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Minutes to Follow at a Later Date
C1-1
MEETING
� LRECED AGENDA
DATE 'LOT-00 ITEM # l
00 December 3, 2000
NCIL
[a;ATTORNEY
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To: Mayor Allen Settle Aff CAD o r: l-I
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City Council Member Ken Schwartz 71
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C' Council Member Jan Marx TTEA ❑RELIDE CHF�dT TcA:d ❑REC DIRCity Council Member Christine Mulholland ^Azo-�� ❑UTIL DIRCity Council Member John Ewan T 9 t3uNc ❑PERS DIR.y
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From: Residents in the upper Bishop's Peak residential neighborhood
Subject: City Council Meeting, Tuesday, December 5, 2000.
Inadequacy ofNoise and Light Mitigations in Cal Poly's Master Plan
Dear Honorable Mayor Settle and Honorable Members of the San Luis Obispo City Council,
Our neighborhood,which is directly adjacent to the City's Natural Open Space and trails on
Bishop's Peak, overlooks the previously agricultural,western portion of the Cal Poly Campus.
Cal Poly is developing this area with a sports complex.
As to noise,we support Cal Poly's statement that they will include the 1997 Jones and Stokes
Sound Study(which includes recommended noise mitigations)in the Master Plan. We will submit
additional comments about noise impacts and mitigations directly to Cal Poly.
As to lighting mitigations,we believe that the proposed lighting mitigations in it's new
Master Plan for a possible new football stadium, a new basketball arena, and a large new parking
structure which would be directly below, and in the direct line of sight,with our neighborhood
and the City's natural open space are very inadequate.
We ask that you read our attached memorandum about light mitigations and consider
including the three statements at the end of the memorandum in your responses to Cal
Poly's Master Plan.
We look to you, our elected representatives on the City Council,to help us preserve and
protect our established residential neighborhood.
/ Sincerely,
INADEQUACY OF LIGHT MITIGATIONS
IN CAL POLY'S MASTER PLAN
1. The City's Ferrini natural open space and trails, and the Upper Bishop's Peak
Neighborhood Residential neighborhood adjacent to it on the slope of Bishop's Peak,both
overlook and have a direct line of sight to Cal Poly's Sports Complex area. What impacts the
residential neighborhood, also impacts the City's natural open space.
2. One part of the Cal Poly Sports Complex was recently built and included a baseball
stadium, a softball stadium, a group of four"lower multi use fields", and several`upper multi use
fields". The 1997 mitigation measures for these are attached.
3. After completing the initial"light bum in period", a prearranged test was held on October
23, 2000 in which all of the sports complex lights were turned on at one time, for the first time,
for viewing from the Bishop's Peak area. The test showed that the mitigations were not adequate
to reduce the significant impacts to insignificance as promised. The lights overwhelmed an
existing view from private residences,they adversely affected the view shed from the public
viewing area of the Ferrini Open Space,they diminished the character of the area from the Ferrini
Open Space, and added new light and glare sources that substantially altered the night time
lighting...all defined as significant impacts by Cal Poly( 1997 Sports Complex FEIR). There was
also unintended,tremendous light tresspass off of the project site and onto Bishop's Peak If the
lighting test had been continued, other significant impacts may also have become apparent.
Cal Poly has made a commitment to come back with solutions to the lighting problem that
was revealed that night, especially to the problems of the lights on the four lower multi use fields.
(Although the lights on the four lower muhi use fields are only approximately 30 footcandles in
brightness, from the city's open space and residential neighborhood on Bishop's Peak they appear
to be brighter/as bright as the baseball stadium lights. The baseball stadium lights are
approximately 100 footcandles, or 3 times as bright). Although it was disappointing that no Cal
Poly administrators came to the test, Councilwoman Jan Marx was there with County Supervisor
Peg Pinard and neighborhood residents.
4. Cal Poly is now proposing the same inadequate mitigations in this master plan for a possible
future football stadium,basketball arena, and very large parking structure in the same area. Cal
Poly's proposed Master Plan mitigations are also attached.
THEREFORE:
1.The City Council should state clearly that Cal Poly's proposed Master Plan lighting
mitigations appear not to be adequate,and
2.The City Council should strongly urge Cal Poly to consider a broad range of more
effective lighting mitigations for the possible football stadium,basketball stadium and large
parldng structure proposed for the sports complex area in this master plan.
3. The City Council should strongly support Cal Poly's commitment to "fix"the
problem with the current Sports Complex lighting, especially the unintended,tremendous
light'and light trespass from the the four lower multi use fields.
Sports Cot?-
'� rte � 2.0 Summary
FE' R"
Table 2-1. (Continued)'
Residusl
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5.11 Visual Resources(Continued)
VR-2: The proposed project would Class III VR-2. Formal Design. .A formal design theme for the Class III
introduce additional development proposed project should be established that is consistent
into a semi-rural area of the Cal Poly with the fiinge area of Cal Poly. These should be
campus, and would be visible to incorporated into the final design for approval by the Cal
surrounding land uses. The project Poly administration and CSU Chancellors office,so as to
would comprise an extension of the ensure unity with the natural and architectural character
existing campus core. Overall,visual of the surrounding area,
impacts are considered less than
significant.
VR-3: The proposed development Class II VR-3(a). Erterior Lighting. All exterior lighting Class III
would introduce light and glare associated with the proposed parking lot shall be
within a semi-nnal area of the Cal hooded No unobstructed beam of light shall be directed
Poly campus,and would be visible to toward sensitive uses (e.g., horse unit and reservoirs)
surrounding land uses. Light and and shall not interfere with vehicular traffic on any
glare impacts are considered signifi- portion of any strea
cant but mitigable.
VR-3(b). Exterior Lighting. To reduce impacts from
light and glare associated with the proposed project,Cal
�j Poly should incorporate awl mitigation measures for
exterior lighting into the final project design. Examples
of specifications for minimizing light and glare include
the following:
• All lights must be shielded to avoid glare and light
spill-over onto adjacent areas and onto public right-
of-way areas.
• Landscape illumination should be done with low
level,unobtrusive fixtures.
• Parking lot lighting should be designed to comple-
ment the architecture of any structures onsite, and
provide the minimum safe lighting levels.
• The use of reflective materials in all structures shall
be minimized.
I
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Cal Poly Master Plan
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perimeter to block light spillage from
headlights on cars within the structure;and
All roof light fixtures shall be located on the
interior columns to keep light from spilling
out on to adjacent areas,and will include
"cutoff"shields.
Lighting from Mustang Stadium If this project were to occur,final design Class 111
/ may adversely affect views from shall include measures to reduce light and
Varea residences(Class II). glare visible to area residents. Examples of
specifications include the following:
All lights must be shielded to avoid glare and
spillover onto adjacent areas and.onto public
rieht of way areas
The use of reflective materials will be
minimized
Landscape illumination will be accomplished
with low-level,unobtrusive fixtures
Minimum safe lighting levels will be used in
adjacent parking and other facilities.
Further environmental analysis of the
E lighting and glare impacts would be required
as part of future environmental review for
this Proiect.
Projects potentially impacting City Consultation. Prior to design Class III
views from Highway 1 include finalization,the University shall consult with
off-campus housing north of the City regarding the visual impact of the
Highland,the Goldtree facility, proposed off-campus housing on the City
and the Bull Test. Impacts are gateway.
significant,but mitigable(Class
II). Compliance with County Guidelines. If the
proposed facilities lie within 100 feet of
Highway 1,the Bull Test and the Goldtree
facilities will comply with County Guidelines
for&%tion near scenic hi hwa
Cumulative visual impacts are No additional Class lII
less than significant(Class III).
Public The use of reclaimed water and None Class N
Services the continuation of the campus
recycling program will have
beneficial impacts on public
services(Class M.
The Plan specifically addresses None Class III
emergency access;the
completion and expansion of
the Utilidor will address fire
flow deficiencies. Impacts to
T ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
Summary
MEETING AGENDA
rE19-5-00 ITEM #
gan,u1p1u1i1fp1lll�'°1 COUNCIL MEMORANDUM
December 5, 2000
To: Mayor Settle and City Council
O-CIVNCIL O CDD DIP
Via: John Dunn, City Administrative IEF
Offi� OpG FINN DIP
MACKIKen Hampian, Assistant City Administrative Officer [1g33
�FEKNI
EY DPW DIRH
G G POLICE CHF
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From: John E. Moss,Utilities Direct C3 NTT t�'UTIL DIR//// . O PERS DIR
Subject: Cal Poly Master Plan comments relative to water. /�
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At the request of Council member Mulholland I have provided an additional review of the Cal
Poly Master Plan and DEIR relative to their discussion of Utilities impacts,particularly water.
The Master Plan and DEIR identifies that Cal Poly at full implementation of the Master Plan will
have some class II, significant but mitigable, impacts. Table 6.23 on page 302 of the DEIR
shows that at buildout, Cal Poly will have a deficit of 165 acre feet per year of available water
supply, based on their safe annual yield from Whale rock of 1,384 acre feet per year, and a
combined domestic and agricultural demand of 1,549 acre feet per year at buildout. The
mitigations proposed for this deficit are to implement a water conservation program, develop a
drought contingency plan, and to investigate the availability of additional supplies over the next
20 years.
Suggested DEIR Comments:
1. It does appear that at least some information is lacking from Table 6.23 on page 302 of
the DEIR and should be addressed in the FEIR. In the discussion of the Physical Plan
Elements on page 147 and 148 of the Master Plan and DEIR, the discussion of the
available water resources for the University includes two deep-water agricultural wells
'J north of Brizzolara Creek which supply an additional 450 acre feet per year for
p o a agricultural irrigation. The supply of water available from these two wells and any
ULU
C=Ln U corresponding demand being satisfied by these two wells should be included in table 6.23
u
for clarity. Once properly included, there may or may not be the identified deficit in
Uo 1 - available yield.
W W U 2. In Table 6.1 summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures, on Page 213, the DEIR
cc c 0identifies that"The University should develop a program designed to reduce overall water
consumption on campus." It has been the experience of the City and other agencies in
California, that domestic water consumption may be reduced by as much as 10 to 14%
through the installation of water-saving fixtures alone. The University should consider as
a policy statement in.the Master Plan that the University will develop and implement a
water demand management program which at a minimum, will retrofit the existing
campus with water-saving fixtures and ensure that all new development includes the
installation of water-saving fixtures only.
Council Memorandum
Cal Poly Master Plan and DEIR
Page 2 of 2
3. The City is pleased to see that the University is proposing to prepare a drought
contingency plan as a proposed mitigation. The University should be aware that water
shortage contingency planning is one of the required best management practices (BMP"S)
for all signatories to the California Urban Water Conservation Council's (CUWCC)
MOA, and while the University may not be a member of the CUWCC, the City
appreciates the University's consideration of developing a drought contingency plan and
recommends that the University consider adoption of all BMP's identified by the
CUWCC. The City is signatory to the CUWCC MOA and does comply with the BMP's.
The City would appreciate the University's consideration of adoption of the BMP's in
this Master Plan, regardless of required mitigation.
As a matter of information for the Council, Pg. 300 of the DEIR under Water, identifies that the
City and University are currently worldng on a project to recycle water for irrigation of the sports
complex. In previous comments on the draft Master Plan, the City Utilities Department had
requested that the University include reference to the possible cooperation between the City and
Cal Poly for the use of reclaimed water on Campus, and in particular for use on the sports
complex. Council recently approved design of the Phase 1 water reuse system, which does not
include extension of a line to Cal Poly. However, reclaimed water service to Cal Poly is
identified as an alternative future project and staff feels it is appropriate for this citing in the
DEIR to remain.
If you have any questions regarding this memorandum please feel free to contact me at 781-7205.
c: John Mandeville
(TING AGENDA
DATE ITEM #.Lim_
From: Richard Kranzdorf<rkranzdo@calpoly.edu>
To: <sstendah@slocity.org>, Kranzdorf Richard<rkranzdo @ calpoly.edu>
Date: 12/5/0012:26PM
Subject: Cal Poly Master Plan
Sherry,
Thanks for making copies for the City Council members and others who may
be interested.
Richard Kranzdorf> RECEIVED -
> C CDD DIR
DEC 0' 5 2000 FF
0 FIN DIR
> �HT NEY Fl DIR IEF
> SLO CITY COUNCIL WERKIORIG O POUCE CHF
> OMG T o REC DIR
> 160 Graves D UfIL DIR
>San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 D PERS DIR
>December 4, 2000 v�
> ✓`vl �
>California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
>c%Crawford Multari Clark and Mohr
>641 Higuera Street, Suite 302
>San Luis Obispo, CA 93402
>Attention: Nicole Phillips Faxed to: 541-5512
> Re: Cal Poly State University
> Dear Ms. Phillips:
> I am hereby submitting my comments on the Cal Poly Master Plan & Draft Environmental Impact
Report. The comments are in four parts. Part I are general in nature. Part 11 concentrate on one
particular aspect of the Plan,the proposal for a Visitors' Center and other ancillary projects on the west
side of Grand Avenue between a line of trees and Slack Street. The third part are comments on other
aspects of the Plan. Finally,there is a brief concluding statement.
>General Comments
>As a long-time faculty member at Cal Poly who is interested in the environmental dimension of projects
involving the University, I am pleased to note that far more attention has been paid to environmental
issues in the Master Plan than in other recent efforts including the Cal Poly Sports Complex. I applaud
those responsible for the shift in emphasis. For instance, efforts to make the campus less auto-centric is
to be commended and,to some extent, so are the constraints on additional parking spaces
commensurate with planned new student housing.
> I am distressed, however, at the time-line for review of the Draft EIR. I understand the desire by this
campus to move with all due speed so that the Final EIR can be sent to the Chancellor's office early in
2001. One of.the pleasures in serving on the Land Use Task Force in the spring of 1999 was having the
time to think about and then discuss proposals regarding land use matters on the campus. At the present
critical stage of the process, however,those-who are interested in our campus and community do not
have the same opportunity. This is a major shortcoming.
>
>Comments on the Proposed Ancillary Activities and Facilities Abutting Slack Street East of Grand
Avenue
> In the interest of openness, I want to first be clear that my house at 160 Graves is only a stone's throw
from where the proposed Visitors' Center and possibly other structures would be located according to the
Master Plan. As one who may retire from full-time teaching in a year or two and possibly move, my
comments are directed towards the future of the neighborhood where I have lived since 1983 rather than
simply catering to my own wants.
>
>The neighborhood is amazingly quiet given its proximity to the University and the fact that 50 percent or
more of the houses are student rentals. One of the reasons for this happy state of affairs, I submit, is the
buffer between the neighborhood and campus residence halls in particular and University structures in
general. A second reason, already mentioned, is the mix of occupants in the immediate area.
> I wish I had been on campus last spring when, according to the DER,the proposal was first made to
house a Visitors' Center adjacent to this quiet, residential neighborhood. Alas, I was teaching overseas
and was thus not"in the loop"during the formative stages of the proposal. I realize I am submitting my
comments at the 11th hour but that is, by itself, insufficient reason to have the proposal go forward if there
are serious problems as I believe there are.
>When one talks about environmental considerations,you must be concerned both with natural habitat
and human habitat. The maps and text of the DER designates the area in question as"Suitable for
Facilities Expansion." In other words, it is not just a proposed Visitors'Center that is at issue but basically
the reconstitution of the entire area. For instance, on page 195 one reads that the relatively small area
may also be suitable for"additional conference facilities"
>What is particular disappointing is that those who put the DER together, I am told, refused to designate
the ancillary structures as even leading to the possibility of"Potential Neighborhood Conflicts" (see map
on page 58). Given that the map on page 61, for instance,shows the entire area in question as"Suitable
for Facilities Expansion," it is hard to know how such a designation could escape being listed as one of
Potential Neighborhood Confrict.
> In page A of the Executive Summary it is stated that"the team [working on the DEIR], in most instances,
[chose]the environmentally superior approach." I can only conclude that the word"most"was used
because this case (and perhaps others) could not be classified as"environmentally superior." The Land
Use Task Force, on which, as previously stated, I was a member, had a list of guiding principles. I'll quote
six:
> 1. Strive for compact development of buildings and sites. New development should be concentrated in
the campus core (There may be a difference in classification but I certainly question the proposal under
discussion as being within the campus core.);
>2. Campus land uses should be located so that adjacent uses are compatible with respect to their
activities and environmental impacts;
>3. Campus facilities, land use patterns, support facilities, signage, etc. should be compatible with their
surroundings;
>4.The concerns of neighbors regarding traffic, noise, lighting, viewsheds, etc. need to be considered in
conjunction with educational and facility needs of the campus;
>5. Effective buffers should be established and maintained between campus lands and activities and
natural or build environments of both campus &surrounding community;
>
>6. Buffers should be provided to offer protection from dust, pesticide drift, odors, noise, visual,traffic and
w �
public safety.
>The proposed ancillary projects will surely result in the destruction of a buffer between the campus and
the adjacent community. The cumulative impacts including noise, lighting,traffic, aesthetics, and
ambiance will change this neighborhood forever. We often hear the phrase"urban sprawl." The proposed
activities represent"campus sprawl"
>You will note that I have not uttered a single word about new housing south of Yosemite Hall.
Development between Yosemite and the last line of trees before Slack Street is appropriate and still
leaves the campus-neighborhood buffer. Perhaps the Visitors' Center or some other ancillary structure
could be placed in that same general location. In other words, I understand the need for such a structure
or even ancillary structures. The question is location,.location, location. The DEIR location and the
designation adjacent to Grand Avenue and Slack Street is simply wrong, wrong, wrong.
>Other Aspects of the Plan
>Others are commenting on the future student housing plans (designated as H-2 and H-3 on DEIR maps)
near the north bank of Brizzolara Creek and the mouth of Poly Canyon. Again,as with Slack Street,there
is the lack of adequate buffers. Similarly,the quarry south of Poly Canyon Road is an eyesore and an
embarrassment. I shudder to think what close monitoring might discover.
>
> In order to lessen the"footprint"for future student housing, the planned parking component should be
reconsidered. By building multilevel parking structures (either below-or above-surface),the land
necessary for such structures can be reduced. In short, additional consideration should be given to
building up or down, not out, when necessary.
> I am also unaware that provisions have been considered as to how students in the planned Brizzolara
housing area will be fed. It's true that the new housing structures will consist of apartments with kitchens
but I'm dubious how often they will be used. The last thing this campus needs are students driving
off-campus for their meals or even driving to on-campus locations. This is an issue that needs to be
confronted now, not later.
>Concluding Statement
>As mentioned at the outset, those steering the three-year Master Plan process are to be commended.
Compared to other projects instituted during my almost three decades at Cal Poly,the Master Plan is a
giant leap forward.
>But as the Plan enters the crucial endgame, much remains to be done. Again, getting the job done
quickly should not be the major goal; getting it done right is far more important. I know others have spent
many hours in studying the Master Plan DEIR. So have I. We are talking about the next 20 years at least.
Important matters have yet to be fully thought out. Having come this far we all need to make the extra
effort to intelligently and with environmental-sensitivity deal with the remaining issues: As I wrote earlier,
the remaining issues include both natural and human habitat.
>Sincerely,
> Dr. Richard Kranzdorf
>cc: San Luis Obispo Mayor Allen Settle
> Councilmember John Ewan
> Councilmember Jan Marx
> Councilmember Christine Mulholland
> Councilmember Ken Schwartz
> Sydney Holcomb, Chairperson, Residents for Quality Neighborhoods
>
J
SING AGENDA
ITEM # 18
v� Q INN
Residents for Quality Neighborhoods
P.O. Box 12604• San Luis Obispo, CA 93406
■'A T. ...._.,
❑I , ',
p� (a1kLEti(^i ❑UT'L Cil
p! t2t0VNi ❑FEASDIR ,y
December 4, 2000
✓ J.Havi okt U,ale.
Re: Comments on the Cal Poly Master Plan and Draft EIR
Meeting Date: 12/05/00
Item Number: 1 B
Honorable Mayor and City Council Members,
Once again, we appreciate the opportunity to present to you our written comments on
the Cal Poly Master Plan. They are attached and include the following documents:
1 . Response to the City Staff report with suggested actions. (Page 1 - 3)
2. Response to Cal Poly Master Plan Draft EIR with suggested actions.( Page 4 - 6)
3. RON's previous Master Plan Comments. (Page 7)
As you know RON has been actively involved with this process from the beginning. After
digesting three versions of the plan, we still have very serious concerns regarding the
impacts this plan will have on our neighborhoods and community as a whole.
We, therefore; ask the council to consider our recommendations and incorporate them
into the City's response to the Cal Poly Master Plan.
Sincerely yours,
Cydney Holcomb
Chairperson-, RON
RECEIVED
UEC 0 4 2000
SLO CITY COUNCIL
R.Q.N 12/04/00 page 1
10,.
COMMENTS ON THE CAL POLY MASTER PLAN
AND
DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
(October 10, 2000)
1. RON RESPONSE TO : City of San Luis Obispo - Staff Report- 12/05/00
Pages 1 B-1 & 1 B-2
Report in Brief. Concepts 1-10
1. We agree.
2. We agree.
3. We agree.
4. We agree.
5. We agree.
6. We agree. Add sentence: Housing should be provided prior to increases in
enrollment
7. Heery Sports Facilities Master Plan. We disagree with citing the Heery Plan.
Please refer to our comments to Page 1 &9.
Jones and Stokes Noise Study. A sound study for the Cal Poly Sports
complex was done in 1997 through a joint effort of Cal Poly and the City of
San Luis Obispo. It included specific mitigations for noise from the Sports
Complex The City has previously asked Cal Poly to use these mitigations in
it's Sports Complex.
We agree with citing the 1997 Jones & Stokes Sound Study and its
recommended mitigations.
Action: Change #7 to read: "Cite the Jones and Stokes Sound Study and its
recommended mWgmtyons and show their use in the evaluation and design
of a new Mustang Stadium. Also, list the Jones and Stokes recommender'
mitigations as feasible mitigations in the EIR for Mustang Stadium."
R.Q.N 12/04/00 page 2
B. We agree.
9. We agree.
10. Change to read: " Include a definitive process for Plan development and
Plan amendment, which assures ear/ community notification, involvement
and consultation".
Rationale: This is especially important as Cal Poly is proposing to defer identification
of impacts until such time as specific projects are considered for development
Pane 1 B-6
Items 1 through 11
We Agree.
Pane 1 B-6 & 1 B-7
Comments on the October 10, 2000, Master Plan and Draft EIR
Page 71, Campus Development Map (re: Grand/Slack Neighborhood Interface)
Action: We suggest that the removal of pink shading indicating "possibility of
future development" apply to any and all other maps on which it may appear
throughout the Master Plan.
Pane 1 B-9
Page 137, Introduction (re: Heery Sports Facilities Master Plan citation)
Note: The 1995 Heery Sports Facility Master Plan proposes and includes
drawings for a new and larger football stadium in the Sports Complex This
stadium would cover four (4) of the brand new multi-use playing fields and
proposes large vertical light towers which will face the Bishop's Peak
Neighborhood as well as the City's open space area.
This plan was done by Cal Poly without an EIR, without a sound study and
without input from neighborhoods and the general public, therefore, because
the council and general public have probably never read the -Heery Plan it
should not be endorsed or used as a basis for future design of the football
stadium.
Action: Add the following sentences: (1) The City Council does not endorse the
Heery Plan as a basis for future deve%pment of a new Mustang Stadium. (2) if
Ca/Poly should build a new football stadium, it is the expectation of the City
RA.N 12/04/00 page 3
Council that it will be designed to avoid noise and light impacts on established
neighborhoods and the City's open space areas to the greatest extent possible.
(For example: rather than designing a stadium with vertical light poles facing
the Bishop's Peak Neighborhood, Cal Poly should design a stadium which more
effectively avoids lighting impacts by utilizing horizontal arms of lights that
extend over the field and aim down on the field rather than towards an existing
neighborhood.)
Page 138, third paragraph, last sentence (re: Mustang Stadium location clarification)
The Master Plan presumes phasing of Mustang Stadium from its present
location to the Sports Complex. The Master Plan does not discuss remodeling
of the existing Mustang Stadium,-which is probably the environmentally superior
alternative.
Action: Remodeling should be discussed as an alternative and be subject to the
Environmental Review Process.
Pane 1&10
Page 333, Communication and Consultation (re: Community and Neighborhoods)
See our comments to page 1 B-2 concept #10.
R.o.N 12/04/00 page 4
,� :. t 3., `' s ; '"eg�''r" a""t s. w.S t >- .::..`S ,
2. RGN RESPONSE TO: Cal Poly Master Plan, Draft Environmental Impact Report
Pane 210.Cal Poly Master Plan f10/10/001
Noise
Movement of Mustang Stadium
Action: Include the recommended mitigations from the 1997 Jones and Stokes
Sound Study as feasible mitigations.
Action: Add the following statement: "Cal Poly will meet with neighbors eaiYy in
protect planning and design about pro%ects that may affect them and have
cooperative discussions on ways to relieve possible impacts" (Cal Poly Master
Plan, Page 334).
Rationale: Cal Poly has stated it will do this, but it does not appear in the
mitigation.
Action: Consider other feasible mitigations that have been used for other
stadiums, such as: berms, acoustical barriers, enclosing or partially enclosing
the stadium and sinking the stadium significantly below ground level.
Pane 211
Aesthetics
Third box
(question: Cal Poly is proposing Class II (significant). residual impacts. Certainly,
Cal Poly is not proposing light impacts so great that they will "interfere with a
persons ability to sleep, overwhelm existing views, adversely affect the view
shed from the Ferrini natural open space or other public viewing areas,
diminish the character of the area from the Ferrini natural open space or other
publicly accessible properties or parks, or pose safety hazards which interfere
with a persons ability to walk, drive, or from using or enjoying their property?
(Class II, Significant Impacts)
Action: City Council should state that these Class II significant residual impacts
are not acceptable.
R.Q.N 12/04/00 page 5
Third & Fourth Box
Action: Add the following statement: 'Ca/Poly vi//meet with neighbors ear/y in
Pm
tect planning and design about projects that may affect them and have
cooperative discussions on ways to relieve possible impacts" (Cal Poly Master
Plan, Page 334).
Rationale: Cal Poly has stated it will do this but it does not appear in the
mitigations.
Action: Add statement: "All light fixtures must be fully shielded, or have internal
and external louvers [which ever is most effective/ to avoid 4/are and light spill-
over onto adiacent and non-adiacent areas and onto public rights of way, Light
trespass shall be avoided to all extent feasible"
Rationale: Fully shielded lights or lights with internal and external louvers avoid
impacts on established neighborhoods and the City s open space to a greater
extent than "hooded lights". City open space and some neighborhoods are not
adjacent to Cal Poly.
Page 212
Mustang Stadium - second box
Action: Change first sentence to read: "if this project were to occur, final design
shall include all feasible mitigation measures possible to avoid light trespass,
and light and glare visible to area residents'.
Action: Add statement: "All light fixtures must have interna/and external louvers
or be fully shielded rwhich ever is most effective) to avoidg/are and light spill-
over onto adiacent and non adiacent areas and onto pub/ic rights of way,. Light
trespass sha//be avoided to a//extent feasible"
Rationale: Fully shielded lights or lights with internal and external louvers avoid
impacts on established neighborhoods and the City's open space to a greater
extent than "shielded lights". City open space and some neighborhoods are not
adjacent to Cal Poly.
Action: For new parking structures, new Mustang Stadium, the Slack and
Grand area and the Goldtree area, add other feasible lighting mitigations such
as: fully shielded lighting, internal and external louvered lighting, landscaping,
enclosing or partially enclosing structures, lighting fixtures of non-reflective
materials and horizontal lighting arms which are aimed in a downward
direction.
R.O.N 12/04/00 page b
Rationale: Cal Poly seems to be offering minimal mitigations rather than more
effective ones that would go further to avoid impacts on established
neighborhoods.
Page 210 through 212
Noise and Light Impacts
Action: The Council should request that the mitigation measures should be tied
to performance standards and standards of enforceability. There should be
post construction mitigation monitoring plans for noise and light impacts.
R.Q.N 12/04/00 Page 7
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3. RCN's PREVIOUS MASTER PLAN COMMENTS
On June 6, 2000, the City Council forwarded RQN's comments on the Master Plan
along with their own to Cal Poly. RQN's comments frequently incorporated the
adopted Guiding Principles of Cal Poly's own Neighborhood Relations Task Force. They
are as follows:
• It shall be a guiding principle that negative impacts of new development,
and/or redevelopment such as: noise, glare, traffic, and parking shall not be
borne by residents of the established residential neighborhoods of San Luis
Obispo.
• New development on campus shall be designed to eliminate impacts on
established neighborhoods, rather than to create designs that generate
ongoing conflicts between the University and residential neighborhoods.
Cal Poly responded positively to the City's comments, but for the most part
RQN's comments were not incorporated into the current document.
Cal Poly staff indicated to the City Staff that they have not adopted many of
RQN's previous recommendations ( page 1 B-21 through 1 B-213 of the City
Staff Report (12/05/00) because Cal Poly believes "that the total elimination
of impacts on established neighborhoods is not technically possible'.
Environmental law supports avoidance of impacts, rather than creating impacts
and then attempting to mitigate them. This seems very similar and in the same
spirit as "designing new developments on campus to eliminate impacts on
established neighborhoods".
Since our original language seems to be controversial, we suggest that Cal Poly
re-consider RQN's recommendations, substituting the word "avoid" or "minimize
to all extent feasible" in place of the word "eliminate'.
Action: City Staff has suggested that Cal Poly re-consider RQN's previous
(6/6/00) comments We agree. Council should request that Cal Poly re-
consider RQN's previous (6/6/00) recommendations.