RES 06035 - Laserfiche WebLink

Draft Environmental Impact Report Bernal Property Phase II Specific Plan All of the vantage points chosen for site views are adjacent to adjoining thoroughfares (Bernal Avenue or Valley Avenue) or to the 1-680 freeway (relevant viewpoint locations as specified under the Plan's (Land Use Element, Open Space Policy 1, p, 20), Views from the five vantage points are presented in Figures 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, and 12E, These views are oriented toward the cultural arts center at the site it would occupy in the project and under Alternative 1; views from the same vantage points in relation to Alternative 2 are presented in Chapter 5, Reviewing the visual prominence of the CAC in its Specific Plan location: . Viewpoint 1 This viewpoint is from 1-680 at the southern end of the Plan area where the freeway is elevated (a vista identified in one of the Plan's visual resources guidelines, p. 52), The CAC blends into the northern view, with vegetation beyond it serving as near-range backdrop and the hills of Mount Diablo in the distance, Viewpoint 2 In a northern view at closer range along 1-680 than in viewpoint 1, the CAC is more visible, although still not over-sized in proportion to either the blue-roofed office building farther east (right) nor tall in relation to the structure in the background to the left, Although in neither viewpoint 1 or 2 does the CAC impose on the vista, it is important to note that the simulated setting does not incorporate expected future topographic and tree cover at the site, In the park-like setting that the Plan is intended to establish, the CAC would probably by markedly less visible, as the view from viewpoint 3 illustrates, Viewpoint 3 This is a view toward the northeast from Valley Avenue near the middle of the Central Area, The view from this point shows how major vegetation in its setting can obscure or soften the appearance even of a relatively large building complex, While from this viewpoint the potential height of the CAC would be part of the skyline (i,e" it would appear taller than buildings and vegetation behind it), the presence of tall trees in front of the building soften that effect and maintain a proportionality that prevents the CAC from appearing unduly prominent. Viewpoint 4 This view is from the south edge of Bernal Avenue just east of the new fire station, From this point, the CAC roofline rises above the ridges and hills in the background, Again, however, as from viewpoint 3, the scale of the building would be gauged by the observer in its relation to trees, The building complex would be substantial but it would not have, at the height shown and in a suitably landscaped setting, an objectionable level of prominence, Viewpoint 5 This viewpoint is the closest of the five, presenting a view from Bernal Avenue at the northeast corner of the Central Area near the Bernal Avenue overcrossing (a vista identified in one of the Plan's visual resources guidelines, p, 52), . . . . 38