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2. The Proposed Zone Would Enhance Pleasanton's Diversified Economic Base Through Business Expansion, Consistent with General Plan Economic and Fiscal Element Policy 1 Policy 1 of the City's General Plan Economic and Fiscal Element is to "Enhance Pleasanton's diversified economic base through an aggressive business retention and expansion program." Approval of the proposed Zone is key to facilitating the "aggressive" business expansion envisioned by this policy. Without the approval of the Zone, the area would be likely to develop on a parcel by parcel basis, and not benefit from a consistent framework for the City's review and approval of new uses and projects in the EDZ area, resulting in a piecemeal, incremental approach to development, typical of most small-scale non-residential development. The proposed Zone would facilitate the redevelopment of land to a higher and better use by creating a plan for development rather than an incremental approach. An incremental approach would not likely provide the economies of scale (or degree of funding) necessary to provide needed infrastructure improvements as the need arises, nor would it facilitate development of a major retail anchor. An incremental approach would therefore not likely yield the scale of business expansion that the proposed Zone would. In addition, the proposed Zone contains design guidelines that will ensure a high quality development that furthers the mission of the City's economic development goals and policies, by providing assurance of high quality design and access to major transportation corridors that larger retailers are attracted to. E. Determination and Adoption of Statement of Overriding Considerations The City Council has weighed the economic, legal, social, technological, and other benefits of the proposed Zone, as set forth above in Section II.D, against the significant unavoidable impacts of the proposed Zone identified in the SEIR (and discussed above in Section II.A). The City Council hereby determines that those benefits outweigh the risks and adverse environmental impacts of the proposed Zone, and further determines that the proposed Zone's significant unavoidable impacts are acceptable. Accordingly, the City Council adopts the Statement of Overriding Considerations, recognizing that significant unavoidable impacts will result from implementation of the proposed Zone. Having: 1. Adopted all feasible mitigation measures, as stated herein and discussed in the SEIR; 2. Rejected alternatives to the proposed Zone, as stated herein and discussed in the SEIR; and 3. Recognized the significant unavoidable impacts of the proposed Zone, the City Council hereby finds that each of the separate benefits of the proposed Zone, as stated herein, is determined to be unto itself an overriding consideration, independent of other benefits, 63