Active and Vibrant Places
The Vision theme, Active and Vibrant Places, and accompanying guiding principles are implemented through goals and policies across the General Plan. These goals and policies focus on creating active and vibrant neighborhoods across the city including a revitalized downtown environment, encouraging and fostering connected neighborhoods and village centers, and providing open spaces for community gatherings.
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Selected Goals and Policies
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Land Use and Community Design (LUD)
LUD-1.1 Balanced Land Uses. Maintain a balanced land use pattern to support a broad range of housing choices, retail businesses, employment opportunities, educational and cultural institutions, entertainment spaces, and other supportive uses within long-established Palmdale neighborhoods and new growth areas.
LUD-1.2 New Complete Neighborhoods. Facilitate the construction of new mixed-use neighborhoods that are well connected to services, transit, amenities, public buildings, and parks and recreational facilities.
LUD-1.3 Access to Amenities. Strive to create development patterns such that the majority of residents are within twenty minutes or less walking distance of a variety of neighborhood-serving uses in Village Centers, such as parks, grocery stores, restaurants, places of worship, cafes, dry cleaners, laundromats, banks, hair care, pharmacies, civic uses, and similar uses.
LUD-1.4 Specific Plan Facilities. Ensure Specific Plans are implemented with timely construction of supportive commercial uses and parks to support new residential uses.
LUD-1.5 Multimodal Connectivity. Promote walking to services, biking and transit use by requiring a high level of connectivity for pedestrians, bicycles, and vehicles in major developments (except where existing development or natural features prohibit connectivity). Seek to improve walk, bike, and transit travel within existing complete neighborhoods.
LUD-1.6 Walkable Blocks. Create communities that address the needs of multiple age groups and physical abilities through short, walkable block lengths. Use grid-like or a modified grid street networks in newly developed areas (except where topography necessitates another street network layout).
LUD-2.1 Focused Growth. Direct future growth to areas closer to the center of town, which can accommodate development based upon topography, environmental factors, and availability of existing infrastructure.
LUD-2.2 Preferred Development Patterns. In considering requests to amend the Land Use Map, encourage proposals for development in those areas which are functionally connected to developed portions of the city, have available infrastructure, and do not have significant topographic or jurisdictional barriers, or other similar constraints.
LUD-2.3 Discouraged Development Patterns. In considering requests to amend the Land Use Map, discourage proposals for development in those areas which are functionally separated from developed portions of the city by lack of infrastructure, expanses of vacant land, significant topographic or jurisdictional barriers, or other similar constraints.
LUD-3.1 Planned Future Uses. Develop multiple educational districts, multiple medical districts, a new passenger airport, a new high-speed rail facility, and abundant new parks and trails.
LUD-3.2 Accessible Mix of Commercial Uses. Strive to provide goods and services within a short walking distance (twenty minutes or less) of all residents through mixed-use Village Centers and Neighborhood/Regional Commercial uses. Establish neighborhood services by requiring new Village Centers when developing Specific Plan areas.
LUD-3.3 Services and Amenities for Families. Promote opportunities for new childcare and pre-Kindergarten facilities in Village Centers and encourage these supporting uses through the Educational Flex designation.
LUD-3.4 Expansion of Public Facilities. Maintain and expand public facilities and services to better support the community, including schools, libraries, utilities, and recreational spaces.
LUD-3.5 Infrastructure Capacity and Service. Ensure that there will be adequate water and wastewater system capacity to meet projected demand by continuing to oversee the development of adequate and dependable public services and facilities to support both existing and future development.
LUD-3.6 Infrastructure Funding and Programs. Continue to implement comprehensive water and wastewater management programs and ensure that future developments pay their fair share for any infrastructure improvements demand necessary.
LUD-4.1 Quality Construction. Use simple, urban building forms made with permanent materials with high-quality detailing that stands the test of time.
LUD-4.2 Massing Techniques. Use building organization and massing to derive scale and articulation rather than surface ornamentation.
LUD-4.3 Long-Lasting Building Materials. Convey façade articulation through the strength, depth, and permanence of building materials. Thinner cladding materials, such as stucco, masonry veneers, and wood or simulated wood, may be used when finished to appear as durable and authentic as the materials they simulate.
LUD-4.4 Façade Increments. Articulate residential building façades with smaller-scale increments than office and industrial building facades.
LUD-4.5 Attractive Building Entrances. Use visual and physical design cues within the design of a building and within building entries to emphasize the building entrance and connections to public spaces and public pathways/networks.
LUD-4.6 Urban Design in the Core. Require four-sided architecture – all facades of a building are designed with quality, care, and visual interest – in the urban core (primarily RN3, RN4 and MU3). Encourage four-sided architecture in other areas.
LUD-4.7 Iconic Architecture. Allow iconic and memorable building designs, particularly on larger non-residential properties.
LUD-4.8 Environmental Design. Design sites and buildings adjacent to natural areas with transparent design elements. Employ bird-safe design near habitat areas or migratory routes.
LUD-4.9 Public Streetscapes. Create pedestrian-oriented streetscapes by establishing unified street tree planting, sidewalk dimensions and maintenance, pedestrian amenities, and high-quality building frontages in all new development.
LUD-5.1 New Complete Neighborhoods. Require new development to provide multiple amenities, a beautiful public realm, and be consistent with the City’s vision for complete neighborhoods.
LUD-5.2 Walkability of New Neighborhoods. Require all new neighborhoods to be pedestrian friendly by including features, such as short blocks, wide sidewalks, shaded streets, buildings that define and are oriented to streets or public spaces, traffic-calming features, convenient pedestrian street crossings, and safe streets designed for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles.
LUD-5.3 Public Services in New Neighborhoods. Require new developments to be designed for and provided with adequate public services and infrastructure. Require that these public facilities and services be provided concurrently with development to ensure a high quality of life for residents.
LUD-5.4 Access to Retail/Services. Strive for a high level of connectivity of residents to neighborhood services through site design, open space linkages, and bicycle facilities. Plan for 90 percent of residents (except for in rural residential designations) to be within a twenty minute walking distance of retail and neighborhood services.
LUD-5.5 Trail Networks. Provide new trails systems that connect to the regional system.
LUD-5.6 Character of New Housing. Provide a diversity of architectural styles; avoid entire blocks or neighborhoods with identical housing styles.
LUD-5.7 Natural Topography. To the greatest extent feasible, preserve natural topographic features during the planning and development process. Utilize physical advantages of the site to minimize visual impacts.
LUD-5.8 Transfer of Development. Require clustered single family and multifamily development in less constrained areas, transferring density from areas constrained by seismic, drainage, rights-of-way, or other conditions based on technical studies.
LUD-6.1 Diversity of Housing Styles. Strongly encourage new subdivisions and master planned projects to include a diversity of housing types and architecture styles, where possible.
LUD-6.2 Primary Entries. Require new homes to provide a primary entryway and windows facing the street.
LUD-6.3 Integrated Pedestrian Circulation. For construction of new small-scale housing and minor subdivision projects, design site plans that provide amenities and integrated networks for walking and bicycling.
LUD-6.4 Recreational Spaces. Improve existing parks and public spaces throughout the city to provide beautiful, comfortable, and inviting gathering spaces.
LUD-6.5 Amenities and Gathering Spaces. Encourage new development to incorporate public plazas, seating, drinking fountains, and gathering places, especially in prominent locations and areas of pedestrian activity.
LUD-6.6 Ongoing Maintenance. Require project developers to establish mechanisms, such as a Community Facilities District, to adequately maintain new parks, recreational facilities, and infrastructure.
LUD-7.1 Safety Programs. Promote Business and Neighborhood Watch programs, in addition to collaborations between residents and law enforcement, to help maintain a clean and safe environment.
LUD-7.2 Crime Prevention. Use Crime Prevention through Environmental Design strategies (CPTED) in new and existing development to improve public safety, including the following:
- Active public space
- Building design to promote “eyes on the street”
- Clear delineation between private and public space
- Natural access control between public and private space
- Maintenance of public places
- Removal or repair of vandalism or broken property
LUD-7.3 Partnerships. Encourage regional partnerships that support the coordination of public safety awareness and crime prevention.
LUD-7.4 Lighting Improvements. Improve lighting and nighttime security across all City neighborhoods to prevent crime and increase safety.
LUD-7.5 Graffiti Removal. Encourage the creation of a graffiti prevention team to remove graffiti from public property (including parks, street signs, sidewalks, etc.) or property adjacent to public rights-of-way.
LUD-7.6. Illegal Dumping. Support systematic removal of unsightly trash/debris and prevention of future illegal dumping. Consider increasing surveillance of known dumping sites, lowering disposal fees at Waste Management sites and raising fines for illegal dumping, and encouraging/facilitating more recycling locally.
LUD-8.1 Arts and Cultural Programming. Expand arts and cultural programming in public spaces, building off the existing Public Art Master Plan.
LUD-8.2 Arts and Gathering Spaces. Encourage new development, especially along Palmdale Boulevard and Avenue Q to incorporate public art in public plazas, seating, and gathering spaces along or near these corridors.
LUD-8.3 Art Priorities. Prioritize art funds from CIP projects to major public gathering spaces, such as parks, public plazas, and along major corridors such as East Avenue Q and Palmdale Boulevard.
LUD-8.4 Art Spaces. Actively encourage affordable arts spaces through use classifications in the zoning code and streamlined permitting in the Light Industrial and Employment Flex zones.
LUD-9.1 Activity Centers. Support a network of vibrant Village Centers that are mixed-use activity centers located throughout the City’s residential areas to create 20-minute neighborhoods, implemented through new mixed-use land use designations, which provide a mix of residential uses and daily goods/services.
LUD-9.2 Distinct Character. Encourage design strategies that enhance a unique identity for each of the Village Centers.
LUD-9.3 Gathering Places. Require the introduction of new public gathering places in Village Centers such as publicly accessible plazas or courtyards.
LUD-9.4 Contextual Transitions. Ensure that developments create appropriate transitions to existing residential neighborhoods by placing two-to-three story residential over ground floor retail/services toward arterial streets and lower scaled housing abutting existing residences.
LUD-9.5 Mobility Connections. Seek to improve walk, bike, and transit access to Village Centers by connecting to the larger/regional pedestrian and bicycle networks.
LUD-10.1 Mix of Destinations. Develop mixed-use retail, residential and office buildings in the vicinity of the future multimodal high speed rail station to establish the area as a regional and local destination.
LUD-10.2 Places for the Community. Develop community gathering spaces including plazas and neighborhood parks near the future multimodal transit station, in order to evolve the relocated Palmdale Transportation Center into an attractive and unique transit gateway.
LUD-10.3 Transit-Supportive Densities. Support minimum development densities/intensities in the PTASP area to promote sufficient development that allows active placemaking.
LUD-10.4 Station Access. Enhance transit and pedestrian linkages to surrounding areas to create a multi-modal transit and pedestrian-oriented center.
LUD-10.5 Avenue Q Revitalization. Reinforce Avenue Q with development patterns that create a “Main Street” environment. Design the buildings facing Avenue Q (and to a lesser extent 6th Street East and 3rd Street East) to reflect the vision for a new “Main Street” – active uses, street-oriented entrances, tall floor-to-ceiling heights, reduced setbacks (unless adjacent to a plaza or park).
LUD-10.6 Pedestrian-Oriented Design. Implement urban design guidelines and features that encourage pedestrian activity and reduce automobile use.
LUD-10.7 Local Employers within PTASP. Continue to provide assistance to support small locally owned businesses and develop a mechanism to support building upkeep and maintenance, signage, and façade improvements for businesses in the PTASP area.
LUD-11.1 Street Ownership Reclamation. Consider pursuing a long-term take-over of the public right-of-way (ROW) from Caltrans.
LUD-11.2 Critical Place-making Intersections. Strengthen and enliven existing portions of the corridor as pedestrian-oriented community anchors with a mix of civic, commercial, and residential uses, particularly at the intersections with 10th, 20th, and 25th Streets.
LUD-11.3 New Nodes. Create new places for recreation and gathering along Palmdale Boulevard by supporting new nodes of neighborhood-serving mixed-use activity at 40th and 47th Streets East.
LUD-11.4 Corridor Mixed-Use. Revitalize and activate existing commercial shopping centers along the corridor by allowing residential uses in the Mixed-Use 1 and Mixed-Use 2 designations, and by adopting development standards that promote reduced setbacks, stronger pedestrian orientation, high transparency, and architectural detail, and “park-once” behavior.
LUD-11.5 Urban Canopy. Require new development or major additions to existing development to provide street trees at regular intervals (average spacing of no less than 40 feet, not counting driveways) along the property frontage facing Palmdale Boulevard and cross-streets (if on a corner).
LUD-11.6 No Truck Route. Develop an alternative route for trucks to use in place of Palmdale Boulevard between East 50th Street and SR-14, in order to eventually remove the truck route designation currently in place, which would eliminate heavy thru truck traffic along the Boulevard.
LUD-11.7 Palmdale Boulevard Design Guidelines. Design for active, park-once mixed-use and shopping environments by encouraging adherence to the following guidance:
- Locate attached middle-density housing near existing residential uses and seek to integrate it into this context.
- Buildings should be placed at the edge of the primary sidewalk in order to provide interest and immediate access by pedestrians.
- Parking should be located behind the buildings.
- Where appropriate, building setbacks should be flexible to accommodate the need for pedestrian-oriented commercial uses.
- Facades should be activated with frequent building entrances for residential and commercial spaces.
- Mid-block paseos should be added where feasible to provide pedestrian connections from sidewalks along the edge or exterior of a site to parking within the interior of the block
LUD-12.1 Flexible Medical-Oriented Vision. Allow and encourage a mix of public and private medical, health, and wellness uses including emergency medical facilities, medical supportive offices, healthcare clinics and pharmacies, and ancillary retail and services.
LUD-12.2 Regional Hospital. Support the expansion of the existing Palmdale Regional Medical Center (Palmdale Boulevard and 10th Street West) through City investments/improvements and regulatory changes.
LUD-12.3 New Districts. Facilitate the creation of two new health and wellness districts:
- Along Palmdale Boulevard and 40th/45th Streets East
- Adjacent to Kaiser Permanente (East Avenue S and 45th Street East)
LUD-12.4 Health and Wellness District Guidelines. Enable creation of comprehensive medical districts by encouraging adherence to the following guidance:
- Buildings should be located near or at the sidewalk to shape the district’s edges and streetscapes.
- Developments must include open space areas for congregating and socializing, ideally framed by buildings with storefronts or lobbies.
- Joining several blocks together as a campus environment with pedestrian-only spaces and pathways connecting buildings to one another and to surrounding streets is encouraged.
- Buildings should be arranged to form a street wall when surrounding internal parking, with liner uses/buildings that activate the edges of the district. The pedestrian experience should still be supported in the interior of larger blocks.
- Building entrances should always be accessed directly from the sidewalk, via shopfronts or forecourts/lobbies.
LUD-15.1 Destination Land Uses. Allow a diverse range of retail, dining, and entertainment establishments of any size that help create a destination for Antelope Valley residents and visitors.
LUD-15.2 Residential Land Uses. Allow a broad range of low to medium-density residential at the Antelope Valley Mall as a part of a comprehensive development plan prepared for the mall property. Proposed residential uses on this site are subject to the following standards:
- Any proposal to introduce housing in the Mall site must be accompanied by a comprehensive development plan that provides details on phasing, connectivity, mobility, wayfinding, and other key programmatic and urban design components.
- Avoid locating new residential uses within 500 feet of SR-14 right-of-way.
LUD-15.3 Coordinated Evolution. Work with the Mall operator and property owners to effectuate long-term redevelopment of existing retail into new, higher-density developments such as multistory retail or mixed-use retail with office or residential above. Actively solicit new employment uses, with a focus on office, medical, film, and related uses.
LUD-15.4 Regional Mall Design Guidelines. Guide the redevelopment of big-box retail into more urban, mixed-use formats by encouraging adherence to the following guidance:
- Arrange mixed-use buildings, liner-type buildings, and other active frontages to form an occasional street wall when surrounding an internal parking lot or structure.
- Ensure active frontages and pedestrian-oriented design for any redevelopment of commercial uses at the mall, to eliminate unsightly blank walls and facades.
- Setbacks to internal streets should be less than setbacks to external/arterial streets.
- Major internal drives should include sidewalks on both sides, detailed and landscaped as small streets.
- Building entrances should be accessed directly from the sidewalk, and sidewalks in front of major shops should be as wide as possible. Awnings should be utilized to provide shade for pedestrians.
LUD-20.1 Revised Specific Plans. When modifications to an adopted Specific Plan are proposed, require the plans to adhere to the following:
- Provide connections to regional trails and natural open spaces for all residential units.
- Create protections for western Joshua trees and other critical desert species.
- Review compliance with the City’s Hillside Ordinance for viewshed protection.
LUD-20.2 New Village Centers. Ensure the creation of new Village Centers organized around a central focal point such as a park, school, civic building, or neighborhood retail as development occurs in Specific Plan areas, including:
- Anaverde Nuevo Specific Plan
- Ritter Ranch Specific Plan
- Rancho Vista Specific Plan
LUD-20.3 Planned Developments. Encourage the creation of new Village Centers in Planned Development (PD) areas, including Quail Valley PD, Joshua Ranch PD, Aero PD, and The Strata PD.
LUD-21.1 Timing of Community/Retail Uses. Require development of commercial uses and amenities during key phases of buildout of residential portions of a Specific Plan.
LUD-21.2 Clustered Development. Require rural neighborhoods and clustered development in steeper and topographically constrained areas and use these development types to preserve significant natural amenities.
LUD-21.3 Respecting Natural Ridges. Avoid grading or siting of dwelling units on the north facing side of Ritter Ridge or other major ridgelines.
LUD-21.4 Greenbelt Concept. Strive to create an undeveloped or natural greenbelt around the city comprised of natural areas, parks, open space, and agricultural/utility lands.
LUD-23.1 Connections to Existing Neighborhoods. Provide pedestrian/bicycle connections to trails and open space where appropriate and indicated in past planning efforts.
LUD-23.2 Multimodal Streets. According to the General Plan street hierarchy, require key boulevards and neighborhood connectors to be (re)designed, constructed, and operated as multimodal streets, not wide, high-speed streets.
LUD-23.3 Connectivity Enhancements. Introduce new public trail systems that connect to the regional system through Capital Improvement Projects, private development projects and city/regional parks improvements.
LUD-23.4 Quarter-Mile Radius. Work toward a goal of having 90 percent of residents living within twenty minutes walking distance of a dedicated park, school, or multi-use trail.
Circulation and Mobility (CM)
CM-3.1 Transit reliability. Make public transit a convenient and reliable option for daily trip making on a local and regional basis.
CM-3.2 Transit access. Encourage investments and Capital Projects that reduce first/last-mile barriers to transit stops.
CM-3.3 Access to employment. Encourage investments and Capital Projects that improve the safety and multimodal options for access to high quality jobs.
CM-3.4 Transit coordination. Work with AVTA to enhance the deployment of fixed-route and flex-route transit services, including increased frequency and service spans.
CM-3.5 Regional rail. Work with Metrolink to increase the frequency of on-peak services and later service hours.
CM-3.6 Transit information. Work with transit providers to improve the delivery of transit service availability and real-time information in an easy, dependable, and accessible means.
CM-3.7 Commute trip reduction. Work with large employers to implement programs that expand access to non-drive alone commute options for all commuters, including hourly staff and contract workers.
CM-3.8 Multimodal Station. Maximize access to downtown via transit and other modes through the Palmdale Transportation Center and future relocation to accommodate a station for high-speed rail.
CM-5.1 Public space. Encourage wider sidewalks and plazas on downtown streets to enhance placemaking, improve public safety, and support local businesses.
CM-5.2 Parking supply. Promote and support creative and flexible approaches to parking, including maximizing use of existing public supply and sharing between uses to create a “park once environment.”
CM-5.3 Walkability. Enhance the safety and comfort of existing pedestrian street crossings and reduce the distance between crossings.
CM-5.4 Streetscaping. Implement streetscape design that improves the pedestrian environment and appearance of downtown corridors.
CM-5.5 Secure bicycle parking. Install secure short- and long-term bicycle parking near key destinations, civic buildings, and transit facilities.
CM-5.6 Reduced parking minimums. Study reducing minimum on-site parking requirements for new development in districts of the City that can support shared parking between land uses and achieve parking demand reductions through transit and multimodal improvements.
CM-5.7 Compact development. Encourage the development of a healthy mix of land uses within proximity to promote internal capture, shared-parking, and de-emphasize the need for single-occupant vehicular travel.
CM-5.8 Context sensitive development. Balance development intensity and roadway capacity.
CM-7.1 Emerging mobility. Support new and emerging mobility innovations that are focused on improving equitable distribution of mobility services.
CM-7.2 New roadway standards. Develop roadway standards that allow for emerging technologies and practices in the transportation industry to be incorporated in the future with minimal conflict.
CM-7.3 Interagency coordination. Coordinate with regional and State agencies to best leverage future roadway, rail, and aviation projects and funding opportunities for the benefit of Palmdale residents and businesses.
CM-7.4 Mobility partnerships. Seek strategic partnerships to pilot shared and emerging mobility options that meet the needs of Palmdale residents, workers, and visitors.
CM-7.5 Curb management. Identify the highest and best use of curb space and repurpose as appropriate (i.e., on-street parking, pick-up, drop-off zones, outdoor dining, etc.).
CM-7.6 Futureproofing. Consider how new projects will accommodate emerging technologies like autonomous and connected vehicles.
CM-7.7 High-speed rail. Consider the location of a future California High Speed Rail station and right-of-way in long term planning efforts and investment prioritization.
CM-7.8 Local coordination. Coordinate with neighboring jurisdictions to enhance integration of mobility networks.
Economic Development (ED)
ED-4.1 Active downtown. Create a vibrant and active downtown environment, leveraging the Palmdale Transit Area Specific Plan to focus development.
ED-4.2 Community gathering. Leverage development to provide space for community gathering and events.
ED-4.3 Entertainment and retail. Increase opportunities for entertainment and/or shopping.
ED-4.4 Local business. Encourage and foster local businesses in Palmdale.
ED-4.5 Local businesses in downtown. Support local small businesses and legacy businesses to remain in or relocate to the downtown core.
Military Compatibility (MC)
MC-1.1 Aerospace compatible land uses. Maintain appropriate land use designations surrounding Plant 42 to limit incompatible uses and to ensure continued safe operation of airport activities.
MC-1.2 Land use buffers. Continue to buffer Plant 42 from adjacent, non-compatible residential and commercial uses by reviewing development applications in the Military Influence Area for potential conflicts.
MC-1.3 Non-industrial land uses. Limit non-industrial uses from locating in the Aerospace Industrial area (aside from uses that directly support Plant 42 or airport operations).
MC-1.4 Evaluate existing and future land uses. Use overlay maps of the Air Installation Compatibility Use Zones (AICUZ) noise contours and Air Force Land Use Compatibility Guidelines to evaluate existing and future land use proposals.
MC-1.5 Solar energy facility compatibility. Ensure that there is no potential conflict between the operational mission of Plant 42 and any proposed adjacent solar energy facilities.
MC-1.6 Influence area development. Prohibit development in the Military Influence Area that would restrict access to military facilities, physically obstruct any portion of the Military Operating Area, or pose a health or safety hazard to military personnel.
MC-2.1 APZ development review. Within the Accident Potential Zones (APZ), review all development proposals for hazards to aircraft in flight including uses that release into the air any substance such as:
- Steam, dust, or smoke, which could impair pilot visibility; uses that produce light emissions, glare, or distracting lights, which could interfere with pilot vision or be mistaken for airfield lighting; sources of electrical emissions, which could interfere with aircraft communications or navigation; and uses that could attract birds or waterfowl to the extent that they would pose a danger to aircraft operation in the vicinity of Plant 42.
- Require project applicants to notify Plant 42 and the City of any potential hazards, including but not limited to the above list.
MC-2.2 AICUZ consistency. Require all development to be consistent with DoD regulations as outlined in the Plant 42 AICUZ Report and comply with regulations which affect development in the Clear Zones/Accident Potential Zones.
MC-2.3 Aviation easement. Through the development review process, require that all new projects within the APZ’s of Plant 42 provide an aviation easement.
MC-3.1 Noise and overflight compliance. Ensure that all new land use proposals comply with the noise and overflight policies of the most recent AICUZ for Plant 42.
MC-3.2 Restrict new residential in APZs. Prohibit new residential zoning and new schools in the APZs.
MC-3.3 Restrict residential in high noise areas. Prohibit the redesignation of residential land within the 65-DBL noise contour and the overflight area to increased residential densities.
MC-3.4 Home occupant notification. Require homebuyer/renter notification or disclosure of aircraft noise for all new residential development located in an APZ, or east of Division Street and south of Technology Drive and north of Avenue Q and west of Sierra Highway.
MC-3.5 Noise reduction measures. New development within the 65 DBL noise contour area must adhere to the recommended noise level reductions incorporated into the design and construction.
MC-3.6 Avoid Noise Sensitive Uses. Discourage new noise sensitive development, such as places of worship, residential development, schools, and other similar uses, clustered adjacent to a noise zone.
MC-3.7 Noise Considerations Through Land Use Action. Through conditions of approval, require that any owner of developed or undeveloped property within the 65 CNEL noise contour that is seeking a land use action from the City, provide an aviation easement to the Los Angeles World Airports, the U.S. Air Force, and the City.
MC-3.8 Non-noise Sensitive Land Uses. Designate and permit land uses within the 65 CNEL contour that are primarily industrial, business park, commercial and recreational uses that are not noise sensitive; permit other uses only when it is found that no adverse noise impacts will result.
MC-5.1 Height and Obstruction Ordinance Compliance. Ensure that City height and obstruction ordinances reflect current Air Force and FAA Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 77 requirements related to the RAIMORA zone covering the Restricted Airspace R2508 and the Nevada Test and Training Range and the Military Training Route.
MC-5.2 Notification for MTR Obstructions. For any proposed uses that could penetrate the MTR, provide notification to those responsible for Plant 42 military operations.
MC-5.3 New Construction Height Compliance. Ensure all new development within the City is constructed in accordance with FAR Part 77 that is concerned with any construction or alteration more than 150 feet above ground level, or as defined in the AICUZ.
MC-5.4 Tall Structure Review. Provide for special review recommendation on tall structures in the RAIMORA or MTR.
MC-7.1 Project Coordination with Plant 42. Notify and coordinate with Plant 42 on major capital improvement projects or infrastructure expansion plans within the MIA that may impact Plant 42 operations.
MC-7.2 Grant Coordination with Plant 42. Collaborate with Plant 42 to pursue grant funding for things like infrastructure that will collectively serve the needs of Plant 42 and the community.
MC-7.3 Coordination Airport Plans with Plant 42. Notify and coordinate with USAF Plant 42 on City-initiated improvements or expansion plans related to the development of passenger air service at the Palmdale Regional Airport (PMD).
MC-7.4 Affordable and Workforce Housing. Promote the availability and development of affordable and workforce housing in the City to meet the needs of military personnel and their dependents.
MC-7.5 Coordination with Plant 42. Review and respond to any proposals from the USAF or other military contractors in Plant 42 involving any intensification of operations, changes in flight patterns, and relocation or extension of runaways that would potentially create safety or noise impacts for Palmdale residents.
MC 7.6 Interagency Land Use Coordination. Work with the County of Los Angeles, City of Lancaster and the military installations as needed to address any issues related to land use compatibility, safety, and operations.
Equitable and Healthy Communities (EHC)
EHC-10.1 Near-universal access to recreation. Work toward a goal of having 90 percent of residents living within a 20-minute walking distance of a dedicated park, school, or multi-use trail.
EHC-10.2 Access to open space. Plan for new parks and increase access to existing and future parks, trails, and open spaces, especially in disadvantaged communities.
EHC-10.3 Recreational programs. Prioritize investments in recreational programs that focus on physical activity.
EHC-10.4 Community partnerships. Partner with community-based organizations to improve access to recreational opportunities that promote physical activity across the city, particularly in park-poor neighborhoods.
EHC-10.5 Fee waivers. Consider fee waivers for low-income families, such as families with children who participate in the National School Lunch Program, so that all residents have access to the City’s recreational programming.
EHC-11.1 Near-universal walk access to retail and services. Plan for 90 percent of residents (except for equestrian residential areas) to be within a 20-minute walking distance of a Village Center with retail and neighborhood services.
EHC-11.2 Complete Streets investments. Prioritize transportation system improvements that promote Complete Streets objectives, incorporate universal design principles, and encourage walking, biking, and transit use in disadvantaged communities.
EHC-11.3 Improve connectivity. Strive for a high level of connectivity of residents to Village Centers and neighborhood services through site design, open space linkages, and bicycle facilities. Integrate land use and transportation infrastructure to support a connected system of sidewalks, bikeways, greenways, and transit.
EHC-11.4 Streetscape enhancements. Enhance existing streetscapes to include greater sidewalk coverage, walkway connectivity, street trees and shade, street lighting, street crossing safety features, traffic calming measures, transit shelters, and other design elements, especially in disadvantaged communities.
EHC-11.5 Safe routes for older adults. Develop safe routes for aging adults, particularly routes to transit and shopping centers.
Parks, Recreation, and Open Space (PR)
PR-1.1 Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Prepare a Parks and Recreation Master Plan to address park conditions and needs, recreation programming, facilities, and funding opportunities. As a part of a Parks Master Plan, evaluate adopted park standards, including designations for type of parks and guidelines for the facilities to be developed in future parks.
PR-1.2 Park location. Ensure that park sites are located equitably, throughout the city, to maximize access to parks for residents within a 20-minute walking distance.
PR-1.3 Parks accessibility. Provide a variety of parks and recreational facilities accessible to all residents throughout the city, including community and neighborhood parks, to meet the needs of youth, adults, and senior citizens.
PR-1.4 Future parks priority areas. As feasible, work with the private development community to facilitate creation of parks in the future parks priority areas as indicated in Figure 10.3.
PR-1.5 Prioritize underserved areas. Prioritize development of new parks and recreation facilities in underserved areas of the city, encouraging access to free or low-cost recreation for all Palmdale residents.
PR-1.6 Expand park amenities. Encourage expansion of amenities at existing public parks.
PR-1.7 ADA Design. Incorporate all design features, required by the Americans with Disabilities Act, which improve access to parks and park facilities for citizens with different abilities and needs.
PR-1.8 School and park synergy. Co-locate schools and parks and partner with non-profit organizations to provide recreational opportunities that benefit both students and the public.
PR-1.9 Parkland incentives. Work with the private development community to incentivize creation of publicly accessible parkland either on-or-off-site.
PR-6.1 Open Space network. Develop an open space network through preservation of corridors along fault zones, natural drainage courses and in hillside areas to connect with the large areas of open space designated on the General Plan Land Use Map.
PR-6.2 Acquire natural open spaces. Work with private property owners, conservation agencies, and the County of Los Angeles to expand and acquire natural open spaces and hillsides on the periphery of the city.
PR-6.3 Passive recreation use. Encourage the use of open space areas for passive recreation with access points, multi-use trails, and interpretive information.
PR-6.4 Incentivize open space. Work with the private development community to incentivize new publicly accessible open space through land dedications, land swaps, or other means.
Conservation (CON)
CON-8.1 Historic landmark identification. Identify and recognize historic landmarks from Palmdale’s past.
CON-8.2 Cultural and historic buildings. Identify and preserve unique cultural and historic buildings and features in order to enhance community character.
CON-8.3 Identified landmarks. Maintain, rehabilitate, and appropriately reuse identified landmarks where feasible.
CON-8.4 Preservation in new development. Require that new development preserve significant historic, paleontological, or archaeological resources.
CON-8.5 Tribal consultation. Conduct Native American consultation consistent with the applicable regulations when new development is proposed in potentially culturally sensitive areas.
CON-8.6 Discovery coordination with Tribal groups. When human remains suspected to be of Native American origin are discovered, coordinate with the Native American Heritage Commission and any local Native American groups to determine the most appropriate course of action.
CON-8.7 Cooperation with preservation entities. Cooperate with private and public entities whose goals are to protect and preserve historic landmarks and important cultural resources.
CON-8.8 Recognition of local historic resources. Promote respect and recognition of unique historical resources within the community by identifying significant cultural resources with landmark designation plaques, directional signage, self-guided tours, school curriculum, programs, and events.
CON-8.9 Maintain cultural assets. Discourage historic landmark properties from being altered in such a manner as to significantly reduce their cultural value to the community.
CON-9.1 Design elements. Promote use of design elements, which reflect the various periods of history and settlement in Palmdale.
CON-9.2 Locally relevant community design. Community design should reflect the community’s roots, rather than simulating historic periods or events, which did not occur in the Antelope Valley.
CON-9.3 Locally appropriate landscape design. Preserve the natural heritage of the region through landscape design by ensuring the local stock of native trees and vegetation is replenished and protected.
Public Facilities, Services, and Infrastructure (PFSI)
PFSI-1.1 Community Facilities Master Plan. Prepare a citywide master plan for community facilities that addresses existing and future facilities and equitable access. Include evaluation of existing facilities, need for new or expanded facilities and potential locations, and a funding plan.
PFSI-1.2 Accessibility. Promote accessibility for all residents within City facilities by meeting ADA guidelines and expanding language resources when feasible.
PFSI-1.3 Expand Public Facilities. Expand public facilities, recreation, and library facilities to underserved areas as needed, including the areas west of SR-14.
PFSI-1.4 Access to Library Services. Consider expanding library services to include branch locations in Village Centers (including retail centers), Education Districts, near public parks, and other similar settings to provide access to residents across Palmdale.
PFSI-1.5 Pursue Funding. Pursue federal and state funding sources to utilize in the expansion and enhancement of local public facilities, especially in underserved areas.
PFSI-1.6 Rehabilitate Facilities. Rehabilitate City-owned public facilities using the most innovative technologies and best practices available to ensure long term efficacy.
PFSI-1.7 City Facility Efficiency. Install energy efficient lighting and promote energy conservation practices in all city-owned facilities.
PFSI-1.8 Public Facilities Adequacy. Assess deficiencies in public facilities and address identified issues when feasible.
PFSI-1.9 Higher Education Facilities. Attract, encourage, and support the development of higher education facilities, trade and vocational training in areas within the Education District land use designation.
PFSI-1.10 Private Educational Facilities. In order to encourage development of educational facilities, permit development of private educational facilities that are found to meet the general educational needs of the community within residentially designated districts.
PFSI-4.1 Infill Development. Direct growth toward areas which already have backbone infrastructure available by providing incentives for infill development.
PFSI-4.2 Utilize Existing Infrastructure. Encourage development, which fully utilizes existing infrastructure systems, while decreasing the need for costly extensions of infrastructure into undeveloped areas.
PFSI-4.3 Infrastructure Evaluation. Evaluate infrastructure facilities and service levels within developed areas, which annex to the City, and promote programs to retrofit street, drainage and sewer improvements where warranted.
PFSI-4.4 Cluster Development. Encourage clustering of development where appropriate, to maximize use of infrastructure.
PFSI-4.5 Planning Documents. Require comprehensive planning documents such as area plans, specific plans, and development agreements, to specify the nature, timing and financing of both capital improvements and ongoing operations/maintenance of public improvements and services.
PFSI-4.6 Mixed Use Development. Encourage mixed use development to maximize use of existing infrastructure systems.
PFSI-4.7 EIFD. Utilize Palmdale’s Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District to issue bonds to fund infrastructure projects (e.g., streets, utilities, sidewalks, pedestrian safety enhancements) or affordable housing.
