4.1 AESTHETICS WATSON INDUSTRIAL PARK ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT EXISTING CONDITIONS

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1 This Subsection describes the aesthetic qualities and visual resources present on the Project site and in the site s vicinity and evaluates the potential effects that the Project may have on these resources. Descriptions of existing visual characteristics, both on-site and in the vicinity of the Project site, and the analysis of potential impacts to aesthetic resources are based, in part, on field observations and site photographs collected by T&B Planning, Inc. in April 2014 (LaMar, 2014); analysis of aerial photography (Google Earth, 2014); and Project application materials submitted to the City of Chino and described in Section 3.0, Project Description, of this EIR. This Subsection also is based in part on information contained in the Community Character Element of the City of Chino General Plan (Chino, 2010a, Chapter 5), the Aesthetics section of the certified Final Program EIR prepared for the City s General Plan (SCH No ) (Chino, 2010b, Section 4.1), the City of Chino Municipal Code (Chino, 2014b, ), The Preserve Specific Plan (Chino, 2011), The City of Eastvale General Plan (Eastvale, 2012a), and The Ontario Plan EIR (Ontario, 2009) EXISTING CONDITIONS The Project site encompasses approximately acres in the southeastern portion of the City of Chino, in the southwestern portion of San Bernardino County. The site is located north of Kimball Avenue, south of Merrill Avenue, west of Carpenter Avenue, and east of Baker Avenue. Topographically, the site ranges in elevation from approximately 663 feet above mean sea level (AMSL) in the northwest corner of the site, to a topographic high point of approximately 635 feet AMSL near the site s southern boundary. The overall topographic relief is approximately 28 feet. There are no unique topographic or aesthetic features present on the property, such as rock outcroppings. The site is perceived as flat or gently sloping to the south or southeast under existing conditions. Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines 15125, the physical environmental condition for purposes of establishing the setting of an EIR is the environment as it existed at the time the EIR s NOP was released for public review. The NOP for this EIR was released on April 1, As of that date, the Project site consisted of two active dairy operations housing approximately 5,784 cows. Historically, the Project site was used for agricultural production; however, agricultural activities ceased on the property in 1948, when all of the orchards/groves/crops were removed from the Project site to accommodate dairies. The northern portions of the Project site contain cattle pens with linear structures provided for shelter, feed, and water. Adjacent to Merrill Avenue are several residences, agricultural support buildings, and dairy-operation offices. Immediately north and south of Remington Avenue, in the central portion of the Project site, the property contains several structures and outdoor storage areas associated with dairy operations, cattle pens, a cultivated field, and soil stockpiles, as well as a residential structure. The southern-most portions of the site are occupied by cattle pens, one residential structure, and a dairy office building. Large evergreen and deciduous trees are present along Carpenter Avenue, Remington Avenue, and within the central portion of the site. No trees are present on the western portions of the Project site. There are no rock outcroppings or unique topographic features on the Project site. The Project s off-site improvement area (i.e., off- Page 4.1-1

2 site segment of Merrill Avenue) has similar aesthetic characteristics as the Project site. The existing conditions of the Project site were previously shown on Figure 2-6, Aerial Photograph. To illustrate the existing visual conditions of the Project site in more detail, a photographic inventory was prepared. Figure 4.1-1, Site Photograph Key Map, depicts the locations of eight (8) vantage point photographs, each of which are described below. These photographs, shown on Figure through Figure 4.1-4, provide a representative visual inventory of the site s visual characteristics as seen from surrounding public viewing areas. Site Photograph 1 (Figure 4.1-2): Site Photograph 1 was taken from the Project site s northwest corner looking southeast. The left-hand side of the photograph provides a view along the site s northern boundary, adjacent to Merrill Avenue. The center of the photograph looks southeast, across the Project site. The right-hand side of the photo looks along the site s western boundary. In the left-hand side of the photograph, residential structures, cattle pen structures, and cows are visible. In the right-hand side of the photograph, heavily disturbed land is clearly visible. Along the horizon, in the right-hand portion of the photograph beyond the Project site, the Chino Hills are visible, albeit obscured by atmospheric haze, which is common in San Bernardino County. Site Photograph 2 (Figure 4.1-2): Site Photograph 2 was taken at the approximate midpoint of the site s northern boundary, looking south. The photograph depicts a 180-degree view of the Project site, with the eastern portion of the Project site in the left-hand side of the photograph and the western portion of the Project site in the right-hand side of the photograph. Merrill Avenue is visible in the foreground of the photograph. The mid-ground of the photograph depicts dairy farm structures and features (e.g., cattle pens, fencing, access roads), as well as ornamental landscaping (e.g., canopy trees, palm trees, shrubs). Along the horizon, in the central portion of the photograph beyond the Project site, the Chino Hills are visible, but partially obscured by on-site landscaping and structures, as well as atmospheric haze, which is common in San Bernardino County. Site Photograph 3 (Figure 4.1-2): Site Photograph 3 was taken at the approximate midpoint of the site s eastern interface with Carpenter Avenue, looking west. The photograph provides a 180-degree view of the Project site, with the southern portion of the site depicted in the lefthand side of the photograph and the northern portion of the site depicted in the right-hand side of the photograph. The left-hand side of the photograph, in the foreground and midground, depicts an empty wastewater detention basin overgrown with low, ruderal vegetation. The right-hand side of the photograph depicts stacks of hay bales in the foreground and soil stockpiles and an equipment staging area in the mid-ground. The Chino Hills are partially visible along the horizon in the left-hand and middle portions of the photograph beyond the Project site, but are substantially obscured by a tree windrow present on the Project site. Page 4.1-2

3 BAKER AVE VINEYARD AVE CARPENTER AVE MERRILL AVE 1 2 MERRILL (VACATED) CITY OF CHINO CITY OF ONTARIO 3 PROJECT SITE S.B.C.F.C.D. REMINGTON AVE REMINGTON AVE 5 C I T Y O F C H I N O C I T Y O F E A S T V A L E HELLMAN AVE KIMBALL AVE 65TH ST Source(s): Eagle Aerial (2013), ESRI, RCTLMA (2014), SANBAG (2013) Feet Figure SITE PHOTOGRAPH KEY MAP Page 4.1-3

4 1 EAST SOUTH SITE PHOTO 1: NORTH WEST CORNER OF PROJECT SITE, LOOKING EAST (LEFT) TO SOUTH (RIGHT). 2 EAST WEST SITE PHOTO 2: FROM NORTHERN EDGE OF PROJECT SITE, ALONG MERRILL AVENUE, LOOKING EAST (LEFT) TO WEST (RIGHT). 3 SOUTH NORTH SITE PHOTO 3: FROM EASTERN EDGE OF PROJECT SITE, ALONG CARPENTER AVENUE, LOOKING SOUTH (LEFT) TO NORTH (RIGHT). Figure NOT TO SCALE Lead Agency: City of Chino SITE PHOTOGRAPHS 1, 2, AND 3 SCH No Page 4.1-4

5 Site Photograph 4 (Figure 4.1-3): Site Photograph 4 was taken at the eastern Project site boundary, at the intersection of Carpenter Avenue and Remington Avenue. The photograph provides a 180-degree view of the Project site, looking west. The foreground of the photograph, on the right- and left-hand sides, depicts existing Carpenter Avenue. In the center of the photograph, in the foreground and mid-ground, visible features include: tree windrows, cattle pasture, existing Remington Avenue, and an empty wastewater detention basin overgrown with low, ruderal vegetation. Along the horizon, the Chino Hills are partially visible in the left-hand side of the photograph beyond the Project site, although substantially obscured by tree windows, fencing, and atmospheric haze. The San Gabriel Mountains also are visible along the horizon, in the right-hand side of the photograph beyond the Project site, but are substantially obscured by atmospheric haze. Site Photograph 5 (Figure 4.1-3): Site Photograph 5 provides a 90-degree view from the Project site s southeastern corner, looking east and south. The foreground and mid-ground of the photograph is dominated by empty, vacant cattle pasture. A tree windrow is visible in the mid-ground of the right-hand side of the photograph. Along the horizon, in the left-hand side of the photograph, the Chino Hills are partially visible beyond the Project site and are substantially obscured by atmospheric haze, which is common in San Bernardino County. Site Photograph 6 (Figure 4.1-3): Site Photograph 6 was taken from the central portion of the Project site, adjacent to Remington Avenue and looking north. The photograph provides a 180-degree view of the Project site, with the central-western portion of the property visible in the left-hand side of the photograph and the central-eastern portion of the Project site visible in the right-hand side of the photograph. The foreground of the photograph depicts Remington Avenue, fencing, utility lines, and a dirt drainage swale. A tree window and a fallow agricultural field are visible in the mid-ground of this photograph. Along the horizon, in the center of photograph, the San Gabriel Mountains are partially visible beyond the Project site, obscured by windrows and atmospheric haze. Site Photograph 7 (Figure 4.1-4): Site Photography 7 provides a 180-degree view of the central portion of the Project site, looking south from Remington Avenue. This photograph depicts empty cattle pens and vacant dairy structures in the foreground and mid-ground. The Chino Hills are visible beyond the Project site along the horizon and partially obscured by atmospheric haze, which is common in San Bernardino County. Site Photograph 8 (Figure 4.1-4): Site Photograph 8 was taken near the Project site s western boundary, north of Remington Avenue, looking north to east. The foreground and midground of this photograph depicts a large, empty wastewater detention basin overgrown with low, ruderal vegetation. Evidence of routine disking within the detention basin is visible. In the center of the photograph, several large dirt stockpiles are visible. Intermittent tree windrows are visible along the horizon on the Project site. Beyond the site, the San Gabriel Mountains are visible, although obscured substantially by atmospheric haze. Page 4.1-5

6 4 SOUTH NORTH SITE PHOTO 4: EASTERN EDGE OF PROJECT SITE, ALONG CARPENTER AVENUE, LOOKING SOUTH (LEFT) TO NORTH (RIGHT). 5 SOUTH WEST SITE PHOTO 5: FROM SOUTHEAST PORTION OF THE PROJECT SITE, ALONG REMINGTON AVENUE, LOOKING SOUTH (LEFT) TO WEST (RIGHT). 6 WEST EAST SITE PHOTO 6: FROM CENTER OF PROJECT SITE, ALONG REMINGTON AVENUE, LOOKING WEST (LEFT) TO EAST (RIGHT). Figure NOT TO SCALE Lead Agency: City of Chino SITE PHOTOGRAPHS 4, 5, AND 6 SCH No Page 4.1-6

7 7 EAST WEST SITE PHOTO 7: FROM CENTER OF PROJECT SITE, ALONG REMINGTION AVENUE, LOOKING EAST (LEFT) TO WEST (RIGHT). 8 NORTH EAST SITE PHOTO 8: FROM WESTERN PORTION OF PROJECT SITE, ALONG REMINGTON AVENUE, LOOKING NORTH (LEFT) TO EAST (RIGHT). Figure NOT TO SCALE Lead Agency: City of Chino SITE PHOTOGRAPHS 7 AND 8 SCH No Page 4.1-7

8 Under existing conditions, the Project site contains several sources of artificial light, including pole mounted lights, building mounted lights, and flood lights associated with the on-site dairies and related residential and agricultural support buildings; no sources of artificial light are located within the Project s off-site improvement area. There are no streetlights present along streets adjacent to the Project site. In addition to the lighting on-site, Garden Trucking Company is located north of the Project site, and residential structures and agricultural support buildings are located to the east, south, and west of the Project site. These off-site uses are sources of artificial light. The City of Chino General Plan includes policies related to preserving views of Chino s geographic and environmental features that make Chino unique and identifies the San Gabriel Mountains and Chino Hills as important scenic resources to the City (Chino, 2010a, p. CC-21). The City of Chino General Plan does not identify any important scenic roadway or highway corridors in the City, and according to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), there are no officiallydesignated scenic highway corridors within the City (Chino, 2010b, p ; Caltrans, 2011). The Ontario Plan EIR identifies only one scenic resource in the vicinity of the Project site, the San Gabriel Mountains (Ontario, 2009, p ). The City of Ontario does not contain any officiallydesignated scenic highway corridors (Caltrans, 2011; Ontario, 2009, 5.1-6). The Euclid Corridor and the Mission Boulevard Corridor are identified as primary scenic resources by The Ontario Plan EIR, but due to distance and intervening development, the Project site is not visible from these corridors. (Ontario, 2009, p ) The City of Eastvale General Plan identifies the Santa Ana River and San Bernardino mountains as scenic resources, and Eastvale does not contain any officially designated scenic highways (Eastvale, 2012b, p ; Caltrans, 2011). B. Applicable Regulatory Requirements City of Chino General Plan The Community Character Element of the City of Chino General Plan guides the design of future development and on-going improvements throughout the City. This element identifies goals, objectives, policies, and actions that will preserve the City s small town character while improving overall community design. The General Plan states that lighting in the City should be designed to enhance safety while minimizing light spillage onto adjacent properties and into the night sky. (Chino, 2010a) The Preserve Specific Plan The Preserve Specific Plan includes a set of Design Guidelines that establish the design framework that the City of Chino uses to evaluate proposed development within the Specific Plan area. The Preserve Specific Plan includes design standards that address outdoor lighting and glare that apply to all properties within the Specific Plan area. Lighting in the Specific Plan must minimize glare and must be positioned to enhance the safety of vehicular and pedestrian traffic. (Chino, 2011, p. 222) Page 4.1-8

9 City of Chino Municipal Code The City of Chino Municipal Code Section identifies outdoor lighting standards for the City. Lighting in the City of Chino shall utilize energy efficient fixtures that do not flash or blink and are not of high intensity of brightness. In addition, lighting shall be designed to provide safe and adequate lighting while minimizing light spillage. (Chino, 2014b) BASIS FOR DETERMINING SIGNIFICANCE The proposed Project would result in a significant impact to aesthetics if the Project or any Projectrelated component would: 1. Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista; 2. Substantially damage scenic resources, including, but not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings within a state scenic highway; 3. Substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of the site and its surroundings; or 4. Create a new source of substantial light or glare which would adversely affect day or nighttime views in the area IMPACT ANALYSIS Threshold 1: Would the Project have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista? As shown in Figure through Figure 4.1-4, the Project site is flat and developed under existing conditions with dairy uses and associated improvements (e.g., barns, cattle pens, pasture lands, wastewater detention basins fencing) and does not contribute to a scenic vista under existing conditions. None of the applicable general plans in the Project area identify any scenic vistas or scenic corridors in the vicinity of the Project site (Chino, 2010a, p. CC-21; Ontario, 2009, p ; Eastvale, 2012b, p ). As discussed above, scenic vistas within the Project vicinity are defined by the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains to the north and the Chino Hills to the west and southwest (Chino, 2010a, p. CC-21; Eastvale, 2012b, p ). The Project site is located in a low-lying, valley floor in the south-central portion of the City and is not located in close proximity to either the San Gabriel Mountains (located approximately 12.5 miles to the north), the San Bernardino Mountains (located approximately 23 miles to the northeast) or the Chino Hills (located approximately 10 miles west and four (4) miles southwest). Furthermore, these distant landforms are not prominently visible from the Project s vicinity under typical conditions due to atmospheric haze that is common throughout the region (representative images are provided on Figure through Figure 4.1-4). Page 4.1-9

10 The Project proposes to develop eight buildings, forming a new industrial park. On days when atmospheric haze is low the San Gabriel Mountains, San Bernardino Mountains, and/or Chino Hills are clearly visible from the Project vicinity, the Project s proposed buildings, which would be constructed at a maximum height of 48 feet and would be set back from perimeter public right-ofways by at least 36 feet, would not block views of these landforms from public viewing areas (i.e., public roads) because the San Gabriel Mountains, San Bernardino Mountains, and/or Chino Hills would still be visible beyond proposed buildings on the Project site and along the horizon. The proposed buildings would not be tall enough to block these distant views. Additionally, the Project does not include any design components that would detract from scenic views of the San Gabriel Mountains, San Bernardino Mountains, and Chino Hills from major north-south street corridors (i.e., Baker Avenue, Hellman Avenue, and Carpenter Avenue) or views of the Chino Hills from major east-west street corridors (i.e., Merrill Avenue, and Remington Avenue). Because public views of scenic resources (i.e., San Gabriel Mountains, San Bernardino Mountains, and Chino Hills) would still be available from public viewing areas surrounding the Project site (public roads), and the Project would not adversely detract from these views, the proposed Project would have a less-thansignificant impact on scenic vistas. Threshold 2: Would the Project substantially damage scenic resources, including, but not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings within a state scenic highway? The Project site is not located within or adjacent to a scenic highway corridor and does not contain scenic resources, such as trees of scenic value, rock outcroppings, or buildings of historic value (refer to EIR Subsection 4.5, Cultural Resources, for a detailed evaluation of existing historic-era buildings on the Project site). Furthermore, there are no State-designated or eligible scenic highways within the City of Chino, Eastvale, or Ontario (Chino, 2010b, p ; Caltrans, 2011). The nearest Stateeligible scenic highway to the Project site is a segment of SR-71 that is located approximately 4.25 miles southwest of the Project site. The Project s proposed development features would not be visible from SR-71, including the segment of SR-71 that is eligible for designation as a scenic highway, due to intervening development and distance. Because the Project site is not visible from a state scenic highway and contains no scenic resources, the proposed Project would not adversely impact the viewshed within a scenic highway corridor and would not damage important scenic resources within a scenic highway corridor, including trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings. No impact would occur. Threshold 3: Would the Project substantially degrade the existing visual character of the site and its surroundings? Construction-Related Activities As described in Section 3.0, Project Description, the proposed Project would be constructed in three phases over a period of approximately three years. Heavy equipment would be used, which would be visible to the immediately surrounding areas during the temporary construction period. Construction activities are a common occurrence in the developing Inland Empire region of southern California, and are not considered to substantially degrade the area s visual quality. Except for the short-term Page

11 use of cranes during building construction and lifts during the architectural coating phase, the construction equipment used on the Project site is expected to be low in height and not particularly visible to the surrounding area and would be similar in character to the types of mechanical equipment utilized by in agricultural applications. Furthermore, Project-related construction activities would be temporary in nature and all construction equipment would be removed from the Project site following completion of the Project s construction activities. Based on the foregoing, Project-related changes to local visual character and quality are determined to be less than significant during temporary, short-term construction activities. Project Buildout At buildout of the proposed Project, views of the site from the surrounding area would change from that of a partially developed property featuring dairy farms and associated residential structures, agricultural support buildings, office buildings, outdoor parking/storage areas, cattle pens, wastewater detention basins, and materials stockpiles (e.g., hay, soil) to a redeveloped site containing eight (8) industrial park buildings. As more fully described in EIR Section 3.0, the Project would result in the construction and operation of an industrial park containing eight (8) buildings, surface parking areas, drive aisles, utility infrastructure, landscaping, exterior lighting, signage, and water quality/detention basins. The landscaping theme is proposed as rural, with replicated dry streambeds containing rock cobble and boulders planned along the Project s Hellman Avenue and Carpenter Avenue street frontages, and along the Project s southern boundary that abuts the City of Eastvale. Representative building elevations and landscape designs are shown on EIR Figures 3-7 and 3-14 in EIR Section 3.0. In order to determine if the proposed Project would substantially degrade the existing visual quality of the site and/or its surroundings, an analysis of expected post-development conditions at Site Photograph locations 1 through 8 as they relate to public viewing areas (i.e., primarily public roads) is provided on the following pages. Although the analysis presented below only evaluates postdevelopment conditions at eight locations on the Project site, these locations serve as a representative sample of the variety of development features proposed by the Project (e.g., buildings, landscaping). Site Photograph 1 (Figure 4.1-2): From this viewpoint at the intersection of Merrill and Baker Avenues, the northern and western edges of proposed Building 6 would be visible. In the foreground, in the right-hand and left-hand sided of the photograph, landscaping along Merrill Avenue and Baker Avenue would be visible, including trees, shrubs and groundcovers. In the foreground, in the center of the photograph, a monument sign and complementary landscape treatment in a rural theme would be visible. In the mid-ground, in the right-hand side of the photograph, the western edge of proposed Building 6 would be visible and would feature enhanced architectural treatments (e.g., vertical and horizontal variations in wall planes, periodic changes in building materials and colors, decorative accents) and landscaping, including large canopy evergreen trees and colorful accent trees, which would reduce the building s visual prominence and provide visual interest. In the foreground, in the left-hand side of the photograph extending to the center of the photograph, Page

12 driveway entries leading into a parking lot for employees and visitors would be visible. The parking lot would be landscaped with large canopy shade trees and colorful accent trees and groundcovers. In the mid-ground, in the left hand side of the photograph extending to the center of the photograph, the northern edge of proposed Building 6 would be visible, which would feature enhanced architectural treatments and landscaping to reduce the visual prominence of the building and provide visual interest. Site Photograph 2 (Figure 4.1-2): From this location along Merrill Avenue, the northern edges of proposed Buildings 6 and 8 would be visible, as well as the western edge of proposed Building 8 and the eastern edge of proposed Building 6. In the foreground, from the left-hand side of the photograph and extending to the right-hand side of the photograph, thematic landscaping planted along Merrill Avenue and an entry drive to Building 8 (left-side of the photograph) would be visible. Also in the foreground, in the center of the photograph, gateway signage for The Preserve Specific Plan area and monument signage for the Project would be provided at the southwest and southeast corners, respectively, of the Merrill Avenue/Hellman Avenue intersection. In the mid-ground, from the left-hand side of the photograph to the right-hand side of the photograph, parking lots and drive aisles would be visible north of proposed Buildings 6 and 8. Also in the mid-ground, the northern edges of proposed Buildings 6 and 8 would be visible and would feature enhanced architectural treatments (e.g., vertical and horizontal variations in wall planes, periodic changes in building materials and colors, decorative accents) to reduce visual prominence of the buildings and provide visual interest. An approximately 14-foot tall screen wall painted to match the building s color palette would be visible along the western edge of proposed Building 8, in the center of the photograph. This screen wall would obscure views of the building s loading bays and truck parking area; however, a portion of the proposed Building 8 would be visible above the screen wall. The visual prominence of the screen wall would be reduced by densely planted evergreen trees. The tree understory would be planted with a combination of shrubs and groundcover. Site Photograph 3 (Figure 4.1-2): From this location along Carpenter Avenue, the eastern edges of proposed Buildings 7 and 8 would be visible. In the foreground, from the left-hand side of the photograph extending to the right-hand side of the photograph, thematic landscaping along Carpenter Avenue would be visible. The landscaping theme would include a replicated dry streambed containing rock cobble and boulders. In the mid-ground, from the left-hand side of the photograph to the right-hand side of the photograph, a 13-foot tall screen wall painted to match the buildings color palette would be visible along the eastern frontage of proposed Buildings 7 and 8. Landscaping, including large canopied, evergreen trees, would be planted in front of the screen wall to reduce its visual prominence. The screen wall and landscaping visible from this vantage point would screen views of the buildings loading bays and truck parking areas. In the foreground, in the center of the photograph, two entry drives leading into a parking lot between proposed Buildings 7 and 8 would be visible. The parking lot would feature large canopy shade trees and colorful accent Page

13 trees, planted with an understory of groundcovers. In the mid-ground, in the center of the photograph, the southern edge of Building 8 and the northern edge of Building 7 would be visible. The building facades would feature enhanced architectural treatments (e.g., vertical and horizontal variations in wall planes, periodic changes in building materials and colors, decorative accents) to reduce the building s visual prominence and provide visual interest. Site Photograph 4 (Figure 4.1-3): From this location along Carpenter Avenue, the southern and eastern edges of Building 7 and the northern and eastern edges of Building 10 would be visible. Upon buildout of the Project, the immediate foreground of this photograph would feature the Carpenter Avenue/Remington Avenue intersection (center of the photograph) and the rural thematic landscaping that would frame the intersection (the right- and left-hand sides of the photograph). On the northwest corner of the Carpenter Avenue/Remington Avenue intersection (right-hand side of the photograph), landscaping would be comprised of ornamental plantings surrounding a water quality/detention basin. On the southwest corner of the Carpenter Avenue/Remington intersection (left-hand side of the photograph), densely planted, thematic landscaping would include trees, shrubs, and groundcovers and a replicated dry streambed containing rock cobble and boulders. In the mid-ground, in the right- and the left-hand sides of the photograph, a corner of Buildings 7 and 10 would be visible. The buildings would feature enhanced architectural treatments (e.g., vertical and horizontal variations in wall planes, periodic changes in building materials and colors, decorative accents) and landscaping to reduce visual prominence of the buildings and provide visual interest. Site Photograph 5 (Figure 4.1-3): From this viewpoint along Remington Avenue, the northwestern corner and the western edge of Building 11 would be visible. In the foreground, landscaping along Remington Avenue and within the passenger vehicle parking lot for Building 11 would be visible. Landscaping would include trees planted with an understory of shrubs and ground covers. In the mid-ground, the parking lot and Building 11 would be visible. The building façade would feature enhanced architectural treatments (e.g., vertical and horizontal variations in wall planes, periodic changes in building materials and colors, decorative accents) to minimize the prominence of the structure and landscaping would be planted adjacent to the building to provide visual interest. Site Photograph 6 (Figure 4.1-3): From this viewpoint along Remington Avenue looking north, the southern loading area of Building 4 and the southwestern corner of Building 7 would be visible upon buildout of the Project. In the foreground, in the right-hand side of the photograph, ornamental landscaping surrounding a water quality/detention basin would be visible. A densely planted landscape theme area, featuring ornamental trees, shrubs, and groundcovers, planted at the northwest corner of the Hellman Avenue/Remington Avenue, would be visible in the left-hand side of the photograph. Beyond the landscaped area on both sides of the street, approximately 14-foot-tall masonry walls would be installed to screen views to the loading areas for Buildings 4 and 7. In the mid-ground of the photograph, in the Page

14 right-hand side of the photograph, a parking lot for employees and visitors for Building 7 would be visible, as would the southwestern corner of the building. Building 7 would incorporate enhanced architectural treatments (e.g., vertical and horizontal variations in wall planes, periodic changes in building materials and colors, decorative accents) and landscaping would be planted adjacent to the building and within the parking lot to provide visual interest. In the mid-ground, in the center of the photograph, would be future Hellman Avenue. In the mid-ground, in the right-hand side of the photograph, would be an approximately 14-foot-tall solid masonry wall along the southern perimeter of the loading and truck parking area for Building 4. The wall, which would be painted to match Building 4, would be mostly obscured by landscaping abutting Remington Avenue. Site Photograph 7 (Figure 4.1-4): From this viewpoint along Remington Avenue, looking south, the northern edges of proposed Building 9 would be visible. The northern edge of Building 10 would be visible at this location, although substantially screened by landscaping. The landscape parkway along Remington Avenue would dominate the foreground at this location, but entry drives leading to a parking lot that is landscaped with trees, shrubs, and groundcover also would be visible in the right-hand portion of the photograph. In the midground, in the right-hand side of the photograph, the northern edge of proposed Building 10 would be visible and would feature enhanced architectural treatments (e.g., vertical and horizontal variations in wall planes, periodic changes in building materials and colors, decorative accents) and landscaping to reduce its visual prominence and provide visual interest. In the mid-ground, in the left-hand side of the photograph, future Hellman Avenue and Building 10 would be partially visible, but substantially obscured by landscaping. Site Photograph 8 (Figure 4.1-4): From this viewpoint along Remington Avenue, looking northeast, the southwestern corner of Building 4 and its loading and truck parking area would be visible. In the foreground, ornamental landscaping including trees, shrubs, and groundcovers would dominate the view. Beyond the landscaping, the Building 4 loading and truck parking area would be visible in the right-hand side of the photograph and the southwestern corner of the building would be visible in the left-hand side of the photograph. An approximately 14-foot-tall masonry wall would be constructed along the perimeter of the loading and truck parking area to screen views of this area from passersby along Remington Avenue. The wall would be painted to match the color of Building 4 and landscaping, including trees, would be planted in front of the wall to obscure the wall and reduce its visual prominence. The corner of the building would feature enhanced architectural treatments (e.g., vertical and horizontal variations in wall planes, periodic changes in building materials and colors, decorative accents) to reduce its visual prominence and provide visual interest. Landscaping also would be planted near the building. Although the aesthetic changes to the Project site would be substantial compared to existing conditions (change from dairy operations to a developed industrial park), the proposed Project incorporates a number of features to enhance the aesthetic quality of the Project. The Project s Page

15 architecture incorporates a mild, earth-toned color palette that would not be visually offensive and also incorporates accent elements, such as colored glass and decorative building elements at entries for, visual interest. In addition, the Project incorporates thematic landscape plantings and monument signs at Project gateways and key on-site intersections. The landscaping theme is proposed as rural, with replicated dry streambeds containing rock cobble and boulders that complement the area s visual characteristics. Additionally, the Project incorporates walls to screen views to Project-related loading and docking bays from public viewing areas along abutting public streets. The visual prominence of the screen walls would be reduced through the installation of landscaping (trees, shrubs, and groundcover) in front of the walls. The proposed visual features of the Project would ensure a high-quality aesthetic for the site that complements a rural theme, and would be consistent with the design standards for industrial development called for by The Preserve Specific Plan. Therefore, based on the foregoing analysis, implementation of the proposed Project would not result in any significant adverse impacts to the visual quality of the Project site. With respect to the visual character, the area surrounding the Project site has been used historically for dairy and agricultural land uses but is beginning the process of transitioning to a hub of industrial and related land uses pursuant to the approved general plans for the Cities of Chino, Ontario, and Eastvale. Existing industrial land uses are located north of the Project site. Directly to the west is property approved for development as an industrial park. Furthermore, properties to the south of the Project site have begun the transition to non-agricultural land uses in accordance with the land plan for The Preserve Specific Plan, with substantial non-agricultural development existing or under construction south of Kimball Avenue. Accordingly, the local character is no longer solely defined by dairies and agriculture, as these uses now exist in relatively small pockets surrounding the Project site rather than in large, contiguous blocks. The Project s landscaping theme is proposed as rural, to tie the Project s aesthetic with the area s traditional character. For these reasons, the Project would not adversely affect the local visual character as non-agricultural land uses, including industrial land uses, are not uncommon in the local area and will become more common as implementation of the general plans for the Cities of Chino, Ontario, and Eastvale continues. Based on the foregoing analysis, the proposed development of the Project site with an industrial park would not substantially degrade the visual character of the Project site or surrounding area. As such, the Project would result in a less-than-significant impact. Threshold 4: Would the Project create a new source of substantial light or glare, which would adversely affect daytime or nighttime view of the area? Under existing conditions, the Project site contains several sources of artificial light, including light sources (e.g., pole mounted lights, building mounted lights, flood lights) from the dairies and associated residential and agricultural support buildings located throughout the site. The Project would remove the existing light sources from the subject property and construct new artificial lighting features (e.g., pole mounted lights, building mounted lights, street lights) on the property. Page

16 The City of Chino Municipal Code includes design standards for outdoor lighting that apply to all development in the City (Chino, 2014b, ). The Municipal Code lighting standards govern the placement and design of outdoor lighting fixtures to ensure adequate lighting for public safety while also minimizing light pollution and glare and precluding public nuisances (e.g., blinking/flashing lights, unusually high intensity or bright lighting). In addition, The Preserve Specific Plan includes design standards that address outdoor lighting and glare that apply to all properties within the Specific Plan area. The proposed Project is designed to adhere to the requirements of the City of Chino Municipal Code and The Preserve Specific Plan. Future implementing permits and approvals (i.e., building permits) would be required to demonstrate compliance with these standards. Compliance would ensure that the proposed Project does not produce substantial amounts of light or glare from artificial lighting sources that would adversely affect the day or nighttime views of the surrounding area. With respect to daytime glare impacts that could result from reflective building materials, the proposed Project would involve the construction and operation of eight (8) industrial buildings. The majority of the exterior building surfaces would consist of tilt-up concrete construction that does not include any physical properties that would produce substantial amounts of glare. Although proposed buildings would utilize blue-glazed glass, the use of this material would not adversely affect daytime views of any surrounding properties because the glass would be low-reflective and would not be mirrored. Accordingly, a less-than-significant daytime glare impact would occur CUMULATIVE IMPACT ANALYSIS As noted under the discussion of Threshold 1, the Project site is flat and does not contribute to any prominent scenic vistas under existing conditions. Views of the San Gabriel Mountains, San Bernardino Mountains, and Chino Hills are available in the Project area; however such views are available throughout the cities of Chino, Ontario, Eastvale and surrounding area and are not unique to the Project site s vicinity. Future development in the local area will be required to comply with the applicable policies of local General Plans, which include policies to preserve vistas to important, designated scenic resources. Accordingly, with buildout of the proposed Project and other developments within the Project s viewshed, which would include buildout of The Preserve Specific Plan and surrounding areas, impacts to scenic vistas would not be cumulatively considerable. As noted under the analysis of Threshold 2, the Project site is not located within close proximity to any designated Scenic Routes and does not contain any scenic resources under existing conditions, including, but not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings. Therefore, the proposed Project has no potential to directly impact a scenic resource or to contribute to a cumulatively significant scenic resource impact. As such, the Project would not have a cumulatively considerable effect on scenic routes. With respect to visual quality and character of the site and surrounding area, under cumulative conditions the surrounding area would be industrial and commercial in character as the surrounding Page

17 area would be fully built-out with business park/light industrial land uses and related commercial uses. As with the proposed Project, uses within the surrounding area would be subject to applicable development regulations and design standards, including, but not limited to, the Chino General Plan, The Preserve Specific Plan, The Ontario Plan, and the Eastvale General Plan. Mandatory compliance to the development regulations and design standards enforced by these local governments would ensure that development would incorporate high quality building materials, site design, and landscaping so as to minimize the potential for adverse effects associated with visual quality. As described in detail under the analysis for Threshold 3, the area immediately surrounding the Project site does not have a dominant, defined visual character, as the area is in the process of transitioning from historical agricultural land uses to planned, future non-agricultural land uses (i.e., industrial and commercial). Upon build-out, area surrounding the Project site would be defined by a common, cohesive visual character. As such, the Project would not contribute to cumulatively considerable, adverse impacts to the existing visual character or quality of the Project site or its surroundings. With respect to potential cumulative light and glare impacts, the City of Chino Municipal Code sets standards for development to ensure minimal impact upon surrounding development relating to light pollution and glare. Additionally, development projects in surrounding jurisdictions, including the City of Ontario to the north and the City of Eastvale to the east and southeast, would be required to comply with the light reduction requirements contained within the municipal codes applicable in their respective jurisdiction (see City of Ontario Municipal Code and City of Eastvale Municipal Code ). Although cumulative development in the Project s surrounding area is expected to introduce new sources of artificial lighting and potentially reflective materials, the required compliance with the applicable municipal code requirements would ensure that future cumulative development does not introduce substantial sources of artificial lighting or glare. As such, the Project would not contribute to cumulatively considerable, adverse impacts to the existing daytime or nighttime views of the Project site or its surroundings SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACTS BEFORE MITIGATION Threshold 1: Less-than-Significant Impact. The Project site does not contain any scenic vistas, nor does it offer unique views of any visually prominent features. The Project would not obstruct public views to off-site scenic resources such as the Chino Hills, San Bernardino Mountains and San Gabriel Mountains. Impacts to scenic vistas would be less than significant. Threshold 2: No Impact. The Project has no potential to damage scenic resources within a scenic highway corridor. The Project site is not located within the viewshed of a scenic highway and the Project site does not contain any scenic resources, such as scenic trees, rock outcroppings, or buildings with historic value. Threshold 3: Less-than-Significant Impact. The Project would not substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of the site or its surrounding areas during Project construction or operation. Although the Project would change the visual character of the site from dairy operations to an industrial park, its landscape theme is rural, which complements the traditional character of the Page

18 area. In addition, like the Project site, the surrounding area is transitioning from agricultural to nonagricultural land uses. Furthermore, the Project proposes a number of site design, architectural, and landscaping elements consistent with the requirements of The Preserve Specific Plan that would ensure the Project s character is consistent with the planned vision for the Specific Plan area. Impacts would be less than significant. Threshold 4: Less-than-Significant Impact. The Project would not create substantial light or glare. Compliance with City of Chino requirements for artificial lighting would ensure less-than-significant impacts associated with light and glare affecting day or nighttime views in the area MITIGATION Impacts would be less than significant; therefore, mitigation is not required. Page