III.A.4. Photo Simulations

Transcription

1 III.A.4. Photo Simulations Summary It appears that no significant or protected views will be blocked by the project, when existing and potential new buildings (up to a generally-allowed height of 75 feet) are considered. Where the project will reduce views of the Berkeley Hills, a building that is 75 feet tall would also reduce those views. Of note, the project s building stepback above the 3rd floor may help maintain hill views that could be lost with a 75- foot by right project. In addition to views of the hills, views of San Francisco Bay are also of concern. From UC Berkeley s Crescent and Campanile, no views of San Francisco Bay will be obstructed. In addition, the elevation of hillside neighborhoods appears to be generally above the top of the project, so views of the Bay will be uneffected. Also note that the project will often fall partly within the silhouette of the existing Chase and Wells Fargo buildings. Methodology On the following pages, photographs of existing conditions are paired with photo simulations showing the project. Photo simulations also show the edge of the allowable envelope for a 75-foot building the generally allowed by right building height for the site. The basis of the photo simulations is a computer-based 3 dimensional model of the project and most of the buildings in the Downtown Area. The simulations have been developed by JRDV Architecture, and computer files for the photo simulations will be made available for verification by the City s EIR consultant as the Draft EIR is developed. Outline of This Section This section begins by examining close views in the immediate vicinity of the project. Middle view are then examined. Finally, a representative view from a hillside neighborhoods is shown. III.A.4. Photo Simulations / 54

2 Close Views Center Street looking East. The BART plaza is located at right. III.A.4. Photo Simulations / 55

3 Shattuck Square looking south. Project streetwall has similar height as apartment building at left. III.A.4. Photo Simulations / 56

4 Shattuck at Center. Corner of Shattuck Avenue and Center Street with bike share. III.A.4. Photo Simulations / 57

5 Center Street Frontage. Along Center St, the project puts a one-story mass next to the low-rise BAM/PFA, and steps the hotel floors back fifty feet along three-quarters of the frontage. III.A.4. Photo Simulations / 58

6 East Shattuck Square. Pedestrian amenities create a visible gateway. A bike share station is one possible use. III.A.4. Photo Simulations / 59

7 Middle Views View from Shattuck at Hearst. The project s upper stories would be visible from here. The building would be less visible when planned development occurs on the parking lot just east of Shattuck. III.A.4. Photo Simulations / 60

8 View from Shattuck at Haste. The project s upper floors would be visible from the west side of Shattuck, but would not block the Berkeley Hills ridgeline when existing and potential future buildings are factored. III.A.4. Photo Simulations / 61

9 View from Shattuck at Kittredge. Perspective from on Shattuck Street on the southwest corner with Kittredge, looking north. III.A.4. Photo Simulations / 62

10 View from UC Crescent. Perspective from the UC Crescent above Oxford St. III.A.4. Photo Simulations / 63

11 Long Views View from the Campanile. The proposed project would be barely discernible from the top of the Campanile III.A.4. Photo Simulations / 64

12 View from Hilgard/LeRoy. This view is representative of view from the hillside neighborhoods overlooking downtown. III.A.4. Photo Simulations / 65