Despliegue de Infraestructura

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d) Create a new source of substantial light or glare, which would adversely affect day or nighttime views in the area?

Less Than Significant Impact With Mitigation Incorporated. The proposed project entails construction

of school buildings, two parking areas, a grass play area, and hardscape play area with the following light sources: exterior and interior light, security lighting, and parking lot lighting. No high-intensity field lighting would be included as part of the project. The project site is currently surrounded by vacant and agricultural uses; however would be surrounded by future residential uses.

The lighting proposed for the school would be relatively modest and would not flash or adversely affect any day or nighttime views in the area. However, because the proposed project site is currently undeveloped, implementation of the project would result in an increased level of light and glare from what is currently experienced at the site. While lighting proposed for the project would be relatively modest, to ensure that light and glare impacts remain less than significant, implementation of the following mitigation measures would reduce impacts to less than significant.

Mitigation Measures:

1. On-site buildings shall use low reflective glass and building material to keep daytime glare to a minimum.

2. All exterior lights shall be shielded where feasible and focused to minimize spill light into the night sky or adjacent properties.

3. New exterior lighting used for security purposes in the evening would be limited to low wattage energy conserving night lighting.

4. New lights would be situated and arranged so that no direct beam would leave the project site. Luminaries shall be provided with filtering louvers and hoods. During installation, the

luminaries shall be aimed and corrected by a field crew to aim the lights away from viewers.

3.2 AGRICULTURE RESOURCES

In determining whether impacts to agricultural resources are significant environmental effects, lead agencies may refer to the California Agricultural Land Evaluation and Site Assessment Model (1997) prepared by the California Department of Conservation as an optional model to use in assessing impacts on agriculture and farmland.

a) Convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance (Farmland), as shown on the maps prepared pursuant to the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program of the California Resources Agency, to non-agricultural use?

Less Than Significant Impact. According to the Department of Conservation Farmland Mapping and

Monitoring Program, the project site is designated as Prime Farmland. The project site, approximately 14 acres in size, is vacant and underlain by Greenfield sandy loam soil, a soil that qualifies for Prime

Farmland designation. According to the Preliminary Environmental Assessment conducted by Leighton Consulting, Inc. (See Section 3.7, Hazards and Hazardous Materials), the project site had been

cultivated with citrus orchards. Based on historical records and interviews, the site was cultivated from 1953 to 2002.

3. Environmental Analysis

Elementary School No. 31 (Helen Keller)Initial Study

Riverside Unified School District• Page 33

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While the development of the project site into urban uses decreases approximately 14 acres of prime farmland in the unincorporated Highgrove area, this conversion affects a negligible amount of all land designated Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance within the area. Furthermore, the project site is located within the Spring Mountain Ranch Specific Plan (SMRSP), which plans for residential uses in the planning area and subsequent conversion of agriculture land for a master planned residential community. The project site and its surrounding area are designated for residential development. As part of the approval of the SMRSP and the SMRSP Environmental Impact Report, a statement of overriding considerations was adopted for the conversion of all Prime Farmland within the SMRSP planning area, including the project site. If the proposed school were not to go forward, the project site would still be developed for other urban uses.

Due to the negligible size of the project site; previous acknowledgement that urbanization of the project site outweighs the agricultural impact from development of the SMRSP planning area, including the project site; lack of agricultural use at the project site for approximately two years; and planned

intensification of the project area, the proposed project would result in less than significant impacts, and no mitigation measures are necessary.

b) Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use, or a Williamson Act contract?

No Impact. The Spring Mountain Ranch Specific Plan provides an R-1 zoning designation for the project

site. The site is not located within an Agricultural Preserve and other Agricultural Preserves in the surrounding area that have filed for a Notice of Non-Renewal and disestablishment. As such, no Williamson Act contracts apply to the project site, and no Williamson Act contract or agricultural zoning conflicts would result from project implementation. Therefore, no impact would occur, and no mitigation measures are necessary.

c) Involve other changes in the existing environment, which due to their location or nature, could result in conversion of Farmland, to non-agricultural use?

Less Than Significant Impact. The project area is located within a developing area of the Highgrove

area. There is no agricultural production currently onsite. Agricultural development currently exists adjacent to the northern and western boundaries of the project site. Single-family residential development envisioned by the SMRSP is planned for the vacant property located adjacent to the eastern and southern boundaries of the project site.

The area located north and west of the project site consists of agricultural land cultivated with citrus orchards. The citrus orchards are located within the developing area of the Highgrove Area Plan and may be further impacted by the development and operation of the proposed project due to operational constraints imposed by urbanization. However, these orchards would be ultimately impacted by its residential zoning designations as designated by the Highgrove Area Plan. If the proposed project were not to go forward, the citrus orchards would still be developed for other urban uses. Due to the planned intensification of the project area, the proposed project would not result in any significant impacts in regards to converting the surrounding areas to non-agricultural uses, and no mitigation measures are necessary.

3.3 AIR QUALITY

The Air Quality section addresses the impacts of the proposed project on ambient air quality and the exposure of people, especially sensitive individuals, to unhealthful pollutant concentrations. Air

pollutants of concern include ozone, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and oxides of nitrogen. This section analyzes the type and quantity of emissions that would be generated by the construction and operation of the proposed project.