Res10 P-2095 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Less than Significant Potentially With Less Than Significant Mitigation Significant No 1. AESTHETICS. Would the project: Impact Incorporated Impact Impact (a) Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista? ❑ ❑ ❑ (b) Substantially damage scenic resources,including,but not limited to,trees, ❑ ❑ ❑ �� rock outcroppings,and historic buildings within a state scenic highway? (c) Substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of the site and ❑ ❑ ® ❑ its surroundings? (d) Create a new source of substantial light or glare which would adversely ❑ ❑ ® ❑ affect day or nighttime views in the area? Impact Analysis a) The Multi-Agency Maritime Facility site is located in Redwood City,within the area designated as the Port of Redwood City. The visual quality of the bayfront area is characterized by open expansive views of the horizon,sky,and hills surrounding the San Francisco Bay.Views extend from the Peninsula hills to the southwest; Redwood Shores,Foster City and the San Mateo Bridge to the northwest;the East Bay hills to the northeast;and the Dumbarton Bridge and beyond to the east and southeast. Throughout the bayfront area, shorelines and open inland areas provide views to marshlands,sloughs, and waterways.The site has relatively flat terrain indicative of land utilized for port facilities(Figure 4). Wharves 3 and 4 are north of the site; a small public access area is adjacent to the southern edge of the site(Figure 5). Port railroad spur tracks,Herkner Road and industrial and maritime-related uses are located east of the site.There are no trees or other vegetation present,except for a few trees and small lawn areas at the Public Access on the southern edge of the project site. The project would not change the uses and operations on the site,or introduce any new building structures.Any views presently available of the hills,bridges,and other manmade and natural features would not change with the renovations of the Multi-Agency Maritime Facility. The proposed project, therefore,would not result in impacts to scenic views or vistas in the surrounding project area. b) The project site is generally of low visual quality and lacks visually significant geologic,hydrologic, vegetative or unique structural features.Moreover,the site exhibits signs of disturbance and the existing gangway,piers,and floating dock system is in a dilapidated condition,which degrades the appearance of the site(see Figure 6).The project site is not located near or within a corridor of a designated scenic highway.The implementation of the proposed Multi-Agency Maritime Facility Project,therefore, would not be anticipated to damage or result in an adverse impact to any scenic resources. c) The proposed project would constitute a continuation of Port of Redwood docking and boat launching uses already established on the project site,and the proposed structures would be designed and constructed in a way that would be consistent with such uses.Furthermore,the proposed facilities, including the new gangway and floating dock system,would be similar in scale,although slightly larger than the existing structures on the site and also similar to many of the nearby Port-affiliated structures.The structure would continue to serve as the South Bay's primary waterside law enforcement facility for security and emergency-response operations. Although the proposed docking structures would be slightly larger than the existing structure,the project would have a less than significant effect on the visual character of the site. Port of Redwood City Multi-Agency Maritime Facility 11 February 2010 Initial Study