Conservation

This Element of the Palmdale General Plan outlines the goals and policies related to conservation of natural and cultural resources in Palmdale. A discussion of open space in Palmdale is included in the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space chapter.

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Chapter Highlights

Protected Wildlife Species. Palmdale lies primarily within the jurisdiction of the Western Mojave Habitat Conservation Plan, which is focused on protecting sensitive species across the region. Wildlife plant and animal species that are native to California are also protected.

Cultural Resources. Historically, humans have inhabited the Western Mojave region for an estimated 5,000 years. Cultural groups known to have occupied the Antelope Valley before European contact include the Kitanemuk, Kawaiisu, Tatavium, and Serrano/Vanyume.

Mineral Resources. Palmdale lies within the Palmdale Production Consumption region, which is a California Department of Conservation designated Mineral Resource Zone encompassing 1,103 square miles, including Palmdale and Lancaster. The mineral deposits within Palmdale are the Little Rock Fan and the Big Rock Creek Fan alluvial deposits. Sand and Gravel Mining widely occurs throughout Little Rock Wash.

Native Desert Vegetation Ordinance. The City of Palmdale has a native desert vegetation ordinance designed to protect western Joshua trees and California Juniper in the city. Western Joshua trees and California Junipers both provide a unique natural desert aesthetic to the community, which the City aims to maintain.

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Goals and Policies

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Joshua tree plant in the evening

Sensitive Habitat and Resources

CON-1.1 Endangered species protection. Ensure local compliance with the California Endangered Species Act and the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA).

CON-1.2 Joshua and Juniper trees. Continue enforcing the City’s Native Vegetation Ordinance to protect western Joshua trees and Juniper trees.

CON-1.3 West Mojave Plan. Comply with the required implementation of the West Mojave Plan for protection of desert tortoise and Mohave ground squirrel.

CON-1.4 Significant ecological areas. Identify and preserve to the greatest extent feasible significant ecological areas (SEA’s) as shown in Figure 11.3. Areas to consider for open space preservation include, but are not limited to, Tejon Park, Barrel Springs Southern Trailhead, and the Una Lake area.

CON-1.5 Preserve ecological resource areas. Preserve natural drainage courses and riparian areas where ecological resources exist in significant concentrations.

CON-1.6 Increase conservation areas. Coordinate with state agencies to help achieve the goals of 30×30: to protect 30 percent of California’s land by 2030 by identifying optimal sites for land conservation.

CON-1.7 Wetland and floodplain areas. Solicit and utilize all available sources of local, regional, state, and federal funds to acquire significant wetland areas and floodplains to minimize disturbance and prevent damage from erosion, turbidity, siltation, loss of wildlife and vegetation, or the destruction of the natural habitat.

CON-2.1 Hillside land management. Establish a systematic approach to the management of land uses and development in hillside areas.

CON-2.2 Natural ridgelines. Retain the integrity of the natural ridgelines of Ritter Ridge, Portal Ridge, Verde Ridge, the Ana Verde Hills, the Sierra Pelona Mountains, and the lower foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains.

CON-2.3 Density transfers. Encourage density transfers where appropriate so that the density of development respects and is reflective of the natural terrain.

CON-2.4 Development in suitable locations. Facilitate development in more suitable locations while retaining significant natural slopes and areas of environmental sensitivity as natural open space.

Mineral resource mining operations in Palmdale.

Mineral Resources

CON-3.1 Reduce mineral resource extraction impacts. Reduce impacts to human and environmental health caused by mineral resource extraction including: 

  • Ground water contamination
  • Removal or demise of sensitive Ecological Areas of flora and fauna
  • Excessive noise or dust

 

CON-3.2 Land use buffers. Maintain buffers between mineral resource extraction areas and other sensitive land uses (i.e., residential, public, institutional, open space and parks, among others) to reduce unnecessary impacts while in operation.

CON-4.1 Mining reclamation plan. Require mining operators to establish a reclamation plan that indicates end users when mining operations cease and how the transition to new uses shall be implemented.

CON-4.2 Reclamation fund. Establish a use-based mechanism for mining operators to begin contributing to a reclamation fund annually to be used after operations cease.

CON-4.3 Plan remediation and restoration of sites. Plan for remediation and restoration of extraction sites after operations cease, including adequate areas for groundwater recharge.

Water Resources

CON-5.1 Ground water recharge. Ensure that ground water supplies are recharged and protect natural recharge areas such as the Little Rock and Big Rock Washes, and Amargosa and Anaverde Creeks from pollutants or other materials, which might degrade groundwater supplies.

CON-5.2 Groundwater protection. Ensure that no mineral resource recovery activities extend below the groundwater table.

CON-5.3 Regional monitoring cooperation. Cooperate with Los Angeles County Health Department and the Regional Water Quality Control Board in monitoring industrial and commercial uses utilizing hazardous or potentially polluting materials and fluids, to prevent their discharge into the groundwater aquifer.

CON-5.4 Flood control measures. Maximize groundwater recharge capabilities with flood control measures.

CON-6.1 Encourage natural recharge. Restrict building coverage and total impervious area in the vicinity of natural recharge areas.

CON-6.2 Reduce landscaping irrigation needs. Require the use of water conserving native or drought resistant plants and drip irrigation systems where feasible.

CON-6.3 Reduce street runoff. Design streets to incorporate vegetation, soil, and engineered systems to slow, filter, and cleanse stormwater runoff.

CON-6.4 New construction water conservation. Require water conserving appliances and plumbing fixtures in all new construction.

CON-6.5 Monitoring and coordination. Coordinate with local water agencies to monitor ground water levels, State water allocations and development approvals, to assure that development does not outpace long-term water availability.

CON-7.1 Reclaimed water irrigation. Assess and implement, when and where feasible, reclaimed water for landscape irrigation.

CON-7.2 Water run-off capture. Work with local water purveyors to assess the potential for capturing local run-off and utilization of imported water (water banking) for groundwater recharge within the Planning Area.

CON-7.3 Retain recharge areas. Through the land use planning process, ensure that important recharge areas are retained.

CON-7.4 Water management. Continue to seek out long-range water management techniques as new technology is developed.

CON-7.5 Implementation. Promote implementation of water reduction and recycling systems that are feasible and appropriate to the Planning Area.

CON-7.6 Water recycling. Encourage residents and businesses to recycle water where feasible, and where water recycling does not result in health and safety concerns.

CON-7.7 Water sources. Participate in regional efforts to retain imported water allocations and seek out other sources as they become available.

Historical building in Palmdale.

Historic and Cultural Resources

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.

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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.