HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/25/2023 Item 4a, Rowley
From:Sandra Rowley <
To:Advisory Bodies
Subject:Planning Commission: Item 4a, 841 Patricia Drive
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Dear Planning Commissioners,
We recommend denial of this application for construction of a single-family dwelling, ADU and access bridge
at 841 Patricia Drive for all of the reasons specified in the staff report. In addition we recommend that a
conservation and open space easement be placed on the eastern portion of this property prior to any issuance
of a construction permit for the reasons noted in Richard Schmidt's correspondence.
If there is anything that these last weeks of rain has shown us, it is to retain at a minimum and without
exception the 20-foot creek setback as provided in the Land Use Element and specified in the Zoning
Regulations. Although many of us did not reside here in 1973, most of us were here in 1994-5 when rain
caused flooding in parts of the city, to include San Luis Creek which overflowed its banks, rising far enough to
wash away the hanging fish near the Mission and causing the ground everywhere to seep water onto
roadways and low-lying land for days thereafter.
Although not common, this experience made us mindful of the possibility of heavy downpours in this area
and the damage they could cause. It also made us realize that just because a given creek has not overflowed
or caused damage downstream does not mean that it can't or won't do so in the future.
In addition, retention of the various wildlife corridors as provided both in the Land Use Element and in the
Conservation and Open Space Element is, and has been, an important part of the goals and culture of our
city for decades. Due to the size of the western portion of the property there does not seem to be any
overarching rationale for disturbing the creek or wildlife corridor. Since there are access and site limitations
to the eastern portion of the property (creek setback, wildlife corridor, sewer easement) it seems prudent to
offer protection to the natural resources and provide continued wildlife corridor connectivity with a
conservation and open space easement.
At 24,000 square feet the western portion of the lot is roughly twice the size of the median lot size in the area
and approximately 9,000 square feet bigger than the largest lot. Several of these current properties have
added ADU's to their primary residences. In addition the western portion of the property is not encumbered
by the creek channel or sewer easement, thus there would seem to be sufficient space to construct a primary
residence, ADU and other amenities on the site.
Request favorable consideration of these comments and recommendations.
Sincerely,
1
Sandra Rowley
Chairperson
Residents for Quality Neighborhoods (RQN)
2