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Hacienda TOD Standards and Design Guidelines Initial Study Design and aesthetics are, by definition, subjective and open to interpretation by decision - makers and members of the public. A proposed project would therefore he considered to have a significant adverse effect on visual quality under (LOA only if it would cause a substantial and demonstrable negative change. In an urban area, infill development of additional structures would generally not be considered to cause a substantial and demonstrable negative change. Adoption of the Hacienda TOD Standards and Design Guidelines would not result in such a negative change, and the resulting buildings would not be expected to result in such a change as the guidelines provide for setbacks, height limitations, landscaping, and architectural c'etails that would create development that would blend well with the existing business park. No additional light and glare would be anticipated from buildings developed under thc proposed zoning compared to those that could currently be built on the project site. In addition, given the location of surrounding buildings set back from the property Lines, any future buildings resulting from the proposed zoning change would not be expected to be located in proximity to other development. The W.P. Carey site (Hacienda site 7G) is located across from the BART station and parking lot. The zone change would allow residential buildings to be located across from potential light sources at the BART Station. During the development process, potential conflicts with BART's nighttime lighting would be considered in order to protect future residents of that site. As there are few trees (and any heritage trees would be protected under the City's ordinance), minimal landscaping, and no buildings on any of the three sites, and as the sites are not readily visible from 1 -680, a scenic highway, development of the three project site due to rezoning of thc project sites would result in a less than significant impact on scenic resources. Less Than Potentially Significant with Less Than No Significant Mitigation Significant Impact Impact Incorporation Impact 2. Agriculture Resources — In determining whether impacts to agricultural resources are significant environmental effects, lead agencies may refer to the California Agricultural Land Evaluation and Site Assessment Model (1997) prepared by the California Dept. of Conservation as an optional node) to use in assessing impacts on agriculture and farmland. would the project: a) Convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or X Farmland of Statewide Importance (I' trmland), as shown on the maps prepared pursuant to the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program of the Califs ania Resources Agency, to non - agricultural use? b) Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use, or a X Williamson Act contract? c) Conflict with existing zoning for, 01 cause rezoning of, forest land (as defined in Public Resource Code section 12220(g)), timberland (as defined by Public Resource Code section 4526), or timberland zoned Timberland Production (as defined by Government Code section X 51104()? d) Result in loss of forest land or com ersion of forest land to non - forest use? X Draft, Subject to Revision 7 2/11/2011