2007-026 - Approving the Final Environmental Impact

Home Browse Search

Chapter 3 Findings Regarding Project Alternatives Findings The City hereby finds rhar the No Project/No Development Alternative is infeasible for the following environmental. economic, social, and other considerations: . Would not create an active, mixed-use urban village where it is possible to live, work, shop and play all within a short walk of each other. . Would not facilitate well-designed new mixed-use development projects that combine residential and non-residential uses through innovative and flexible design solutions. . Would not achieve the harmonious integration of new mixed-use development within the existing fabric of the mid-rise and high-rise office environment. · Would not create highly-amenitized streetscapes that provide items such as landscaping, street furniture, niche or linear parks, passive and active water features, public plazas and courtyards, public art and public transportation shelters in a deslgn that integrates the public realm with the private development and serves to create a distinct identity for the district. . Would not create a highly-integrated pedestrian system that provides for connectivity between the residential areas and public recreation amenities to the north and the Overlay Zone. . Would not provide for active street life through the inclusion of dedicated pedestrian-oriented design and active uses on the ground floor at strategic locations. . Would not provide for a mix of housing in order to encourage a continuum of living and a variety of household types. . Would not allow for the development of varied residential types in a mixed-use configuration including, but not limited to, loft-style units, live/work units, attached row houses, and high- quality stacked flats. . Alternative 2: Higher Intensity Commercial Project The Higher Intensity Commercial Alternative involves permitting a higher intensity of commercial development and a corresponding decrease in residential density for projects proposed within the Overlay Zone relative to the proposed project. In general, this alternative would reduce the number of residences and increase employment opportunities as a result of more conunercialJ office uses in the area. For example, if, under the proposed project, 2,000 square feet (sf) of residential, 1,000 sf of office, and 1,000 sf of commercial space would be constructed, 1,000 sf of residential, 1,000 sf of office, and 2,000 sf of commercial space would be constructed under this alternative. Specific development characteristics that would be allowed under this alternative relative to the proposed Overlay Zone are specified in Table 3-1 (Alternative 2 and Proposed Overlay Zone Characteristics). Alternative 2 Proposed Overlay Zone SOURCE: PBS&J 2006 sf - square feet . Gn:iss PariJIliI R\!lSkienIIIIIll1Is 2,707 5,551 This alternative is considered environmentally superior in certain issue areas (per the CEQA Guidelines). Implementation of Alternative 2 would result in lesser environmental innpacts than the proposed project Rp.solulion No. 2007-026 3-4 ...age ~o 01 O~etro East Mixed Use OVe~ay Zone EIR Andlngs of Fact/Statement of OVemdlng Considerations