3B Public Hearing 2009 0720 - Laserfiche WebLink

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14. AESTHETICS. Would the project. - POTENTIALLY Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic ISSUES POTENTIALLY SIGNIFICANT LESS THAN NO SIGNIFICANT UNLESS SIGNIFICANT IMPACT SOURCES ISSUES MITIGATION IMPACT 2, 3, 4, 9 including, but not limited to, trees, rock INCORPORATED 14. AESTHETICS. Would the project. - a, Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic X 2, 3, 4, 9 vista? b. Substantially damage scenic resources, X 2, 3, 4, 9 including, but not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings within a state scenic highway? C. Substantially degrade the existing visual X 2, 3, 4, 9 character or quality of the site and its surroundings? d. Create a new source of substantial light or glare X 2, 3, 4, 9 which would adversely affect day or nighttime views in the area? e. Create significant shadow effects on adjacent X 2, 3, 4, 9 buildin s? EXPLANATION: Sites 1 and 2 are located in a relatively flat area of downtown San Leandro. The visual setting is characterized by one- to four-story residential, one- to two- story commercial office and light industrial buildings, as well as the BART Station and overhead tracks. Site 1 has been previously graded and disturbed and is presently an at -grade asphalt parking lot. Site 2 is a vacant lot surrounded by a commercial office building to the north, industrial uses to the south, light industrial to the west and the San Leandro BART Station and associated parking lots to the east. There is limited, natural landscaping in the project vicinity. Site 1 is visually screened by the presence of mature landscaping around the property perimeter. A small cluster of mature trees occur along the easterly and westerly edges of Site 2 along Alvarado Streets and Martinez Streets. There is limited ornamental landscaping in the form of mature trees surrounding adjacent buildings and in adjacent parking lots. Site 1 is visible from San Leandro Boulevard on the west, as well as from the surrounding roadways and from the existing multi -family residential development to the east (Pacific Plaza Condominiums). Views from the west -facing condominiums will be affected, as views west towards the existing at -grade BART parking lot are replaced with a new, four-story multi -family development project which will change the visual landscape. However, existing views are limited to primarily existing development, therefore, the proposed project will not alter views from existing residences towards any significant scenic resources or vistas, therefore visual impacts will not be significant. Site 2 is visible from San Leandro Boulevard on the east, as well as from surrounding roadways and adjacent development. Distant views to and from the project site are limited due the flat topography and the presence of existing development. However, the East Bay Hills are visible from some areas of the project site beyond the BART Station. The project site would be visible to BART riders as they passed the project site from the BART trains leaving and entering the San Leandro BART Station. There are no designated scenic vistas or scenic resources on or adjacent to the project area. Accordingly, the proposed project would have no impact on scenic resources nor damage scenic resources within a state scenic highway. b-c)The proposed project could change the visual character and quality of the project site, which is currently underutilized (Site 1) and vacant (Site 2). The project site is currently surrounded by a mixture of low and medium rise residential buildings and low-rise light industrial and commercial buildings. Development of the project site would introduce more intensive uses, thereby introducing visual elements and features that will change the existing visual landscape. Mitigation Measure #37: The applicant shall be required to go through the City of San Leandro Site Plan Review process to ensure that the design for the proposed project is compatible with and consistent with the various architectural styles and character of downtown San Leandro, in accordance with General Plan Policy 42.04. Cornerstone at San Leandro Crossings Initial Study 27 March 2009