2009-025 - Final Environmental Impact Report No. 2004-02

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• • • b) Substantially damage scenic resources, including, but not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings and historic buildings within a state scenic highway? (No Substantial Change from Previous Analysis) A complete evaluation of the aesthetics effects of the project was considered in the EIR. There are no scenic resources, thus the project will have no impact regarding scenic resources. c) Substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of the site and its surroundings? (No Substantial Change from Previous Analysis) As depicted in the EIR, parking areas and pedestrian walkways will contain attractive landscaping treatments to enhance the open space areas. Trees and shrubbery will be used around the perimeter of the hotel, providing a softening of visual impacts at street level. Palm trees, Jacaranda and Pine trees will be planted along the perimeter of the hotel with palm trees planted at the front of the hotel. A number of trellises will be incorporated into the hotel along the south, east and west sides. The trellises will include landscaping with vines or floral vines for decorative purposes. The Jacaranda and Pine trees will serve as a buffer for the hotel along MacArthur Boulevard and along the east and west sides of the hotel. An updated landscape plan is included as Exhibit 10. The project incorporates landscaping around the hotel and adjacent to the Cinema Tower location. The proposed four-story hotel is compatible with the adjacent land uses. The North and South Lake Towers are 25 stories tall, the office buildings range in height from the 8 story buildings at 200 and 201 East Sandpointe Avenue to a 14 story building at 5 Hutton Centre Drive. There is also asix-story Doubletree Hotel south of the Lake Towers. The proposed addition of the hotel and deletion of the Cinema Lofts and retail/commercial square footage does change the visual character of the site beyond what was analyzed in the EIR. However, no significant changes to the existing visual character of the site will result from the project beyond those identified in the EIR because the proposed four-story hotel is consistent with the surrounding land uses. d) Create a new source of substantial light or glare that would adversely affect day or nighttime views in the area? (No Substantial Change from Previous Analysis) The exterior of the hotel will predominantly be covered by a stucco finish. Due to the developed nature of the project site and the existence of a hotel just north of MacArthur Boulevard, the proposed hotel is compatible with existing uses and is not expected to substantially increase light or glare. The following Mitigation Measure is proposed to reduce any potential impacts from light and glare: Mitigation Measure AE-1- Prior to issuance of building permits the project applicant shall ensure that building plans for the proposed project shall include the use of non- reflective building materials to minimize light and glare impacts. Implementation of Mitigation Measure AE-1 will reduce light and glare and will ensure that development of the project will have no more severe impacts beyond those addressed and mitigated in the EIR. MacArthur Place South EIR Addendum Resolution No. 2009-025 Page 27 of 95 26