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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 5530RESOLUTION NO. 5530 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY AMENDING THE HOUSING CHAPTER OF THE CITY'S GENERAL PLAN TO ESTABLISH STANDARDS FOR SENIOR CITIZEN HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 91 -107 THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. The City Council of the City of Downey hereby finds, determines and declares that: A. Downey has an increasing population of senior citizens over 62 years of age. The City offers many features, such as medical and commercial facilities and a lower crime rate, that many senior citizens find attractive when making housing choices. Interest in constructing senior housing in Downey has increased in recent years and is expected to persist into the future. B. Senior citizens' needs and preferences regarding housing — including parking and proximity to amenities such as shopping and transportation —may differ from those of younger segments of the population. C. The Housing Chapter of the City's General Plan is intended to set policies and programs relating to the housing needs of the Downey's various populations, including senior citizens. SECTION 2. The City Council further finds, determines and declares that: A. The Housing Chapter as adopted in March 1990 established standards for senior housing. In March 1991, after further consideration of the issues of senior housing, the City Council authorized Staff to prepare a code amendment with density and location requirements that differed from those in the adopted Housing Element. B. General Plan Amendment 91 -107 was initiated to establish consistency between the Housing Chapter and the City's zoning ordinance. C. The Planning Commission gave required notice and held a public hearing regarding General Plan Amendment 91 -107 on September 18, 1991 and continued discussion to October 1 1991, and based on the oral and written testimony, facts, and opinions offered at the public hearings, adopted Resolution 1496, recommending that the City Council adopt General Plan Amendment 91 -107. D. On January 13, 1992 and January 28, 1992, the City Council held a duly noticed public hearing on General Plan Amendment 91 -107 and has carefully considered all of the evidence and public comments received at said hearing. E. This amendment to the Downey General Plan is consistent with good planning practice, necessary and desirable for the development of the community, and necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, and general welfare of the City of Downey. Resolution No. 5530 General Plan Amendment 91 -107 Page 2 F. The City Council has considered the effects of this amendment on the housing needs of the region in which the City is located and balanced those needs against the public service needs of Downey's residents and available fiscal and environmental resources. G. An Initial Study of Environmental Impact and a Negative Declaration have been prepared for this General Plan Amendment in accordance with the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act, the State CEQA Guidelines, and the City of Downey's Revised Environmental Procedures. The City Council considered these documents, together with any comments received during the public hearing, prior to making the recommendations of this Resolution. H. When considering the whole record of this proposal, including the Initial Study of Environmental Impact, there is no evidence that this project will have an adverse effect on wildlife resources or the habitat on which wildlife depends. The City Planner shall file a California Department of Fish and Game Certificate of Fee Exemption, with the appropriate fee. SECTION 3. The City Council hereby amends pages III -21 and III -22 of the Housing Element adopted in March 1990 to read as shown in the pages attached to this Resolution as Exhibit A and by this reference incorporated herein. ,SECTION 4. The City Council hereby approves and certifies the Negative Declaration for the General Plan Amendment attached to this Resolution as Exhibit B and by this reference incorporated herein. ATTEST: SECTION 5. The City Clerk shall certify the adoption of this resolution. PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED THIS 28TH DAY OF JANUARY, 1992. Judith E. McDonnell, City Clerk Birbara J. Mayor I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution No. 5530 was adopted at a regular meeting of the Downey City Council held on the 28th day of January, 1992, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: 4 COUNCIL MEMBERS: Cormack, Boggs, Brazelton NOES: 1 = COUNCIL MEMBERS: Hayden ABSENT: 0 COUNCIL MEMBERS: None VACANCY - DISTRICT 2 I • 7 ,X ) :ter £ ' f Judith E. McDonnell,City Clerk IV. DISCUSSION OF ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION The following sections discuss the yes, maybe, and no responses given in the Initial Study Checklist for General Plan Amendment 91.107 and Code Amendment 91 -101. The responses were prepared assuming construction of senior citizen housing developments according to the standards proposed by the general plan and code amendments. 1. Earth a. Senior citizen developments as proposed would not create unstable geologic conditions or impact any geologic substructures. The land would be properly graded to support the new structures. b. Soils will be disrupted or displaced only during new construction. Such disruption will be no greater than that of the commercial, medical, or multi - family development that would otherwise be built at the location of any senior housing development. Because any disruption would occur only for a limited period of time, impacts would not be significant. c. Downey is relatively flat with a total elevation change of approximately 60 feet. Topography may be altered slightly, however, to accommodate such features as subterranean parking or to build landscaped berms in setback areas. Such topographic changes would not be significant. d. Unique geologic features have not been identified in the areas of Downey when senior housing would be permitted. Some land will be covered by new development but such coverage will not likely be significant. e. Developing senior housing will cover parcels with impervious surfaces, which would reduce erosion of the sites involved. Future erosion would be minimal, u any portions of the site not covered with structures or impervious surfaces would be required to be landscaped. f. Downey is a developed community a significant distance from the ocean. Much of the land where senior housing might be built will have been previously improved. New development will not be capable of eroding or silting natural water courses. 9. Residential development at the higher densities allowed by these planning actions will cause more people to inhabit the properties involved, exposing people to any geologic hazards of the sites. Downey is not considered to have unusual geologic hazards, however. Also, new construction would be built to current earthquake safety standards. No additional geologic hazards would occur as a result of construction of senior housing according to these standards. 2. s a. New residential development would create emissions, but release of pollutants is not expected to be significant because residential developments typically will generals fewer vehicle trips daily than the medical or commercial developments that might otherwise occupy the affected sites. Further, senior citizens are expected to have fewer vehicles and to take fewer vehicle trips than most households. Therefore, although density may be greater, air emissions may not be higher than standard multi - family housing an the same parcel. b. /c. Residential development typically does not include activities or materials that produce objectionable odors. AN trash wiN be stored in enclosures. Senior housing allowed under these standards would not be of a scope or magnitude that would affect the climate or regional or local air temperatures. 3. Water a. No marine waters are located in Downey. New senior housing developments would not be of a magnitude to affect the currents of any groundwaters. Initial Study Discussion - 1 b. Senior citizen developments will cover portions of the affected parcels with impervious surfaces, decreasing absorption rates and increasing surface runoff. Most parcels in the affected areas, however, have previously been developed with other uses, and absorption, drainage and runoff of a senior housing development would not likely differ significantly from existing runoff rates and patterns. On -site drainage of new developments will be constructed to the standards of the Engineering and Building and Safety Divisions to avoid adverse impacts on surrounding properties. Irrigation systems for landscaped areas are approved by the Design Review Board. c. Senior housing would not be of a size or location that would alter the course or flow rate of flood waters. No natural bodies of water exist in the areas where senior housing might be built. d. /e. Because of the drainage standards required by the Engineering Division, runoff from new develop- ments will not impact surface water quality. Direct discharge into surface waters from new senior citizen housing will not be permitted. f. Although senior housing developments will introduce residential uses and higher densities to certain areas and will use water, new senior housing will not likely be of a scale to cause the direction or flow rate of ground waters to change. g. /h. Downey's municipal water system would supply the needs of new senior housing developments, which may place greater demand on existing groundwater supplies and delivery systems than the existing uses of eligible properties (including medical, commercial, and residential uses, and vacant land). Because senior developments would be permitted in a relatively small area of the city —and then only on a few parcels greater than one acre —the impact would be less than significant and the amount of water available for public use would not be greatly reduced. Further, all new construction will be built to current Fire Department standards. i. Most areas affected by this general plan amendment and code amendment are located away from natural and constructed water bodies and water courses. Some areas in which senior housing may be permitted are shown in the most recent (May 1991) Flood Insurance Study Work Map prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency IFEMA) to be subject to various degrees of flooding in the event of a 100 -year flood. New projects in these areas will be required to meet FEMA regulations to floodproof structures so residents are not exposed to flooding. Projects in Downey will not expose people to tidal wave hazard. 4. Plant Lift a. Development of a parcel decreases the area available for plant life. However, landscaping will be required in all new senior citizen housing developments. New plant species may be introduced to the various sites. The Design Review Board will review the landscaping plans and plant palettes of new senior citizen housing developments for appropriateness. b. Properties proposed for senior citizen housing developments will be reviewed for existence of rare endangered species at the time of application. However, no unique or endangered plant species are known to exist in Downey. c. New plant species may be introduced to affected sites, but they will not differ from species used in Downey for conventional landscaping projects. d. There are no agricultural uses in the areas in which senior housing wiN be permitted. 5. Animal Life a. /b. This action would not affect the presence or numbers of any animal species, fish, or game on affected parcels, except for household pets permitted by the Downey Municipal Code. Further, no unique or endangered species are known to inhabit Downey. Initial Study Discussion - 2 c. No new species of animals, including fish and game —other than common household pets —would be introduced to eligible parcels as a result of these actions. The areas in which senior housing may be constructed are part of a built, urban environment and are not part of any animal migration route. d. No fish or wildlife habitats exist in Downey. 6. Nois a. Because development will generate vehicle trips, noise levels in the surrounding communities may increase slightly. The affected areas are already developed with commercial, office, medical, and residential uses, which frequently produce more vehicle trips land more noise) per day than senior citizen housing units. Therefore, any increase in noise is not expected to be significant. Housing, and particularly units occupied by senior citizens, does not typically generate significant noise. Most potential senior housing sites are located near major streets like Firestone and Paramount Boulevards and near the Southern Pacific Railroad, which produce more noise than that anticipated from senior citizen housing developments. b. Residential development, particularly units occupied by senior citizens, does not typically produce or expose people to severe noise levels. Senior citizen housing developments will be required to achieve an interior noise standard of 45dB. 7. Licht and Glare New residential developments will produce some Tight and may have reflective surfaces, but such Tight would be similar to that produced by other multiple- family developments and most senior housing developments will be in commercial and medical areas, which are less sensitive to light - producing projects. 8. Land Use a. These proposals set standards for senior citizen housing developments. Although they will allow residential development in commercial and medical zones, these uses are already permitted by the current General Plan and zoning with a conditional use permit. Therefore, these actions will not result in a substantial change to the present or planned land use. Changes will be made to the standards of development rather than to the type of land use permitted. These actions will prohibit further senior housing in the C -1 and C -2 zones. b. Senior citizen housing developments will affect some surrounding uses, but any effects, however, are anticipated to be positive. Senior housing will provide patrons for nearby businesses in the Downtown and for medical facilities in the H -M zone. The proposed cods amendment will require that the Planning Commission deternhine that proposed senior housing developments are compatible with the surrounding neighborhoods. Further, the maximum density of senior housing m the R -3 zone 130 units /acre) will be much loser to the standard density of that zone (24 units/acre) than previous developments 175.84 units/acre). The proposed amendments will establish consistency between the general plan and zoning requirements. 9. Natural Reeeymeee = New residerldel development will require water and electricity, but because residential demand does not differ greatly from that of medical and commercial uses, and because of the limited location and size of senior d . , impacts are not expected to be significant. 10. Risk of Uoaet a. Senior housing developments are not expected to foster a risk of upset because of the generally non- hazardous nature of residential land use. Use of hazardous materials that may be employed in operation of a housing development is governed by the Hazardous Materials chapter 11990) of Downey's General Plan and by Fire Department regulations. b. Senior developments in the proposed areas will not likely interfere with emergency response or evacuation plans. Most senior housing will be located near the center of Downey, accessible to City services such as police and fire protection as well as to Downey Community Hospital. Initial Study Discussion • 3 Esuasgato New senior housing developments will affect the location, density, distribution, and possibly the growth rate of Dovvney's population. These proposals will encourage housing units to be constructed at greater than usual density in locations such as Downtown, which do not have significant numbers of housing units. Senior housing, however, is permitted in these areas under current the current Municipal Code, so this action does not grant permission to establish a resident population where such permission does not already exist. Although the ordinance will allow greater densities in the R -3 zone, the average household size of senior housing will likely be less than the 2.6 persons- per -unit average for the rest of Downey. Construction of senior housing developments will not likely displace currant residents. Availability of senior housing units may increase the number of persons over 62 wanting to move into Downey. 12. Housing These actions may result in greater numbers of housing units in Downey. Developers will be required to provide a market study to show that demand for senior housing exists and is anticipated to remain before a project may be approved. Therefore, senior housing developments in Downey will be responding to demand more than creating it, although increasing availability of senior units in Downey may sharpen demand among people 62 years old and over to move into Downey. The proposals will not result in the loss of housing units. 13. Transoortation /Circulation a. Residential units typically produce six vehicle trips per day per unit. Therefore, all senior housing developments will generate traffic. The number of trips, however, may be fever than those that would have been produced by commercial or medical uses on the same sites. Further, senior households are likely to produce fewer vehicle trips per day than non - senior households. Senior households often own fewer vehicles. Further, under the requirements of these amendments, senior housing must be located near community services to encourage walking and near transit stops to encourage bus use. With the combined effects of these factors, the impact of traffic from senior citizen developments is not expected to be significant. The Traffic Engineering Division will recom- mend measures to mitigate traffic impacts during the conditional use permit process on a case -by -case basis. b. On -site parking will be provided for all new senior developments. The proposed amendments establish parking standards for senior housing based on the experiences of other communities, residents of the existing independent - living development in Downey, and senior housing developers. Therefore. these actions would not create demand for new off-sits parking, nor would they affect existing parking facilities. c. Senior housing will be sited so that residents have access to transit systems. Most units will be within walking distance of Firestone and Paramount Boulevards, which have scheduled bus service. Because senior units in Downey will also be located within walking distance of many services seniors might need, because the number of seniors riding a particular bus at one time is likely to be small. and because the City of Downey provides Dial -a -Ride transportation services for senior citizens, these amendments will not substantially impact the existing transportation system. d. Senior housing developments may alter pedestrian circulation patterns of people in the Downtown. Because that area of Downey is completely served by sidewalks and was the original pedestrian center of the community. changes in pedestrian patterns can be accommodated by existing improvements. Where necessary, pedestrian safety may be protected by conditions imposed at the time of the project approval. Senior citizen housing will not impede movement of vehicles or goods along the street network. Half of the guest parking spaces must be located outside of security gates, so that vehicles do not block public streets. e. Senior developments will not affect the routing of waterborne, rail, or air traffic. Senior housing will be discouraged immediately adjacent to rail lines. Initial Study Discussion . 4 CITY OF DOWNEY INITIAL STUDY OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS I. BACKGROUND 1. Name of Proponent b. The creation of objectionable odors? Environmental Cheeklist - 1 City of Downey 2. Address and Phone Number of Proponent 11111 Brookshire Ave. Downey 90241 !?,U? 869 -7331 3. Date Checklist was Submitted Auaust 8. 1991 4. Name of Proposal, if applicable senior Citizen Housina Standards Sjnior Citizen Housina Ordinance 5. Application Number(m) General Plan Amendment 91 -107; Code Amendment 91 -101 6. Description proposals to revise sr. housing standards listed in the City's aen eral plan. and to amend the City's zonina ordinance to implement those standards. 7. Location H -M. C -3. and R -3 zon *s II. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT'S 1. Earth. Will the proposal result in: a. Unstable earth conditions or in changes in geologic substructures? b. Disruptions, displacements, compaction or overcovering of the soil? c. Change in topography or ground surface relief features? d. The destruction, covering or modification of any unique geologic or physi- cal feature? e. Any increase in wind or water erosion of soils, either on or off the site? f. Changes in deposition or erosion of beach sands, or changes in siltation, deposition or erosion which may modify the channel of a river, stream, or bed of the ocean or any bay, inlet or lake? g. Exposure of people or property to geologic hazards such as earthquakes, landslides, mudslides, ground failure, or similar hazards? 2. Air. Will the proposal result in: a. Substantial air emissions or deterioration of ambient air quality? c. Alteration of air movement, moisture, or temperature, or any change in climate, either locally or regionally? is Maybe Ns 3. Water. Will the proposal result in: a. Changes in currents, or the course of direction of water movements, in either marine or fresh waters? b. Changes in absorption rates, drainage patterns, or the rate and amount of surface runoff! Lel Maybe No X c. Alterations to the course or flow of flood waters? d. Change in the amount of surface water in any water body? e. Discharge into surface waters, or in any alteration of surface water quality, including but not limited to temperature, dissolved oxygen or turbidity? f. Alterations of the direction or rate of flow of ground waters? g. Change in the quantity of ground waters, either through direct additions or withdrawals, or through interception of aquifer by cuts or excavations? — h. Substantial reduction in the amount of water otherwise available for public water supplies? — i. Exposure of people or property to water - related hazards such as flooding or tidal waves? — — 4. Plant Life. Will the proposal result in: a. Change in the diversity of species, or number of any species of plants (in- cluding trees, shrubs, grass, crops, and aquatic plants)? b. Reduction in the numbers of any unique, rare or endangered species of plants? — — c. Introduction of new species of plants into an area, or in a barrier to the nor- mal replenishment of existing species? — — d. Reduction in acreage of any agricultural crop? — — _X_ * Will the loss of existing vegetation be adequately compensated for by con endonal project landscaping? Yes S. Animal Life. Will the proposal result in: a. Change in the diversity of species, or numbers of any species of animals (birds, land animals including reptiles, fish and shellfish, benthic organisms or insects)? — b. Reduction of the numbers of any unique, rare or endangered species of ani- mals? — — _X_ Environmental Checklist - 2 c. Introduction of new species of animals into an area or result in a barrier to the migration or movement of animals? _ _ X d. Deterioration to existing fish or wildlife habitats? _ _ X 6. Noise. Will the proposal result in: a. Increase in existing noise levels? _ b. Exposure of people to severe noise levels? _ 7. Light and Glare. Will the proposal produce new light or glare? S. Land Use. Will the proposal result in: a. Substantial alteration of the present or planned land use of an area? _ b. Will the project have a substantial impact on surrounding land uses? * _ * Is the project consistent with the General Plan Land Use designation and zoning requirements? The proposals will establish consistency. 9. Natural Resources. Will the proposal result in increase in the rate of use of any natural resources? Maybe do 10. Risk of Upset. Will the proposal involve: a. A risk of an explosion or the release of hazardous substances (including, but not limited to oil, pesticides, chemicals or radiation) in the event of an acci- dent or upset conditions? _ b. Possible interference with an emergency response plan or an emergency evacuation plan? 11. Population. Will the proposal alter the location, distribution, density, or growth rate of the human population of an area? * Estimated population displaced: 0 * Population anticipated: number will vary 12. Housing. Will the proposal affect existing housing, or create a demand for additional housing? * Housing units lost: .0 * Housing units proposed: ten to 50 units /acre on eligible parcels 13. Transportation /Circulation. Will the proposal result in: a. Generation of substantial additional vehicular movement? * .� b. Effects on existing parking facilities, or demand for new parking? c. Substantial impact upon existing transportation systems? _ _ Environmental Checklist - 3 e. Alterations to waterborne, rail, or air traffic? f. Increase in traffic hazards to motor vehicles, bicyclists, or pedestrians? • Anticipated traffic generation: 6 trips per unit vehicle trip ends daily. 14. Public Services. Will the proposal have an effect upon, or result in a need for new or altered governmental services in any of the following areas: a. Fire Protection? b. Police Protection? c. Schools? d. Parks or other recreational facilities? e. Maintenance of public facilities, including roads? f. Other governmental services? 15. Energy. Will the proposal result in a substantial increase in the use of an energy source or require the development of new sources of energy? 16. Utilities. Will the proposal result in a need for new systems, or substantial alterations to existing utilities? 17. Human Health. Will the proposal result in: a. Creation of any health hazard or potential health hazard (excluding mental health)? b. Exposure of people to potential health hazards? 18. Aesthetics. Will the proposal result in the obstruction of any scenic vista or view open to the public, or will the proposal result in the creation of an aes- thetically otkmiie site open to public view? 19. Recreation. Will the proposal result in an impact upon the quantity of existing recreational opportunities? Eaviroomeunl Checklist - 4 :Maybe No d. Alterations to present patterns of circulation or movement of people and /or goods? X X X X X X X 20. Cultural Resources. a. Will the proposal result in the alteration of or the destruction of a prehistor- ic or historic archaeological site? _ — X b. Will the proposal result in adverse physical or aesthetic effects to a prehis- toric or historic building, structure, or object? ,_ — X c. Does the proposal have the potential to cause a physical change which would affect unique ethnic cultural values? d. Will the proposal restrict existing religious or sacred uses within the poten- tial impact area? III. MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE Does the project have the potential to degrade the quality of the environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self - sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, reduce the number or restrict the range of a rare or endangered plant or animal or eliminate important examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory? 2. Does the project have the potential to achieve short-term, to the disadvantage of long -term, environmental goals? (A short -term impact on the environment is one which occurs in a relatively brief, definitive period of time while long- term impacts will endure into the future.) — — 3. Does the project have impacts which are individually limited, but cumulatively considerable? (A project may impact two or more separate resources where the impact on each resource is relatively small, but where the effect of the total of those impacts on the environment is significant.) — — _X_ 4. Does the project have environmental effect which will cause substantial adverse effects on human being, either directly or indirectly? — _ ._X IV. DISCUSSION OF ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION See attached sheets. Nt No V. DETERMINATION On the basis of this Initial Study: }� I find that the proposed project COULD NOT have a significant effect on the environment. and NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared. I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, there w i;. not be a significant effect in this case because the mitigation measures described on an attached shed' have been added to the project. A NEGATIVE DECLARATION WILL BE PREPARED. I find the proposed project MAY have a significant effect on the environment and an ENVIRONMEN- TAL IMPACT REPORT IS REQUIRED. — Ss:Trat R 19 ! , Date Signature VI. OTHER AGENCIES AND /OR PERSONS CONSULTED: Environmental Checklig - 6 f. New development will introduce both vehicle traffic and pedestrians to the various sites involved, which could increase traffic hazards to motor vehicles, bicycles, or pedestrians. The entire Downtown area is already served by sidewalks, and adequate off street parking will be required. Therefore, impacts will be less than significant. Any hazards created will not be greater than those imposed by other types of land use on the same properties. 14. Public Services a. /b. Senior housing developments will require police and fire protection. Impacts to the police and fire systems will not be significant. Senior developments will be required to install security systems, including in parking areas, to deter crime. In addition, any new structures would be built to current fire safety standards. Finally, most senior housing will be located near the center of Downey, where response times of police and fire services are minimal. c. Because these units will be occupied by senior citizens, local schools will not be significantly impacted. Children will live in senior citizen developments only in rare instances (e.g., as a child of a resident manager). d. Resident senior citizens will use Downey's parks, recreation facilities and recreation programs. Facilities such as the Downey City Library, Theater, and Swimming Pool will be close to most senior developments. Most parks are located some distance from the center of the community. A larger senior population may require that more programs directed at senior citizens be developed. The proposed amendments, however, provide usable open space requirements that exceed those of the standard multi- family housing. Facilities such as game courts, mufti- purpose rooms, sitting alcoves and resident gardens are encouraged. Such amenities, and the increased amount of open space provided per unit, will reduce use of publicly - maintained parks and services and shift it to the private property of the development itself. e./f. Senior citizens will use facilities such as the library and the senior center in Apollo Park, which must be maintained. Maintenance needs, however, are not expected to differ from those normally anticipated for those facilities. Senior housing will not significantly affect maintenance of roadways, although crosswalks near senior developments may need to be repainted more frequently. Over time, as the number of senior citizens increases, needs for a publicly- maintained senior citizen facility may increase. Open space requirements and requirements that senior housing be located near other community services and amenities will reduce this pressure and possibly postpone the date that such a center might have to be opened. 15. nerov New developments will use electricity, natural gas, and water. The needs of residential uses, however, are not expected to be significantly greater than those of the commercial and medical uses that have been anticipated for most of the candidate sites. New developments will be built to current energy efficiency standards. No new energy sources would be required. 16. Utilities All senior housing proposals will be reviewed by the Engineering Division during the conditional use permit approval pAOwa. Because senior housing units will be located in various areas served by different storm drain and sewer systems, conditions that mitigate impacts to those systems can be identified and imposed at the time of project approval. New units are not expected to significantly affect existing communication, water, and natural gas systems. New developments will be required to comply with the City's program to implement AB939 to reduce solid waste, as that program is developed. 17. Human jinn a./b. Senior housing developments will not create unique or unusual health hazards or potential health risks. Most senior developments will be located near existing medical facilities. Senior housing does not pose health hazards other than those typically associated with residential land use. Features such as double banisters on all stairways will be required to enhance the safety of residents. Initial Study Discussion . 5 18. Anti WSJ Downey is flat and not within a scenic vista or view corridor. The Planning Commission will be required to determine that Proposed developments are compatible with their surrounding neighborhoods. Further, architecture and landscaping of new residential developments requires Design Review Board approval. 19. Recreation Residents of new developments may use park and recreation facilities. Facilities such as the Downey City Library, Theater, end Swimming Pool will be close to most senior developments. Most parks are located some distance from the center of the community. A larger senior population may require more programs directed at senior citizens to be developed. The proposed amendments, however, provide usable open space requirements that exceed those of standard multi- family housing. Facilities such as game courts, multi - purpose rooms, sitting alcoves and resident gardens are encouraged. Such amenities, and the increased amount of open space provided per unit, will reduce use of publicly - maintained parks and services and shift it to the private property of the development itself. Therefore, although recreation program demand in the City may shift, the quantity of recreational facilities may not need to be increased. Finally, the area where most senior developments are anticipated is not a recreational area or planned for such an area. 20. Cultural Resource= a /b /c /d. The historic importance of a site — including its structures, archaeology, religious or sacred uses, and history or prehistory—must be evaluated with each proposal, and conditions may be imposed where determined necessary by the Planning Commission to protect historic resources. Although the area where most senior housing will be located is the historic core of Downey, no working archaeological sites are known. Senior housing in this area of Downey is not likely to hsnn any ethnic groups or cultural values. No impacts to cultural resources are anticipated. III. MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE 1. The land use proposed does not have the potential to degrade the quality of the environment or impact wildlife populations or their habitats. 2. No long -term environmental goals would be compromised by the proposed planning actions. 3. The proposed land use is not anticipated to produce limited individual impacts which, taken together, would be considerable. 4. The proposed planning action would not have environmental effects that would cause substantial adverse effects or pose health hazards to human beings. initial Study Discussion - 6