4A Public Hearing 2015 0720 - Laserfiche WebLink

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File Number: 15-441 Where the environmentally superior alternative is a No Project Alternative, CEQA requires the identification of another environmentally superior alternative from among the other alternatives considered. The Reduced Density/Intensity Alternative which would reduce Project components, such as square footage, residential units, and hotel rooms by 25 percent would be the next environmentally superior alternative. As discussed in the Draft EIR, this alternative would reduce most of the Project's potential impacts. The Draft EIR also notes that this alternative would reduce the Project's significant unavoidable impacts for GHG, noise and traffic, but not with enough certainty or to a sufficient degree to avoid or reduce them to less than significant. This alternative would meet Project Objectives to redevelop the Marina Shoreline area with a mix of uses, and would provide public amenities, although to a lesser degree than the Project. However, based on the long history of trying to develop a successful project for the area, the City is concerned that the reduced density would not provide enough development to be economically viable, to maintain a high level of activity that would energize the area, or to create the interplay between uses that would mutually support the different components of the development. This alternative would also contribute substantially less above -moderate income housing than the Project toward meeting the City's Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA). The Relocated Hotel Alternative would keep all the Project components at the same density and intensity, but would move the proposed hotel. Potential locations that could accommodate the hotel include the parking lot along Pescador Point Drive which is southeast of the current proposed location, the parking lot along Mulford Point Drive which is directly adjacent to the northeast of the proposed location, and on the corner of Monarch Point Drive and Monarch Bay Drive. Throughout the past planning efforts for the Marina Shoreline area, and given its sensitive shoreline and waterside location, views have been a particular issue for the City and the public. Therefore, the Draft EIR identified a view -based alternative for analysis and ultimately concluded that aesthetic and view impacts were less than significant. Overall, because of its similarities to the Project use, density, and conceptual site plan, this alternative would meet the Project objectives. As described in the Draft EIR, this alternative would also have generally the same impacts as the Project and would not reduce or avoid any of the Project's significant unavoidable environmental impacts related to GHG, noise or traffic. Final EIR/Responses to Comments on the Draft EIR City staff received comments on the Draft EIR from numerous public agencies including the California Department of Transportation; East Bay Municipality Utility District (EBMUD); San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board (SFRWQCB), California State Lands Commission, Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC), and the Port of Oakland. Additionally, a number of organizations and individuals provided comments on the Draft EIR including the Marina Action Committee; San Leandro Unified School District; Unite Here Local 2850; and the Mulford Gardens Improvement Association. Additional oral comments were provided at the San Leandro Planning Commission meeting held on January 15, 2015 and the City Council hearing on January 26, 2015. Responses to all of the comments provided by these agencies and individuals are provided in the Final EIR document, dated June 2015. Chapter 2 of the Final EIR includes a revised Table 1.1 Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures that reflects revisions to the impacts and mitigation measures. These revisions are also shown in Chapter 3 of the Final EIR, including certain revisions and clarifications to the text in the Draft EIR resulting from public City of San Leandro Page 9 Printed on 7114/2015