Volume 2: Draft Gorst Planned Action Environmental Impact Statement

GORST PLANNED ACTION EIS | AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT, SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS, AND MITIGATION MEASURESstructures is greater than that of nearby residential areas, the density of development is low, and topographycombined with trees and other vegetation provides some screening. The result is that the more industrial areasstill have a somewhat rural scale and do not tend to dominate the landscape.The screen at the drive-in movie theater along SR 3 is a unique structure that is taller than other structures in theareas. But given the generally low density of development in the area, it does not detract from the rural feel of thearea.Gorst UGABuildings along the SR 3 and SR 16 corridors tend to be low-rise, one- or two-story buildings in a range of sizes.Smaller buildings include restaurants, taverns, markets, and espresso stands, while larger buildings includeindustrial buildings, an auto dealership, and self-storage buildings. The height and bulk of buildings does notdominate the scale of the area. Rather, it is the automobile-oriented nature of development, with buildings spreadapart from one another, separated by paved parking areas and driveways, and set back from the highway thatdefines the scale of the area. The area is not pedestrian scaled.Residential development in the UGA is similar in height, bulk, and scale to rural residential development elsewherein the watershed. Buildings are one- and two-story, modestly scaled single-family homes. Density is low and roadslack curbs and sidewalks. Homes are set back from the street and often screened by vegetation and fences.Shading impacts are negligible.Scattered industrial uses elsewhere in the UGA consist of larger buildings as well as an electrical substation. Thelarger buildings and the substation are screened from nearby residential development by trees and othervegetation.Figure 3.8-3Examples of Building Height, Bulk, and Scale of UGA Highway CorridorSource: BERK, July 2011VIEWSWatershedThe Gorst Watershed provides numerous scenic mountain and water views. The Olympic Mountains, MountRainier, and the Sinclair Inlet are all visible from various points in the watershed. Territorial views also exist,including views of local hills and forested areas.Draft | June 2013 3-120