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Issues: <br />I. AESTHETICS --Would the project: <br />a) Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista? <br />b) Substantially damage scenic resources, including, but not limited to, trees, rock <br />outcroppings, and historic buildings within a state scenic highway? <br />c) Substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of the site and its <br />surroundings? <br />d) Create a new source of substantial light or glare which would adversely affect <br />day or nighttime views in the area? ("Glare" is defined in this EIR as the <br />reflection of harsh bright light sufficient to cause physical discomfort or loss in <br />visual performance and visibility.) <br />e) Cast shadow that substantially impairs the beneficial use, important values, or <br />livability of any shadow -sensitive use, including public parks, plazas or open <br />space areas; buildings using passive solar heat collection or solar collectors; <br />historic resources with a shadow -sensitive character -defining feature; or <br />shadow -sensitive portions of residential parcels? <br />TA. - Page 56 <br />Summary of Impacts <br />Potentially Less than Significant Less than <br />Significant With Mitigation Significant No <br />Impact Incorporated Impact Impact <br />X <br />Conclusion: Regarding aesthetics, the proposed project would not result in any new significant environmental impacts or a <br />substantial increase in the severity of previously identified significant impacts (CEQA Guidelines Section 15162(a)). All <br />impacts are adequately evaluated in the certified Downtown Precise Plan program EIR. The proposed project is also <br />consistent with the Downtown Precise Plan (CEQA Guidelines Section 15183). <br />Documentation: <br />a. The Downtown Precise Plan program EIR (pp. 6-26 and 6-27) concluded that no scenic vistas or view corridors <br />would be substantially obstructed or degraded by future development that occurs in accordance with the DTPP. <br />The impact of the DTPP was considered to be less than significant, and no mitigations were required. The proposed <br />project is in compliance with all applicable DTPP standards and, as a result, no additional aesthetic impacts are <br />anticipated. <br />b. The only designated scenic highway in Redwood City is Interstate 280, located approximately 3 miles west of the <br />DTPP area. The DTPP area and project site are not visible from Interstate 280, and the Downtown Precise Plan <br />program EIR (pp. 6-26 and 6-27) concluded that no scenic vistas or view corridors would be substantially <br />obstructed or degraded by future development that occurs in accordance with the DTPP. The impact of the DTPP <br />was considered to be less than significant, and no mitigations were required. The proposed project is in compliance <br />with all applicable DTPP standards (mandatory) and guidelines (not mandatory) except for five guidelines, for <br />which the AAC reviewed and recommended approval. No additional aesthetic impacts are anticipated. <br />c. The Downtown Precise Plan program EIR (pp. 6-27 and 6-28) concluded that the development occurring in <br />conformance with the DTPP would result in a more discernible and distinctive Downtown form, improved height <br />and scale relationships at sensitive transitions to adjacent low-rise neighborhoods, and would enhance the overall <br />historic character of the area. The impact of the DTPP was considered to be less than significant, and no <br />mitigations were required. The proposed project is in compliance with all applicable DTPP standards and <br />guidelines except for five guidelines, which are recommended but not mandatory. 1 The City Architectural Advisory <br />' As the Downtown Precise Plan states at page 25: "Whereas conformance with the Standards is mandatory, conformance <br />with the Guidelines is preferred and/or recommended. Such provisions are indicated by use of the heading "Guidelines." In <br />various cases, the Guidelines provide a choice of treatments that will achieve the desired effect, and any one may be selected. <br />Although direct conformance with the Guidelines is the surest route to swift approval, developers are permitted to propose <br />alternative design details if they are able to show that such details implement the overall Plan objectives with respect to the <br />desired character of the Downtown Redwood City." <br />M <br />X <br />X <br />X <br />X <br />