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Environmental Checklist Aesthetics Draft Initial Study – Mitigated Negative Declaration 17 Impact Analysis a. Would the project have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista? A scenic vista is usually defined as a panoramic view from an elevated position or a long-range view from a public vantage point. This can include views of natural features or of the built environment, when architecture and landscaped boulevards offer high-value views of an area considered important to the sense of place. The San Leandro 2035 General Plan does not formally recognize specific scenic vistas in the city. However, the General Plan does designate scenic views, which the City has identified as aesthetic priorities that contribute to a sense of place. These scenic views include long-range views of the San Francisco Bay to the west and views of hills above I-580 to the east. Due to intervening development and distance, there are no views of the San Francisco Bay from the project site. Intermittent views of the hills above I-580 to the west are visible from the project site; however, these views are to the west from public viewpoints along Washington Avenue and would not be affected by the project, which is on the east side of the street. The proposed warehouse structure would not substantially alter views of these scenic views, the surrounding built environment, or distant scenic features. Therefore, the project would not result in a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista, and there would be no impact. NO IMPACT b. Would the project substantially damage scenic resources, including but not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings within a state scenic highway? I-580 is a designated State Scenic Highway north of San Leandro Creek and eligible for designation south of San Leandro Creek (Caltrans 2018). Due to intervening development and distance, the project site is not visible from either highway segment. Therefore, implementation of the project would have no effect on scenic resources in view of a State Scenic Highway. There would be no impact. NO IMPACT c. Would the project substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of public views of the site and its surroundings? (Public views are those that are experienced from a publicly accessible vantage point). If the project is in an urbanized area, would the project conflict with applicable zoning and other regulations governing scenic quality? The project site is a vacant property in an urbanized area, surrounded by automobile repair shops to the north; commercial, storage, and automobile repair shops to the east; a home supply store to the south; and the City Public Works Department and warehouses to the west. Table 4 and Table 5 below show policies and standards from the City’s General Plan and the SLZC that govern scenic quality and demonstrates the project’s consistency with both.