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SAN LEANDRO SHORELINE DEVELOPMENT DRAFT EIR <br />CITY OF SAN LEANDRO <br />AESTHETICS <br />Views of the Project Site <br />From the residential development east of the Project site, views are largely obstructed by trees and <br />shrubs along the eastern edge of the Marina Golf Course. However, partial views are available. From the <br />north looking towards the site, due to the Marina jutting out into the Bay, clear views of the site are <br />available from the portion of the Mulford Gardens neighborhood near the shore of the Bay, as well as <br />from the Oyster Bay Regional Shoreline. From the west, passing boats would have a clear view of the site <br />and the lack of any large distinguishing on-site features. From the south, the site can clearly be seen from <br />Marina Park as well as the northwestern portion of the Tony Lema Golf Course <br />There are no State -designated scenic highways within the City of San Leandro. The closest State - <br />designated scenic highway is an 11 -mile stretch of Interstate 580 starting at the northern border of San <br />Leandro and extending to the interchange with State Route 24 (SR 24) in Oakland. The portion of <br />Interstate 580 that goes through San Leandro is eligible to become a State -designated scenic highway.' <br />However, that portion of Interstate 580 is about 1.4 miles east of the Project site. <br />Light and Glare <br />Light pollution refers to all forms of unwanted light in the night sky around and above developed urban <br />areas, including glare, light trespass, sky glow, and over -lighting. Views of the night sky are an important <br />part of the natural environment. Excessive light and glare can also be visually disruptive to humans and <br />nocturnal animal species, and often reflects an unnecessarily high level of energy consumption. Light <br />pollution has the potential to become an issue of increasing concern as new development contributes <br />additional outdoor lighting installed for safety and other reasons. <br />As a result of existing development and the site's position on the Bay, the site generates and is subject to <br />existing light and glare . Not only is there a large amount of reflection off of the Bay waters surrounding <br />Marina, but also from the windows and other reflective surfaces of the docked boats and existing <br />buildings on site. During daytime hours, the overall level of light is more prominent on the western <br />portion of the site because of the large amount of tree cover on the Marina Golf Course and the lack of <br />reflective surfaces there which limit the amount of light and glare experienced. Additionally, the trees <br />which line the western edge of the Marina Golf Course create a partial barrier from the light from the Bay <br />to enter the course. Overall, depending on the amount of cloud cover, the amount of reflective surfaces <br />and thereby the overall level of light and reflection on the site has a baseline level that is relatively high <br />but not uniform throughout the site. <br />4.1.2 STANDARDS OF SIGNIFICANCE <br />The Project would result in a significant visual quality impact if it would: <br />1. Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista. <br />'California Department of Transportation, California Scenic Highway Mapping System, Alameda County, <br />http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/LandArch/scenic_highways/index.htm, accessed on July 15, 2014. <br />4.1-10 DECEMBER 2014 <br />