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City of Pleasanton 475 and 493 St. John Street Mixed-Use Project 18 5.1 Aesthetics Impacts Identified in the Certified Final EIR The DSP identifies Arroyo del Valle as a scenic resource within the DSP area. The Final EIR determined that development facilitated by the DSP would not have a substantial adverse effect on scenic vistas, as there are limited scenic vistas in the DSP area and all development would be required to conform to applicable existing regulations, development standards, and design standards that address the preservation of public scenic vistas. Design standards, included in the Land Use and Design chapter of the DSP, include but are not limited to building design standards for businesses in the downtown area. There are no designated State Scenic Highways in the DSP area, and accordingly development facilitated by the DSP would not damage scenic resources within a State Scenic Highway. The Final EIR determined that implementation of the DSP would not substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of the DSP area and its surroundings, as proposed development or redevelopment would be required to conform with DSP policies that preserve and enhance the character of the DSP area. Additionally, while new development under the DSP would add new sources of light and glare to the DSP area, existing and proposed policies and regulations would minimize impacts to day- and nighttime views of the DSP area. Overall, the Final EIR concluded that implementation of the DSP would result in less than significant impacts to aesthetics. Impacts of the Barone’s Project The project site is immediately south of Arroyo del Valle. Public views of Arroyo del Valle from St. John Street are already limited by existing development and trees along the arroyo. Therefore, the proposed project would not have a substantial adverse effect on a public scenic vista, and impacts would be less than significant. As identified in the Final EIR, there are no State Scenic Highways in the DSP area, and the project would not damage scenic resources within a State Scenic Highway. There would be no impact. Although the project applicant proposes a different land use than what was designated in the DSP and would alter the visual character of the site through the introduction of more intense development, the project would still be required to conform with DSP policies that aim to preserve and enhance the character of the downtown area. These policies include the Downtown Design Guidelines, which provide guidance for new construction and redevelopment in the DSP area. The Downtown Design Guidelines include guidance for the siting, construction, architectural style, and signage for businesses and residences in the downtown area to encourage new development to fit in with the established pattern of the downtown. Therefore, with compliance with existing policies, the project would not substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of the DSP area and its surroundings, and impacts would be less than significant. Similar to the conclusions of the Final EIR, the project would add new sources of light and glare; however, the project site and surrounding areas are urbanized and already have sources of light and glare; further, new lighting included in the project would be required to conform with the Downtown Design Guidelines, which outline standards for allowable lighting and lighted signs in different districts of the downtown, require exterior lighting to be shielded and be compatible with residential surroundings, and call for the use of tinted windows in storefronts to reduce glare. Therefore, the project would result in less than significant impacts related to light and glare.