RES 02030 - Laserfiche WebLink

The City will mitigate the impacts described above to the extent feasible (see previous section). However, these measures will nor reduce the above-listed impacts to less-than- significant levels. The City has examined reasonable project alternatives, including the proposed project. The City has found that the alternatives to the proposed project would not achieve the core project objectives or would not reduce the significant and unavoidable impacts identified for the proposed project. Each alternative is discussed briefly above. Th[ City has decided to implement the proposed prqiect, which was identified as an envtronmentally superior alternative. In prepanng this statement of overriding considerations, the City has balanced the benefits of the proposed project against its unavoidable environmental impacts. Although implementation of the prqiect would result in significant and unavoidable impacts related to cumulative festivals and special event parking and geology, the City finds that the benefits of the proposed prqject to the Downtown are overriding considerations when weighed against the environmental impacts listed above. Adoption of the Proposed Specific Plan allows the following community, goals to be achieved, and. thus, the City finds that the potential impacts outweigh the environmental risks of the project: Preserve the character and development traditions of the Downtown while improving upon its commercial and residential viability. · Improve access to and circulation within Downtown while maintaining its pedestrian character and economic vitality. Encourage the use of public transit, bicycles, trails, regional transportation measures, and transportation demand management strategies as ahematives to the use of motor vehicles and to help manage traffic congestion in the Downtown. Develop a clear and attainable parking strategy to serve future parking needs based on Specific Plan policies and programs for the commercial portion of the Downtown. Facilitate the provision of water, sanitary system, storm water drainage, fire protection facilities, and other utility systems within a well-integrated and efficient overall network. Provide for the protection and enhancement of the historic and "small town" character of the Downtown Planning Area. Ensure a positive Downtown business climate to support a thriving commercial district that attracts residents and visitors alike, and maintains Downtown as the "heart" of the commumty. J I/W PR:mlh( c:\Downtown\SP 1999\SpecificPlan\DraftSP082001 \Findings& OverridingConsid erations.doc ) Downtown Specific Plan EIR Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations Page 9 of 9