HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-17-2015 PH1 WalkerSubject:
FW: Monterey Hotel
From: Kathie Walker [ mailto :kathiewalkersloCa?gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2015 5:06 PM
To: Mejia, Anthony
Subject: Monterey Hotel
February 17, 2015
RE: Monterey Hotel project
Dear Council Members,
COUNCIL MEETING: Z- 11-Is
ITEM NO.: _ (
FEB 18 2015
IS•
It is not by accident that San Luis Obispo is a remarkably special place. It is because our citizens and the City's
leaders have taken great pains over the years to craft our community with thoughtful attention to maintaining
the character that sets us apart from other communities. The proposed Monterey Hotel project does not
conform to city's ordinance or LUCE.
Bob Tedone's correspondence to you clearly outlines the history and timeline of events that led City Council to
adopt Ordinance 1130 which was passed in 1989 in recognition of the need to protect the sanctity of the
single family residential neighborhood in the San Luis Drive area. Without repeating the important information
already covered, I would urge you to also refer to the LUCE.
All new buildings and structures should be subordinate to and in harmony with the surrounding landscape.
LUCE 1. 7.5 Building Design and Siting)
The hotel is grossly out of scale and proportion. It exceeds the number of stories of other hotels and
stands out due to its location at the high point of Monterey Street; It's boxy shape towers over other buildings
in the area.
The design lacks harmony with the surrounding landscape. While modern design may be pleasing to
the ARC, it does not make it appropriate for the gateway of the City of San Luis Obispo.
In designing development at the boundary between residential and non - residential uses, the City shall make
Protection of a residential atmosphere is the first priority. (LUCE 2.2.3 Residential Next to Non- residential.1
A similar aggressive hotel plan was proposed by Hyatt in 2009 but abandoned due to the restrictions of
Ordinance 1130. 1 question why the current (wealthy, famous, celebrity) developer, Andrew Firestone, has
also proposed such a large project and has received "Staff" approval?
I urge you to uphold the appeal and deny the proposed plan. Thank you for your hard work and your
commitment to keeping San Luis Obispo a unique and special place.
Sincerely,
Kathie Walker