For City Council Meeting November 25, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: Tanya Williams, City Manager
FROM: Yazdan Emrani, P.E., Director of Public Works
Title
Request City Council to Adopt the Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Pacific Electric Trail, City Project No. 240801.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt an initial study/mitigated negative declaration for the Pacific Electric Trail, City Project No. 240801.
BACKGROUND
The Pacific Electric Trail project would extend the PE Trail approximately 1.75 miles, using the former Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way. The trail is anticipated to extend from Cactus Avenue and continue easterly to Rialto’s eastern boundary on Pepper Avenue. The proposed trail would be a concrete paved shared path consisting of a 12-foot Class I multiuse path with a two-foot graded shoulder on each side, a four-foot high barrier fence the full length of the trail, wayfinding signage, landscaping enhancements, and pedestrian scale lighting the full length of the trail. In addition, the proposed project would include a trailhead/parking lot on the east side of Cactus Avenue, signalized crossings at Cactus Avenue and Riverside Avenue, and widened curb ramps where the trail crosses roadways. The trail would be striped to accommodate two-way pedestrian/bicycle traffic and would have signage for safety.
The proposed project would incentivize new active transportation users and promote public health by providing residents with a dedicated Class I trail that includes full ADA accessibility, landscaping enhancements, and access to amenities.
Once completed and connected to the existing trail, the entire Pacific Electric Trail would be approximately 19.85 miles east to west.
The project requires compliance with the guidelines and regulations of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) addresses the direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental effects associated with the PE Trail project.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
The analysis in the Initial Study includes review of the trail design and approach, roadway engineering, quantity calculations, environmental surveys, permit applications to other agencies, right-of-way engineering, utility coordination, hydraulic and hydrology analysis, Air Quality Impact Assessment (AQIA), geotechnical engineering, and topographic and boundary surveying.
The IS/MND for the project determined that the PE Trail project would result in potentially significant environmental impacts related to biological resources, cultural resources, geology/existing soil, hazards and hazardous materials, noise, transportation, and tribal cultural resources. However, mitigation measures are proposed that would reduce any potentially significant impact to less than significant levels. As such, an IS/MND is deemed to be the appropriate document to provide the necessary environmental review and clearance.
The IS/MND was circulated for a 30-day public comment period from October 8, 2025, to November 7, 2025. The proposed IS/MND and supporting technical studies were available for public review at the public counter in the Public Works Department and through the City’s website. The City and Alta did not receive any comments during the 30-day public comment period. A copy of the IS/MND can be found as Attachments 1A and 1B.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The City has completed an analysis of potential environmental impacts associated with the project. Alta Planning + Design Inc., on behalf of the City, acting as lead agency pursuant to CEQA, has prepared an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND). In accordance with Section 21082.1 of the California Public Resources Code, and Sections 15072 and 15073 of the CEQA Guidelines, public review of the IS/MND occurred through the following measures:
The IS/MND was circulated via the California State Clearinghouse and was available for public review at the Public Works Department and online on the City’s website.
Staff has reviewed and incorporated all letters received during the public review period that ended on November 7, 2025.
The Initial Study, supporting technical studies, has concluded, and following public review, staff has determined that the project will not have a significant effect on the environment. During the construction phase, various mitigative monitoring and reporting actions will be implemented per the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
This action is consistent with Guiding Principle 3 in the General Plan:
Our City government will lead by example, and will operate in an open, transparent, and responsive manner that meets the needs of the citizens and is a good place to do business.
Approval of this action also complies with the following City of Rialto General Plan Goals and Policies:
Goal 3-11: Provide community facilities that adequately support established programs, can accommodate future needs, and are accessible to all members of the community.
Goal 4-1: Provide transportation improvements to reduce traffic congestion associated with regional and local trip increases.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed the staff report.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact:
The proposed action will not affect the Operating Budget.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact:
The proposed action will not affect the Capital Improvement Budget.
Licensing
A business license application and payment of a business license tax are not required for this action.