HomeMy WebLinkAbout8/16/2021 Public Comment, Stelfox
Wilbanks, Megan
From:Wilbanks, Megan
Sent:Monday, August 16, 2021 9:25 AM
To:Jill Stelfox
Cc:Steven Stelfox; Corey, Tyler; Shawna Scott (sscott@slocity.org); Bell, Kyle
Subject:RE: Item 2 - SBDV-2029-2018 (163 Serrano Heights)
Good Morning,
Thank you for taking the time to relay your concerns. As you indicated below, the Planning Commission
approved the 163 Serrano Heights project on April 14, 2021, as reflected in the Minutes from that meeting. The
Architectural Review Commission is meeting virtually via Zoom this evening at 5:00 p.m. and you are welcome
to join the webinar to provide public comment on non-agenda items- instructions can be found on the cover of
the agenda. However, since the date of Planning Commission’s approval, the Architectural Review
Commission has not reviewed the 163 Serrano Heights project. The next Planning Commission meeting is
scheduled for Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. via teleconference. The agenda, and Zoom
th
instructions, will be published this Wednesday, August 18; you are welcome to join the webinar to relay your
concerns.
Your correspondence will be archived and distributed to both the Planning Commission and the Architectural
Review Commission. Copied on this response are staff that can provide further information about the project:
Tyler Corey – Deputy Community Development Director and Staff Liaison to the Planning Commission
Shawna Scott – Senior Planner and Staff Liaison to the Architectural Review Commission
Kyle Bell – Associate Planner assigned to the 163 Serrano Heights project when it was reviewed by
Planning Commission
Sincerely,
Megan Wilbanks
Deputy City Clerk
City Administration
990 Palm, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-3249
E mwilbank@slocity.org
T 805.781.7103
slocity.org
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From: Jill Stelfox <
Sent: Sunday, August 15, 2021 7:55 PM
To: Advisory Bodies <advisorybodies@slocity.org>; Corey, Tyler <tcorey@slocity.org>
Cc: Steven Stelfox <
Subject: Re: Item 2 - SBDV-2029-2018 (163 Serrano Heights)
1
This message is from an External Source. Use caution when deciding to open attachments, click links, or respond.
I now also understand that there is a committee meeting tomorrow August 16. I would like to request a speaking slot at
that meeting.
On Aug 15, 2021, at 7:42 PM, Jill Stelfox < wrote:
Hello -
We are seeking urgent help with what is happening on the below project that this body approved in
April 2021. Mr Rourke has now removed nearly a dozen trees from our lot and the lot (parcel 37) of our
neighbors (parcel 36). Neither of us were home and neither gave permission. In addition Mr. Rourke
chose to leave the nearly 15ft wide and 7ft tall mulch pile within 15 feet of our roof line above us.
We have filed an incident report with SLOPD, but there must be some over site this body has to ensure
that these type of issues have consequences. Is no one watching what Mr Rourke is doing? We need to
find a way to stop the damage.
I await your response.
Jill Stelfox
On Apr 14, 2021, at 11:23 AM, Steven Stelfox < wrote:
Greetings -
I live at 131 Serrano Heights Drive. I’m the downhill slope next door neighbor of John
Rourke and have enjoyed being his neighbor.
Our property is immediately adjacent to and runs downhill from 163 Serrano Heights
Drive: the property of the proposed exception and the lot splits. Our side yard &
backyard run along the rear of proposed lots 2 and 3. These are above us on the hill and
run downward into our yard. The slope is significant between our properties. The rear
section of proposed lot 3 - as you head away from the existing barn towards and into my
backyard through proposed lot 2 - becomes increasingly steeper and then drops off in
my yard. Drainage and runoff have been an issue over the past 10 plus years, which has
caused substantial erosion to our yard.
The downhill slope from the barn on the Rourke property to the seasonal stream in my
backyard is significant. The 18% grade for lot 3 is suspect, with the adjacent drop off in
our yard and exceeds 20%. In addition, a known underground stream runs across
proposed lot 3 toward the seasonal stream below. This underground stream, which is
not noted on the plats or report submitted, is evidenced by run of wild berry vines
tracing the stream and running down the hill across proposed lots 2 and 3 then into our
parcel.
2
Attached is a PDF that contain pictures that show the slope of the hillside for proposed
lot 3 and lot 2, the significant erosion due to drainage and runoff issues from the above
Rourke parcel, and the path of the underground stream. We have concerns that
development of these lots could have compounding and adverse effects on drainage.
We have particular concerns that any development on top of the underground stream
could alter its course towards the path of least resistance - our house. It is our belief
that these have not been properly vetted and should not be developed. We request that
the lot split not be granted until natural underground stream, drainage and erosion
issues are adequately investigated, and we have security and surety that run off and
erosion due to splitting the development of this single lot into three will not be
our liability or cause further harm to the hillside in its entirety.
We believe that based on the report submitted for approval and the requirements
under the California Water Board Construction General Permit Order 2009-0009-DWQ
or related, there is a requirement to develop a Storm Water Pollution Prevention
Plan. Further, the underground stream on this parcel of land feed into an underground
basin that has been recognized by the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act
(SGMA) as a known part of the Groundwater Basin 3-009 in San Luis Obispo Valley per
https://sgma.water.ca.gov/webgis/?jsonfile=https%3a%2f%2fsgma.water.ca.gov%2fpor
tal%2fresources%2fjs%2fmapconfigs%2fGspSubmittalsConfig.js&_dc=0.7745551714322
108, which requires additional review of the subterranean stream.
In addition, we have concerns about traffic and construction equipment access to the
site. Not noted on the report is that Serrano Heights Drive provides access to the
Madonna trail head. Further, Serrano Heights Drive narrows to single lane and becomes
very congested with vehicles parking on both sides of the street to access the Madonna
trail head. The city is aware of this narrowing and congested path and provides a pick
sized truck for trash and recycling services. Larger trucks and construction equipment
will be limited and likely unable to proceed past our house, due to congestion and the
streets narrowing to single lane 50 feet past my driveway. This results in my driveway
being used for a turnaround and staging area. Consideration needs to be given to the
amount of traffic parked along either side of the road and the limited access for
construction equipment to maneuver on the street without accessing using my driveway
as the turnaround.
Steven Stelfox
M: 408-444-0949
sstelfox@mac.com
3
Significant drainage and run off from 163 Serrano Heights Dr
has resulted in extensive erosion of the neighboring property
below. Proposed lot 3 is on a known underground stream.
Development of this lot has potential to lead to further
washout into the stream below.
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