HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/16/2022 Item 4a, West (3)
From:sara west <
To:Advisory Bodies; Bell, Kyle
Cc:Stewart, Erica A; Christianson, Carlyn; Marx, Jan; Pease, Andy; Shoresman, Michelle;
djhought@calpoly.edu
Subject:Fw: ARCH-0020-2022 & AFFH-0021-2022
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Response to 11/16/2022, Planning Commission Hearing
Application: 1422 and 1480 Monterey Street, SLO
I have not participated in this process previously and was naive to think that it was a process of
discovery and compromise. What I experienced was a dog and pony show. I can only hope that the
commissioners discuss the projects before the hearing as the format certainly does not allow for
deliberation or dissent. That the commission decides on the spot illustrates that it is decided in
advance and a formality, not a vehicle for consideration.
That said, I accept that the residents of Palm Street are collateral damage for the greater good. That
the duplexes were turned into triplexes with a parking spot in front instead of landscaping was the
proverbial finger, and evidence that there is no true concern for us.
Two sleepless nights gave me clarity regarding the safety
issue. Ingress and egress on Palm Street will needlessly
endanger bicyclist, in particular, high school students, for the
foreseeable future.
I appreciate that Chairman Kahn took the time to look at the
intersection. But cars going too fast is not the problem. The only
striping that is needed is a "keep clear" zone on the west side of
California. That will solve the intersection being blocked when
traffic backs up over Mill Street. The safety problem is two
fold. One, bicycles are moving faster than the cars as they
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come down the hill; and two, there are too many things to pay
attention to when it is busy. You look left, right, left, right, left and
eventually you see your break in the traffic, ...is that car across from
you going straight or turning left??...you are about to go for it...and
a pedestrian pops out on your right from behind the fence, or a
bicycle magically appears on your left out of no where. And
sometimes, rarely, you hit them. I would be surprised if 50 cars exit
Palm Street a day. If this plan proceeds as proposed, an additional
100 cars will exit Palm per day. This will greatly increase the odds
of an accident. Several cars lined up behind you adds to the
pressure to go sooner than later. There are similar forces at play
for cars turning right at Monterey Street. And, you know this is
(page 12, item 47 of the Draft Resolution).
The parking garage needs to have ingress and egress from
Monterey Street even if it means reducing the parking. That
location has a clear line of sight. It is not a through street with
additional cross traffic. Bicycles are traveling at normal speeds. It
is a better distance from either street light. And, it is not part of
the high school/Cal Poly corridor and will not create an
unnecessary hazard for both the high school and college
students. If reducing the number of low income units is not an
option, simply designate some as bicycle only parking, or if you
must, "park" the project at 85%. There are no do-overs on
this. The City has to get this right.
The California corridor at Monterey is one of three ways to access
the high school. That is not going to change. Bicycles flying down
the hill is not going to change. (imagine the skateboard
stories). The City has one chance to get this right. Safety must be
a primary concern.
Sincerely,
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Sara West
1420 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo
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