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4/25/2005 <br />FINDINGS CONCERNING PROJECT ALTERNATIVES <br />An EIR must describe a range of reasonable alternatives to a project, or the <br />location of a project, which would feasibly obtain most of the basic objectives of a <br />project, but would avoid or substantially lessen any of the significant environmental <br />effects of a project, and evaluate the comparative merits of the alternatives. Even if a <br />project alternative will avoid or substantially lessen any of the significant environmental <br />effects of a project, the decision -maker may reject the alternative if it determines that <br />specific considerations make the alternative infeasible. The City Council has not yet <br />approved the Project. For the reasons identified in the attached resolution and as <br />supported by the evidence in the record, Alternative #3 constitutes the Project. The <br />findings with respect to alternatives identified in the FEIR are described below. <br />A. NO- PROJECT ALTERNATIVE ( #1) <br />Description of Alternative: Under the No- Project Alternative, no new <br />development would occur at the Project site and demolition would be not triggered. <br />Findings: This alternative would preserve existing conditions on the Project site, <br />and no Project approvals would be adopted by the City. Existing facilities which are <br />currently vacant would remain in their present condition and require increased <br />maintenance. The City finds that this alternative is infeasible and less desirable than <br />the proposed Project and rejects this alternative for the following reasons: <br />1. This alternative would forgo the opportunity to strengthen cultural, visual <br />and pedestrian connections within the downtown environment including re- establishing <br />a visual link with the Theater located directly in front of the Courthouse which is <br />currently used as a regional museum. <br />2. This alternative would forgo the opportunity to restore the original front <br />facade to a historically significant major community landmark listed on the National <br />Register which is listed as one of the goals and objectives of the historic element of the <br />City General Plan. <br />Based on the foregoing, the City finds that, on balance, the Project is preferable <br />to the No- Project Alternative and that the No- Project Alternative is not a feasible <br />alternative to the Project. <br />B. THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE PORTICOISTEPS AND PLAZA DESIGN <br />ALTERNATIVE ( #2) <br />Description of Alternative: The proposal involves restoring the Courthouse <br />fagade to its original appearance by reconstructing the entrance columned portico and <br />steps. Specific elements of the Courthouse are to be reconstructed to closely resemble <br />their 1910 appearance and location. The specific number and materials for the major <br />elements to be reconstructed on each fagade are listed in the FEIR. This alternative is <br />Atty /Reso /Reso.1530 14639 <br />042005 8 Muff # 301 <br />