HomeMy WebLinkAbout6/12/2024 Item 4a, Cooper
Allan Cooper <
To:CityClerk; Advisory Bodies; kathiewalkerSLO@gmail.com; Hanh, Hannah
Subject:Letter to the SLO Planning Commissio
Attachments:106_11_24...newfratconditions.pdf
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Dear City Clerk -
Would you kindly forward the letter attached below to the Planning
Commission? This letter pertains to the Planning Commission's June 12, 2024
review of Public Hearing Item 4.a "REVIEW CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO
ESTABLISH A FRATERNITY FOR UP TO 24 RESIDENTS @ 1264 & 1264 1/2 EAST
FOOTHILL BLVD". I would also like this letter to be placed in the City's
Correspondence File. Thank you!
- Allan Cooper
1
To: San Luis Obispo Planning Commission & Associate Planner Hannah Hanh
Re: Public Hearing Item 4A: Review Conditional Use Permit To Establish A Fraternity
For Up To 24 Residents @ 1264 & 1264 1/2 East Foothill Blvd.
From: Allan Cooper
Date: June 11, 2024
Honorable Chair Justin Cooley and Commissioners
On June 12, 2024 you will be reviewing staff’s draft Conditional Use Permit for a fraternity
proposed to be located at 1264 Foothill and 1264 1/2 Foothill. I was on the Planning
Commission when on October 10, 2001, the Planning Commission reviewed and approved a
Use Permit (U 86-01) to establish a different fraternity (Phi Delta Theta) at 1264 and 1264 1⁄2
East Foothill Boulevard. At the time we incorporated stricter conditions into the CUP than staff
is currently proposing. In order to bring these two CUP’s into alignment I am including
additional conditions (see those passages in bold type below). Residents residing in the
Fredericks/Foothill neighborhood continue to be negatively impacted by fraternity parties so it
is puzzling to many of us why staff would leave out mitigation measures for noise impacts and
hours of operation. Thank you for your consideration.
Planning Division – Community Development Department
1. Plans submitted for the building and/or site improvements permit(s) (i.e., parking lot
improvements) shall be in substantial conformance with the project description and plans
represented in the Staff Report dated June 12, 2024.
2. The Conditional Use Permit shall be reviewed by the Community Development Director for
compliance with the conditions of approval, or to determine whether a modification of the
Conditional Use Permit is necessary upon significant change to the project as represented
in the Staff Report dated June 12, 2024, or in the event of a change in ownership which
may result in deviation from the project description or pproved plans.
3. The Conditional Use Permit shall be reviewed by the Planning Commission if the City
receives substantiated written complaints from any citizen, Code Enforcement Officer, Fire
Department or Police Department employee, which contains information and/or evidence
supporting a conclusion that a violation of this Conditional Use Permit, or of City
Ordinances, regulations, or Police Department resources (e.g., calls for service) applicable
to the fraternity use has occurred or if two convictions are received for violations of the
City's noise or property maintenance regulations within a six-month period. In review
of the use permit, the Planning Commission may add, delete or modify conditions of
approval, or revoke the use permit or the Planning Commission may consider adding
a condition requiring fraternity officers to perform a community service project in the
neighborhood.
4. The fraternity shall be limited to a maximum of 24 residents for the property. The property
owner shall allow the City to verify the maximum occupancy by allowing an inspection of
records or visual inspection of the premises. Any inspection shall be scheduled at a
reasonable time with at least 24-hour notice to the residents.
5. Routine meetings and gatherings for the fraternity shall be limited to a maximum of 48
people (32 people x 1.5), except as otherwise approved by the Community Development
Director for special events. If the fraternity hosts special events involving more than 48
people, a transportation management plan to reduce impacts to the surrounding
neighborhood shall be submitted to the Community Development Department, at least 30
days prior to the event taking place, for review and approval.
6. For the life of the organization, the fraternity shall remain affiliated and in good standing with
the Interfraternity Council of Student Life and Leadership at California Polytechnic
University, San Luis Obispo. If the fraternity becomes unaffiliated or is no longer in good
standing, the Conditional Use Permit shall be revoked.
7. For the life of the organization, the fraternity shall provide on an annual basis the name and
contact information (i.e., phone number and email address) of all responsible parties to the
Community Development Department and Neighborhood Services Manager of the Police
Department and to the neighbors within two blocks of the house. Responsible persons
shall be available during all events and at reasonable hours otherwise, to receive and
handle complaints. If there is a change to the name and/or contact information of any
responsible parties, the Community Development Department and Neighborhood Services
Manager shall be notified immediately. Submission of names and telephone numbers of
responsible persons, including the alumni president and chief financial officer, to the
Community Development Department and to the neighbors within two blocks of the
house. Responsible persons shall be available during all events and at reasonable
hours otherwise, to receive and handle complaints.
8. For the life of the organization, the property shall be maintained in a clean and orderly
manner. All landscaping shall be maintained (e.g., trimmed, pruned, replaced as needed,
etc.) to the satisfaction of the Community Development Director.
9. A site improvement permit is required for parking area improvements to create a minimum of
18 parking spaces that comply with the City’s Parking and Driveway Standards (i.e., parking
space and driveway dimensions, aisle widths, striping, wheel stops, etc.). These parking
spaces shall be inspected to verify compliance with City standards prior to establishing the
fraternity.
10.Bicycle parking spaces shall be provided as required per Table 3-6 (Required Bicycle
Parking) of the Zoning Regulations. For a total of 24 beds for the fraternity, the property
owner and residents shall maintain a minimum of 18 long-term bicycle spaces and a
minimum of six (6) short-term bicycle spaces. All required long-term bicycle parking shall be
provided in an interior space, and required short-term bicycle spaces shall be consistent
with the City Active Transportation Plan Design Guidelines and feature “hi-low style”
campus racks (such as “Peak Racks”). These bicycle spaces shall be inspected to verify
compliance with City standards prior to establishing the fraternity, to the satisfaction of the
Public Works and Community Development Directors.
11.A minimum of 18 parking spaces shall be provided and maintained at all times. These
spaces shall remain available to residents of the fraternity and not designated for any
individuals not residing on the property.
12.A building permit is required for proposed signage identifying the fraternity house. Any
signage must be consistent with Chapter 15.40 (Sign Regulations) of the Municipal Code
and compatible with the existing neighborhood to the satisfaction of the Community
Development Director.
13.As part of the parking area improvements, the existing two-car garage for 1264 ½ East
Foothill (labeled as Building B on the project plans) shall be a one-car garage in order to
accommodate the revised surface parking layout. The area adjacent to the parking space
within the proposed one-car garage is permitted as storage. Further review shall be required
if any improvements (e.g., change in use and/or new construction) are proposed for this
area.
14. No meetings, parties, or other types of similar activities involving persons other than
residents are allowed between the hours of 10 p.m. and 9 a.m., except as approved
by the Community Development Director.
15. The applicant shall institute and maintain a neighborhood relations program.
This plan shall include at least the following elements:
• Annual training of all members in community relations.
• A program to inform neighbors of upcoming events at the house.
Evidence of implementation of said plan shall be submitted to the director for
review each year. Failure to exercise reasonable efforts to implement said plan may
be grounds for revocation of this permit. Events, including meetings or parties, on
site, shall be limited to those listed on a meeting and activities schedule, submitted to
and approved by the Community Development Director in the fall of each year. The
Community Development Director must approve exceptions to this schedule. If the
Director determines the change is significant and may have an adverse impact on the
neighborhood, then it will be referred to the Planning Commission for consideration.
Engineering Division – Community Development / Public Works Departments
14.A building permit and/or site improvements permit is required for the proposed changes to
establish the required parking spaces. Plans submitted for review shall show and note
compliance with the City’s Parking and Driveway Standards. The plans shall show required
dimensions and information for parking space, bay, aisle widths, striping, parallel space
markings (i.e., T’s and L’s), and any existing or proposed wheel stops.
15.Plans submitted for review shall show and reference the floor plans for the existing garages
to remain. The existing two-car garage proposed to accommodate only one car shall be
included and noted on the plans. The plans shall clarify that garage door operation will not
be affected by the proposed adjacent surface parking space. The plans shall clarify that the
remaining garage space is to remain as garage storage/shop.
Indemnification
16.The applicant shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the City and/or its agents, officers
and employees from any claim, action or proceeding against the City and/or its agents,
officers, or employees to attack, set aside, void or annul, the approval by the City of this
project, and all actions relating thereto, including but not limited to environmental review
(“Indemnified Claims”). The City shall promptly notify the applicant of any Indemnified Claim
upon being presented with the Indemnified Claim and the City shall fully cooperate in the
defense against an Indemnified Claim.