HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/26/2022 Item 4a, Vujovich-La Barre
Delgado, Adriana
From:Mila Vujovich-LaBarre <milavu@hotmail.com>
Sent:Monday, September 26,
To:Advisory Bodies; Bell, Kyle; Whipple, Anthony
Cc:Council_All
Subject:Agenda Item #4A - September 26, 2022 - Tree Committee
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To: San Luis Obispo Tree Committee, Kyle Bell, Housing Coordinator, Anthony
Whipple, City Arborist, SLO City Council
Re: September 26, 2022
Meeting: Agenda Item #4A: 1422 Monterey St. Review Of The Proposed
Removal Of 54 Trees And A Mixed-Use Development Consisting Of 106
Affordable Units And Up To 4,366 Square Feet Of Commercial Space
From: Mila Vujovich-La Barre
Date: September 26, 2022
Dear Chair Canella and Committee Members -
I am very concerned about the proposed development at 1422 Monterey St. in
San Luis Obispo.
It is my understanding that a requirement of development is that old trees,
especially magnificent redwoods, be maintained.
Your task, as a Tree Committee, should be to deny this permit for the current
project as it is proposed.
It seems that there are multiple viable alternatives to preserve at least a dozen or
more on-site trees.
I have looked at the alternative site plan submitted to you by Allan Cooper of
Save Our Downtown that miraculously shows all 106 affordable units along with
the commercial space being preserved.
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Allan Cooper's proposal also minimizes the excessive scale of this project by
placing most of the 5 story structures toward the back of the site while placing the
3 story parking garage at the front.
It is time for housing and environmental activists to work together.
With all the chatter from the current City Council about climate change and caring
about the environment, this alternative should be supported. Please have the
developers go back to the proverbial drawing board and revise their plans.
We as a City cannot continue to denude our environment of mature trees. We
need to preserve a healthy, urban tree canopy.
I do agree that “Individual green assets should be retained wherever possible
and integrated into" new development. Therefore, these existing trees should be
incorporated into a revised development proposal. The advantages of retaining
trees will be better for the environment and visually more attractive.
While I understand the need for housing it should not be at the expense of wiping
out the charm and character of our town.
In conclusion, this project, being initiated by the Housing Authority of San Luis
Obispo can both provide housing and preserve the trees.
Personally, I would like to see the commercial space reduced by 25%-50% as I
feel that it adds a tremendous amount of bulk that is out of scale with that area.
Please encourage the Housing Authority and the City to work together to allow
for tree preservation and promote truly affordable housing. Thank you!
Mila Vujovich-La Barre
650 Skyline Drive
San Lusi Obispo, California 93405
milavu@hotmail.com
805-441-5818
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