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professional judgment, and by soliciting information from other Caltrans staff, local agencies and community <br />representatives familiar with the affected community's sentiments and demonstrated concerns.) <br />High Sensitivity (3) Moderate Sensitivity (2) Low Sensitivity (1) <br />3. To what degree does the project appear to be consistent with applicable laws, ordinances, regulations, <br />policies or standards? <br />(Although the State is often not obligated to adhere to local planning ordinances, these documents are critical <br />in understanding the importance the local communities place on aesthetic issues. The Caltrans <br />Environmental Planning branch may have copies of the planning documents that pertain to the project. If not, <br />this information can be obtained by contacting the local planning department. Many local and state planning <br />documents can be found online at the California Land Use Planning Network). <br />Incompatible (3) Moderately compatible (2) Largely compatible (1) <br />4. Are any permits going to be required by outside regulatory agencies (i.e., Federal, State, or local) that will <br />necessitate a particular level of Visual Impact Assessment? <br />(Anticipated permits, as well as specific permit requirements -which are defined by the permitter, may be <br />determined by talking with the project Environmental Planner and Project Engineer. Note: coordinate with the <br />Caltrans representative responsible for obtaining the permit prior to communicating directly with any <br />permitting agency.) <br />Yes (3) Maybe (2) No (1) <br />5. Will the Project Development Team or public benefit from a more detailed visual analysis in order to help <br />reach consensus on a course of action? <br />(Consider the proposed project features, possible environmental impacts, and probable mitigation <br />recommendations.) <br />Yes (3) Ma be 2 No (1) <br />Determining the Type of Visual Impact Assessment Required <br />The total score will indicate the general level of Visual Impact Assessment that should be <br />performed for the project. Once the level of recommended assessment is identified, the user <br />should double -check the results by comparing each of the ten question -areas to the total score in <br />order to confirm that the level of document appears sufficient and reasonable in each case. <br />Score 25 -30 β€” Prior to preparing a VIA, a formal visual scoping study that meets or exceeds <br />FHWA requirements is recommended to alert the Project Development Team to potential highly <br />adverse impacts and to develop new project alternatives to avoid those impacts. <br />Score 20 -24 β€” A fully developed VIA, that meets or exceeds FHWA requirements, is <br />recommended. This technical study will likely receive extensive public review. <br />Score 15 -19 β€”An abbreviated VIA would be appropriate in this case. The assessment would <br />describe project features, impacts and mitigation requirements. Visual simulations would be <br />optional. <br />Score 10 -14 β€” A brief Visual assessment in memo form would likely be sufficient <br />19E -88 <br />