4A Public Hearing 2015 0120 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City of San Leandro Housing Element Update (2015-2023) Project Initial Studv and Environmental Checklist ement would not change any land use designations and would not increase development potential in San Leandro. Potential future residential that could occur under the proposed Project would be subject to the general de- velopment standards for the particular zoning district affected by the proposed Project as set forth in the Zoning Code. Any development in hillside areas would be subject to site plan review, design review require- ments, and View Protection (VP) zoning provisions on a project -by -project basis. General Plan policies have already been adopted to minimize the potential for impacts on scenic vistas. For example, Policy 2.08 ensures that alterations, additions, and new homes are designed in a manner that preserves access to sunlight and avoids the disruption of panoramic views. Compliance with the general development standards as well as the General Plan goals and policies would ad- dress the preservation of scenic views and vistas in the city. Accordingly, the proposed Project would not be expected to significantly alter scenic viewsheds in the zoning districts affected by the proposed Project and overall impacts to scenic views and vistas within the city would be less than significant. b) Would the project substantially damage scenic resources, including, but not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings and historic buildings within a State scenic highway? The California Scenic Highway Program, maintained by the California Department of Transportation (Cal- trans), protects scenic State highway corridors from changes that would diminish the aesthetic value of lands adjacent to the highways. There are no State -designated scenic highways within the City of San Leandro. The closest State -designated scenic highway is an 11 -mile stretch of I-580 starting at the northern border of San Leandro and extending to the interchange with State Route 24 (SR 24) in Oakland. The portion of I-580 that goes through San Leandro is eligible to become a State -designated scenic highway.$ General Plan policies have been developed to reduce the potential for damage to scenic resources and these policies would not be altered by the Housing Element Update. Policy 2.13 specifically requires new development to be harmonious with its natural setting and to preserve features such as creeks, large trees, ridgelines, and rock outcroppings. Future housing proposals would be subject to design review requirements, which would further ensure that scenic resources are protected. Accordingly, no impacts related to scenic highways would occur. c) Would the project substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of the site and its surroundings? San Leandro's 2002 General Plan states that the primary visual impression of the city is defined as a suburban community, with features such as freeways, buildings, and signs, along with views and vistas of the waterfront along the San Leandro Shoreline, as well as views of the east bay hillside. However, as discussed in Section La and Lb above, potential future development that could occur as a result of the proposed Project would be restricted to the existing urbanized environment. Potential future development under the proposed Project would be required to comply with enumerated development standards set forth in the City's Zoning Code to ensure compatibility with adjoining land uses. Additionally, compliance with General Plan policies (see Poli- cies 1. 11, 2.04, 3.05, 6.06, 42.04, 42.07. 43.01, and 43.07) would protect the existing visual character or quality of the city and its surroundings. In addition, future housing developments will be subject to environmental review, enabling an assessment of visual impacts on a project -by -project basis. Accordingly, future develop- ment that could occur under the proposed Project would result in a less -than -significant impact to visual charac- ter. 8 California Department of Transportation, California Scenic Highway Mapping System, Alameda County, http://v7ww.dot.ca.gov/hq/LandArch/scenic�—highways/index.httn, accessed on July 15, 2014. Page 115