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(Draft SEIR,pp. 4.D-55 to 4.D-56.) <br /> L. Alternatives <br /> CEQA Guidelines §15126(a) requires that an EIR describe a reasonable range of <br /> alternatives that would obtain most of the basic project objectives but would avoid or substantially <br /> lessen any of the significant environmental effects of the project, and that the EIR evaluate the <br /> comparative merits of the alternatives. Case law indicates that the lead agency has the discretion to <br /> determine how many alternatives constitute a reasonable range (Citizens of Goleta Valley v. Board <br /> of Supervisors [1990] 52 Ca1.3d 553, 56); and that an El.need not present alternatives that are <br /> incompatible with fundamental project objectives (Save San Francisco Bay Association v. San <br /> Francisco Bay Conservation &Development Commission [1992] 10 Cal.App. 46' 908). CEQA <br /> Guidelines §15126.6(f) states that the range of alternatives required in an EIR is governed by a <br /> "rule of reason"that requires the EIR to set forth only those alternatives necessary to permit a <br /> reasoned choice. <br /> Additionally, CEQA Guidelines §15126.6(a)provides that an EIR need not consider <br /> alternatives that are infeasible. CEQA Guidelines §15126.6(f)(1)provides that among the factors <br /> that may be taken into account when addressing the feasibility of alternative are"site suitability, <br /> economic viability, availability of infrastructure, general plan consistency, other plans or <br /> regulatory limitations,jurisdictional boundaries, and whether the proponent can reasonably <br /> acquire, control or otherwise have access to the alternative site." <br /> Where a lead agency has determined that, even after the adoption of all feasible <br /> mitigation measures, a project will still cause one or more significant environmental effects that <br /> cannot be substantially lessened or avoided,the agency,prior to approving the project as mitigated, <br /> must first determine whether, with respect to such impacts,there remain any project alternatives <br /> that are both environmentally superior and feasible within the meaning of CEQA. Although an EIR <br /> must evaluate this range of potentially feasible alternatives, an alternative may ultimately be <br /> deemed by the lead agency to be"infeasible" if it fails to fully promote the lead agency's <br /> underlying goals and objectives with respect to the project. <br /> Under CEQA Guidelines §15126.6, the alternatives to be discussed in detail in an <br /> EIR should be able to"feasibly attain most of the basic objectives of the project[.]"The objectives <br /> of the proposed Zone described above provided the framework for defining possible alternatives. <br /> The alternatives included and evaluated in the SEIR meet those basic objectives. <br /> The significant impacts of the proposed Zone are related to the intensity of <br /> development. Thus,project alternatives, except the required No Project Alternative, include <br /> development programs that are lower in intensity than the proposed Zone. <br /> The City finds that a good faith effort was made to evaluate all feasible alternatives <br /> in the EIR that are reasonable alternatives to the proposed Zone, and that could feasibly obtain the <br /> basic objectives of the Zone. As a result,the scope of alternatives analyzed in the EIR is not <br /> unduly limited or narrow. The City also finds that all reasonable alternatives were reviewed, <br /> analyzed, and discussed in the review process of the EIR. <br /> Alternative 1: No Project Alternative <br /> Alternative 1,the No Project Alternative, would result in development consistent <br /> 53 <br />