HomeMy WebLinkAbout6/2/2020 Item 12, Seitz
Wilbanks, Megan
From:Ro Ope SEIT <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Re:Item 12: the 545 Higuera development
Please read at Council meeting
Greetings Council,
Regarding item 12 of the 545 Higuera development, I can see three reasons that this large complex
should not be allowed at all.
First of all this area historically was marshland that is why Marsh Street is named Marsh Street. If you
allow These large structures to be built there are bound to be problems with sinking and structural
issues, over time, due to soil and water such as happened in a business area on the East side of Los Osos
Valley Road where buildings had trouble, one building that I know of, sunk a foot.
Secondly this historic North Higuera neighborhood of one story residences and small businesses
represents a part of San Luis Obispo‘s history. Early successful families (Pollard, Jack, Negranti, Norcross,
among others) built in a variety of building styles (Italianate, Craftsman, Queen Anne, Spanish Revival,
Carpenter Gothic, Vernacular Ranch). Any infill in this area should meet the city’s Community Design
Guidelines.
“... Infill residential development should be comparable in a scale citing detailing an overall character
with adjacent buildings. The height of infill projects should be consistent with surrounding residential
structures. New development should respect the privacy of adjacent residential uses so that windows do
not overlook and impair the privacy of indoor or outdoor living spaces of adjacent units. Large projects
should be broken up into groups of structures ‘Should’ language is intended to be followed unless
there are specific extenuating circumstances.” These guidelines for adopted by the city to prevent big
box developments that would make San Luis Obispo looks like “Anywhere USA.“
Thirdly, it seems ridiculous that some of these large big box structures have already been allowed into
this neighborhood and even more ridiculous to continue to allow a building 50 feet long tall 275 feet
long with 16 balconies and a sky bridge to be situated in this neighborhood. They are visually
unappealing located next to Residential structures. They do not respect the privacy or history of the
area. They can be built in other parts of San Luis Obispo that do not have a historic neighborhood!
Please do not allow this development to occur in this location. Thank you for your serious
consideration.
Rosanne Seitz,
property owner in San Luis Obispo.
805-550-5938
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