Reso PC22-06 0079 PC Reso Recommending Certification of the SEIR

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Findings and Statements Required by the California Environmental Quality Act Redwood City Transit District DTPP Amendments 45 ESA / 202100421.00 Subsequent Environmental Impact Report October 2022 to those of the proposed Transit District DTPP Amendments, than the other alternatives considered. However, this alternative would not substantially lessen or avoid the significant and unavoidable air quality and climate change impacts of the proposed Transit District DTPP Amendments. In addition, to the extent that the demand for additional developed space that would otherwise be built pursuant to the proposed project would be met elsewhere in the Bay Area, employees in and residents of such development could potentially generate greater impacts on transportation systems (including VMT), air quality, and greenhouse gases than would be the case for development on the more compact and better-served-by-transit project site. This would be particularly likely for development in more outlying parts of the region where fewer services and less transit access is provided. It is acknowledged that the Reduced Development Alternative would incrementally reduce local impacts in and around the project site and in Downtown Redwood City, while potentially increasing regional emissions of criteria air pollutants and greenhouse gases, as well as regional traffic congestion. Further to the extent that the demand for additional residential units, in particular, would be met through single-family homes rather than the multi-family housing assumed within the proposed Transit District, the Reduced Development Alternative could also result in greater water usage. In addition, the Reduced Development Alternative would not fully meet important objectives of the proposed Transit District DTPP Amendments. The Reduced Development Alternative would provide for approximately one-third less new residential development (-350 units) and office development (-530,000 square feet under the development cap) within the Transit District area compared to that which would occur under the Transit District DTPP Amendments. As such, this alternative would not fully meet key project objectives for establishing a new hub of office, residential and retail uses adjacent to the Redwood City Transit Center; responding to market demands for retail, office and residential uses; maximizing the development potential of the Transit District Area for job and housing opportunities; and allowing residential uses that contribute to a thriving hub of office, residential and retail uses. As a result, the Reduced Development Alternative would not achieve the City’s objectives for the Project to the same degree as the proposed Transit District DTPP Amendments. Because the Reduced Development Alternative would not be expected to substantially reduce or avoid any of the significant effects that are expected from the mitigated Project, and because this alternative would not achieve the City’s housing and office development-related objectives for the Project to the same degree as the proposed Transit District DTPP Amendments, the City hereby rejects the Reduced Development Alternative from further consideration. Findings Relating to the Altered Land Use Mix Alternative Findings. The Altered Land Use Mix Alternative is described and discussed on pages 19- 17 to 19-23 of the DSEIR. The Altered Land Use Mix Alternative is hereby rejected because it would not be expected to substantially reduce or avoid any of the significant effects of the proposed Transit District DTPP Amendments, and because this alternative would not achieve the City’s office development-related objectives for the Project to the same degree as the proposed Transit District DTPP Amendments. Explanation. Under the Altered Land Use Mix Alternative, impacts related to the intensity of development—traffic; criteria air pollutants, toxic air contaminants, and greenhouse gas emissions;