| Draft Environmental Impact Statement Shorts School Road Am Antenna Structures 54 Alternative. The construction of the Preferred Alternative is determined to result in a significant adverse impact to views from this viewpoint based on the degree of visual change observed in the visual simulations. Lighting In the evening, the two blinking, red hazard warning lights at the apex of the tallest antenna and the three smaller marker lights at the mid-point of the antenna would be visible in the middleground from Viewpoint 15. Because of the approximate 150-foot elevation and of the viewpoint and its proximity (0.54 miles) to the proposed project, the blinking lights on the 349- foot antenna would be close and could cause a minor visual distraction, ameliorated by distance. The non-blinking lights mid-way up the antenna would likely be visible as well, along with lights on Lords Hill across the valley. Final Adjusted Visual Quality Rating: 2.3 (down from 5.6) Viewpoint 16 Under the Preferred Alternative, a neighborhood house, mature landscaping, and lamp post would remain visible in the foreground from Viewpoint 16 (Figure A.16). The Snohomish River Valley, Lord Hill, and the eight radio antennas would be visible in the middleground. Approximately a third of 349-foot antenna, marked in orange and white, would project up into the sky at a distance of 0.5 miles. The seven 199-foot antennas, painted in neutral colors, would be mostly seen against the background landscape. In the background, the Snohomish foothills and the Cascade Mountains would be visible. Views of the valley and the mountains would remain striking under the Preferred Alternative. The eight antennas would encroach on views of the valley and mountains. The scale and orange and white markings of the 349-foot antenna would make it a dominant element in the view and reduce the level of intactness. The neutral colors and smaller scale of the seven 199-foot antennas would make them appear less dominant, because they could meld into the background landscape more easily. The eight antennas would disrupt the visual pattern created by natural elements in the middleground and background like the valley, Lord Hill, and the mountains. As a result the level of unity in this view would be diminished by the Preferred Alternative. Lighting In the evening, the two blinking, red hazard warning lights at the apex of the tallest antenna and the three smaller marker lights at the mid-point of the antenna would be visible in the middleground from Viewpoint 16. Because of the approximate 125-foot elevation of the viewpoint the blinking lights on the 349-foot antenna would be closer to eye level and could cause a minor visual distraction. However, existing mature trees in the foreground of Viewpoint 16 would have the potential to screen views of night lighting associated with the proposed project over time. Final Adjusted Visual Quality Rating: 2.4 (down from 5.6) |