ORD 2245 - Laserfiche WebLink

Ordinance No. 2245 Page 3 of 34 3. Whether the plan is compatible with previously developed properties in the vicinity and the natural, topographic features of the site: The Project site is surrounded by a variety of uses: multi-story office buildings, a regional mall, and residential development. The proposed residential use would be compatible with the surrounding uses. The building and parking structure heights would be compatible with the multi-story office buildings and parking structures in the vicinity, and with existing buildings at Stoneridge Mall. The structures have been attractively designed and would be compatible with the design of the surrounding structures. New landscaping would be installed to soften the building and help screen parking areas from off-site views and provide buffers between sidewalks and roadways, and the proposed project. The Project site is relatively level and has been graded with prior development to accommodate existing parking lots and buildings. Except for potential minor excavation and other minor grading to install landscaping and to create proper drainage for the improvements and bioswales, the existing grades on the Property would generally be maintained. Grading conducted on the Property would be subject to engineering and building standards prior to any development. 4. Whether grading takes into account environmental characteristics and is designed in keeping with the best engineering practices to avoid erosion, slides, or flooding to have as minimal an effect upon the environment as possible. As described above, the Property is relatively level with minimum changes in grades proposed. Erosion control and dust suppression measures would be documented in the building and improvement plans and will be administered by the City's Building & Safety Inspection and Engineering Divisions. City building code requirements would ensure that building foundations, on-site driveways, and parking areas are constructed on properly prepared surfaces. The proposed development would provide adequate drainage to prevent flooding. Parking lot and roof drainage would drain into landscaped bioretention areas that would filter contaminants before entering the arroyos and, ultimately, the bay. The Property is not located within an Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone. The flood hazard maps of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) indicate the Property is not located in a flood hazard zone. 5. Whether streets and buildings have been designed and located to complement the natural terrain and landscape: The Property is in a developed area of the City and would not involve the extension of any new public streets. Development would step down with the gradual 12 to 15-foot grade change from the northwest to southeast corner of the Property. The proposed structure would be compatible in size and scale with surrounding structures. New landscaping including large box-sized trees would be installed to mitigate the loss of the existing landscaping and trees. 6. Whether adequate public safety measures have been incorporated into the design of the plan: The public improvements associated with the Project would be consistent with City design standards. The existing driveway entrances are located and configured to provide adequate line- of-sight viewing distance and to facilitate efficient ingress/egress to and from the Property. All on- site drive aisles would meet City standards for emergency vehicle access and turn-around. Adequate access would be provided to all structures for police, fire, and other emergency vehicles. The building would be required to meet the requirements of the Uniform Building Code, Fire Code, other applicable City codes, and State of California energy and accessibility requirements. The building would be equipped with automatic fire suppression systems (sprinklers).