HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/19/2021 Item 2, LeBlanc
From: Mary LeBlanc <
Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2021 7:16 PM
To: Advisory Bodies
Cc: dvschlink@gmail.com
Subject: Architectural Review Commission Meeting Comments - July 19, 2021 Reference
ARCH-0587-2020, USE-0412-2021, & AFFH-0413-2021
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Dear SLO Architectural Review Commission,
We are owners in the Terraza Development at 253 Bridge Street (which is an adjacent resident on the south side of the
proposed project). We have been aware of the various plans for development in the proposed site (the "meadow") and
support the use of the property in any fashion that enhances the quality of life in SLO. We trust in the Community Design
Guidelines as well as other applicable City Standards.
We are writing you today to register a formal objection to any and all exceptions to these standards because they were
developed specifically to maintain harmony in the community as well as provide adequate privacy and other protections to
adjacent property owners. Too often these exceptions are granted, causing direct harm to neighboring properties for the
sole convenience, either financially or otherwise, to the petitioner.
Specifically we object to the following:
1) Concession request for 2nd and 3rd floor balconies
2) Concession request for window orientation
Both of these concessions impinge directly on the privacy of our properties which the CDG are specifically
developed to avoid. Please note that Section 6.0 (Project Statistics) of item 2 fails to note the concession request
applies to second floor balconies as well as third floors as required.
Reference Chapter 5 - Section 5.4 (Multi -Family and Clustered Housing Design)
character of the surrounding residential area
New development should
adjacent units
necessary to improve considerations of preserving privacy of the
Reference Zoning Regulations Section 17.70.050 - Edge Conditions
"The Edge Conditions Section of the Zoning Regulations prohibits balconies and terraces above the first floor
on the building side facing the lower density residential zoning and requires window placement to be
offset by 12-inches from adjacent existing structures.
However, the applicant is requesting a concession to allow second and third floor balconies and windows oriented
toward properties within the R-2 zone (see Project Plans Sheet A1.1).
The ARC should discuss whether the proposed balconies and window placement along the East and
South property lines present any conflicts with the CDG regarding the privacy of adjacent residential uses with
consideration of existing topography. "
Sheet Al. 1 shows parking underneath and behind adjacent properties. Concern arises that the lights from cars driving
toward these properties to get around the building will shine directly into our lower level bedrooms.
4) Request for a 24% Density Bonus to increase the density of the site from 65.52 Density Units/Acre to 60.92
Density Units/Acre
Density (and its direct impact on design) is the primary reason for requests for concessions. If the back row of units facing
the south edge of the meadow were not included in the design, balconies and window concession requests would not be
required.
5) A timeline of 5-7 years of construction
This is an extremely extended timeline which which will subject neighboring properties to considerable disruption with
noise, dust and other impositions to our daily life.
We would greatly appreciate it if you could please honor the existing CDG guidelines in order to create a space we could
all live with.
Regards,
Mary L. LeBlanc and David V. Schlink
253 Bridge Street