Space–
Water on the General Plan Land Use map. The Energy Overlay can be found on Figure 2-3.
Energy Overlay.
The development of WECS, solar and other renewable energy facilities since 1980 has made the
Energy Overlay area recognized as a premier site in the nation for the development, exploration
and technological advances in energy production, including:
• utilities, both publicly and privately-owned;
• water storage facilities;
• electrical substations;
• electrical generating stations and other facilities, including;
• Wind Energy Conversion Systems;
• Solar energy generation;
• Clean natural gas energy production;
• Cogeneration;
• Hydrogen production by means of all generally recognized and modern processes
including, but not limited to, electrolyzer technology, natural gas reformation and steam
methane reforming;
• Hydrogen manufacturing, generation, storage and distribution facilities, including
highway-related refueling stations, pipeline and electrical interconnections;
• Carbon dioxide sequestering facilities;
• Utility-grade battery facilities;
• Battery manufacturing facilities;
• Energy storage flywheels;
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• Facilities and infrastructure related to the uses above;
• And, any energy use the Planning Commission or City Council finds is consistent with
the policies and goals of this General Plan.
GP Update Land Use page 71/661 2nd and 3rd paragraphs
Portions of the City north of I-10 are considered to be one of the best areas in the world for
the development of renewable and other energy resources. Significant amounts of clean
renewable energy are produced here benefitting Palm Springs and the entire region. These
facilities are located away from the City center and also serve as an attraction for visitors,
who visit the wind energy facilities in large numbers.
The clean energy-related facilities located and encouraged by the City to develop in this area
include, but are not limited to:
• utilities, both publicly and privately-owned;
• water storage facilities;
• electrical substations;
• electrical generating stations and other facilities, including;
• Wind Energy Conversion Systems;
• Solar energy generation;
• Clean natural gas energy production;
• Cogeneration;
• Hydrogen production by means of all generally recognized and modern processes
including, but not limited to, electrolyzer technology, natural gas reformation and steam
methane reforming;
• Hydrogen manufacturing, generation, storage and distribution facilities, including
highway-related refueling stations, pipeline and electrical interconnections;
• Carbon dioxide sequestering facilities;
• Utility-grade battery facilities;
• Battery manufacturing facilities;
• Energy storage flywheels;
• Facilities and infrastructure related to the uses above;
• And, any energy use the Planning Commission or City Council finds is consistent with
the policies and goals of this General Plan.
As technology advances, additional opportunities to expand these and other renewable
resources and related infrastructure are encouraged by the City. Renewable energy resource
facilities also co-exist with commercial and industrial uses adjacent to I-10 and are an
excellent example of how the integration of compatible uses can provide multiple benefits,
such as energy resources and job-generating uses. In addition commercial agricultural uses
include large cannabis cultivation greenhouses and infrastructure and facilities to process,
distribute and support permitted and encouraged cannabis operations.
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GP Update Land Use page 74/661 Goals LU3
Add a goal that states:
In the Energy Overlay and M2 zone, industrial facilities, including modern multi-level
distribution centers are allowed and encouraged.
And where there used to be ACTIONS (old page LU 2-23) following the GOALS, please add:
3.3 Develop standards that enable modern modern multi-level distribution centers and
industrial facilities in those portions of the Energy Overlay and M2 zone located north of the
I-10 Freeway.
GP Update Land Use page 75/661 please add:
Encourage modern multi-level distribution centers in those portions of the Energy Overlay
and M2 zone located north of the I-10 Freeway.
GP Update Land Use page 89/661 please change LU9.4 to read:
LU9.4 When located in areas of prime wind flow resources and where the wind turbine is
not more than 600 feet tall including the arc of its blades, windfarm development on hillsides
visible from scenic highways and corridors or on slopes of 40 percent or greater should
require a conditional use permit.
GP Update Land Use page 89/661, I think, please include in the
appropriate place the following language:
Siting of wind energy facilities which may be developed on slopes up to 40% by conditional
use permit.
Also:
When located in areas of prime wind flow resources, windfarm development on hillsides
visible from scenic highways and corridors or on slopes of 40 percent or greater should
require a conditional use permit.
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GP Update Land Use page 93/661, where there used to be GOALS and
ACTIONS in the 2007 GP, please include:
Establish requirements for renewable energy uses at Airport facilities.
GP Update Land Use, bottom of page 93/661 through 95/661, please
modify the I-10 Corridor language to:
The North Palm Springs area of the San Gorgonio Pass serves as a nationally important East-
West link for Los Angeles, Long Beach and Southern California ports and travel hubs
through to the Inland Empire and beyond. Contributing to the travel and commerce
passageway are Railroad tracks; Interstate 10 with its 160,000 auto/truck trips per day;
powerlines; pipelines; and the Colorado River Aqueduct. Similar to neighboring cities that
have frontage along I-10, the City of Palm Springs desires to maximize the development
potential in this area and facilitate the development of complementary uses that will bring
economic vitality to the corridor especially large modern distribution centers which are a
source of good local jobs and tax revenues for the City.
As the Land Use Plan was being developed, City Council directed Staff to evaluate the
feasibility of designating the entire area north of the I-10 Freeway as mix of industrial; large
distribution centers; energy production, storage and distribution; and cannabis cultivation
and processing.,
After reviewing roadway capacities, environmental and biological issues, and overall demand
for commercial, office, and industrial square footage within the City, RBC is not the highest
and best use of the E-I and M2 zones. Market forces dictate that the RBC designation is more
appropriate for the areas around Gene Autry and the I-10, south of the I-10, This area can
accommodate the additional traffic that would be generated by the mix of uses proposed and
is located adjacent to already developing areas and to an interchange that will be undergoing
improvements in the future. In addition, this area is located in the City proper and would not
require annexation prior to development as RBC.
2007 GP GOAL LU12: so, I think page 94/661 now
Establish commercial, industrial, large modern multi-level distribution center and office land
uses along the I-10 Corridor that reflect the world class resort status of our city, generate
good jobs and tax revenues, capitalize upon renewable energy resources, and provide a strong
sense of entry and arrival into Palm Springs and the entire Coachella Valley.
What used to be P OLICIES in the 2007 GP, please make these changes:
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LU12.1 Promote the development of high-quality regional and freeway- serving land uses
that generate a sense of place and arrival into the City at the interchanges of Gene Autry
Drive and Palm Canyon Drive /Highway 111 with I-10.
Promote the development of freeway commercial uses adjacent to the freeway while
maintaining high standards of design and quality of improvements to strengthen the
economic vitality of the City. Strip commercial uses are discouraged along the corridor,
especially those in areas adjacent to frontage roads..
LU12.4 Ensure that new development on the south side of the freeway corridor is
compatible with the City’s policies related to scenic resources.
LU12.5 Periodically reevaluate the concentration, type, and mix of commercial, and
industrial development that is appropriate and sustainable adjacent to the freeway.
LU12.6 Require for land south of the I-10 Freeway loading and outdoor storage areas for
commercial and industrial uses be screened from public streets and freeway views.
Additional policies addressing scenic resources and the I-10 Corridor can be found in the
Community Design Element.
Please add for the appropriate location that was ACTIONS in the 2007
GP – I think page 95/661.
LU12.2 Create design guidelines for development adjacent to the I-10 Corridor.
LU12.3 Evaluate the potential of incorporating new provisions in the City’s Zoning Code for
freeway-adjacent uses including state of the art energy production, storage and distribution
facilities cannabis cultivation and processing facilities and modern multi-level distribution
centers.
GP Update Circulation Element, p age 187/661 where “Truck Routes”
are discussed, please add at the end:
The Indian Canyon Drive and Gene Autry Trail I-10 Freeway interchanges have been rebuilt
into modern, high-capacity freeway interchanges. The combination of the widening of
Indian Canyon Drive north of the Interstate 10 and the improvements with the Indian
Canyon Drive freeway offramp designed to accommodate anticipated truck traffic will
provide a Grade A level of traffic circulation service to facilities located within the
Distribution Center Overlay and the region.
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GP Update Circulation Element, page 190/661 where it says “GOAL
CR1,” please include in the introduction paragraph the language:
Establish circulation guidelines that encourage and support modern multi-level distribution
facility development in the EI and M2 zones.
GP Update Circulation Element, page 190/661, under GOALS, please
add as a goal:
Encourage the development of modern multi-level distribution centers in the EI and M2
zones to prevent additional traffic impacts on the downtown, residential and resort areas of
the City.
And, in the following POLICIES section, please add a policy that
states:
Encourage the development of modern multi-level distribution centers in the EI and M2
zones to prevent additional traffic impacts on the downtown, residential and resort areas of
the City.
GP Update Circulation Element, page 190/661, CR1.7, please, after
“Industrial” add:
The E-I and M2 zones.
GP Update Circulation Element, page 191/661 around CR1.9, please add these two policies:
Allow for a reduction in parking space requirements for cannabis cultivation and processing
facilities within the E-I and M2 zones.
Allow for a reduction in parking space requirements for distribution centers within the E-I
and M2 zones and the Distribution Center Overlay.
GP Update Circulation Element, perhaps page 192 or 193/66, add an
ACTION stating:
Encourage the development of modern multi-level distribution centers in the E-I and M2
zones which will prevent additional traffic impacts on the downtown, residential and resort
areas of the City.
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GP Update Safety Element, perhaps page 442/661, regarding Air
Quality Policies and Actions, please add:
Encourage modern multi-level distribution center development in the E-I and M2 zones to
ensure that distribution center activity is isolated from sensitive receptors
General Plan Update, in 2007 GP this topic was included in the Noise
Element. Please include this text in the appropriate place in the 2040
General Plan.
Wind Turbines
In the Energy Overlay area, in some cases, early generation wind turbines were a source of
ambient noise. Early wind turbines generated noise up to 60 dba. Modern wind turbines are
not a significant source of noise and cannot be heard over the ambient noise of the I-10
Freeway and other traffic in the area because modern wind turbines generate noise
significantly below 60 dBA. In the Energy Overlay, it is expected that all early generation
wind turbines will have been replaced with modern wind turbines by 2023. The application
of the City WECS Ordinance is recommended as the primary method of controlling WECS
noise.
Gas Blowdowns
Located near the junction of I-10 and Highway 62 within the City’s spere of influence is a
facility used for evaluating natural gas pipelines. The evacuation of gas during regular
maintenance of the pipeline and during emergencies is known as gas blowdown. The pipeline
and blowdown facility are operated by the Southern California Gas Company. Gas blowdown
events are extremely loud, with noise levels approaching 135 dBA at distances of 50 feet. Few
residents exist in close proximity to this facility, but some residences are located within an area
where these blowdown events are audible. This facility is a concern for any future development.
Any future planned land use in the vicinity of the blowdown facility must be subject to a detailed
noise analysis to determine the exact impacts from the blowdown events.
Add these Noise-related suggestions as POLICY and ACTION items
where appropriate:
Require if new or replacement wind turbines are located between 500 and 1,500 feet from
residences, their approval must be in accordance with the Wind Turbine Ordinance.
Promote the use of solar energy generation systems as they are not noise emitters.
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