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Air Quality

The Air Quality Element establishes goals and policies related to protecting, maintaining, and enhancing air quality within Palmdale.

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Chapter Highlights

EV Charging Stations. Installing a network of electric vehicle chargers throughout the City, starting with public buildings and parking garages, supports a transition to a cleaner mobility network.

Alternative Modes of Transportation. Encouraging walking, biking and taking transit can help to reduce air pollution.

Energy Use. Energy conservation, energy-efficient appliances, and solar power and other clean forms of energy helps to reduce air pollution.

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Goals and Policies

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Antelope valley transit bus stopped on empty road.

Circulation

AQ 1-1 Reduced work-related trips. Reduce the number and length of work-related trips through such means as providing a balance of jobs and housing in the community, promoting alternate work schedules, telecommuting, teleconferencing, company-sponsored ride-share and alternative fuel vehicle programs, use of commuter trains and other alternative modes of transportation to the workplace, creation of additional park and ride facilities, and improving the fiber optic network and connectivity.

AQ 1-2 Reduced Non-Work Trips. Reduce motor vehicle non-work trips through such means as location of residences in proximity to shopping and recreation/entertainment destinations, transit system improvements, and promoting merchant transportation incentives, and distance learning.

AQ 1-3 Improve Traffic Flow. Reduce vehicle emissions by maintaining and improving traffic flow per the Mobility Element.

AQ 1-4 High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes. Coordinate with Caltrans to promote high occupancy vehicle lanes on SR-14.

AQ 1-5 Reduced Tailpipe Emissions. As technology allows, reduce tailpipe emissions from City vehicles by replacing them with alternative fuel vehicles and encourage reduction of emissions from private vehicles through such means as reducing parking requirements and providing preferential parking for alternative fuel vehicles and bicycles.

AQ 1-6 Airport Emissions Control. To the extent practicable, reduce emissions from the future Palmdale Regional Airport by purchasing renewable energy, installing airport renewable energy systems, reducing energy consumption, monitoring the efficiency of heating, ventilation, and colling systems, and purchasing low or zero emission vehicles and ground support equipment.

AQ 1-7 Expand Dial-A-Ride. Expand services of the existing dial-a-ride program, resulting in reduced need for automobiles and parking by seniors and those with disabilities.

AQ 1-8 Environmentally Review New Development. Use the environmental review process for new development applications to assess and, as necessary, mitigate the impacts of new development related to increased vehicle miles traveled.

AQ 1-9 Encourage transit and bike use. Provide incentives to residents who bike or use public transportation such as free or discounted public transit or employer-provided subsidies or reimbursements for residents willing to bike or use public transit.

AQ 1-10 Truck routes. Restrict freight to certain routes and times by adopting rules and regulations that prohibit the use of trucks in certain areas within Palmdale.

People looking at construction plan.

Particulate Management

AQ 2-1 Vegetative Stabilization. Reduce roadway dust by requiring paving or vegetative stabilization of unpaved roads and parking lots.

AQ 2-2 Construction Site Requirements. Require measures at construction sites to prevent deposition of soil onto public right-of-way. 

AQ 2-3 Natural Contours. Encourage developers to maintain natural contours to the greatest degree possible, to eliminate the need for extensive land clearing, blasting, ground excavation, grading and cut and fill operations.

AQ 2-4 Erosion and Dust Control Measures. Require erosion and dust control measures for new construction, including covering soil with straw mats or use of chemical soil and dust binders during site grading, followed by hydroseeding and watering disturbed construction areas as soon as possible after grading to prevent fugitive dust.

Exit for 138 East Palmdale Boulevard.

Air Pollution Reduction

AQ 3-1 AVAQMD and Proven Technologies. Promote the AVAQMD program to encourage local entities to install public electric vehicle charging stations to offer incentivize residents to purchase electric vehicles (e.g., vehicle buy-back program), and the Carl Moyer program, which aims to improve the local air quality by funding local, cost-effective projects to upgrade heavy-duty equipment (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating greater than 14,000 lbs.) using proven technologies.

AQ 3-2 Eliminate Emissions. Promote the AVAQMD’s efforts to eliminate emissions from such sources as excessive car dealership cold starts, excessive curb idling, emissions from advertising vehicles, and emissions from leaf blowers, among others, through assisting with implementation and enforcement of AVAQMD programs and rules.

AQ 3-3 Complete Streets. Design a more effective street system by emphasizing complete streets which accommodate all modes of transportation.

AQ 3-4 Reduce Reactive Organic Gas. Reduce reactive organic gas (ROG) and particulate emissions from building materials and construction methods, by promoting the use of nonsolvent-based, high-solid, or water-based coatings, and requiring compliance with all pertinent AVAQMD rules.

AQ 3-5 Minimize Emissions. Minimize emissions of toxic air contaminants that contribute to climate change and ozone depletion, and that create potential health risks for residents, workers, and visitors.

AQ 3-6 Community Awareness. Promote community awareness of the effects of climate change and ozone depleting gases, as well as methods to minimize the creation of those gases, by preparing and distributing educational materials, and cooperating with AVAQMD in establishing regional programs.

AQ 3-7 Environmentally Review New Development Applications. Through the environmental review process for new development applications, ensure that emissions of toxic air contaminants are minimized and that any significant health effects associated with such contaminants are appropriately mitigated.

AQ 3-8 Green Technology Companies. Encourage non-polluting industry and clean green technology companies to locate in the city.

Windmill at Lake Palmdale with city in background.

Energy Consumption

AQ 4-1 EPIC Participation. Encourage residents and business owners to participate in Energy for Palmdale’s Independent Choice (EPIC).

AQ 4-2 Energy Conservation. Encourage energy conservation from all sectors of the community by promoting and/or requiring the use of energy efficient appliances, processes, and equipment, and promoting energy audits and retrofits of existing structures.

AQ 4-3 Recycling. Require local government, Palmdale citizens, and local businesses and industries to recycle, as mandated by state law, and to otherwise recycle to the maximum extent possible in accordance with the requirements of the Palmdale Municipal Code.

AQ 4-4 Solar Energy. Require new developments to minimize obstruction of direct sunlight for solar energy systems on adjacent properties.

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Desired Targets and Outcomes

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Air Quality

OUTCOME: Improved air quality for all residents.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR:

  • Improved air quality with increased landscaping and trees.

TARGET:

  • Expanded tree canopy, especially in disadvantaged communities.

 

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR:

  • Reduced exposure to toxic air pollution from industrial facilities.

TARGET:

  • Increase in the percentage of housing units, especially in disadvantaged communities, with air pollution reduction features and other measures that eliminate pollutants.
  • Reduce smoking in public outdoor places in accordance with Ordinance No. 1580 and/or Ordinance No. 1571.
Health & Quality of Life

OUTCOME: Improved health and quality of life, and lower rates of chronic diseases, among all residents.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR:

  • Greater opportunities for physical activity.

TARGET:

  • Increase in the proportion of residents living within a 20-minute walking distance from a dedicated public park, school, or multi-use trail.

 

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR:

  • Improved access to healthy food.

TARGET:

  • Increase in the proportion of residents living within a 20-minute walking distance of a grocery store, farmers market, community garden, or other healthy food retailer.
Housing

OUTCOME: Diverse housing options including mixed-use and affordable options, for existing and future residents.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR:

  • Diversified housing stock in Palmdale.

TARGET:

  • Substantial increase in new multifamily housing units by 2045, 20% of which are affordable to families earning less than 80% of the area median income.
Equitable Economy

OUTCOME: An equitable local economy that provides career pathways and economic opportunities for existing residents, especially local youth.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR:

  • Expanded economic opportunities for existing residents.

TARGET:

  • Increase in the number of youths who participate in job training programs and are connected to employment opportunities in local industries.
Vision Themes and Guiding Principles

Described below are values and direction for Palmdale 2045, set forth by the Palmdale community that chart a course for the future of the City. Vision themes paint a picture of what Palmdale will look like in the future, serving as a foundation for policies and implementation actions. While guiding principles provide further details on a vision theme and serve as a framework for future decision making. Together, the vision themes and guiding principles establish the basis for each element of Palmdale 2045, reflecting the unique needs and priorities for Palmdale residents. Through an extensive community engagement process, the vision themes and guiding principles were vetted by the community; initially prepared with input from the Palmdale General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC), community members, and later confirmed by the Planning Commission and City Council.