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23 The DTPP Standards and Guidelines were established for achieving “quality design of the reuse and restoration of precious historic buildings and spaces as well as the careful design and construction of new buildings” (DTPP p. 14). In addition, the DTPP intended to distinguish the Downtown visually from the suburban character shared by much of the city and nearby communities. As discussed in the DTPP program EIR (p. 6-26), the DTPP was drafted to allow taller buildings in some parts of the Downtown, especially at the center of the DTPP area, which would result in a “mounding” of buildings in the Downtown that would make the Downtown form distinctive. Sensitivity to detailed height transitions was incorporated into the DTPP, along with consideration of architectural character and historic resources; streetscape, frontage, and landscape regulations were also provided. For areas where historic resources are concentrated, the DTPP provided for reducing heights along property frontages to maintain historic character on portions of those streets. As discussed more under item “e” below, particular attention was paid to key public open spaces and adjacent building heights “in order to preserve a reasonable amount of sunshine, so that they can be as enjoyable as possible as often as possible” (DTPP, p. 17). The DTPP Plan-Wide Amendments program SEIR (pp. 6-8 through 6-9) concurred with the DTPP program EIR conclusion. It found that because the Plan-Wide Amendments, which included a version of the Commercial Component that is substantially similar to the one being proposed, would not change the allowable maximum building heights and would add flexibility regarding building placement and lot coverage, the potential for additional office development in the DTPP area they would not substantially obstruct or degrade scenic vistas. The Commercial Component would enhance the skyline and create a more discernable downtown by contributing to the mounding of buildings in the City center. The Commercial Component’s building height would meet the DTPP 92’-0” maximum allowable building height as measured to the top of eave. The Project is requesting additional height of 16’-6” beyond the allowed 10’ for rooftop mechanical screening and elevator overrun equipment in the DTPP through a Planned Development Permit. When viewed from public and pedestrian vantage points, this additional height will be obscured because it is not located on the outer edges of the building and is designed to blend in to screen mechanical equipment. In addition, the applicant has provided line of sight diagrams showing that the additional mechanical screening and elevator overrun will not be visible from pedestrian vantage points (Drawing Sheet A3.11). The Commercial Component would not be substantially different in height compared to DTPP projects that have been constructed east of the subject site (849 Veterans Boulevard, 1355 El Camino Real, 1401 El Camino Real and 1304 El Camino Real are all six to seven story buildings east of the subject site). For these reasons, the Plan-Wide Amendments were found not to result in new or more severe impacts. The 901 El Camino Real Commercial component site is not a scenic vista and would not block a scenic vista. Aesthetic impacts related to scenic vistas would be less-than-significant. This is consistent with the analysis in the EIR/SEIR. The Commercial Component would not create new impacts, increase impacts, and there is no new information of substantial importance for CEQA purposes. b. The Commercial Component site is currently developed with existing one-story buildings and surface parking lot, Little River Park (0.08-acres), and Arroyo Ojo, also known as Little River Creek. Views from the subject site include other commercial downtown development; there are no publicly accessible views of scenic vistas from the site. The surrounding development includes Sequoia High School to the southwest, one to two story commercial buildings to the north that include retail uses that front Broadway, the Redwood City Caltrain Station and surface parking to the northeast, and Sequoia Station Shopping Center to the southeast. This surrounding development is characterized by a mix of small and large commercial buildings modern in design which include varying surface types and window treatments typical of urban downtown areas. Sources of light and glare in the surrounding vicinity are typical of developed urban areas and include a mix of window types and styles with minimal glazing and few full-size windows; reflective building materials are not predominant. The designated scenic highway closest to Redwood City is Interstate 280, located approximately 3 miles southwest of the DTPP area, and outside of the City. The DTPP area and Commercial Component site are not visible from Interstate 280, and the Downtown Precise Plan program EIR (pp. 6-26 and 6-27) concluded that no scenic vistas or view corridors would be substantially obstructed or degraded by future development that occurs in accordance with the DTPP. The impact of adopting the DTPP was considered to be less than significant, and no mitigations were required. The DTPP Plan-Wide Amendments program SEIR (pp. 6-9 through 6-10) concurred with the DTPP program EIR conclusion that impacts on scenic resources would be less than significant. The Commercial component site is not within the vicinity of a state designated scenic highway and the proposed development would not be visible from Interstate 280 due to the varied topography and intervening vegetation. The Commercial Component would have less than significant impacts because it is consistent with the existing land uses ATTY/RESO.0031/CC RESO CEQA GUIDELINES (901 EL CAMINO REAL) REV: 04-22-25 VR Page 23 of 148