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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/22/2021 cc - Hoffmann (LOSSAN Central Coast Layover Facility) Wilbanks, Megan From:Bill Hoffmann < To:capitalprojects@lossan.org Cc:Leveille, Brian; Fukushima, Adam; E-mail Council Website; Advisory Bodies Subject:Central Coast Layover Facility (CCLF) Attachments:LOSSAN comment letter 3-22-21.docx This message is from an External Source. Use caution when deciding to open attachments, click links, or respond. Dear Mr. Campbell, Attached is a letter with comments for LOSSAN and the City of SLO to consider based on the information in the NOP, which will lead to an EIR for the above mentioned project. Please contact us if you have any questions. Also, please confirm that you received this email. Thank you, Bill & Yvonne Hoffmann 1 March 22, 2021 James Campbell, Manager of Programs LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency 600 South Main Street Orange, CA 92863 capitalprojects@lossan.org Subject: Central Coast Layover Facility (CCLF) in San Luis Obispo (SLO) Dear Mr. Campbell, Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on how the CCLF will impact the local surrounding neighborhoods in San Luis Obispo. We have lived in the vicinity of this project for eight (8) years. We live in a house on the west side of the tracks, and since we sit up higher we overlook the bike path and railroad right -of- way. Therefore, we have a good sense of what goes on in the area. We strongly encourage you, Union Pacific RR, and the City of SLO to work together in order to minimize/eliminate impacts to surrounding neighborhoods. Our comments are as follows: 1. Transportation - This proposed project will literally isolate two (2) neighborhoods, the west side from the east side of the tracks and vice versa. Currently there are hundreds of pedestrians and bicyclists crossing the tracks in this area every day. This makes pedestrian & bike access across the tracks a high priority. Access across the tracks can be accomplished with either an “at grade crossing” or another “Jennifer St. Bridge.” Isolating these two areas of the City will only force residents to get in their cars and drive to the destinations on the other side of the tracks. Based on the priorities the City Council has placed on the SLO Climate Action Plan and the SLO Active Transportation Plan, we don’t believe this is the type of outcome the City is interested in seeing. During the March 10th Planning Commission meeting, City staff Identified 2 locations for potential c rossings (Roundhouse and Francis Streets). I believe the Francis Street location is preferred since it’s located near Sinsheimer Park & School, and approximately half way between the Jennifer Street Bridge and Orcutt Road (the only two current crossings). Installing a crossing at the Francis Street location will clearly meet the goals of SLO’s Climate Action and Active Transportation Plans. In addition, the current plan proposes a ped/bike trail on the west side of the tracks but this seems redundant since there is an existing bike trail on the east side of the tracks that leads to the train station and many other amenities (Sinsheimer Park & School, YMCA, City swimming pool, Blues bas eball park, SLO High School, French Hospital, County offices, and many medical offices near the hospital and off of Bishop Street, etc.). A ped/bike bridge or at grade crossing is clearly more important and a bigger need than an additional ped/bike path on the west side of the tracks. Granted this will not be an inexpensive addition to the project. However, t he City and LOSSAN need to recognize how this project will isolate City neighborhoods, and start planning and setting aside funding to resolve this current and future community problem. 2. Permitting - Please identify which Federal, State, or Local agencies have permitting authority over this project? 3. Air Quality – This will be a very important issue that will impa ct the surrounding residences. One of us has asthma, so having clean air to breathe is very important to us. What type of engines and maintenance equipment will you be using? I’ve noticed over the past year or more, that the Surfliner has been running a new type of engine which appears to be c leaner and quieter. These types of engines are much improved; the old style engine run by Coast Starlight are big air polluters, and are much louder. 4. Noise – As noted above the type of engines and equipment you use can have a big impact. The maintenance buildings and storage areas should be heavily insulated to reduce noise. The hours of operation need to be limited to 7AM-7PM, no maintenance activities during the night. 5. Visual/Aesthetics – As part of the railroad historic district, the buildings need to incorporate historical railroad architecture. Currently the concept plan includes vegetative screening areas to reduce the visual impacts to surrounding residential developments, which is a positive project component. This vegetative screening must be included in any Phase 1 construction activities. In order to avoid blocking scenic views, the species used as part of the vegetative screening cannot be tall, or have the ability to grow tall. 6. Wildfire & Air Quality - Currently there’s a lot of unauthorized vehicular access taking place in this area, which has led to unauthorized camping, dumping of unwanted household items, and at least three (3) fires since we’ve lived here. In addition, many "off-road" vehicles drive through the railroad right-of-way, racing and and spinning "doughnuts", which creates large clouds of fine dust that float across the bike path and into Sinsheimer Park and School areas, the City pool, as well as the residences located along the railroad in this area. The main access points appear to be: The end of Roundhouse, McMillan, and the area where High Street enters the Amtrak/Railroad Parking Lot near Miners Hardware. Francis Street was previously an easy access point for vehicles, however, the installation of a gate a few years ago appears to have stopped that problem. Phase 1 construction of the CCLF project needs to include features that will block vehicular access at these points. Once again, thank you for the opportunity to comment. Sincerely, Bill and Yvonne Hoffmann 2341 Bushnell St. SLO b52hoffmann@gmail.com Cc: Brian Leveille bleveille@slocity.org Adam Fukushima afukushima@slocity.org City Council emailcouncil@slocity.org Active Transportation Committee & Planning Commission advisorybodies@slocity.org