Initial Study MND - Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and ...

Taylor MountainINITIAL STUDY/MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATIONare specifically tailored to minimize tree and vegetation removal and to protect scenic vistas ofthe Preserve. Therefore, low-intensity recreational use of Taylor Mountain would not have asubstantial adverse effect on the scenic vistas of Taylor Mountain.b. Would the project substantially damage scenic resources, including, but not limited to, trees,rock outcroppings, and historic buildings within a State scenic highway?LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT IMPACT. As indicated above, most of the project area is identified aspart of a Scenic Landscape Unit in the Sonoma County General Plan and is zoned with a ScenicResources overlay district. However, the property does not fall within a State scenic highwaycorridor designation. Developing low level improvements at the proposed staging areas at theedges of the Preserve would minimize effects on the overall scenic resources of the property.Grading, tree removal or other alteration of the property’s visual elements will be minimizedaccording to design guidelines and standards in the Master Plan. As described in Item (a) theproposed trail system will be subject to visual resource protection provisions in the Master Plan(S85, G137 and G138) and will provide access to scenic areas of the mountain without adverselyaffecting scenic resources.c. Would the project substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of the site andits surroundings?LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT IMPACT. Developing the Preserve would not result in degradation ofthe visual character of the site. Improvements would be limited to development envelopesthat have been selected and designed to minimize the level of new construction on theproperty and to site structures in or adjacent to existing developed or disturbed areas at lowerelevations of the property. The proposed maximum structure height is generally one story,except in the Kawana Springs Resort area where two stories may be allowed, in the event a bedand breakfast inn/hotel is developed. The architectural sketches of the proposed developedareas in the Kawana Springs Resort area are shown in Figure B.1-7 and Figure B.3.1-1. Asreflected in these conceptual plans, the appearance of new structures would be consistent withthe visual character of the area and would not substantially degrade the existing visual qualityof the site and its surroundings. Furthermore, the proposed project would not obstruct anyscenic views from public viewing areas. As described in Item (a), the Master Plan also includesprovisions to ensure that structural improvements and staging areas are appropriately landscapedto minimize visual impacts (S142 and S153).Some automobiles parked at the staging areas would be visible from off-site locations butwould not be visually obtrusive, as the primary parking areas would be in or adjacent topreviously developed areas at lower elevations that are screened by topography andvegetation. In the Bath-Watt area, Master Plan Guideline 180 states that improvements shouldbe located out of view of the adjacent neighborhoods wherever possible. In the Linwood area,Master Plan S186 requires screening of the staging area from neighboring homes.The vehicles at the staging areas would also be visible from some locations on the TaylorMountain site, generally from above the staging areas, but this would not substantially degradethe visual character of the site or wider landscape. New fencing would be visible from off-siteFinal B-30 September 2012