3.7 Aesthetics
AESTHETICS
3.7
Aesthetic resources are comprised of natural and manufactured features that give a particular area its visual
qualities. These features form the overall impression that an observer receives of an area, or its landscape
character. Landforms, water surfaces, vegetation, and manufactured features are considered characteristic
of an area if they are inherent to the structure and function of its landscape.
The significance of a change in visual character is influenced by social considerations, including public value
placed on the resource, public awareness, and general community concern for visual resources in the area.
These social considerations are addressed as visual sensitivity and are defined as the degree of public
interest in a visual resource and concern over adverse changes in the quality of that resource. High visual
sensitivity exists when the public can be expected to react strongly to a potential change in visual quality.
Moderate visual sensitivity would exist when affected views are secondary in importance or are similar to
others in the region. Low visual sensitivity exists when the public has little or no concern about changes in
the landscape.
To evaluate change to the landscape character of a project site, it is necessary to understand the existing
visual qualities. Each receiver site is described below and a representative photograph is provided. The
locations from where the site is visible are identified, which indicates the type of viewer. Then the actual
beach site characteristics are described. The beach lengths where temporary pipelines for sand placement
may occur are also described. Because the borrow sites are underwater and the actual site character is
not visible, they are not discussed separately in this section.
Receiver Sites/Temporary Pipeline Routes
3.1.1
South Oceanside
The South Oceanside receiver site is visible from several beachfront residences and businesses in the area.
The public pier is just north of the receiver site (maximum footprint only) but there would be views from
the pier under either alternative. The Strand, a beach-front road that runs from Seagaze Drive to Wisconsin
Avenue, abuts the northern end of the receiver site, and users of the Strand would view the site. The
receiver site is severely eroded and is visible only at low tide. Beachfront homes and condominiums are
located east of this portion of the receiver site. As shown in Figure 3.7-1 (Photograph A), huge boulders
have been placed in front of these structures for protection and they are elevated slightly above
Regional Beach Sand Project EIR/EA
Page 3.7-1
99-69\SANDAG EIREA 3.5 to 3.12.wpd 7/17/00
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