HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/11/2024 Item 4a, Kennedy
Marianne Kennedy <mkennedyauthor@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, December
To:Advisory Bodies
Subject:Plannigf Commission vote
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December 10, 2024
Planning Commission
999 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, 93401
advisorybodies@slocity.org
Re: 466 Dana St. The Waterman Village Dec. 11, 2024
Dear Chair Cooley and Commissioners Flores, Houghton, Jorgensen, Khan, Munoz-Morris and Tolle,
I am writing in support of the Planning Commission’s approval of the proposed Waterman Village
project, located at 466 Dana Street in San Luis Obispo.
Having been directly involved for more than thirty years with the consequences of the lack of
affordable housing in the City of San Luis Obispo, I am aware of the importance such a housing opportunity
would play in the lives of its citizens including victims leaving domestic violence situations and struggling
seniors.
Developed by San Luis Obispo non-profit Smart Share Housing Solutions (SSHS), the Waterman
Village project is designed to address two important issues in the City of San Luis Obispo. One is the critical
shortage of affordable housing in the city, and the other is the restoration and preservation of the historic Rosa
Butron de Canet Adobe, which has been in a deplorable state of decay for many years with no visible solution
to the mandate for its restoration.
The project is consistent with the Housing Element of the City’s General Plan, which “encourages
residential development of the downtown core, with reduced or no parking requirements where
appropriate.” The project is consistent with Housing Element policies that “encourage new development that
respects neighborhood development…”
The proposed project of 20 permanent cottage homes providing housing options at a below-market rate
also includes renovating and saving the adobe. The adobe’s prominent setback from Dana Street allows a broad
open space to define the initial perspective of the adobe. This open space, dotted with trees, will serve the
public as a serene neighborhood park.
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The Waterman Village proposal is a perfect blend of saving an important piece of the City’s history
while also addressing the affordable housing needs of its current residents.
I urge you to approve this important project.
Sincerely,
Marianne Kennedy
Former Executive Director (1986-2016)
Women's Shelter Program of San Luis Obispo
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