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

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Marian Meadows Rezone and Subdivision Final Environmental Impact Statement 3-34 Under Alternative 4, the number of residential lots in the immediate vicinity would almost double but the increase would be about half that of Alternatives 1 and 2.  The increase in the number of people on local streets, in local businesses, and in schools and other public places would be less than Alternatives 1 and 2.  The site would likely experience a decline in on-site use by wildlife, especially large mammals such as elk, but use by smaller wildlife species likely would be greater than Alternative 1 because of the potential habitat provided on large lots.  The 3-acre lots in Alternative 3A located along the west side of BPA easement could 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 unless substantial buffer areas of native vegetation were retained to provide a buffer to reduce disturbance from the view of human occupancy, noise and disturbance by lights and disturbance by domestic animals. In the absence of an effective buffer, development would discourage use of the corridor, especially by the most sensitive component of the population, cows with calves. The impact on elk herds and overall populations in the area could be substantial because of the lack of other corridors for north-south movement in the area due to topography, human residential development, and the barrier produced by the I-90 corridor. The mini-storage use in Alternative 3B along the east side of BPA easement would be 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 even with fewer lots on the west side of the corridor and the retention of a buffer on the west side that could be accommodated with larger lots. Location of a commercial storage site fronting on the east side would discourage movement because of the close proximity of buildings and human activity similar to Alternatives 1 and 2. Alternative 3C: No Action with 3-Acre Lots Excluding the Eastern Portion of the Site would result in a reduction in total lots to about a third of those in Alternatives 3A or 3B to about 33 lots. This would result in similar impacts as Alternatives 3A and 3B to existing development in the vicinity, but result in a reduction in impacts on rural character related to the total number of units or to development on the steep eastern portion of the site. The large lots located immediately adjacent to the site would be bounded by lots similar in size to the existing as with Alternatives 3A and 3B. Other residents in the area likely would experience the following:  The views of the landscape in the area would be characterized by natural features and open space to a greater extent than Alternatives 3A and 3B because native forest vegetation would characterize the upper slopes most visible from existing residences. Clearing and grading for roads and residences on the upper eastern portion of the site would be