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<br />CHAPTER 3 <br /> <br />Findings Regarding Project <br />Alternatives <br /> <br />3.1 <br /> <br />INTRODUCTION <br /> <br />The EIR prepared for the Metro East Mixed Use Oveday Zone considered two sepatate sets of <br />alternatives. The first set of alternatives addressed the program-level component of the Mixed Use <br />Overlay Zone (as part of Volume 1 of the EIR) and included three alternatives. The second set of <br />altcrnatives addressed the project-level component, also known as the First and Cabrillo Towers project <br />(as part of Volume 2 of the EIR), and included three alternatives to that component. Pursuant to Sectlon <br />15126.6(a) of the CEQA Guidelines, the primary intent of an alternatives evaluation is to "describe a <br />range of reasonable alternatives to the project, or to the location of the project, which would feasibly <br />attain most of the basic objectives of the project but would avoid or substantially lessen any of the <br />significant effects of the project, and evaluate the comparative merits of the alternatives." <br /> <br />This chapter describes the project objectives and design criteria used to develop and evaluate project <br />alternatives preseored in the Draft EIR. A description of the alternatives compared to the proposed <br />project and the findings regarding the feasibiliry of adopting the described alternatives is presented for <br />use by the Ciry in the decision-making process. <br /> <br />3.2 <br /> <br />PROJECT OBJECTIVES <br /> <br />Implementation of the Overlay Zone is intended to fulfill the following major objectives: <br /> <br />· Create an active, mixed-use urban village where it is possible to live, work, shop and play all within <br />a short walk of each other. <br />· Facilitate well-designed new mixed-use development projects that combine residential and non- <br />residential uses through innovative and flexible design solutions. <br />· Achieve the harmonious integration of new mixed-use development within the existing fabric of <br />the mid-rise and high-rise office environment. <br />· Encourage urban form and architecture that incorporate contemporary design sryles and solutions <br />as well as the use of sustainable building and site design concepts such as green buildings, energy- <br />conserving building materials, and landscaping designs that reduce water consumption. <br />· Create higWy-amenitized streetscapes that provide items such as landscaping, street furniture, <br />niche or linear parks, passive and active water features, public plazas and courryards, public art <br />and public transportation shelters in a design that integrates the public realm with the private <br />development and serves to create a distinct identiry for the district. <br />· Provide for adequate buffering from the Santa Ana (1-5) and Costa Mesa (SR-55) Freeways. <br />· Create a highly-integrated pedestrian system that provides for connectiviry between the residential <br />areas and public recreation amenities to the north and the Overlay Zone. <br />· Provide for active street life through the inclusion of dedicated pedestrian-oriented design and <br />active uses on the ground floor at strategic locations. <br />· Provide for a mix of housing in order to encourage a continuum of living and a variety of <br />household rypes. <br /> <br />6~",,,1,,1;,,.. ',1.. 'UiA7_f19A <br />Metro East Mixed Use OVerlay Zone EIR Findings of Fact/Statement of Overriding Considerations Page 53 of 663-1 <br />