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(a BENDER READY -MIX CONCRETE MANUFACTURING PROJECT Initial Study /Mitigated Negative Declaration b) Substantially damage scenic resources, including, but not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings within a state scenic highway? No Impact. There are no officially- designated State scenic highways within proximity to the project site.' Thus, current operations do not affect scenic resources within a state scenic highway, nor would the identified on -site improvements associated with the project. For a discussion of potential impacts to identified scenic corridors within the City, refer to Response 4.1(a), above. Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required. C) Substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of the site and its surroundings? Less Than Significant Impact. ' Short-Term Impacts , Short -term construction activities associated with the proposed project would temporarily impact the character /quality of the project site. Although the scope of construction activities associated with the project would be relatively minor, exposed surfaces, construction debris, equipment, and truck traffic would temporarily impact views from surrounding uses. However, the construction process would be short -term (approximately three months) and impacts would cease upon project completion. Although construction activities would occur in proximity to residential uses to the west, impacts are not expected to be significant due to intervening uses (Union Pack railroad alignment), structures (block walls), and current operations at the site that utilize heavy machinery and trucks. Thus, short-term impacts would be less than significant. Long -Term Impacts The Bender Ready -Mix facility occurs within a fully developed, industrialized area. As stated above in Response 4.1(a), no City- identified view corridors, City entries, or selected /screened views from a highway are located in the site vicinity. No unique aesthetic resources or views exist in the site vicinity. Given the range of heavy industrial uses in the area and lack of identified visual resources, the existing Bender Ready -Mix facility does not substantially degrade the visual character or quality of the site and its surroundings. The proposed project would involve various aesthetic, drainage, water quality, and safety , enhancements. Aesthetic improvements would include landscaping, a new block wall, aesthetic screening, and signage. Drainage /water quality improvements would consist of a detention /desilting basin and on -site drainage conveyance facilities. Safety improvements would include fencing and the repaving of South Santa Fe Street along the project frontage. None of the improvements associated with the project would have an adverse impact on the visual character or quality of the site or its surroundings. Rather, the project is expected to result in a beneficial impact in regards to aesthetics. Additional landscaping would be incorporated along the South Santa Fe Street frontage and western site boundary, a 10 -foot high block wall would surround the entire site, shielding operations from surrounding uses, aesthetic screening for roof - mounted equipment would be installed, and new signage would be implemented along the project frontage. Thus, no impact would occur in this regard. ' California Department of Transportation website, hftp://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/LandArch/scenic—highways/index.htm, accessed , January 28, 2011. JULY 2011 4.1 -2 AESTHETICS N 41 1 A -34