PD-17-00001 Marian Meadows Full Record with Index (2)

Home Browse Search

Marian Meadows Rezone and Subdivision Final Environmental Impact Statement 3-32  The rural character of the area would change as a result of a substantial increase in the number of people on local streets, in local businesses, and in schools and other public places.  The conservation of fish and wildlife habitat on-site and in the area would not occur. The site would likely experience a decline in use by wildlife, especially large mammals such as elk, as discussed in more detail in Section 3.15.  Wildlife movement would be substantially curtailed by the proposal. The location of a large number of small lots along BPA easement together with the mini-storage use proposed along the east side of the easement would result in a substantial barrier to north-south movement of elk across the site from summer habitat areas to the north to winter habitats to the south as discussed in Section 3.15. Alternative 2, PUD on the western portion of the site with up to 443 units, would result in the same number of units in a smaller area. The large lots located immediately adjacent to the site to the north of the runway clear zone would be bounded by the same number of lots as in Alternative 1 and would experience similar impacts. Adjacent lots to the southwest and south would be bounded by open space within the airport safety zone or in areas excluded because of flow hazards. The residents in these lots would experience little or no change from the existing forest cover. Most residents in the area would experience Alternative 2 similarly to Alternative 1.  The landscape in the area would no longer be characterized primarily by natural features and open space due to clearing of the lots where elements of the built environment would become the dominant feature. This change would be especially true for the multi-family development.  The observed visual character of the community would change due largely to the predominance of residences and associated permanent clearing of forest, but it would be apparent largely to persons living close to the site or passing through the site. The visual character of forest cover on the ridge would be preserved.  It is unlikely that forestry use would occur on residential parcels, except cutting of trees for firewood. The open space areas on the lower portion of the site and the entire upper portion of the site could continue to be managed as commercial forest.  Residents of the multi-family areas would be less likely to be seasonal (NAR 2008); therefore, a higher proportion of full-time residents commuting to jobs in urban areas or retired residents can be expected. This occurrence may increase the number of people on local streets, in local businesses, schools, and other public places as compared to Alternative 1.  The lower portion of the site would likely experience a greater decline in use by wildlife, especially large mammals such as elk, but wildlife use on the upper portion of the site would be greater, as compared to Alternative 1.