Reso23-14 Reso 0048 PC23-14 PC Reso Recommending Certification of the SEIR GP & DTPP

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Findings and Statements Required by the California Environmental Quality Act Redwood City DTPP Plan-Wide Amendments 10 ESA / 202100421.01 Subsequent Environmental Impact Report May 2023 6. Aesthetics and Shadows4 Impact AE-1: Implementation of the DTPP Plan-Wide Amendments would not have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista. Because the amended DTPP area is relatively flat, and since the overall maximum building heights would not change (other than for the five parcels that may be added to the DTPP area as part of a subsequent project-specific approval), the proposed DTPP Plan-Wide Amendments would not substantially obstruct or degrade scenic vistas. Views of the Redwood Shores lagoons would not be affected due to distance, and views of the western hills would still be available from multiple publicly accessible vantage points. Therefore, the DTPP Plan-Wide Amendments would not result in new or more severe impacts than were identified in the DTPP Final EIR. This impact would be less than significant. (Draft SEIR, p. 6-9.) Impact AE-2: Implementation of the DTPP Plan-Wide Amendments would not substantially damage scenic resources, including, but not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings within a state scenic highway. As was the case with the DTPP Final EIR, development pursuant to the DTPP Plan -Wide Amendments would not be visible from Interstate 280 due to the varied topography and intervening vegetation, and would not result in impacts to state scenic highways. The DTPP Plan-Wide Amendments would not result in a new or more severe impact than that identified in the Final DTPP EIR, and this impact would be less than significant. (Draft SEIR, pp. 6-9 to 6-10.) Impact AE-3: Implementation of the DTPP Plan-Wide Amendments would not conflict with applicable zoning and other regulations governing scenic quality. The proposed DTPP Plan-Wide Amendments would involve pedestrian-oriented improvements that would support Redwood City General Plan policies BE-12.1, BE-12.2, BE-18.2, BE-18.4, and BE-18.6. In addition, the proposed DTPP Plan-Wide Amendments would be consistent with goals related to “place-making” along major corridors and in centers through mixed-use development, supporting policies BE-12.5 and BE-12.6. Finally, the proposed DTPP Plan-Wide Amendments would allow for the development of housing in close proximity to transit, which would be consistent with Policy BE-11.3. Therefore, the proposed DTPP Plan-Wide Amendments would not conflict with the General Plan as it relates to scenic quality. The proposed DTPP Plan-Wide Amendments would include changes to build-to-corner, height stepdown, and side setback requirements that would allow the City to grant exceptions in exchange for provisions of community benefits. In addition, rooftop structures that support active, recreational rooftop uses, now prohibited, would be permissible. However, there would be no changes to existing height limits (except potentially for the five parcels that could be added to the DTPP area as part of a subsequent Gatekeeper project). Because the proposed DTPP Plan-Wide Amendments would amend DTPP figures to implement changes related to building height and massing, the proposed DTPP Plan-Wide Amendments would be brought into conformance with 4 Potential shadow impacts are discussed below under Section IV.B.6. Aesthetics and Shadows.