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22 c. The Downtown Precise Plan program EIR (pp. 6-27 and 6-28) concluded that the development occurring in conformance with the DTPP would result in a more discernible and distinctive Downtown form, would improve height and scale relationships at sensitive transitions to adjacent low-rise neighborhoods, and would enhance the overall historic character of the area. The impact of the DTPP was considered to be less than significant, and no mitigations were required. The DTPP Plan-Wide Amendments program SEIR (pp. 6-10 through 6-12) concurred with the DTPP program EIR conclusion that the impacts would be less than significant because implementation would produce a more appealing and coherent visual character in the Downtown and maximum allowable building heights did not change. The 1900 Broadway project component is consistent with the maximum building heights, setbacks, and design regulations as established in the DTPP, which ensures project consistency with the aesthetics conclusions in the SEIR related to (1) no substantial obstruction or degradation of scenic vistas and (2) the enhancement of the downtown skyline to create a more discernable downtown. The built environment at and around the project site is described in Section (b) above. The proposed project component meets all applicable Downtown Precise Plan standards and guidelines with deviations preemptively requested, if needed in the future, to ground floor tenant space width and storefront design variation guidelines, which are recommended but not mandatory.3 These deviations may not be needed and are minor ground floor architectural elements that would facilitate tenancy and therefore will not alter the visual character of the project. The proposed project component was reviewed at the April 25, 2024, Special Meeting of the Architectural Advisory Committee (AAC) to review the building, site, and urban design and to forward a recommendation to the Planning Commission. Staff recommended to the AAC that the applicant’s project design was sufficient for AAC to support the requested DTPP Guideline deviations and for AAC to forward a recommendation to the Planning Commission for approving the guideline deviations (Section 2.9 of the DTPP) for the proposed project. The AAC unanimously voted to recommend approval of the project to the Planning Commission . (City of Redwood City AAC Staff Report, April 25, 2024;communication with Samuel Hughes, Associate Planner, City of Redwood City, May 28, 2024). Given that the 1900 Broadway project component meets all mandatory DTPP Standards and requires only two minor deviations from the non-mandatory Guidelines, and was recommended for approval by the AAC, aesthetic impacts related to visual character and conflicts with standards governing scenic quality would be less-than-significant. There will be no new aesthetic impacts or any substantial increases in the severity of previously identified significant aesthetic impacts related to the project component’s architectural design. The 1900 Broadway project component would have less than significant impacts on visual character or quality because, as noted above, it is consistent with the DTPP and existing land uses surrounding the project site, is within the maximum allowable height, would contribute to the mounding of buildings in the City’s downtown skyline, and would enhance and not detract from or contrast with the existing visual character and quality of the surroundings. The project site is located within an area which is developed with similar uses and the location, size, and design of the proposed use would be similar to and compatible with the land uses in the immediate area. For these reasons, the 1900 Broadway project component would be consistent with the analysis in the EIR/SEIR and would not create new impacts, increase impacts, and there is no new information of substantial importance for CEQA purposes. d. The Downtown Precise Plan program EIR (pp. 6-28 and 6-29) concluded that since new development within the DTPP area would be required to meet the lighting power allowances for Lighting Zone 3 for new installed outdoor lighting equipment contained in Title 24, Parts 1 and 6, Building Energy Efficiency Standards, unnecessary brightness of lighting, debilitating glare, and sky glow would be adequately controlled. The impact of development occurring under the DTPP was considered to be less than significant, and no mitigations were required. The DTPP Plan-Wide Amendments program SEIR (p. 6-12) concurred with the DTPP program EIR conclusion that the impacts would be less than significant because of compliance with Lighting Zone 3 and Title 24 standards reduce the impacts. The proposed project component is in compliance with all applicable DTPP standards regarding light and glare, and as a result, no additional light and glare impacts are anticipated. Proposed new street lighting is subject to review and approval by the City; as identified in the DTPP, acorn/Lumec and twin-head acorn/Lumec street lighting fixtures are 3 As the Downtown Precise Plan states at page 25: “Whereas conformance with the Standards is mandatory, conformance with the Guidelines is preferred and/or recommended. Such provisions are indicated by use of the heading “Guidelines.” In various cases, the Guidelines provide a choice of treatments that will achieve the desired effect, and any one may be selected. Although direct conformance with the Guidelines is the surest route to swift approval, developers are permitted to propose alternative design details if they are able to show that such details implement the overall Plan objectives with respect to the desired character of the Downtown Redwood City.” ATTY/RESO.0074/CC RESO 847 WOODSIDE (CEQA) - EXHIBIT 1 - CEQA CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST REV: 10-23-24 VR Page 22 of 135