RecD96 1996-138987 - Laserfiche WebLink

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(5) (6) (7) (8) (9) EAGPLNPI.DOC 8/22¡'96 The PDP is further appropriate because no building in the Project will exceed 152 feet in height, which is within the height limits provided for in the San Mateo County Airport Land Use Plan. The use of several taller buildings at the locations proposed permits lower rise buildings elsewhere on the office campus without dominating the campus or casting shadows over the campus, open space and adjacent residential communities. These conclusions are supported by the Project Master Plan, Sections IV (Scale Model Photographs) and V (Shadow Analysis), which are hereby incorporated by reference. One of the City's Land Use Objectives is to "[p]rovide sufficient land for a variety of employment opportunities with optimum commute access." The Project helps to meet this goal by permitting the development of high- quality office space that will attract desirable employers to the City. Land Use Policy L-2 states that "[r]esidential areas should be protected from the encroachment of incompatible activities or land uses which may have a negative impact on the residential living environment." The Project will minimize impacts on adjacent properties, in particular adjacent residential uses. The location of the ten-story office building avoids dominating the campus or blocking views to the campus. Furthermore, the use of the taller building and the proposed location of the Phase One parking structure virtually eliminate the shadowing of adjacent residential areas that would otherwise have occurred under the existing zoning and height limit. At the residential edge, the campus will have a landscaped buffer area, instead of the previous proposal of surface parking and low rise office buildings. Two parcels (lots 8 and 9) will remain undeveloped, serving as landscaped buffer areas. This will further help to minimize impacts on surrounding properties. Land Use Policy L-5 states that "[n]ew commercial uses should be located in or adjacent to existing or new shopping centers or other established commercial areas, and isolated spot commercial developments and new strip commercial areas should be avoided." The Project, consisting of 45 acres, will create a substantial concentration of commercial development. Furthermore, the Project is adjacent to a site proposed for commercial retail development. Therefore, the Project avoids isolated spot or strip commercial development. Land Use Policy L-13 states that the "City should take into consideration the cumulative air quality impacts from proposed developments and should establish and enforce appropriate land use as well as other regulations to reduce air pollution." The Project complies with this policy 2