HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/19/2026 Item 5g, Cross
Brett Cross <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:5g AUTHORIZE ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 975 BROAD STREET,
SAN LUIS OBISPO
Dear Council members,
Why in the world would you even consider this purchase? You cannot seriously believe that buying this property makes
any sense? So why would you go along with this. If the city has this kind of money just "lying around" I'd suggest that you
spend it on removing the reeds and aquatic vegetation that is choking off Laguna Lake.
What, because staff wants the property for some unknown purpose that they will try and figure out later? This is not going
to be another attempt by staff to convert housing, which apparently the city keeps saying we're in a housing crisis, into a
"brunch" space like they tried after purchasing the house on the corner of Monterey and Nipomo for a future parking
structure that was years away from being built.
Does anybody care that this decision would also contradict the City’s own Housing Element commitments to expand infill
housing, preserve residential capacity, and avoid the loss of potential housing sites—especially downtown, where the City
has repeatedly said housing is most needed.
Even if community-serving uses are technically allowed in the R-3-H zone, the General Plan is clear: the City must protect
residential land unless a compelling public need is demonstrated and no feasible alternatives exist. That analysis has not
been done.
At a time when the City has declared a housing crisis, removing one of the few remaining R-3-H parcels in the downtown
core sends the wrong message and undermines the City’s credibility with residents and with HCD.
You need to decline the purchase or direct staff to return with a full alternatives analysis and a clear demonstration of
General Plan consistency.
Sincerely,
Brett Cross
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