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5. Environmental Analysis The Platinum Triangle Subsequent EIR City of Anaheim • Page 5-1 5.1 AESTHETICS 5.1.1 Environmental Setting Visual Character Regional Character The Project Area is located in the southwestern portion of the City of Anaheim, approximately 35 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles, in north Orange County. The Project Area is located northeast of the I-5 Freeway, south of the Edison Corridor, west of the Santa Ana River channel, and north of the Anaheim City limit. Regionally, the City is surrounded by the Cities of Fullerton, Placentia, and Yorba Linda to the north; Riverside County to the east; the Cities of Orange, Garden Grove, Stanton, and unincorporated Orange County to the south; and, the Cities of Cypress and Buena Park to the west. The City of Orange is located adjacent to the Project Area to the east and south. Local Character The Project Area is located in an area of the City of Anaheim that contains relatively flat topography and no natural landscape features or natural visual resources or vistas. The Project Area is highly urbanized with industrial, commercial, and sports entertainment/stadium uses and does not contain any large areas of open space or any significant visual resources. Vegetation within the Project Area is limited to ornamental trees and landscaping materials. Representative photographs of the Project Area are shown on Figures 5.1-1 through 5.1-3. The I-5 Freeway, SR-57 Freeway, Santa Ana River, and Amtrak/Metrolink right-of-way provide the most expansive views of the project site. However, no scenic corridors or highways are located in the vicinity of the project site. The only officially designated State Scenic Highway within the City of Anaheim is a 4.5-mile segment of SR-91 from SR-55 to the Weir Canyon Road interchange; however, the Project Area is not visible from any part of the SR-91. Angel Stadium of Anaheim and Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim are two of the most prominent visual features within the area and can be seen from many surrounding uses and streets within the project vicinity. Newer commercial and office buildings and somewhat older light industrial complexes, limited retail, associated landscaping, and overhead utility lines tend to dominate major arterial streetscapes within the Project Area Katella Avenue, State College Boulevard, and Orangewood Avenue). Please refer to previous Figure 3-3 for an aerial photograph of the Project Area. Shade, Shadow, and Illumination Some of the prominent sources of shadows within the Project Area are Angel Stadium of Anaheim and Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim, which generally cast shadows in the adjacent parking areas. Other sources of shadows include high rise office uses along State College Boulevard and Orangewood Avenue and several taller structures along Katella Avenue adjacent to the Stadium. Due to the urbanized setting, night lighting is widespread throughout the Project Area. This lighting adds to the ambient light within the Project Area. Existing ambient sources of nighttime lighting within the Project Area are characterized by neon and fluorescent signage associated with commercial and retail land uses. Additional sources include parking lot lighting, structural lighting for hotels and restaurants, overhead street lighting along roadways, lighting from vehicle headlights and sign/building illumination, and lighting during nighttime sporting events at Angel Stadium of Anaheim and Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim. ---PAGE BREAK--- 5. Environmental Analysis Page 5-2 • The Planning Center May 2005 This page intentionally left blank. ---PAGE BREAK--- 5. Environmental Analysis The Planning Center • Figure 5.1-1 Site Photographs The Platinum Triangle Master Land Use Plan Industrial building along State College Boulevard. Northeast corner of Katella Avenue and State College Boulevard. ---PAGE BREAK--- 5. Environmental Analysis Page 5-4 • The Planning Center May 2005 This page intentionally left blank. ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- 5. Environmental Analysis Page 5-6 • The Planning Center May 2005 This page intentionally left blank. ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- 5. Environmental Analysis Page 5-8 • The Planning Center May 2005 This page intentionally left blank. ---PAGE BREAK--- 5. Environmental Analysis The Platinum Triangle Subsequent EIR City of Anaheim • Page 5-9 5.1.2 Thresholds of Significance According to Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines, a project would normally have a significant effect on the environment if the project would: AE-3 Substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of the site and its surroundings. AE-4 Create a new source of substantial light or glare which would adversely affect day or nighttime views in the area. The Initial Study, included as Appendix A, substantiates that impacts associated with the following thresholds would be less than significant: AE-1 Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista. AE-2 Substantially damage scenic resources, including, but not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings within a State scenic highway. 5.1.3 Environmental Impacts The following impact analysis addresses thresholds of significance for which the Initial Study disclosed potentially significant impacts. The applicable thresholds are identified in parentheses after the impact statement. The Proposed Project consists of implementation of the adopted Platinum Triangle Master Land Use Plan, The Platinum Triangle Mixed-Use (PTMU) Overlay Zone, The Platinum Triangle Standardized Development Agreement and the Updated and Modified Mitigation Monitoring Program No. 106 for The Platinum Triangle including, but not be limited to, the approval of subdivision maps, grading permits, street improvement plans, final site plans, development agreements, and other related actions for properties located within The Platinum Triangle; proposed amendments to the General Plan, The Platinum Triangle Master Land Use Plan and the PTMU Overlay Zone, which would allow for the construction of 9,500 residential units, 3,265,000 square feet of office, and 2,254,400 square feet of commercial uses. Future construction pursuant to the master land use plan will result in the conversion of older industrial properties to a variety of new office, residential, and sports/entertainment uses. These uses will be linked together with walkable streets, open space, and consistent landscape. Examples of the types of uses to be developed are shown on Figure 5.1-4, Urban Design Framework. ---PAGE BREAK--- 5. Environmental Analysis Page 5-10 • The Planning Center May 2005 This page intentionally left blank. ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- 5. Environmental Analysis Page 5-12 • The Planning Center May 2005 This page intentionally left blank. ---PAGE BREAK--- 5. Environmental Analysis The Platinum Triangle Subsequent EIR City of Anaheim • Page 5-13 IMPACT 5.1-1: THE PROPOSED PROJECT WOULD ALTER THE VISUAL APPEARANCE OF THE PROJECT AREA. (THRESHOLD AE-3) Impact Analysis: As discussed previously, the Project Area is highly urbanized with industrial, commercial, and recreational uses, but with no residential development. The existing development does not provide a cohesive design and lacks a consistent landscape program. The existing industrial development does not exhibit any significant visual resources. Development of the Project Area would result in an intensification of the existing urban character of the Project Area through demolition or renovation of existing structures and construction of new structures. New development would be of quality design in conformance with The Platinum Triangle Master Land Use Plan and the PTMU Overlay Zone or other applicable zoning designation. In particular, implementation of the master land use plan would provide new landscaping, street improve- ments, and sidewalks. The PTMU Overlay Zone provides standards for well-designed development projects that combine residential with nonresidential uses including office, retail, business services, personal services, public spaces and uses, and other community amenities. The design of buildings within The Platinum Triangle would be of highest quality in massing, design details and amenities. In addition, if a residential development of more than 400 units is proposed on a parcel of five acres or greater, then more than one building type is required to achieve a healthy product diversity and mix. This criterion encourages individual projects of a size and scale that are not overwhelming and that provides a rich mix of block, building and unit configurations to further enhance the visual attractiveness of the Project Area. Due to the relatively flat topography of the Project Area, it is anticipated that the views within and surrounding the Project Area would be impacted, particularly in areas which taller buildings are constructed. It is the intent of this project to maximize and capitalize upon the view corridor from the I-5 and SR-57 Freeways, especially along the highly visible periphery of the area. As shown in Table 5.1-1, PTMU Overlay Zone Maximum Structural Height, the maximum building height for development adjacent to Gene Autry Way is proposed to be revised in light of the proposed widening of Gene Autry Way to create a “Grand Parkway.” The proposed Grand Parkway for Gene Autry Way would increase the right-of-way from 144 feet up to a 170- foot cross-section with associated landscaping, bikepaths, and pedestrian walkways (see Appendix By maintaining a wider cross-section within Gene Autry Way, views of Angel Stadium of Anaheim from the Anaheim Convention Center, Gene Autry Way and the I-5 Freeway (looking toward the Stadium) are not substantially obstructed. As a result, the proposed revisions to the PTMU Overlay Zone Structural Height Limits are not anticipated to result in a significant aesthetic impact. Table 5.1-1 PTMU Overlay Zone Maximum Structural Height Existing Max. Building Height (in feet) Proposed Max. Building Height (in feet) Within 300 feet north or south side of Gene Autry Way Right-of-Way 55 100 Between 300 and 600 feet north or south of Gene Autry Way Right-of-Way 75 100 Arena and Stadium Districts Unlimited Unlimited All other properties 100 100 Note: The maximum building height within the PTMU Overlay Zone may be exceeded with approval of a conditional use permit. It should be noted that greater heights in all areas of the PTMU Overlay Zone are permitted by conditional use permit. As a result, structures within PTMU Overlay Zone could be as high as 350 to 400 feet with approval of a conditional use permit, and approved on a case by case basis. In addition, office buildings ---PAGE BREAK--- 5. Environmental Analysis Page 5-14 • The Planning Center May 2005 within the areas designated for Office-High by the General Plan may have building heights up to 150 feet. Examples of the conceptual building massing that would be allowed in accordance with the PTMU Overlay Zone are shown on Figures 5.1-5, 5.1-6, and 5.1-7 Along with the various circulation-related improvements planned, the urban design features of the Proposed Project will create special view corridors along the freeways in the vicinity of the Project Area, thereby enhan- cing the overall visual quality of the Project Area. As implementation of the master land use plan occurs over an extended period of time, various urban design attributes incorporated in the master land use plan and PTMU Overlay Zone would ensure that individual projects are architecturally consistent and well landscaped as envisioned by the master land use plan. Shade/Shadow Analysis The issue of shade and shadow pertains to the blockage of direct sunlight by on-site buildings, which affect adjacent properties. Shading is an important environmental issue because the users or occupants of certain land uses, such as residential, recreational, outdoor restaurants, and pedestrian areas have expectations for direct sunlight and warmth from the sun. Factors that influence the extent of range of shading include: season; time of day; weather sunny vs. cloudy day); building height, bulk, and scale; spacing between buildings; and tree cover. The longest shadows are cast during the winter months, when the sun is lowest on the horizon, and the shortest shadows are cast during the summer months. Shadows are longer in the early morning and late afternoon. The Project Area is developed predominantly with light industrial uses that are not considered shadow sensitive uses. Therefore, it is not anticipated that implementation of The Platinum Triangle would result in significant shade/shadow impacts to the existing uses. Furthermore, the City does not provide any specific provisions in regulating shade or shadow impacts. Therefore, this analysis assumes that the extent of shadow impacts is considered substantial if 50 percent of sun sensitive area is in shade/ shadow for at least 50 percent of the duration for the season three hours between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. during winter daylight hours). The Platinum Triangle envisions a vibrant community that promotes pedestrian walkways, benches, public plazas, parks, public gathering places, and outdoor seating areas in conjunction with restaurants, coffee shops, and bakeries. Although extensive shading is commonplace and an accepted part of the normal pattern of light during early morning and late afternoon in late fall and early winter, especially in a built-up urban area, occupants of these areas would expect a certain level of sunlight. As indicated previously, shadow are dependent on the height and size of the building from which it is cast and the angle of the sun. While the Project Area is developed with buildings that cast shadows, the increased allowable height and density would result in increased shadow and widths being cast by the buildings. However, because the extent and duration of shadows cast by buildings developed in The Platinum Triangle would depend on the actual design, bulk, height, and location of structures in relation to open space and pedestrian areas, without the actual site plans and building elevations, an attempt to evaluate the actual shade/shadow impacts in this DSEIR would be speculative, thus not warranted. ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- 5. Environmental Analysis Page 5-16 • The Planning Center May 2005 This page intentionally left blank. ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- 5. Environmental Analysis Page 5-18 • The Planning Center May 2005 This page intentionally left blank. ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- 5. Environmental Analysis Page 5-20 • The Planning Center May 2005 This page intentionally left blank. ---PAGE BREAK--- 5. Environmental Analysis The Platinum Triangle Subsequent EIR City of Anaheim • Page 5-21 It is noted that some of The Platinum Triangle design standards would reduce shade/shadow impacts by breaking up continuous shade lines: a building would not have a continuous roof or parapet line exceeding 120 feet in length without vertical break that cause a change in height of at least six feet, and when a building exceeds 240 feet in length, building height will step down in at least one location at least one floor for a minimum length of 24 feet. In addition, all properties would have a minimum open setback for the full width of the property and regardless of style. However, despite of these design guidelines, there is a potential that over 50 percent of on- and off-site shadow-sensitive areas would experience shade/shadow effects for more than 50 percent of the sunlight hours. Future development projects, where adjacent uses are deemed shadow sensitive, would be required to demonstrate that their projects would not interfere with those uses’ exposure to natural sunlight, and incorporate design features that allow direct sunlight for at least 50 percent of the sun sensitive areas for at least 50 percent of duration for the season, is appropriate. Therefore, with mitigation, implementation of the Proposed Project would result in less than significant impacts associated with the Project Area’s visual appearance. IMPACT 5.1-2: THE PROPOSED PROJECT WOULD GENERATE ADDITIONAL LIGHT AND GLARE. (THRESHOLD AE-4) Impact Analysis: The Platinum Triangle is envisioned as a regional activity center with entertainment, retail, high density housing and office uses that require a certain level of after-hour nighttime lighting. Nighttime illumination of buildings, pedestrian walkways, parking areas, park facilities, and roadways internal to the Project Area will be used to highlight building design features, emphasize prominent entrances and plazas, and create a feeling of security. Although a limited increase in nighttime light sources is anticipated, because the Project Area is currently developed with urban uses and is not adjacent to any major open space areas, the increase would not be considered significant. Future development within The Platinum Triangle would comply with the applicable provisions of The Platinum Triangle Master Land Use Plan and PTMU Overlay Zone with regards to landscaping, lighting, and setback requirements. It is also anticipated that proper installments of light fixtures that include the necessary shielding, such as hoods, filtering louvers, and glare shields may be required to maintain proper lighting in park facilities without undue glare impacts on adjoining residential areas. Therefore, less than significant impacts associated with additional light and glare would result from project implementation. No mitigation measures are necessary. 5.1.4 Cumulative Impacts The Project Area is characterized by urban uses and does not contain any scenic resources or natural open space areas. The Proposed Project will intensify urban uses in the area through implementation of the master land use plan and the proposed increases to commercial uses and residential units. While the Proposed Project will not change the urban character of the area, properties developed within The Platinum Triangle will be required to comply with The Platinum Triangle Master Land Use Plan and the PTMU Overlay Zone, which will create a more cohesive and visually appealing character for the Project Area. Therefore, the Proposed Project would not contribute to a significant cumulative aesthetic impact. 5.1.5 Existing Regulations and Standard Conditions • Future development projects within the Project Area shall be required to comply with the planning principles and the urban design elements contained in The Platinum Triangle Master Land Use Plan, and the development standards contained in the PTMU Overlay Zone (Chapter 18.20 of the Anaheim Municipal Code). ---PAGE BREAK--- 5. Environmental Analysis Page 5-22 • The Planning Center May 2005 5.1.6 Level of Significance Before Mitigation Upon implementation of regulatory requirements, and standard conditions of approval, Impact 5.1-2 would be less than significant. However, without mitigation Impact 5.1-1 is considered potentially significant. 5.1.7 Mitigation Measure Applicable Measures from MMP No. 106 There are no applicable measures relating to aesthetics identified in MMP No. 106. Additional Mitigation 5.1-1 As part of the Final Site Plan application, where adjacent uses are deemed to be shadow sensitive residential, recreational, outdoor restaurants, and pedestrian areas), the property owner/developer for future development projects shall demonstrate that the Proposed Project would not preclude shadow sensitive receptors’ exposure to natural sunlight for at least 50 percent of duration for the season, for at least 50 percent of the shade sensitive area, to the satisfaction of the Planning Director. 5.1.8 Level of Significance After Mitigation The mitigation measure identified above would reduce potential impacts associated with shade/shadow impact to a level that is less than significant.