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Visual Impact Assessment Guide — Santa Ana Boulevard Grade Separation Project <br />Change to the Visual Environment <br />1. Will the project result in a noticeable change in the physical characteristics of the existing environment? <br />(Consider all project components and construction impacts - both permanent and temporary, including <br />landform changes, structures, noise barriers, vegetation removal, railing, signage, and contractor activities) <br />High level of change (3) Moderate level of change (2) Low level of change (1) <br />2. Will the project complement or contrast with the visual character desired by the community? <br />(Evaluate the scale and extent of the project features compared to the surrounding scale of the community. Is <br />the project likely to give an urban appearance to an existing rural or suburban community? Is the change <br />viewed as positive or negative? Research planning documents, or talk with local planners and community <br />representatives to get a rough idea of what type of visual environment local residents envision for their <br />community.) <br />Highly incompatible (3) Somewhat incompatible (2) Somewhat compatible (1) <br />3. What types of project features and construction impacts are proposed? Are bridge structures, large <br />excavations, sound barriers, or median planting removal proposed? <br />(Certain project improvements can be of special local interest, causing a heightened level of public concern, <br />and requiring a more focused visual analysis.) <br />High concern (3) Moderate concern (2) Low concern (1) <br />4. Will the project changes likely be mitigated by normal means such as landscaping and architectural <br />enhancement or will avoidance measures be necessary to minimize adverse change? <br />(Consider the type of changes caused by the project, i.e., can undesirable views be screened or will desirable <br />views be permanently obscured ?) <br />Project alternative may be needed (3) Extensive mitigation likely (2) Normal mitigation (1) <br />5. Will this project, when seen collectively with other projects, result in an aggregate adverse change in <br />overall visual quality or character? <br />(Identification of contributing projects should include any projects (both departmental and local) in the area <br />that have been constructed within the last couple of years and those currently envisioned or planned for future <br />construction. The window of time and the extent of area applicable to possible cumulative impacts should be <br />based on a reasonable anticipation of the viewing public's perception.) <br />Impacts likely in 0 -5 years (3) Impacts likely in 6 -10 years (2) Cumulative Impacts unlikely (1) <br />Viewer Sensitivity <br />1. What is the potential that the project proposal may be controversial within the community, or opposed by <br />any organized group? <br />(This can be researched initially by talking with Departmental and local agency management and staff familiar <br />with the affected community's sentiments as evidenced by past projects and /or current information. Factor in <br />your own judgment as well.) <br />High Potential (3) Moderate Potential (2) Low Potential (1) <br />2. How sensitive are potential viewer - groups likely to be regarding visible changes proposed by the project? <br />(Consider among other factors the number of viewers within the group, probable viewer expectations, <br />activities, viewing duration, and orientation. The expected viewer sensitivity level may be scoped by applying <br />19E -87 <br />