the existing visual setting of the site does not involve value judgments regarding whether vegetation along US 101 should screen views of the Baylands Project Site or whether the health condition of the vegetation would require replacement if it should be decided as part of the planning review process that the vegetation needs to be replaced to provide a visual screen from US Highway 101.

Regardless of its original purpose, existing vegetation does, in fact, partially screen views of the Baylands Project Site, particularly the views of southbound traffic along US 101. The screening effect of existing vegetation is far less pronounced for northbound traffic than it is for southbound traffic along US 101. To better describe the screening effect of existing vegetation along the freeway, the fourth paragraph on page 4.A-2 is revised to read:

The western edge of the Project Site is bordered by Bayshore Boulevard, while US Highway 101 and San Francisco Bay border the Project Site to the east. Existing views of Tthe Project Site is partially screened from view along US Highway 101 and as well as Bayshore Boulevard are partially screened due to vegetative growth along the highway and the boulevard. Views of However, the northern approach to the Project Site along from US Highway 101 are far more available for northbound freeway motorists than for southbound traffic, since northbound freeway motorists are does afforded a brief but encompassing view of the Project Site, with San Bruno Mountain in the background.

OSEC-48

[See page 5-309 for the original comment] The purpose of the visual simulations is to address the extent to which proposed development within the Baylands would have an adverse effect on a scenic vista. The viewpoint locations shown in Figure 4.A-1 were selected to provide representative locations from which to assess the impacts of Project Site development on scenic vistas of San Bruno Mountain and the San Francisco Bay, and include a mix of ground elevations above mean sea level and distances from the Baylands Project site.

The Draft EIR analysis of visual/aesthetic impacts of the four proposed concept plan scenarios included 12 existing public viewpoints of the Baylands site, including vantage points from both close to the property boundary as well as more distant vantage points from San Francisco and Daly City. Viewpoints 4, 5, 8, 9, and 10 are located in close proximity to the Baylands, while viewpoints 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7 represent longer distance views at higher elevations. Comparisons between viewpoints 1 & 4, 5 & 6, 7 & 8, and 10 & 11 illustrate the differences in view blockage and the perceived size of buildings between closer-in and longer distance views. Together, the visual simulations provide an analysis of changes in views of the Baylands from a reasonable range of direction and distances form the Baylands, as well as ground elevations. Together, the photo simulations effectively demonstrate that significant impacts on scenic vistas will result. For