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SAN LEANDRO SHORELINE DEVELOPMENT DRAFT EIR CITY OF SAN LEANDRO AESTHETICS harbor which is currently approximately 30 percent occupied will be replaced by open water in the harbor, with harbor -side shoreline enhancements, pedestrian paths and lookouts, a small boat launch and kayak storage, among other things. Existing parking lots and occasional wooden buildings will be replaced by the hotel, conference center, mixed use and other buildings. The new development will have spaces between the buildings, and a 20 -foot- wide public promenade on the bayside of the project will provide continuous and unobstructed views of San Francisco Bay. The Project will also change the waterside portion of the site but will not substantially degrade its character. The Project will provide development with a mix of residential, commercial, and recreational uses intended to reactivate the Marina and that is oriented to preserve and enhance water views and shoreline access, especially as to views of the Bay, in compliance with San Leandro General Plan goals and policies. In order to more clearly convey the changes to the visual character of the area that would result from the Project, a series of photo simulations were prepared from representative viewpoints across the Project site. Figure 4.1-4 shows the locations of all of the viewpoints described below. The simulations are based on the details provided in the preliminary site plan and are primarily intended to show how the massing of the proposed buildings would affect the visual character of the site. While simulations were prepared for purposes of the analysis, the representation is conceptual and does not necessarily reflect final architectural details. Please note that the block -like representation of the proposed structures are a conservative depiction and the overall design of these buildings would be subject to change as a result of the design review (Site Plan Review) process required by the City. Given that Marina Boulevard is one of the major entry points to the Project site, Viewpoint A was prepared to show how the gateway to the site would be affected by the proposed development. As seen in Figure 4.1-5a, Viewpoint A— Existing View, there are existing gateway improvements, which serve to signal the entry to the site. The main difference that would result from implementation of the Project, as seen in Figure 4.1-5b, Viewpoint A— Photo Simulation, is the placement of the 3 -story residential units on both sides of Monarch Bay Drive, on the northern part of the site, which would partially block existing public views of the Bay from this entry point. These components of the Project are identified as the North Golf Course Residential and North Residential components. While some existing views would be blocked by these new buildings, the addition of these residential units would replace parking areas and contribute to the visual quality of the site toward creating a more ordered urban neighborhood of multiple building forms, rather than the existing sparsely developed and dilapidated waterfront property. Moreover, the landscaping improvements and circulation changes associated with these residential units would be consistent with Policy 9.06 of the San Leandro General Plan, which calls for improvements to the approach routes to the Marina, including streetscape improvements and circulation changes. Additionally, as discussed above in the regulatory setting, the style of the buildings would be required to adhere to the San Leandro Zoning Code development standards and would undergo review by the Planning Commission and City Council, which would ensure adherence to standards which would affect the visual character including those pertaining to height, setbacks, architectural features, and urban design. Thus, the Project would preserve some of the existing Bay views and would provide attractive new development that provides many opportunities to view and enjoy the shoreline, harbor, and Bay amenities. At this time public views of the Project site from the Mulford Gardens residential neighborhood area (to the east of the Project site) are limited due to the a large number of tall trees on the eastern side of the Marina Golf Course. Viewpoints B and C were prepared to show the impact that would occur in this area from construction of the Project with respect to visual character and public views. PLACEWORKS 4.1-13