Town of Truckee Planning Division Frishman Hollow Phase II Project Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration January 2020 Prepared by 1501 Sports Drive, Suite A, Sacramento, CA 95834 Frishman Hollow Phase II Project Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration TABLE OF CONTENTS A. BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................ 1 B. SOURCES ........................................................................................................................ 3 C. ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS POTENTIALLY AFFECTED .......................................... 4 D. DETERMINATION ............................................................................................................ 4 E. BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION........................................................................... 5 F. PROJECT DESCRIPTION ................................................................................................ 5 G. ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST ................................................................................... 12 I. AESTHETICS. ..................................................................................................... 13 II. AGRICULTURE AND FOREST RESOURCES. .................................................. 17 III. AIR QUALITY. ..................................................................................................... 19 IV. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES. .............................................................................. 28 V. CULTURAL RESOURCES. ................................................................................. 33 VI. ENERGY. ............................................................................................................ 37 VII. GEOLOGY AND SOILS. ..................................................................................... 40 VIII. GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS. .................................................................... 44 IX. HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS. ..................................................... 47 X. HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY. .............................................................. 50 XI. LAND USE AND PLANNING............................................................................... 55 XII. MINERAL RESOURCES. .................................................................................... 56 XIII. NOISE. ................................................................................................................ 57 XIV. POPULATION AND HOUSING. .......................................................................... 66 XV. PUBLIC SERVICES. ........................................................................................... 67 XVI. RECREATION. .................................................................................................... 69 XVII. TRANSPORTATION. .......................................................................................... 70 XVIII. TRIBAL CULTURAL RESOURCES. ................................................................... 76 XIX. UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS. ............................................................... 78 XX. WILDFIRE. .......................................................................................................... 81 XXI. MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE. ................................................. 83 APPENDICES: Appendix A: Air Quality and GHG Modeling Results Appendix B: Biological Summary and Special Status Plant Survey Appendix C: Preliminary Drainage Report Appendix D: Environmental Noise Assessment Appendix E: Traffic Study i January 2020 Frishman Hollow Phase II Project Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration INITIAL STUDY January 2020 A. BACKGROUND 1. Project Title: Frishman Hollow Phase II Project 2. Lead Agency Name and Address: Town of Truckee Planning Division 10183 Truckee Airport Road Truckee, CA 96161 3. Contact Person and Phone Number: Yumie Dahn Associate Planner (530) 582-2918 4. Project Location: 11200 Rue Ivy Truckee, CA 96161 APNs: 019-410-041 and -046 6. Project Sponsor’s Name and Address: The Pacific Companies 430 East State Street, Suite 100 Eagle, ID 83616 7. Existing Land Use Designation: High Density Residential, 6-12 du/acre 8. Proposed Land Use Designation: High Density Residential, 16-18 du/acre 9. Existing Zoning Designation: Multi-Family Residential, 10 du/acre (RM-10) 10. Proposed Zoning Designation: Multi-Family Residential, 18 du/acre (RM-18) 11. Potentially Required Approvals from Other Public Agencies: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Timber Harvest Plan) 12. Surrounding Land Uses and Setting: The project site consists of 9.34 acres located at 11200 Rue Ivy in the Town of Truckee, CA, within Nevada County. The site is comprised of two separate parcels, identified by Assessor’s Parcel Numbers (APNs) 019-410-041 and -046, respectively, as well as the Rue Ivy right-of-way, which loops around Parcel 019-410-041 in the center of the property. Parcel 019-410-041, which includes a total of 2.24 acres, is currently developed with Phase I of the Frishman Hollow affordable housing project (Phase I area). The remainder of the project site outside of the Rue Ivy right-of-way consists primarily of trees and native grasses, with a paved pedestrian trail extending through the site along the western boundary. The project site is surrounded by trees, with an unnamed drainage and Alder Creek Middle School to the west, and State Route (SR) 89 bordering the project site to the Page 1 January 2020 Frishman Hollow Phase II Project Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration east. The project site is currently designated High Density Residential, 6-12 dwelling units per acre (du/acre) by the Town of Truckee 2025 General Plan, and is zoned Multi-Family Residential, 10 du/acre (RM-10). 13. Project Description Summary: The Frishman Hollow Phase II affordable housing project (proposed project) would include development of 68 affordable residential units spread between four buildings (A1, A2, B1, and B2) to be located on approximately 4.87-acres within Parcel 019-410-046, outside of the Rue Ivy roadway loop. Building A1 would be located southeast of the Phase I area, A2 would be located directly southwest of the Phase I area, and B1 and B2 would be located directly north of the Phase I area. The proposed project would include four different unit layouts for each individual building. The layouts would comprise a total of 12 studio units, 12 one-bedroom units, 28 two-bedroom units, and 16 three-bedroom units. Currently, the Town of Truckee is the property owner for the project site, and the Town is partnering with an affordable housing developer to complete the project. The proposed project would include a General Plan Amendment (GPA) to amend the land use of Parcel 019-410-046 from High Density Residential, 6-12 du/acre, to High Density Residential, 16- 18 du/acre, and a Zoning Map Amendment to change the Parcel 019-410-046 zoning from RM-10 to RM-18. Additionally, the proposed project would require approval of a Use Permit for disturbance of slopes greater than 20 percent and a Development Permit. 14. Status of Native American Consultation Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.3.1: Assembly Bill (AB) 52 (Public Resources Code 21080.3.1) requires lead agencies to provide notice to tribes that are traditionally and culturally affiliated with the geographic area of a proposed project early in the CEQA process if they have requested notice of projects proposed within that area. The Town of Truckee has only received requested notice per AB 52 from the United Auburn Indian Community (UAIC); however, the Town also notifies the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California and the T’si Akim Maidu as a courtesy, due to their prevalence in the area. In accordance with AB 52 requirements, the Town of Truckee sent a consultation letter to the UAIC. In addition, letters were sent to the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California and the T’si Akim Maidu. The UAIC responded initially requesting a visit to the project area and copies of archaeological reports and records search results for the proposed project. In a follow-up correspondence, UAIC indicated that a site visit would be difficult due to the pending winter storms. Rather than a site visit at this time, UAIC indicated that they would like the opportunity to conduct a post-ground disturbance visit, at which ground visibility would be better. The Washoe Tribe responded on January 8, 2020 indicating their knowledge of a potential archaeological site in the project vicinity and also requesting the opportunity to review any cultural studies prepared for the project. The Cultural Resources Study prepared for the proposed project by Far Western Anthropological Group was provided to the Washoe Tribe, who requested additional information referenced in the project-specific study. The additional information has been provided. The Washoe Tribe is currently reviewing the additional material and may provide further input. Page 2 January 2020 Frishman Hollow Phase II Project Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration B. SOURCES The following documents are referenced information sources used for the purposes of this Initial Study: 1. California Air Resources Board. Air Quality and Land Use Handbook: A Community Health Perspective. April 2005. 2. California Air Resources Board. The 2017 Climate Change Scoping Plan Update. November 2017. 3. California Building Standards Commission. California