HomeMy WebLinkAbout11_13_2024 Item 4a, WalkerFrom: kathie walker
Sent: Monday, November 11, 2024 11:48 AM
To: Advisory Bodies
Subject: Planning Commission - 11/13/2024, Item 4.a. 280 California Re -review of CUP
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
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Dear Planning Commissioners,
My husband and I attended the Planning Commission's hearing for Lambda Chi Alpha's CUP and felt you
were thoughtful in your deliberations. However, misinformation was provided by city staff which resulted
in some problematic wording in the CUP. Residents for Quality Neighborhoods (RQN) appealed the CUP
to the City Council and asked that conditions be added. The appeal included a 7-minute video, which
can be viewed here:https://vimeo.com/1019655003/a818f5eb35?share=copy The video helps clarify
what information was incorrect and what conditions were requested.
The City Council agreed that the noise ordinance cannot be violated under any circumstances and added
clarifying wording to the CUP. It also added a condition that three violations within 12 months will result
in a re -review of the CUP by the Planning Commission. It also holds the six separate addresses on the
parcel collectively responsible for noise citations and the progressive fine structure. It also added a
catch-all provision that states the fraternity must follow Federal, State, and local laws or risk losing its
CUP. (Unfortunately, three days after the Council approved the CUP, Lambda Chi Alpha had a large,
noisy party with fireworks and was issued its third citation in less than a month.)
The same conditions in Lambda Chi Alpha's CUP are included in the re -review of Alpha Epsilon Pi's CUP,
which is appreciated.
We live 500 feet from Alpha Epsilon Pi's fraternity house and have endured extremely disruptive parties at
the fraternity, especially over the past few years. The parties are mostly outside, where the property
abuts Hathway and Fredericks. At times, when we were inside our house and trying to sleep, we could
hear booming music and screaming from parties at the fraternity. Party guests from the fraternity have
also blocked Hathway and Fredericks, and last year I had to pull my car over on Fredericks at night to
avoid hitting people in the street. I called SLOPD and was told that police had just broken up a party with
300 people at 280 California Blvd so it would take a while for people to disperse from the neighborhood.
Our home is between the fraternity and Cal Poly's campus and we frequently hear people after they leave
the fraternity's parties late at night.
I have walked down to the fraternity multiple times at night, rather than call the police, to ask that they
turn down their music. Most of the time, they have cooperated. But they have also asked me why I live in
this neighborhood, implying that I do not belong here. The truth is that everyone, including our family, is
entitled to the quiet enjoyment of their property. There is no "right" to have loud fraternity parties in a
residential neighborhood, even with a CUP.
While we support the staff recommendation for the new CUP for Alpha Epsilon Pi, the most important
thing I want the fraternity members to understand is that their fraternity house is surrounded by a
residential neighborhood with a diverse population, including families with children. Their neighbors
need sleep to function for their jobs and other responsibilities. The CUP grants the ability to operate as a
fraternity within a residential zone, with guardrails that ensure they do not disrupt their neighbors. During
winter break and summer, the fraternity members "go home". This neighborhood is our home. I'd like
them to imagine how they would act and/or feel if their parents or grandparents lived nearby because
someone's parents or grandparents do.
We appreciate our college -student neighbors. If they need anything, we are here for them. We also
appreciate them having respect for the neighborhood. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Kathie Walker