HomeMy WebLinkAbout8/25/2025 Item 4a, Griswold
FW: ARCH-0451-2024
From: Rick Griswold <
Sent: Thursday, August 21, 2025 3:21 PM
To: Hanh, Hannah <hhanh@slocity.org>
Cc: German Auto < ; Jon Svehla < ; Rob Durham
<
Subject: ARCH-0451-2024
Dear Ms. Hanh,
I am contacting you regarding the possible multi-use development near the property we have owned at 281 Pacific Street for 40 years. Please
forgive my lack of knowledge on just how projects come to fruition as I have never been involved in one before.
Am I correctly understanding that it is not known just how many residential units will be built? Also, is it safe to assume the development will
include 2 on-site parking spaces for each apartment? If not, I strongly advise this project be denied. Parking for employees and customers at
German Auto, Ben Franklin’s, and Peak Fitness, leave barely any parking on Pacific and Archer as is. For the businesses that will occupy the
commercial side of the project, where will the business owners and their customers park?
Finally, I see the project is exempt from environmental review (CEAQ) and I cannot believe it. I hope the CHCHN and the CDD are aware that all of
this area was part of the Old Gas Works (a power company). It has been said this company spread oil, coal, and waste materials all over the site.
Several years ago, I was interviewed by KCOY television regarding whether I knew the ground under my building was compromised. I had no idea.
I Goggled “Old Gas Works” and found the building at 280 Pismo Street was constructed in 1902 after the previous building was destroyed by fire
in 1879. The article states the “property is for sale and may be contaminated from its manufacturing processes”. Further, “The gas works
produced ‘town gas’ by heating coal”. “The ground at the site is known to be contaminated from the old manufacturing processes. The property
remains for sale, zoned for commercial/manufacturing use.” Needless to say, State and Federal regulations were not very prevalent 120 years ago.
To expose the contamination, I remember a sinkhole opened in German Auto’s parking lot several years ago. There were all kinds of debris in it,
but I do not recall how they cleaned it all up.
We do not endorse this large development at the location selected. Please move it to where it will fit in, in terms of parking and matching the SLO
Town feel.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Rick & Dona Griswold
281 Pacific St - Owners
1