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24 surrounding the subject site, consistent with taller buildings along El Camino Real to the southeast and would not substantially obstruct, interrupt, or detract from any existing scenic resources. For these reasons, the Commercial 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. 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. As noted in Section (a) above, the Commercial Component is consistent with 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 subject site is described in Section (b) above. The Commercial Component meets all applicable Downtown Precise Plan Standards and Guidelines with exceptions requested to the DTPP standards for building placement and step down zone and deviations to the DTPP Guidelines requested related to architectural style. The exceptions requested to the DTPP Standards are permitted by the DTPP for constrained sites like 901 El Camino Real, and DTPP Guidelines are recommended, but not mandatory.6 The exceptions to building placement and step down zone, are permissible exceptions allowed under the DTPP to enable constrained sites such as this one to provide open space and enhance a creek on the site. The exceptions would allow for reduced massing and an enhanced pedestrian experience which contributes to the visual quality of the site and surrounding area. The request for additional height via a Planned Development Permit would allow for rooftop mechanical equipment and appropriate screening to accommodate a potential future R&D/Laboratory use. The additional height would not result in a project substantially different in height compared to DTPP projects that have been constructed east of the subject site because 849 Veterans Boulevard, 1355 El Camino Real, 1401 El Camino Real, and 1304 El Camino Real are all six to seven story buildings. In addition, the height would not be uniformly increased across the footprint of the building. The additional height would be located generally in the center of the roof, away from the outer edges of the building and therefore would not be visible from most public and pedestrian vantagepoints as demonstrated by the line of sight diagrams. The DTPP Guideline deviations regarding architectural style would not degrade the visual quality of the project area. The subject site is surrounded by one to two story commercial buildings. These commercial buildings are not historic nor do all of them maintain architectural integrity in respect to a specific architectural style. The Sequoia Station shopping center which is adjacent to the project site is a one-story strip mall. While the Sequoia High School campus is a Historic District that contains multiple contributing buildings to the historic district, the area across El Camino Real from the subject site includes a turf football field with stadium lights, tennis courts, and turf soccer field with a row of trees along the campus parallel to El Camino Real. The Commercial Component would not adversely impact the Sequoia High School Historic District. (See V. Cultural Resources discussion below). The Commercial Component was reviewed at the May 2, 2024 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 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 Commercial Component. The AAC unanimously 6 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.0031/CC RESO CEQA GUIDELINES (901 EL CAMINO REAL) REV: 04-22-25 VR Page 24 of 148