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General Plan - Sections 9.0, 10.0, 11.0

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9.0    NOISE ELEMENT

10.0    HUMAN SERVICES ELEMENT
10.10  Human Services Coordination
10.20  Family Needs
10.30  Day Care
10.40  Recreation
10.50  Health
10.60  Education

11.0   ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT


9.0    NOISE ELEMENT

The Noise Element provides a comprehensive program to achieve and maintain land use compatibility with environmental noise levels. It identifies noise sources and noise sensitive land uses, and defines in the text or on a map areas of noise impact for the purpose of developing programs to ensure that Redlands residents will be protected from excessive noise intrusion, both now and in the future. Everyday sounds normally range from 30 dBA (very quiet) to 100 dBA (very loud).

The Noise Element follows State guidelines in the State Government Code Section 653021(g) and Section 46050.1 of the Health and Safety Code. The text, GP Figure 9.1, Projected Noise, Buildout, tables, and illustration which comprise the Element quantify the long-term community noise environment based on traffic projections at buildout. A Technical Appendix published within the Master Environmental Assessment (including MEA Figure 14.1 showing baseline 1994 noise levels within the Planning Area) contains a more comprehensive inventory of current and forecast noise conditions, background information on noise, health effects of noise, methodology, measurement and modeling results, and bibliography.

Noise has been defined as unwanted sound and it is known to have several adverse effects on people. From those known effects of noise, criteria have been established to help protect the public health and safety and prevent disruption of certain human activities. This criteria is based on such known effects of noise on people as hearing loss (not generally a factor with community noise), communication interference, sleep interference, physiological responses and annoyance. Each of these potential noise impacts are briefly discussed below:

Hearing Loss. Hearing loss is not, in general, a concern in community noise problems. The potential for noise induced hearing loss is more commonly associated with occupational noise exposures in heavy industry or very noisy work environments with long-term exposure. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) identifies a noise exposure limit of 90 dBA for 8 hours per day to protect from hearing loss. Noise in neighborhoods, even in very noisy airport environments near major international airports, is not sufficiently loud to cause hearing loss.

Communication Interference is one of the primary concerns in environmental noise problems. Communication interference includes speech interference and interference of activities such as watching television. Normal conversational speech is in the range of 60 to 65 dBA and any noise in this range or louder may interfere with speech. There are specific methods of describing speech interference as a function of distance between speaker and listener and voice level. GP Figure 9.2, Speech Communications as a Function of Background Noise Level, shows the percent of sentence intelligibility with respect to various noise levels.

Sleep Interference is a major noise concern in noise assessment and, of course, is most critical during nighttime hours. Sleep disturbance is one of the major causes of annoyance due to community noise. Noise can make it difficult to fall asleep, create momentary disturbances of natural sleep patterns by causing shifts from deep to lighter stages and cause awakening. Noise may even cause awakening that a person may or may not be able to recall.

Extensive research has been conducted on the effect of noise on sleep disturbance. Recommended values for desired sound levels in residential bedroom space range from 25 to 45 dBA with 35 to 40 dBA being the norm. The National Association of Noise Control Officials has published data on the probability of sleep disturbance with various single event noise levels. Based on experimental sleep data as related to noise exposure, a 75 DBA interior noise level event will cause noise induced awakening in 30 percent of the cases.

GP Figure 9.1, Projected Noise, Buildout

GP Figure 9.2, Speech Communications as a Function of Background Noise Level

Physiological Responses are those measurable effects of noise on people which are realized as changes in pulse rate, blood pressure, etc. While such effects can be induced and observed, the extent is not known to which these physiological responses cause harm or are signs of harm. Generally, physiological responses are a reaction to a loud short term noise such as a rifle shot or a very loud jet overflight.

Annoyance is the most difficult of all noise responses to describe. Annoyance is a very individual characteristic and can vary widely from person to person. What one person considers tolerable can be quite unbearable to another of equal hearing capability. The level of annoyance, of course, depends on the characteristics of the noise (i.e., loudness, frequency, spectra, time, and duration), and how much activity interference (e.g., speech interference and sleep interference) results from the noise. However, the level of annoyance is also a function of the attitude of the receiver. Personal sensitivity to noise varies widely. It has been estimated that 2 to 10 percent of the population is highly susceptible to noise not of their own making, while approximately 20 percent are unaffected by noise. Attitudes are affected by the relationship between the person and the noise source. (Is it our dog or the neighbor's?) Whether we believe that someone is trying to abate the noise will also affect our level of annoyance.

Noise Sources and Receptors
The predominant noise sources in Redlands are motor vehicles, aircraft, and trains. Freeways and a number of arterials expose nearby areas to significant noise levels. Aircraft from Redlands Municipal Airport and other aircraft overflights impact the Planning Area. Although military use of Norton Air Force Base has ended, aircraft occasionally use the airport. Depending on the eventual reuse of that facility, the level of aircraft flights (and, therefore, noise) generated at the airport can be expected to increase, affecting areas within Redlands. The Southern Pacific railroad mainline runs through San Timoteo Canyon. The Santa Fe line runs through downtown Redlands and the residential areas to the east before turning north through Mentone. To a lesser degree, Redlands is also exposed to noise emanating from sources such as industrial and commercial facilities, and from construction and human activities.

Noise affects all types of human activities and land uses, although some land uses are more sensitive to high noise levels than others. Land uses in Redlands identified as noise sensitive include residences of all types, hospitals, rest homes, convalescent hospitals, churches and schools. The most highly impacted areas in Redlands are the residences located adjacent to the I-10 freeway, especially where freeway sections are elevated above the adjacent land uses. An elevated noise source is much harder to mitigate than one that is at or below the grade of the adjacent land uses unless a noise barrier is constructed at the edge of the elevated roadway. Locations of highly impacted areas may be found on the noise contour maps, as described below.

Noise Contour Maps
Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL) is a 24-hour average describing a noise environment consisting of a variety of single events. To account for increased sensitivity to noise during nighttime hours, the CNEL calculation penalizes evening and night sound levels. The decibel (dB) scale is logarithmic; a 3 dB difference is barely discernible to most people, and a 10 dB increase is subjectively heard as a doubling of noise. Everyday sounds normally range from 30 dB (very quiet) to 100 dB (very loud).

A "noise contour map" shows as closed contours those areas subject to the same noise levels, much as a topographic map shows as closed contours those areas of similar elevation. Noise contours for 1994 conditions are reproduced in the MEA as MEA Figure 14.1, Existing Noise, 1994. The number of homes exposed to roadway noise levels greater than 60 CNEL in the future will increase due to future residential construction and traffic volume increases. The number of homes exposed to aircraft noise is anticipated to increase or decrease depending upon the reuse of Norton Air Force Base. In order to protect residents from excessive noise from aircraft overflights, the City Council has maintained a policy of restricting residential development under the 65 CNEL airport noise contour. The General Plan proposes no new residential units within the Airport 65 CNEL Contour. Railroad-related noise is anticipated to stay about the same (with an average 28 daily train operations) and will subject new homes within 600 feet of the track in San Timoteo Canyon to noise levels exceeding 60 CNEL.

GP Figure 9.1, Projected Noise, Buildout, shows noise levels projected for buildout conditions. Contours represent the dB CNEL noise level measured from the street centerline, and do not include the mitigating effect of noise barriers or topography.

The 60 dB CNEL contours are shown on both MEA Figure 14.1 and GP Figure 9.1. The 60 dB CNEL contour represents the outer boundary of the Noise Referral Zone, within which any proposed noise sensitive land use should be evaluated on a project-specific basis and may require mitigation to meet City or State (Title 24) standards. The 65 CNEL contours are also shown on the figures where they are far enough from a roadway to allow them to be seen at this scale.

The 60 CNEL contour represents the level for which any new residential development that is not shielded will require mitigation in order to comply with local noise standards. It is easily seen on MEA Figure 14.1 and GP Figure 9.1 that some residential areas are and will be exposed to noise levels that exceed 60 CNEL.

Existing noise contours, based upon noise measurements taken throughout the City, were used as a guide for establishing a pattern of land uses that minimizes noise exposure to the community.

Policy Approach to Mitigation
State and federal agencies regulate vehicle noise emission from the source, but local governments have little direct control of transportation noise at the source. The most effective methods available to the City to mitigate transportation noise are locating sensitive uses away from noise sources, construction of noise barriers, and site design review.

GP Table 9.1, Land Use Compatibility for Community Noise Environments, may be used to assess the compatibility of proposed land uses with the noise environment. These criteria are the basis for specific Noise Standards. These standards, shown in GP Table 9.2, Interior and Exterior Noise Standards, are the General Plan policy for acceptable noise exposure. They are the primary tools that allow the City to ensure integrated planning for compatibility between land uses and outdoor noise.

Mitigation through the design and construction of a noise barrier (wall, berm, or combination wall/berm) is the most common way of alleviating traffic noise impacts. A noise barrier effect occurs when the "line of sight" between the source and receiver is penetrated by the barrier. The greater the penetration, the greater the noise reduction.

The most effective method to control community noise impacts from non-transportation noise sources is through application of a Community Noise Ordinance. A Noise Ordinance is designed to protect residential areas from stationary noise sources. The noise levels encouraged by the ordinance are typical of a quiet residential area. The City will consider a new Community Noise Ordinance, as noted below in Policy 9.0L.

Guiding Policies: Noise

9.0a   Protect public health and welfare by eliminating existing noise problems where feasible and by preventing significant degradation of the future acoustic environment.

9.0b   Incorporate noise considerations into land use planning decisions.

GP Table 9.1
Noise/Land Use Compatibility Matrix

Land Use Categories Community Noise Equivalent Level
CNEL
Categories Uses < 60    65    70    75    80    85 >
RESIDENTIAL Single Family, Duplex
Multiple Family
A C C C D D D
RESIDENTIAL Mobile Homes A C C C D D D
COMMERCIAL
Regional, District
Hotel, Motel, Transient
Lodging
A A B B C C D
COMMERCIAL
Regional, Village
District, Special
Commercial Retail,
Bank, Restaurant,
Movie Theater
A A A A B B C
COMMERCIAL
INDUSTRIAL
INSTITUTIONAL
Office Building,
Research & Dev.,
Professional Offices, City Office Building
A A A B B C D
COMMERCIAL
Recreation
INSTITUTIONAL
Civic Center
Amphitheater, Concert
Hall, Auditorium,
Meeting Hall
B B C C D D D
COMMERCIAL
Recreation
Childrens Amusement
Park, Miniature Golf
Course, Go-cart Track,
Equestrian Center,
Sports Club
A A A A B B B
COMMERCIAL
General, Special
INDUSTRIAL,
INSTITUTIONAL
Automobile Service
Station, Auto
Dealership,
Manufacturing,
Warehousing,
Wholesale, Utilities
A A A A B B B
INSTITUTIONAL
General
Hospital, Church,
Library, Schools
Classroom
A B C C D D
OPEN SPACE Parks A A A B C D D
OPEN SPACE Golf Course,
Cemeteries,
Nature Centers,
Wildlife Reserves,
Wildlife Habitat
A A A A B C C
AGRICULTURE Agriculture A A A A A A A

GP Table 9.1
Interpretation

ZONE A
CLEARLY COMPATIBLE
Specified land use is satisfactory, based upon the assumption that any buildings involved are of normal conventional construction without any special noise insulation requirements.
ZONE B
NORMALLY COMPATIBLE
New construction or development should be undertaken only after detailed analysis of the noise reduction requirements are made and needed noise insulation features in the design are determined. Conventional construction, with closed windows and fresh air supply systems or air conditioning, will normally suffice.
ZONE C
NORMALLY INCOMPATIBLE
New construction or development should generally be discouraged. If new construction or development does proceed, a detailed analysis of noise reduction requirements must be made and needed noise insulation features included in the design.
ZONE D
CLEARLY INCOMPATIBLE
New construction or development should generally not be undertaken.

Source: Mestre Greve Associates; Guidelines for the Preparation and Content of the Noise Element of the General Plan, prepared by the California Department of Health Services in coordination with The Governor's Office of Planning and Research. Adapted to the City of Redlands' standards.

GP Table 9.2
Interior and Exterior Noise Standards

LAND USE CATEGORIES COMMUNITY NOISE EQUIVALENT LEVEL (CNEL)
ENERGY AVERAGE CNEL
Categories Uses Interior1 Exterior2
RESIDENTIAL Single Family, Duplex, Multiple Family 453 60
Mobile Home --- 604
COMMERCIAL
INDUSTRIAL
INSTITUTIONAL
Hotel, Motel, Transient
Lodging
45 655
Commercial Retail, Bank
Restaurant
55 ---
Office Building, Research
& Development,
Professional Offices, City
Office Building
50 ---
Amphitheater, Concert
Hall, Auditorium, Meeting Hall
45 ---
Gymnasium
(Multipurpose)
50 ---
Sports Club 55 ---
Manufacturing,
Warehousing, Wholesale,
Utilities
60 ---
Movie Theaters 45 ---
INSTITUTIONAL Hospital, Schools
classrooms
45 60
OPEN SPACE Parks --- 60

GP Table 9.2
Interior and Exterior Noise Standards
Interpretation

*    CNEL (Community Noise Equivalent Level) - The average equivalent A-weighted sound level during a 24 hour day, obtained after addition of approximately five decibels to sound levels in the evening from 7 pm to 10 pm and ten decibels to sound levels at night after 10 pm and before 7 am.

1    Indoor environment excluding bathrooms, toilets, closets, corridors.

2    Outdoor environment limited to private yard of single family as measured at the property line; multifamily private patio or balcony which is served by a means of exit from inside; mobile home park; hospital patio; park picnic area; school playground; hotel and recreational area.

3    Noise level requirement with open windows, if they are used to meet natural ventilation requirement.

4    Exterior noise level should be such that interior level will not exceed 45 CNEL.

5    Except those areas affected by aircraft noise.

See also Policy 9-s.
Source: Mestre Greve Associates.

9.0c   Support measures to reduce noise emissions by motor vehicles, aircraft, and trains.

The most efficient and effective means of controlling noise from transportation systems is reducing noise at the source. However, the City has little direct control over source noise levels because of State and federal preemption (i.e., State Motor Vehicle Noise Standards). Cooperative efforts with State and federal offices are essential.

9.0d   Adopt and enforce a Community Noise Ordinance to control non-transportation noise impacts.

Implementing Policies: Noise

Introduction: In addition to the provisions of the following sections 9.0e through 9.0z, it is the policy of the City of Redlands that no land use adjacent to existing residential land shall generate noise in excess of the residential CNEL levels specified in Table 9.1 and Table 9.2 of this Noise Element unless appropriate mitigation measures are imposed to reduce the noise level on adjacent residential property to the standards set forth in Tables 9.1 and 9.2.

9.0e Use the criteria specified in GP Table 9.1 to assess the compatibility of proposed land uses with the projected noise environment, and apply the noise standards in GP Table 9.2, which prescribe interior and exterior noise standards in relation to specific land uses. Do not approve projects that would not comply with the standards in GP Table 9.2.

These tables are the primary tools which allow the City to ensure noise-integrated planning for compatibility between land uses and outdoor noise.

9.0f   Require a noise impact evaluation based on noise measurements at the site for all projects in Noise Referral Zones (B, C, or D) as shown on GP Table 9.1 and on GP Figure 9.1 or as determined from tables in the Appendix, as part of the project review process. Should measurements indicate that unacceptable noise levels will be created or experienced, require mitigation measures based on a detailed technical study prepared by a qualified acoustical engineer (i.e., a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of California with a minimum of three years experience in acoustics).

9.0g   Consider establishing a periodic noise monitoring program to identify progress in achieving noise abatement objectives and to perform necessary updating of the Noise Element and community noise standards.

The California Department of Health Services recommended that noise elements be updated every five years.

9.0h   Minimize potential transportation noise through proper design of street circulation, coordination of routing, and other traffic control measures.

9.0i   Require construction of barriers to mitigate sound emissions where necessary or where feasible, and encourage use of walls and berms to protect residential or other noise sensitive land uses that are adjacent to major roads, commercial, or industrial areas.

9.0j   Require the inclusion of noise mitigation measures in the design of new roadway projects.

9.0k   Ensure the effective enforcement of City, State and federal noise levels by all appropriate City departments.

9.0l   Adopt and enforce a new Community Noise Ordinance to mitigate noise conflicts between adjacent land uses, to ensure that City residents are not exposed to excessive noise levels from existing and new stationary noise sources, and to educate the public regarding noise issues.

A Community Noise Ordinance establishes noise limits, typical of a quiet residential area, that can not be exceeded at the property line of the noise-creating use. The types of noise to be controlled include sources such as amplified sound, street sales, animals, construction and demolition, vibration, powered model vehicles, emergency signaling devices, power tools, air conditioning, and vehicles on private property.

9.0m   Designate one agency or department in the City to act as the noise control coordinator, to ensure the continued operation of the City's noise enforcement efforts, and to establish and maintain coordination among the City agencies involved in noise abatement.

9.0n   Ensure the effective enforcement of City, State, and federal noise levels by all appropriate City departments, and provide quick response to complaints and rapid abatement of noise nuisances within the scope of the City's police power.

9.0o   Establish noise guidelines for City purchasing policy to take advantage of federal regulations and labeling requirements.

9.0p   Coordinate with the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal-OSHA) to provide information on and enforcement of occupational noise requirements within the City.

9.0q   Provide for continued evaluation of truck movements in the City to provide effective separation from residential or other noise sensitive land uses.

9.0r   Encourage the enforcement of State Motor Vehicle noise standards for cars, trucks, and motorcycles through coordination with the California Highway Patrol and Redlands Police Department.

9.0s   Require mitigation to ensure that indoor noise levels for residential living spaces not exceed 45 dB LDN/CNEL due to the combined effect of all exterior noise sources.

The Uniform Building Code (specifically, the California Administrative Code, Title 24, Part 6, Division T25, Chapter 1, Subchapter 1, Article 4, Sections T25-28) requires that "Interior community noise levels (CNEL/LDN) with windows closed, attributable to exterior sources shall not exceed an annual CNEL or LDN of 45 dB in any habitable room." The code requires that this standard be applied to all new hotels, motels, apartment houses and dwellings other than detached single-family dwellings.

Policy 9-s sets the maximum acceptable interior noise level at 45 CNEL. The Noise Referral Zones (65 CNEL) delineate areas within which tests to ensure compliance are to be required for new structures.

9.0t   Require proposed commercial projects near existing residential land use to demonstrate compliance with the Community Noise Ordinance prior to approval of the project.

9.0u   Require all new residential projects or replacement dwellings to be constructed near existing sources of non-transportation noise (including but not limited to commercial facilities or public parks with sports activities) to demonstrate via an acoustical study conducted by a Registered Engineer that the indoor noise levels will be consistent with the limits contained in the Community Noise Ordinance.

9.0v   Consider the following impacts as possibly "significant":

  • An increase in exposure of four or more dB if the resulting noise level would exceed that described as clearly compatible for the affected land use, as established in GP Table 9.1 and GP Table 9.2;
  • Any increase of six dB or more, due to the potential for adverse community response.

9.0w   Limit hours for all construction or demolition work where site-related noise is audible beyond the site boundary.

9.0x   Work with Caltrans to establish sound walls along freeways where appropriate.

9.0y   Minimize impacts of loud trucks by requiring that maximum noise levels due to single events be controlled to 50 dB in bedrooms and 55 dB in other habitable spaces.

9.0z   Coordinate with the San Bernardino International Airport Authority to minimize potential noise impacts to the City of Redlands which may result from overflights as specific airport operations and flight patterns are established.



10.0    HUMAN SERVICES ELEMENT

Surveys for the Redlands 2000 report (1988) revealed a need for a coordinated effort to ensure equitable distribution of human services and increase public awareness about the availability of human services. As with the rest of California, Redlands' population is becoming more diverse, the shares of old and young are increasing, and there are fewer stay-at-home mothers. There continues to be an increase in single-parent families and in teenage parents. These trends accentuate the need for effective human services for all ages to maintain a healthy community.

 

10.10    Human Services Coordination

Guiding Policies: Human Services Coordination

10.10a   Establish a centralized organization to coordinate and direct human services provided by the public and private sectors and perform the functions listed in implementing policies below.

A coordinated effort is necessary in order to maintain or increase the quality of human services without significantly increasing the tax burden on City residents, ensure the equitable distribution of human services and increase public awareness about the availability of human services.

10.10b   Establish guidelines for planning, coordinating and evaluating current and proposed programs.

10.10c   Support processes which ensure that those who are most affected by human services programs are centrally involved in the formation, implementation and evaluation of policies.

10.10d   Advocate human rights and support services in the community for individuals, families, and homeless people.

10.10e   Provide a communications network for human services agencies.

10.10f   Assist community organizations in strengthening the service delivery system and encourage cooperation among the agencies to prevent unnecessary duplication of human services.

10.10g   Maintain a human services directory.

10.10h   Develop and maintain a community demographic profile to identify changing needs in the community.

10.10i   Educate the public about human services needs and policies.

10.10j   Develop a transportation network for health, nutritional and recreational needs.

Policies related to transportation may be found in Section 5, Circulation.

Implementing Policies: Human Services Coordination

10.10k   Evaluate and consider the creation of an Office of Human Services and Relations.

10.10l   Evaluate and consider the creation of a Human Services Advisory Commission.

10.10m   Actively pursue and utilize governmental programs which address human services needs.

10.20    Family Needs

Guiding Policies: Family Needs

10.20a   Ensure that the City will consider and respect the impact that its plans, codes, regulations, and ordinances will have on the family.

It is in the interest of the City to nurture the family unit and to be aware of the effect of City policies on day care, housing, recreation, health and schools.

10.20b   Make the City a model for other employers by maintaining personnel policies which support the family needs of its employees.

Implementing Policies: Family Needs

10.20c   Develop and adopt a family policy for the City of Redlands.

10.20d   Develop a plan for partnership with public and private entities to ensure adequate family support programs and recreational opportunities which are affordable and accessible.

10.30    Day Care

Guiding Policies: Day Care

10.30a   Integrate day care needs for children and frail elderly citizens in multigenerational settings into the planning processes of the City.

10.30b   Identify and seek sources of funding for child and adult day care.

10.30c   Assist the private sector in the development and coordination of day care for mildly ill children, handicapped family members, and dependent adults.

10.30d   Assist the private sector in the development and coordination of day care facilities which provide services on a 24-hour basis.

10.30e   Facilitate the development and acquisition of space for day care.

Implementing Policies: Day Care

10.30f   Develop procedures which will expedite the necessary approvals and permits required for construction of day care facilities for children and frail elderly citizens.

10.30g   Provide incentives to developers who include day care in their plans.

10.30h   Develop plans to ensure that new day care centers are located in areas of the community where service is not currently or adequately provided.

10.40    Recreation

Guiding Policy: Recreation

10.40a   Maximize the availability of recreational facilities and activities throughout the City.

  • Maximize the availability of recreational facilities;

Implementing Policies: Recreation

10.40b   Evaluate and strive to ensure that all areas of the community have equal access to recreational facilities and activities.

10.40c   Seek partnerships with schools and private entities to provide more recreational opportunities for citizens.

10.40d   Evaluate and consider expanding after-school recreation programs.

10.40e   Require that the recreational needs of children and adults be addressed in development plans.

See related policies in Section 7.10, Parks and Recreational Open Space.

10.50    Health

Guiding Policies: Health

10.50a   Promote health programs for the prevention of mental and physical illness.

10.50b   Assist the private sector in developing programs to help frail elderly people and the disabled to receive the types of services that foster independence and integration into the community.

Implementing Policies: Health

10.50c   Establish and coordinate community-wide education programs in the areas of substance abuse, sex education and communicable diseases.

10.50d   Coordinate efforts to expand free clinic services and loaned personal medical equipment.

10.50e   Support the provision of nutrition services in the City.

10.50f   Establish a plan to retrofit public facilities to make them accessible to the disabled.

10.60    Education

Guiding Policies: Education

10.60a   Develop and implement programs to assist youth in making successful transitions to adulthood.

10.60b   Improve and increase educational opportunities for all citizens.

10.60c   Utilize cable television services to the greatest extent.

10.60d   Support and cooperate with the Redlands Unified School District and the University of Redlands.

See realted policies in Sections 4.91 and 4.92.

Implementing Policies: Education

10.60e   Provide an emergency alert system and community programming through the cable television system.

10.60f    Encourage the cable television system to provide mobile broadcast capability to cover municipal functions. City Council meetings and other community events.

10.60g   Expand library services in cooperation with the Redlands Unified School District.

10.60h   Coordinate and assist in the environmental education program that teaches about recycling, hazardous waste, landfills, anti-littering and water conservation.

10.60i   Communicate with the Redlands Unified School District to allow for an open and effective exchange of information.

Policies concerning Redlands Unified School District may be found in Section 4.91.





11.0   ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT

The Economic Development Element is a source of information and a statement of public policy to aid citizens, business and industrial firms, the Planning Commission, other agencies and the City staff in making their recommendations for economic development. Further, it provides a framework to assist the City Council in developing and adopting policies and actions affecting the City's economy.

Business and industry, the major sources of jobs, personal income, and tax revenues, perform vital roles in the health of any local economy. A successful business economy can expand to meet the growing employment needs of a region's population, and, through tax contributions, enables local government to provide a wider range of public services.

City governmental policies can have important direct and indirect impacts on business and industrial decisions and operations. Transportation facilities, land use regulations, building codes, and environmental regulations are a few areas which impact the business community. Because a healthy business economy is essential to the quality of life in the City of Redlands, the General Plan will attempt to set a framework where business and industry can continue to profitably operate and expand, while minimizing any adverse effects on the community.

The Economic Development Element is specifically concerned with the creation of an overall strategy to identify development potentials that will broaden and stabilize the City's economic base.

By including an Economic Development Element in a city's General Plan, the city is in a position to regulate the type of future development envisioned for the community. It also ensures that fiscal impact is and will be included in a city's long-range policy setting relating to land use, public services, population, and growth. Economic development plans cannot be separated from the assets and values of the community and its citizens. Healthy and quality economic development may well be the mechanism by which the community goals become reality and by which the quality of life in Redlands will be maintained or enhanced.

Given the average annual population rate (3.16% per year) at which the City has been growing between 1980-1990, the economic future of the City could be questionable due to diminished residential growth and the improvements and City services provided by that type of development. It is essential, therefore, that the City maintain an aggressive role in attracting new businesses and industries, as well as retaining existing ones, that can help to fill any potential economic void, while at the same time providing local employment.

Studies indicate that currently some 40 to 50 percent of the workforce commutes outside this area for employment. Bringing jobs closer to home can mean improved air quality by reducing total vehicle miles traveled. It has been established that people shop for 20 to 30 percent of their needs in the near vicinity of their workplace. It is important, therefore to expand Redlands' employment base and thereby secure a larger daytime population in the City.

City policies on economic development deal with the needs of the existing business community, efforts to attract new employers into the City and actions needed to maintain an educated and skilled labor force to meet industry needs.

Guiding Policies: Economic Development

11.0a   Promote a climate conducive to economic growth and rejuvenation to enhance employment and investment opportunities without sacrificing environmental standards.

11.0b   Seek varied, convenient, high quality office and other commercial uses appropriate to Redlands to support the projected population.

11.0c   Adhere to sound development standards to protect the investment of existing and future commercial and industrial areas.

11.0d   Encourage coordination and balance between economic development and all other aspects of community life.

11.0e   Attract business and industry by providing a wide range of urban amenities and services throughout the City.

11.0f   Establish the appropriate organizational structure for fostering balanced economic development in the City of Redlands.

Implementing Policies: Economic Development
11.0g   Assist in the expansion and retention of existing businesses and industries.

11.0h   Encourage and attract specific types of businesses.

11.0i   Anticipate the demand for commercial and industrial growth and employ governmental mechanisms to maintain a choice of sites, including large parcels, as an attraction to major employers.

11.0j   Through cooperation and support, encourage development of a labor force with skills to meet the needs of the area's businesses and industries.

11.0k   Promote redevelopment and rehabilitation of older commercial and industrial areas to make them more efficient, accessible, aesthetically appealing, and economically viable.

11.0l   Encourage the location of commercial centers according to function and scale of the particular development so that centers of different scales complement one another and each is accessible to the primary market it is designed to serve.

11.0m   Discourage independent commercial development extending along street frontages characterized by multiple curb cuts, proliferation of free-standing signs, congested traffic movement, and poor design features.

11.0n   Strengthen and coordinate the City's economic development information and share this information within the Inland Empire as part of an enhanced effort to improve the competitive positions of both the City and the region.

Industrial and business locational decisions are based in large part on information concerning individual sites (zoning, access, development process, utilities), and the region (labor force, housing, schools, amenities). To compete with other metropolitan areas, the region needs an accurate and coordinated data base to provide this information.

11.0o   Support and assist the long-term development of Redlands Airport and promote complementary land uses surrounding the airport.

11.0p   Support design and development of a transportation system to service the business and industrial needs of the Planning Area in order to minimize congestion and circuitous travel.

 

 

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