HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/10/2021 Item 2, Mourenza, A.
Wilbanks, Megan
From:Alexis Mourenza <
To:Advisory Bodies
Subject:Planning Commission 3/10/21 Agenda Item 2
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Commissioners,
I’m writing in regards to Agenda item 2 for March 10, 2021, the scope of the EIR for the LOSSAN Rail
Corridor Agency Central Coast Layover Facility.
Although there are numerous issues that could be raised in regards to what should be included in the EIR
for this project, I will limit myself to just a few. I am hopeful that the Planning Commission together with
the Rail Corridor Agency will work together to address and remedy problems that are raised in this
scoping meeting.
Firstly, please include in the EIR impacts to the pedestrian and bicycle traffic and the necessity of a safe
crossing from the west to the east side of the railroad tracks in the southern portion of the project area,
preferably in the area of Francis Avenue or Lawrence Dr. This is a highly-trafficked area and serves as the
primary route to Sinsheimer Park for a very large swathe of the South of Downtown neighborhood, which
has increasingly become the home to more and more residents as numerous multi-family housing
developments have been built over recent years (with more to come). The park is currently less than a 5
minute walk from my and many other homes west of the tracks. If unable to cross the tracks within the
southern portion of the project area, it would be a 1.5 mile+ walk or drive via Orcutt Road. Lack of a safe
crossing will inevitably lead to pedestrians and bicycles making unsafe crossings across the railroad
tracks, the number of which will double with this project. This would constitute a serious public safety
issue.
Second, lighting from the completed project and the possibility of it impacting private residences in the
area of the project needs to be addressed. The majority of the newer housing units built in the area have
bedrooms facing the railroad tracks, so failure to address this could have significant impacts on the health
and well-being of many residents of the area if light intrusion into private homes results from the
completed project, not to mention the overall negative effects of light pollution not only on neighborhood
residents but also the wildlife as well as all the other residents of San Luis Obispo that enjoy star gazing in
the area. Noise impacts of the construction as well as long-term sound pollution should also be addressed
for the entire project area, which will have a significant increase in number of rail lines adjacent to
private residences.
Lastly, as discussed in the agenda packet, the project area stretches down to McMillan Avenue, but
aesthetic improvements don’t appear to extend beyond the area in which buildings will be constructed.
The entire area will be impacted by the additional tracks and should be considered in terms of the
aesthetic impacts of the project and how they can be minimized, or better yet, improved.
For all of these issues it is important the for the sake of the EIR that the entire project area, extending
south to McMillan Avenue, needs to be included in consideration of possible impacts of the project. I
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hope that the City will collaborate with the Rail Agency to make the best of this situation for the residents
of SLO by working together to mitigate problems inherent in the construction and activity of these new
facilities as well as to improve the quality of life for the residents of the entire project area by providing a
much needed safe pedestrian and bicycle crossing as well as installing aesthetic enhancements that will
benefit not only local residents, but also all of the train passengers that pass through this region of the
Central Coast.
Thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
Alexis Mourenza
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