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Hana Japan Restaurant Project Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration 15 May 2025 I. AESTHETICS. Would the project: Potentially Significant Impact Less-Than- Significant with Mitigation Incorporated Less-Than- Significant Impact No Impact a. Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista?     b. Substantially damage scenic resources, including, but not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings within a State scenic highway?     c. In non-urbanized areas, substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of public views of the site and its surroundings? (Public views are those that are experienced from publicly accessible vantage point). If the project is in an urbanized area, would the project conflict with applicable zoning and other regulations governing scenic quality?     d. Create a new source of substantial light or glare which would adversely affect day or nighttime views in the area?     Discussion a,b. Examples of typical scenic vistas include mountain ranges, ridgelines, or bodies of water as viewed from a highway, public space, or other area designated for the express purpose of viewing and sightseeing. In general, a project’s impact to a scenic vista would occur if development of the project would substantially change or remove a scenic vista. The City includes portions of officially designated and eligible State scenic highways. Pursuant to the City’s General Plan, a scenic highway designation protects the scenic values of an area, as well as providing passive recreational opportunities to view the associated scenic vistas. According to the California Scenic Highway Mapping System, the project site is located within approximately 0.73-mile of Interstate 680 (I-680), which is an officially designated State Scenic Highway. However, I-680 is located to the east of the project site, past the Stoneridge Shopping Center. Because the Stoneridge Shopping Center intervenes between the scenic highway and the proposed project, development of the proposed restaurant would not have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista and would not substantially damage scenic resources, including, but not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings within a State Scenic Highway. Thus, a less-than- significant impact would occur. c. The project site is currently undeveloped, although the site is bisected by a concrete drainage ditch and includes a private paved access roadway. Surrounding uses include commercial hotel uses to the north, offices and commercial uses to the east, and single- family residences to the south and west. Generally, the site is located within an urbanized area; therefore, the relevant threshold would be whether the proposed project would conflict with applicable zoning and other regulations governing scenic quality. The proposed project would require approval of a Design Review pursuant to Section 18.20.010 of the City’s Municipal Code. Section 18.20.010 of the City’s Municipal Code specifies that the purpose of Design Review is to “preserve and enhance the city's aesthetic values and to ensure the preservation of the public health, safety, and general welfare.” Design Review would ensure that the development of the proposed project would be in compliance with the City’s Development Standards and Design Guidelines, which establishes the City’s standards for site planning, architectural design, landscaping, and street design.3 For example, the proposed project would include landscaping consisting 3 City of Pleasanton. Housing Site Development Standards and Design Guidelines. Adopted August 21, 2011.