Typical view of internal streetscape within the existing Twin Rivers Community Housing Complex, showing one-story housing units. Typical view of internal streetscape within the existing Twin Rivers Community Housing Complex, showing two-story housing units. Twin Rivers Transit-Oriented Development and Light Rail Station Project . 140202 SOURCE: ESA Figure 3.1-1 Representative Photos of the Existing Twin Rivers Community Housing Complex Overview of Expansion Area parcel, looking south. View of Expansion Area and proposed Dos Rios LRT Station site, looking north from corner of North 12th Street and Sproule Avenue. Twin Rivers Transit-Oriented Development and Light Rail Station Project . 140202 SOURCE: ESA Figure 3.1-2 Representative Photos of the Twin Rivers Community Housing Expansion Area View looking north along North 12th Street, as viewed from existing Twin Rivers Community Housing Complex main entrance. View looking north on Dos Rios Street, with existing Twin Rivers Community Housing Complex on the right, and warehouse-style buildings on the left. Twin Rivers Transit-Oriented Development and Light Rail Station Project . 140202 SOURCE: ESA Figure 3.1-3 Representative Photos of the Project Vicinity 3.0 Environmental Analysis 3.1 Aesthetics and Visual Resources Scenic Vistas/Corridors and Scenic Resources Scenic Resources The American River lies approximately 900 feet from the northern boundary of the existing Twin Rivers Community Housing Complex and approximately 700 feet from the northern boundary of the Twin Rivers Community Housing Expansion Area. The American River is identified as a scenic resource in the City’s 2035 General Plan (City of Sacramento, 2015). In addition, the American River (Lower) was included as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System in 1981. Rivers can be designated as Wild River Areas, Scenic River Areas, or Recreational River Areas. The portion of the American River near the project area is designated as a Recreational River Area. Areas so designated are defined as rivers or sections of rivers that are readily accessible by road or railroad, that may have some development along their shorelines, and that may have undergone some impoundment or diversion in the past [16 USC 1273(a)(b)(3)]. Intervening land uses between the project site and the American River include major arterial roadways (Richards Boulevard, North 12th Street, and North 16th Street), large industrial and commercial buildings on multi-acre lots, and associated urban development such as streetlights and above-ground power lines. Due to the flat nature of the surrounding terrain, the intervening land uses, and the river’s adjoining levee, the river is not visible from the project site, nor is the project area visible from the river or its adjoining banks. Scenic Highways There are no designated State Scenic Highways in the vicinity of the project site. The nearest such highway is State Route (SR) 160, with the nearest designated portion lying approximately 9 miles to the south of the project site. Gateways to Downtown Historical gateways into the City of Sacramento have been largely obscured by the network of freeways that now dominate the landscape. The sole northern gateway along SR 160/North 12th Street is more intentional in its layout as an entry than typical freeway offramps and has the benefit of the American River as a gateway element. Upon crossing the river going southbound, SR 160 provides a view of the buildings in downtown Sacramento. At Richards Boulevard SR 160 becomes North 12th Street, and the view of the Central City becomes obstructed by intervening buildings and is no longer visible. The entry experience is compromised by the intervening industrial area and the railroad underpass near the northern boundary of the Central City. At the intersection of Richards Boulevard and North 12th Street, about 700 feet south of the American River crossing, the triangular Twin Rivers Community Housing Expansion Area is visible as a vacant lot adjacent to the light rail line. Billboards and other signage are also prominent along this portion of North 12th Street. Commercial and industrial buildings adjacent to the roadway are typically fronted by paved parking areas and parked vehicles, with minimal landscaping. A consistent architectural theme is not present along the North 12th Street corridor. Twin Rivers Transit-Oriented Development and Light Rail Station Project 3.1-6 ESA/140202.00 Initial Study/Environmental Assessment June 2017 3.0 Environmental Analysis 3.1 Aesthetics and Visual Resources 3.1.3 Applicable Policies and Regulations Wild and Scenic Rivers Act The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 USC 1271-1287) established a method for providing federal protection for certain free-flowing rivers, preserving them and their immediate environments for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Eligible rivers can be designated as Wild River Areas, Scenic River Areas, or Recreational River Areas. The American River is designated as a Recreational River from the confluence with the Sacramento River to Nimbus Dam, located just east of the city. Recreational River Areas are “[t]hose rivers or sections of rivers that are readily accessible by road or railroad, that may have some development along their shorelines, and that may have undergone some impoundment or diversion in the past.” The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, under Section 10, includes management direction for designated rivers, stating that “…primary emphasis shall be given to protecting its aesthetic, scenic, historic, archaeologic, and scientific features.” California Scenic Highway Program In 1963, the State legislature established the California Scenic Highway Program through Senate Bill 1467. This Senate Bill added Section 260 et seq. to the Streets and Highway Code. In these statutes, the State proclaims its intent to: “...establish the State’s responsibility for the protection and enhancement of California’s natural scenic beauty” (Caltrans 2008). A Scenic Corridor is defined as the area of land generally adjacent to, and visible from, the highway. It is usually limited by topography and/or jurisdictional boundaries. Local jurisdictions, with support of their citizens, must adopt programs to protect the scenic qualities of qualifying corridors, and zoning and land use along the highway must meet the State’s minimum requirements for scenic highway corridor protection. Actions required by Section 261 of the code include: • Regulation of land use and density of development, • Detailed land and site planning, • Control of outdoor advertising, • Careful attention to, and control of, earthmoving and landscaping, and • Regulation of the design and appearance of structures and equipment (i.e., placement of utility structures, microwave receptors, etc.). City of Sacramento 2035 General Plan The City of Sacramento adopted its 2035 General Plan on March 3, 2015. The General Plan includes redevelopment of the Twin Rivers Community Housing Complex and the construction of the proposed Dos Rios LRT Station in its long range plans. A summary of General Plan policies that are relevant to the proposed project is provided below. Twin Rivers Transit-Oriented Development and Light Rail Station Project 3.1-7 ESA/140202.00 Initial Study/Environmental Assessment June 2017 3.0 Environmental Analysis 3.1 Aesthetics and Visual Resources River District Specific Plan The River District Specific Plan (RDSP) was adopted in 2011 and established planning and design standards for the redevelopment of approximately 773 acres of land (City of Sacramento, 2011). The RDSP area includes the entirety of the proposed project area under consideration in this IS/EA, and includes a number of elements that are directly applicable to the proposed project. Along with the RDSP are the associated River District Design Guidelines (City of Sacramento, 2016) that govern both Private Realm and Public Realm development within the RDSP area. Projects proposed in the area are subject to review by the Planning and Design Commission for consistency with the Design Guidelines. A summary of RDSP policies that are relevant to the proposed project is provided below. 3.1.4 Summary of Analysis under the 2035 General Plan Master EIR and River District Specific Plan EIR 2035 General Plan Master EIR The 2035 General Plan Master EIR (City of Sacramento, 2014) described the existing visual conditions in the City of Sacramento and the potential changes to those conditions that could result from development consistent with the 2035 General Plan. See Master EIR, Chapter 4.13, Visual Resources. The Master EIR identified potential impacts related to light and glare (Impact 4.13-1) and concluded that impacts would be less than significant. The Master EIR also determined that implementation of the General Plan could interfere with important existing scenic resources and degrade the view of those resources as seen from visually sensitive public locations (Impact 4.13-2). Those impacts were determined to be less than significant with implementation of the visual resources policies contained within the General Plan. The following General Plan policies are applicable to the proposed project. Policy LU 6.1.12: Compatibility with Adjoining Uses. The City shall ensure that the introduction of higher-density mixed-use development along major arterial corridors is compatible with adjacent land uses, particularly residential uses, by requiring such features as: • Buildings setback from rear or side yard property lines adjoining single-family residential uses; • Building heights stepped back from sensitive adjoining uses to maintain appropriate transitions in scale and to protect privacy and solar access; • Landscaped off-street parking areas, loading areas, and service areas screened from adjacent residential areas, to the degree feasible; and • Lighting shielded and directed downward to minimize impacts on adjacent residential uses. Policy ER 7.1.1: Protect Scenic Views. The City shall avoid or reduce substantial adverse effects of new development on views from public places to the Sacramento and American Rivers and adjacent greenways, landmarks, and the State Capitol along Capitol Mall.