Laserfiche WebLink
City of San Leandro <br />Housing Element Update (2015-2023) Project <br />Initial Study and Environmental Checklist <br />F. ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST <br />Less Than <br />Significant <br />I. AESTHETICS <br />Potentially <br />Significant <br />With <br />Mitigation Less Than No <br />Would the project: <br />Impact <br />Incorporated Significant Impact <br />a) Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista? <br />❑ <br />❑ ® ❑ <br />b) Substantially damage scenic resources, including, but not lim- <br />ited to, trees, rock outcroppings and historic buildings within ❑ ❑ ❑ <br />a State scenic highway? <br />c) Substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of ❑ ❑ ® ❑ <br />the site and its surroundings? <br />d) Create a new source of substantial light or glare that would ❑ 1:1 ® E]adversely affect day or nighttime views in the area? <br />a) Wllould the project have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista? <br />Potential future development that could occur under the proposed Project would have the potential to affect <br />scenic vistas and/or scenic corridors if new or intensified development blocked views of areas that provide or <br />contribute to such vistas. Potential effects could include blocking views of a scenic vista/corridor from spe- <br />cific publicly accessible vantage points or the alteration of the overall scenic vista/corridor itself. Such altera- <br />tions could be positive or negative, depending on the characteristics of individual future developments and <br />the subjective perception of observers. <br />Scenic corridors are considered an enclosed area of landscape, viewed as a single entity that includes the total <br />field of vision visible from a specific point, or series of points along a linear transportation route. Public view <br />corridors are areas in which short-range, medium -range, and long-range views are available from publicly ac- <br />cessible viewpoints, such as from city streets. However, scenic vistas are generally interpreted as long-range <br />views of a specific scenic feature (e.g. open space lands, mountain ridges, bay, or ocean views). <br />Although primarily characterized by urban development, views are an important part of San Leandro's overall <br />character, particularly in the hill neighborhoods that consist of dramatic and panoramic views across the City <br />and surrounding region. Further, many shoreline areas also offer sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay, in <br />addition to the San Leandro Hills, which form an attractive backdrop for many residential areas. Less than <br />one percent of the City's housing capacity as defined by the Housing Element is located in hill neighborhoods <br />where visual impacts would be most prevalent. The city has taken steps to preserve the panoramic views <br />within the San Leandro Hills by limiting the height of new homes and additions.? <br />Potential future development that could occur under the proposed Project would allow for residential devel- <br />opment in Residential zoning districts where residential uses currently exist and are accounted for in the Gen- <br />eral Plan. The housing sites listed in the Housing Element are predominantly infill sites on flat land and <br />would be expected to accommodate low- to mid -rise buildings. Implementation of the proposed Project <br />does not propose to change existing land use designations or zoning districts, and anticipates that land uses <br />will be consistent with the designations established by the General Plan. Implementation of the Housing El - <br />7 City of San Leandro General Plan, 2002, Chapter 7, Historic Preservation & Community Design, page 7-18. <br />Page 114 <br />