RES 12493 - Laserfiche WebLink

4.Written Comments on the Draft EIR and Responses to Comments Letter 2. Pleasanton Gateway LLC (Scott Trobbe) 2-1 The comment requests revisions or clarifications in the EIR related to the determination that because Site 7 is within a state scenic corridor and that development at the site would result in a significant impact on visual resources. The significance determination in the Draft SEIR is related to the fact that the City's General Plan identifies the surrounding hillsides and Pleasanton Ridge as scenic resources for the community and stipulates that views of these hillsides and of Pleasanton Ridge be preserved(see pages 4.A-5,4.A-10 and 4.A-1 1 of the Draft SEIR). Significance criteria and thresholds related to aesthetic resources are not limited to consideration of scenic vistas that are only within a state scenic highway corridor. To clarify the reasoning for the SEIR's significance determination, the text on page 4.A- 13 of the Draft SEIR has been revised as follows: Along the 1-680 corridor,additional development (housing and a Safeway) is proposed for the Pleasanton Gateway(Site 7), through which views of important scenic vistas are currently available. The Specific Plan for Pleasanton Gateway originally identified office uses with three- to four-story buildings for the Site 7 area, which is currently undeveloped. Due to their height, the addition of three-to four-story residential buildings could affect views from Valley and Bernal Avenues of Pleasanton Ridge, located to the west of Site 7 across 1-680. No residential development is proposed outside of the Urban Growth Boundary. Most of the potential sites for rezoning are infill development that would have no effect on the area's scenic vistas. Development with the potential to affect scenic vistas would occur in areas that are already densely developed(i.e., Sites 1, 2,and 3),except in the case of Site 7, which would be constructed on currently undeveloped land. By following goals, policies, and programs included as part of the proposed Housing Element, General Plan, applicable zoning requirements,design guidelines and specific plans, Pleasanton's visual resources, including hillsides and ridgelines, would largely be protected from impacts resulting from development facilitated by the proposed Housing Element. Development at Site 7 is currently entitled to allow up to three-and four-story buildings. Conceptual site plans for Site 7 include a development scenario with two-story buildings along Valley Avenue. In addition, views of the ridgelines are currently somewhat obscured by existing trees and other vegetation along Bernal and Valley Avenues. Two- story building heights along Valley Avenue would facilitate maintaining views corridor of the established scenic vistas,especially given that the height of the ridgelines is approximately 620 feet and would be visible above a two-story building with a likely 20- to 25-foot setback from Valley Avenue. However, for purposes of the analysis in this SEIR and because final site plans have not been developed or approved for Site 7,the General Plan Amendment and Rezonings 4-7 ESA/210016 Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Report December 2011