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4 Environmental Analysis 4.1 Aesthetics The Scenic Route Element identifies scenic freeways and expressways as traversing or connecting areas of major scenic, recreational, or cultural attractions, and as distinct from two other major types of scenic routes (scenic thoroughfares and rural-recreation routes). 1-580 is categorized as one of the County's Scenic Freeways and Expressways. The Project site is not visible from 1-580. Open Space Element The following principles from the Open Space Element of the General Plan are applicable to the proposed Project (Alameda County 1973, amended 1994): 0o Include Natural Ridgelines and Slope Areas: Natural ridgelines, and slopes in excess of twenty-five percent in grade, should be left as open space to eliminate mass grading. 0o Consolidate and Locate Utility Lines to Avoid Scenic Areas: Wherever feasible, power and pipe utility lines should be consolidated to prevent further severance of open space lands. Utility lines and aqueducts in open space areas should be located so as to avoid areas of outstanding beauty. oo Natural Resources within Open Space Areas Should be Permanently Protected: Within open space areas, either publicly or privately owned, removal of mature trees should not be permitted without the permission of the local authority. Alteration of streambeds or bodies of water and adjacent vegetation should be permitted only as a means of erosion- control or flood control, as permitted by the adopted plans of regional or local jurisdictions, and in such a manner as to enhance watercourses, scenic shorelines, and wetlands within the county. East County Area Plan Alameda County's East County Area Plan (ECAP) includes a goal to "preserve unique visual resources and protect sensitive viewsheds." Sensitive viewsheds are defined as "natural areas that provide orientation and a sense of place within a community or region. These areas typically include ridgelines, hilltops, large contiguous open space areas, and woodlands" (Alameda County 2000). The plan further identifies policies related to sensitive viewsheds. Many of these policies apply to specific ridgelines, peaks, open spaces, and large stands of mature trees. This Project would not be located on or within view of such features. The remaining policies that are potentially applicable to this Project are summarized as follows (Alameda County 2000): oo Policy 108: Structures shall be located...where the development is least visible to persons on public roads, trails, parks, and other public viewpoints. oo Policy 114: The County shall require the use of landscaping to enhance the scenic quality of the area and to screen undesirable views. Choice of plants should be based on compatibility with surrounding vegetation, drought-tolerance, suitability to site conditions; and habitat value and fire retardance. oo Policy 115: Appropriate building materials, landscaping, and screening shall be required to minimize the visual impact of development. Development shall blend with, and be subordinate to, the environment and character of the area so as to be as unobtrusive as Griffith Energy Storage Project 4.1-21 Tetra Tech/SCH 2022120675 Draft Environmental Impact Report August 2023