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Home My WebLink About3/10/2021 Item 2, Matteson Wilbanks, Megan From:Glen Matteson < To:Advisory Bodies Cc:Leveille, Brian; Corey, Tyler Subject:Planning Commission communication - March 10 meeting Attachments:statement to Plng Com combo.pdf This message is from an External Source. Use caution when deciding to open attachments, click links, or respond. Commissioners, Please see the attached communication concerning agenda item #2, LOSSAN Central Coast Layover Facility EIR scoping, from the neighboring San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum. Glen Matteson, Secretary San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum 1 March 9, 2021 City of San Luis Obispo Planning Commission March 10 meeting – LOSSAN Central Coast Layover Facility environmental scoping Commissioners: The proposed layover facility will benefit safe, energy-efficient transportation on the Central Coast. The San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum supports the project’s goals. The Museum’s mission is to promote California Central Coast railroad heritage through community participation, education, and historic preservation. Specific designs for two aspects of the project will help the Museum achieve its mission, as explained below and shown conceptually on the following aerial image. Incorporating the recommended features in the project description will mitigate project impacts to historical railroad resources. 1. Safety fencing Instead of installing a fence along the west side of the Union Pacific right-of-way, extend along the Railroad Safety Trail the existing durable fence on the east side of the tracks, southward from the present Amtrak layover facility. Putting the new fence on the west side of the right-of-way would preclude Museum volunteers from having access to the east sides of the historical locomotive and cars located on the Museum’s display track, to maintain them. Putting the fence on the railroad right-of-way’s east side would take advantage of the existing durable fencing. It would be as effective in preventing trespass as a fence on the west side. It would continue Union Pacific Railroad’s easy access to its signal system. The east-side fence could, but need not, extend as far as Orcutt Road (to replace the previously installed, non-durable fence that has deteriorated and been damaged). An extension of about 600 feet would prevent people crossing the tracks at the location where most unsafe crossings have been observed. A 600-foot extension would be one-half the length of fencing along a single side of the existing layover facility. The Museum can provide additional information on the historical railroad resources that would be negatively impacted if this fencing recommendation is not followed. 2. West side multi-use path To accommodate a multi-use path along the west side of the tracks, design any grading and retaining walls to allow continued vehicle access from the north end of Emily Street right-of-way to the east end of High Street. The Museum uses the far north end of Emily Street right-of-way, which was never improved, for access to a city-approved storage and work space. The main access is at the south end of this space. The Museum has been working hard to reduce the number of items there. But sometimes it is much more convenient to drive all the way through from south to north, or to bring a vehicle from the north, to transport items. Southern California Gas Company (responsible for a major gas transmission line here) and the City Utilities Department have also found access at the north end to be convenient. Thank you for considering these points, which were endorsed by the Museum’s Board of Directors at its March 9 meeting. Glen Matteson, Secretary San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum glenamat@hotmmail.com 805 242-3315 San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum Recommendations: LOSSAN Central Coast Layover Facility NEW M U L T I -‐US E PATH P RO PO S ED LA Y O V ER F A C IL IT Y LOCATION MUSEUM DISPLAY TRACK MAINTAIN VEHICLE ACCESS Emily Street EMILY STREET YARD PRELIMINARY DESIGN LAYOVER FACILITY FENCING (not all shown) Covelop project under construction Roundhouse Ave. EXISTING LAYOVER FACILITY FENCING ? MUS EUM -‐RECOMM END ED F ENC ING