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SAN LEANDRO SHORELINE DEVELOPMENT DRAFT EIR <br />CITY OF SAN LEANDRO <br />AESTHETICS <br />Viewpoints G1 and G2 show two viewing angles from the location of the existing Marina Inn. Viewpoint <br />G1 looks to the northwest from the hotel and G2 looks to the southwest from the hotel. Figure 4.1-11a, <br />Viewpoint G1— Existing View, was taken from the third floor of the Marina Inn and shows the view <br />experienced by people staying in the hotel. As shown, the foreground of the view is dominated by the <br />existing boats, slips and large, heavy metal clad protective structures for boats in the harbor. In the <br />background the hills across the San Francisco Bay to the west are visible, as well as the air traffic control <br />tower for the Oakland International Airport and vegetation in the adjacent Oyster Bay Regional Shoreline. <br />Figure 4.1-11b, Viewpoint G1— Photo Simulation, shows that with implementation of the Project, the <br />office buildings and conference center which would be built on the north side of the Marina would block <br />much of the existing mid -field views of the Oakland International Airport and Oyster Bay Regional <br />Shoreline vegetation. Additionally, the hotel proposed to be constructed on the western finger of the <br />Marina would block a portion of the far -field view across the San Francisco Bay but would maintain some <br />of the existing views. However, only a portion of this existing view would be blocked and the removal of <br />the boats in the harbor would allow for more expansive near -field views. The Project would change the <br />views from this vantage point but would maintain and improve views of open water across the harbor and <br />would retain the shoreline and marine character of the views. The change to these views would be a <br />change, but the impact would be less than significant. <br />Looking to the southwest from the Marina Inn, as seen in Figure 4.1-12a, Viewpoint G2 — Existing View, <br />there are open parking lots, boat docks and ancillary facilities in the foreground. In the background, the <br />end of Faro Point is visible and further in the background the hills across the San Francisco Bay are visible. <br />Figure 4.1-12b, Viewpoint G2 — Photo Simulation, shows that there would not be a significant change in <br />the character of the site from this viewpoint. The elimination of the boats and slips as well as the addition <br />of the proposed aquatic center are the primary differences, however; the new aquatic center would be <br />screened by trees and the elimination of the boats in the harbor would be consistent with the intent of <br />the San Leandro General Plan for the reasons discussed above. The change to visual character reflected in <br />these views would be less than significant. <br />Although the Project would alter the character of the Project site, as described, the changes would in <br />many cases result in beneficial impacts through the incorporation of project components intended to <br />provide attractive limited development that enhances the visual character as well as the recreational <br />amenities of Project site. As a result, the Project would result in less -than -significant impacts and would <br />not substantially degrade the visual character of the Project site. <br />Urban Decay Analysis <br />One way that the Project could affect the visual character within the vicinity of the Project site would be if <br />it were to result in urban decay. Urban decay or urban blight can result if a new development project <br />saturates a market, putting competitors out of business, thereby creating long-term vacancies in <br />competitive centers that would, in turn, lead to urban decay. Concerns have been raised regarding the <br />viability of existing hotels in light of the proposed 200 -room hotel included in the Project. Therefore, an <br />urban decay analysis was completed for this Project and is included in Appendix B. <br />PLACEWORKS 4.1-29 <br />