Reso PC17-07 0032 PC Reso Approving CEQA - 860 Charter St

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LSA ASSOCIATES, INC. SEPTEMBER 2016 ROCKETSHIP REDWOOD CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROJECT INITIAL STUDY/ MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION P:\RWC1401B Rocketship School\PRODUCTS\IS-MND\Public\Rocketship Public Review 09-29-16.docx (09/29/16) PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT 22 Potentially Significant Impact Potentially Significant Unless Mitigation Incorporated Less Than Significant Impact No Impact I. AESTHETICS. Would the project: a) Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista? b) Substantially damage scenic resources, including, but not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings within a State scenic highway? c) Substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of the site and its surroundings? d) Create a new source of substantial light or glare which would adversely affect day or nighttime views in the area? a) Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista? (No Impact) In Redwood City, scenic vistas are located in the southern and western portions of the City, within the elevated hillside neighborhoods. Public views of scenic resources, including San Francisco Bay and its associated baylands, sloughs, and marshes, and the urbanized San Francisco Bay Peninsula, are primarily available from these areas. The project site is located in a generally level area, approxi- mately 3 miles east of the scenic hillside areas in the City, and approximately 1 mile west of the bayland areas. The site is not located in an area considered to be within a scenic vista. The project site is currently developed with a one-story building and surface parking lot. Views of the project site from scenic areas generally blend with surrounding urban development. The proposed project would convert the existing structure to a school use and would not increase the height of the building. In addition, new landscaping would be developed throughout the site, improving the site’s overall visual appearance. The proposed project would not result in a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista. b) Substantially damage scenic resources, including, but not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings within a State scenic highway? (No Impact) The closest officially-designated State scenic highway to the project site is Interstate 280 (I-280), which is located approximately 4 miles southeast of the project site.9 Given this distance, the project site is not visible from this scenic roadway. The project site is also not located within a Scenic Corridor or near a Major Gateway, as defined by the City’s General Plan10 or within view of a Scenic 9 California, State of, 2011. Department of Transportation. California Scenic Highway System. Website: www.dot.ca.gov/hq/LandArch/scenic_highways/index.htm (accessed November 21, 2014). 10 Redwood City, City of, 2010. Redwood City New General Plan, Draft Environmental Impact Report, Figure 4- 1.8: Major Gateway and Corridor Location Map. May. ATTY/RESO.0032/PC RESO APPROVING CEQA - 860 CHARTER ST. EXHIBIT A REV: 06-15-17 PR Page 30 of 124