HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/5/2025 Item 7a, Winter
Saskia Winter <
To:Advisory Bodies
Subject:email in regards to the Construction Board of Appeals
to the Construction Board of Appeals,
This letter concerns the Construction Board of Appeals meeting scheduled for Monday, May 5, 2025, at
1:00 p.m., regarding the 1150 Laurel Lane property.
I am a San Luis Obispo local, a small business owner and an active community member. My husband
and me run a local wedding business as well as a stand on the Thursday night Farmers Market where we
sell a fresh traditional Dutch Cookie called 'Stroopwafel' (I am an immigrant from The Netherlands)
I am very thankful for the workspace and meeting space that Office hours has provided as well as the
added value to the small business community. It has allowed for mu small family business to grow and
to flourish. We are also members of SLO city church and believe the church plays an important role in
the community of San Luis Obispo.
Iam writing to request that the Board reconsider the Chief Building Official’s order to vacate the building
and secure the units against entry, based on the claim that the property is unsafe, unlawful, unfit for
human occupancy, and declared dangerous. I am respectfully appealing to the board to creatively and
collaboratively find solutions with the owner that does not require the tenants to vacate and shut our
businesses and organizations down. I believe there is a better way to help focus on moving the building
construction further along.
It is puzzling to grasp how the property is now deemed unsafely the City to occupy while it was seemingly
fit and safe for occupancy in 2022. Office Hours even shares walls with business allowed to remain.
While we understand that the larger property as a whole requires improvements, we stand committed to
being part of a thoughtful, forward-facing solution that serves all. But to deem all areas of the property as
“unfit for human occupancy” does not reflect the present, maintained, and actively used sections of the
facility. We are concerned that this order is placing responsible tenants—who have worked diligently to
comply with city requirements—at risk of abrupt displacement, without a collaborative effort to mitigate
the impact.
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I urge the Board to take a practical and measured approach, allowing existing businesses and
community services like the church and Office Hours to continue operating while appropriate next steps
are pursued with the building owner.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
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Saskia Winter
Planner + Designer + Coordinator
Founder of MOOI events & design
www.mooiweddings.com
+1 925 989 6053
Mooi {Moy} adv./adj. 1. beautiful 2. well done, skilled
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