HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/14/2020 Item 2, Lopes
Wilbanks, Megan
From:James Lopes <
To:Brandi Cummings; Corey, Tyler; Advisory Bodies
Subject:Planning Commission - 650 Tank Farm Road - October 14, 2010 Hearing
Attachments:650 Tank Farm - PC - 10-13-20 - James Lopes.docx
October 12, 2020
To: Planning Comission, City of San Luis Obispo
RE: 650 Tank Farm Road - October 14, 2010 Public Hearing
Dear Chair Hemalata Dandekar and Commissioners:
I acknowledge that my comments in the attached letter are late. They are all important and unaddressed, as far as I can
tell. Would you please discuss continuing this application to have formal discussion to improve the situation?
Thank you,
James Lopes
1
James Lopes
912 Bluebell Way
San Luis Obispo
California 93401
October 12, 2020
Planning Commission
City of San Luis Obispo
RE: 650 Tank Farm Road – Planning Commission – October 14, 2020 Hearing
Dear Chairperson and Commissioners:
I am asking for major last-minute alterations before the Tank Farm Road projects are finalized.
This really applies to all of them. This new development will benefit the community with your
focus on larger-scale issues . You have good ideas, but I would like your action on these issues
as well:
1. Affordable Housing Opportunity. What could your Commission do to create more
affordable units, working with the staff and applicant? It seems unfair to lose this land
for only 39 affordable units out of 249. This is the Airport Area, where units should be
mostly in the multi-ranges of affordability. Think of the 24,000 working class and middle
class pour trying to find affordable housing. What happened to creativity, usi ng expert
housing providers and investors to build for our workers, not for more people
elsewhere.
2. Neighborhood Connecting Street. All of the Tank Farm Road projects should be
connected by a frontage so that customers can drive from the Broad Street property to
the west end. People of all ages, and from all areas, should have stronger, shorter
connections. Short distances between the mixed-use buildings will benefit all
transportation, and it will make a stronger statement of place and connected
convenience. It will also reduce traffic conflicts with a crowded Tank Farm Road.
3. Building Colors are too muted, mono-tone. I like the architecture, but I hope that the
applicant and RRM will agree to three or four other wall col ors with maybe connecting
trim colors. Otherwise, the project will looks too close to an institutional or even
militaristic project (think Camp Roberts). Please give the community some joy and
feminism in this central location.
4. Tree Preservation. I hope that you are seeking to maintain the major trees and clusters
for a sense of place. This neighborhood should continue with natural maturity and
James Lopes October 13, 2020 [Type here]
pride for the urban forest on this site. Adjustments between staff, designers and
arborists may design a rewarding result.
5. Mixed Use Commerce. The fronting commercial building would vitalize the new area if
staff and applicant can agree to limit the size of businesses to encourage small “liner”
shops rather than large-scale office or shopping uses. Think of Men’s Wearhouse
building than Ross / Mikelm. Smaller square feet will reward young business people and
support the local lives.
6. Aircraft Noise. Major noise can be lessened with help from the City and the Airport
Land Use Commission. This site is directly under the helicopter training route, which is
will not muffler its equipment. The training is a circuit around the airport, flying over
this area about every five minutes. It is a noisy presence as far away as the Islay
Hill/Summerhill neighborhoods. The second major noise which will degrade this
project’s quality are the repair/testing of the ACI jet clients. Recently, very loud
screeching has occurred for perhaps two hours. The Draft EIR should have identified
these problems and found solutions; why not contribute to a fund to pay for business
improvements? Also, the project buildings should be double sound insulation.
After many years as a County community planner, and as a member of the City’s Architectural
Review Commission, I am now a resident of the Islay Hill Specific Plan area. I am interest in
your vocal responses from you about my comments.
Sincerely,
James Lopes