HomeMy WebLinkAbout8/12/2020 Item 2, Umhofer
Wilbanks, Megan
From:betsy umhofer <
To:Advisory Bodies
Cc:betsy umhofer
Subject:Fwd: Froom Ranch Specific Plan Agenda
Attachments:Villaggio to City.docx; ATT00001.htm
Please see below letter for Planning Commission.
Thank you
Begin forwarded message:
From: betsy umhofer <brumhofer@hotmail.com>
Date: August 10, 2020 at 3:39:57 PM PDT
To: "advisorybodies@slo.org" <advisorybodies@slo.org>
Cc: betsy umhofer <brumhofer@hotmail.com>
Subject: RE: Froom Ranch Specific Plan Agenda
1
August 10, 2020
To the Planning Commissioners of the City of San Luis Obispo:
I am a long-time resident of San Luis Obispo, hoping to live the “third stage” of life in the
City, Villaggio will provide services as the needs arise. The City has recognized the growing
senior population and the need to provide housing for this population in the housing element of
the General Plan. The housing element recognized the limited number of residential care
facilities, especially those that cater to the elderly. (The findings did not even include Skill ed
Nursing facilities in their findings – to which the Villaggio development will add.)
I am at the leading edge of the aging Baby Boomers who the Social Security
Administration says have been adding 10,000 sixty-five-year-olds per day. America’s silver
tsunami. Many will age in place, in housing that is too big for them. They (we) will be
entering facilities for care as years go on. Life Plan Communities such as Villaggio answer both
of these concerns: denser housing (that opens up housing for families) and care facilities in time
of need, all on the same campus, thus reducing traffic.
I like the idea of having all that I will need as I age on one campus. I like the idea of a
close community of people around me as years go by. My husband and I have looked at six Life
Plan Communities all over California, but we would prefer to stay here, where we have lived for
42 years.
I have seen the importance of proximity of a care facility to a loved one. I have been a
Hospice volunteer at a local Alzheimer facility and seen how much it means to families to see
their loved one and vice versa. But travelling to the facility sometimes has meant less visits.
Villaggio’s senior housing will put family (spouses) within walking distance of those loved ones.
Development on our limited supply of land in the City has for many years emphasized
greater density. Villaggio will answer the provision of senior housing with good density in an
area of the City which would otherwise go to commercial development.
While working with Congresswoman Lois Capps for 20 years, I learned a lot about the
importance of good public policy. I think that Villaggio as designed will add immeasurably to
our community.
Thank you for your consideration of this important matter.
Sincerely,
Betsy R. Umhofer