11 ATTACHMENT 7 - Laserfiche WebLink

(2) [If the project would) substantially damage scenic resources, including, but not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings within a state scenic highway corridor. (3) [If the project would) substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of the site and its surroundings. (4) [If the project would) create a new source of substantial light or glare which would adversely affect day or nighttime views in the area. The significance determination is based on several evaluation criteria including the extent of project visibility from sensitive viewing areas such as designated scenic routes, public open space, or locations within residential areas from which views by the public are available; the degree to which the various project elements would contrast with or be integrated into the existing landscape; the extent of change in the landscape's composition and character; and the number and sensitivity of viewers. Additionally, project consistency with public policies regarding visual quality, as described in the Pleasanton General Plan, was also taken into account. The Pleasanton General Plan contains a number of policies that address visual resources directly or indirectly. Visual resources are addressed indirectly in the Land Use Element, in its policies relating to open space; in the Circulation Element, in its policy relating to street standards; in the Housing Element, in its policy relating to environmental quality; and in the Conservation and Open Space Element, in its policies relating to natural resources. Direct General Plan guidance relating to visual resources is provided in the Community Character Element and the Subregional Planning Element. Because these directions have been articulated, the consideration of aesthetics and visual resources for a project in a hillside setting needs to recognize hillsides and ridgelines as resources of public importance. In the analysis of Oak Grove's aesthetic impact, the approach has been (1) to identify visual resources of public concern, and (2) to evaluate impacts under CEQA criteria. Because Pleasanton's General Plan contains a Subregional Planning Element, reference was also made to the Alameda County General Plan. The County's East County Area Plan (adopted May, 1994) includes a goal to "protect regionally significant open space from development." One use of such open space called for in the Plan is to provide "buffers between communities." This direction aligns with Pleasanton's policy cited in the Subregional Planning Element to protect community separators. Alameda County also calls for protection of sensitive viewsheds from adverse effects of grading or tree loss: "The County shall require that where grading is necessary, the offsite visibility of cut and fill slopes and drainage improvement is minimized. Graded slopes shall be designed to simulate natural contours and support vegetation to blend with surrounding undisturbed slopes" (Policy 114). PUD-33, Oak Grove Planned Unit Development Planning Commission Page 8