chapter 7 - infrastructure

7.0  Infrastructure

The River Oaks development involves various on- and off-site infrastructure improvements to facilitate the development of the master planned community. Such infrastructure improvements include the installation of potable, geothermal, irrigation and recycled water lines, data and communications, sanitary sewers, stormwater detention and conveyance system, electrical and communications infrastructure and natural gas lines. All proposed dry utilities shall be installed underground.

An overview of the proposed improvements is provided in this chapter. Changes to proposed infrastructure location or service providers may be implemented, if approved by the appropriate jurisdiction, without amending this Specific Plan. Prior to the recording of final maps, detailed improvement plans, and funding mechanisms would be prepared and approved by the City. The applicant would design and install all needed infrastructure. Impact fee credits and reimbursements would apply as appropriate.

7.1  Water Services and Facilities

The City currently derives its water from two sources, the Salinas River alluvial flow and the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin, which is a regional aquifer. The two sources are replenished primarily from uncontrolled runoff originating from several major and minor stream tributaries of the Salinas River, from wastewater treatment plant discharge of effluent into the Salinas River, and to a lesser extent, direct infiltration from precipitation and irrigation. In the coming years, the City will also obtain potable water via the Nacimiento Water Project.

There are currently 9 water wells on the property, including 2 geothermal wells. One of the wells draws from the underflow of the Salinas River and has been historically used to irrigate crops grown on the property. The other well that pumps groundwater has been used for a variety of purposes, including potable water supply and irrigation.

The property’s wells could produce water sufficient to serve all project uses. The following approaches, combined with utilizing irrigation water from existing wells with provisions to use recycled water, will significantly reduce the demand on the City’s potable water system. TNC is designed to reduce typical water demand through:

•   Landscape material shall be limited to drought-tolerant and/or native species, section 4.6.

•   Use of turf grass shall be limited.

•   Irrigation systems shall meet high-efficiency criteria, section 4.5.

•   Residential and commercial uses shall be required to utilize high-efficiency water fixtures and appliances.

In addition, to reducing the potable water demand, all residential units shall include the installation of the following features that meet the following average flow rates:

•   Lavatory faucets shall be 1.5 gpm.

•   All showers shall be 2.0 gpm per stall.

All toilets shall meet at least 1 of the following requirements:

•   Have an average flow rate of 1.3 gpm OR

•   Be dual-flush and meet the requirements of ASME
A112.19.14 OR

•   Meet the U.S. EPA WaterSense specification and be certified and labeled accordingly.

For residential areas, the water system shall maintain a fire flow of 2,500 gpm for a minimum of 2 hours at 20 PSI. Commercial areas, all non-residential buildings in Neighborhood or Special District Zones, shall maintain 3,500 gpm for a minimum of 2 hours at 20 PSI.

7.2 Sewer Infrastructure

The City of Paso Robles Public Works Department operates and maintains the City’s wastewater treatment plant, which is located at 3200 Sulphur Springs Road. All wastewater is collected and pumped to the Sulphur Springs treatment plant, where it is treated by a secondary trickling filtration process. Ultimately, the treated wastewater effluent is discharged into the Salinas River and dried biosolids are disposed of at the City Landfill. The permitted capacity of the City plant is 4.9 million gallons per day (mgd). The current average daily sewage flow into the plant is 2.8 mgd.

By minimizing water use, as described previously, the anticipated wastewater volume entering the City’s system from River Oaks should be significantly smaller when compared to a similar-sized development utilizing historical methods.

7.3 Drainage

Historically, storm water runoff at the site flows from the western side directly into the Salinas River. From the eastern side, it flows along Buena Vista Drive through existing culverts directly to the Huerhuero Creek, which flows to the Salinas River. The proposed drainage design maintains the historic drainage pattern.

Stormwater quantity will be reduced and quality will be enhanced in the basins through the settlement of suspended particles as well as pretreated, filtered and infiltrated throughout the site using bioswales along streets and open spaces. Please see section 4.1, Sustainable Landscape Principles, for further bio-swale information.

Design of basins shall be as follows:

•   Basin #3 will continue to serve as a year-round water feature.

•   Basins #1, 2 and 4 shall be “Landscaped Detention Basins” and consistent with City requirements.

•   Supplemental irrigation shall be provided to facilitate attractive plantings year-round. 

•   Basin slopes shall not exceed 5:1 slopes to eliminate the need for perimeter fencing.

•   Basins #1, 2 and 4 will have varying water levels based on seasonal flows.

The proposed strategies for stormwater management are intended to minimize the disruption of historic hydrology patterns through the control of both quality and quantity of stormwater runoff. The stormwater management system shall address water quantity by reducing impervious surfaces, where feasible, increasing site infiltration and managing stormwater runoff.  Through these design features, existing peak discharge will not be increased. Stormwater quality will be managed through the capture and treatment of runoff to eliminate sources of contamination and to remove pollutants.

Since the amount of impervious area is increased, several detention basins have been incorporated into the development. A regional detention basin (Basin #1) will be located in the northeast corner of the site  to take runoff from a variety of sources including future developments on the east side of Buena Vista Drive and potentially from the northern portion of the existing and future Cuesta College North County Campus.

The west side has been broken up into 3 different drainage areas. There is a large detention basin located in the northern portion of the site (Basin #2) that will take runoff from Neighborhoods 6 and 7 and the Health & Wellness and Fitness area. An existing lake/detention basin (Basin #3) has significant capacity to detain runoff from the southern hillside area, Neighborhood 2 to the northwest, and from the neighborhood recreational areas. The neighborhood to the west of the existing lake will have 1 primary detention basin (Basin #4).

Structural improvements to achieve these goals may include, but are not limited to, pervious concrete, gravel reservoirs and infiltration trenches. The soil conditions potentially have a low infiltration rate, therefore runoff will require substantial time to infiltrate into the soil profile. To allow for this time, stormwater management systems shall be designed and sized appropriately to store the volume of water required to limit the runoff volume to historic levels. Design of structural improvements will occur at time of final map for each neighborhood.

7.4 Grading

River Oaks seeks to minimize site disturbance by preserving steep slopes and existing tree canopies. This includes significantly limiting site grading to higher-density neighborhoods and activity centers. The majority of grading will occur in site areas that have been previously disturbed by farming operations. See Site Sections on the following pages for visual representation of grading for development.

During grading, when feasible, top soil should be stockpiled and replaced after subsoils are re-contoured to provide acceptable finish grades.

Residential development will be restricted from major hilltops and slopes with greater than 15 percent gradient. Site improvements to major hilltops will be limited to services that benefit the entire village, including the Community Conference Center, open space and vineyards. The northeast Neighborhood Core Zone (Neighborhood 6) will require the removal of a small hill to facilitate pedestrian-friendly streets through the implementation of a grid layout.

Use of retaining walls will be kept to a minimum by utilizing planted slopes that do not exceed a 2:1 ratio. Design and material finish of retaining walls shall meet design guidelines in Section 4.6.3 Fences and Walls. The goal is to achieve a net zero balance for the cut and fill of earthwork throughout TNC.

Fine grading plans shall be prepared for final lot improvements to address specific land use and construction types and erosion control measures shall be required during construction activity.

7.5 Fire Protection

Fire services will be provided by the City of Paso Robles Fire Department. The City of Paso Robles participates in a “mutual aid” agreement with other CAL FIRE fire stations in the area. This “mutual aid” agreement benefits and enhances fire protection and emergency response services to the area by providing additional personnel and equipment in an emergency situation. Automatic aid support would come from CAL FIRE located at 3125
Buena Vista Drive.

7.6 Law Enforcement

Law enforcement services to the City of Paso Robles are provided by the City of Paso Robles Police Department from their Main Station located at 840 10th Street in Paso Robles. The City of Paso Robles Police Department has both county wide and regional (including Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties) mutual aid agreements. The California Highway Patrol responds to traffic-related calls on U.S. Highway 101 and State Route 46 in the vicinity of River Oaks out of their North County office in Templeton.

7.7 Schools

River Oaks is located within and will be serviced by the Paso Robles Joint Unified School District. The Kermit King Elementary School (grades K-5) is located at 700 School House Circle. Daniel Lewis Middle School (grades 6-8), is located at 900 Creston Road. Paso Robles High School (grades 9-12) is located at 801 Niblick Road.

7.8 Solid Waste and Recycling

Solid waste collection service will be provided by Paso Robles Waste Disposal Company, contract hauler for the entire City of Paso Robles. Solid waste is collected and disposed of at the Paso Robles Landfill, located east of City limits, at 9000 Highway 46 East. The City of Paso Robles currently provides curbside and green waste recycling programs.

At least 50% of construction waste shall be recycled. As part of Plot Plan Review, arrangement shall be made for the pick-up or transport of recycled materials to the appropriate service center where feasible.

7.9 Parks and Recreation

The City does not have specific thresholds regarding impacts involving recreational facilities. River Oaks provides, at minimum, the City standard requirement of 5 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents; approximately 26.8 acres of active open space and recreation facilities.

7.10  Utilities

Utility services, including electrical, gas, cable, and phone, will be provided by the appropriate utility service provider.