HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-17-2015 PH1 Smith 3COUNCIL MEETING:
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From: cheryl smith <twoslosmiths @me.com> °L /Vbrm coq
Subject: Fwd: Monterey Hotel proposal - my speech tonight
Date: February 17, 2015 3:59:09 PM PST
To: Cherie Smith <twoslosmiths @me.com>
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FEB 17 2m
From our local knowledge of the property and its surroundings, and seeing
the parking arrangements and hotel room sizes on the plans, we are
concerned that the guests will be unhappy with the accommodations and
will report such to the likes of Trip Advisor and Yelp, downgrading the
hotel's reputation and financial viability, and leaving the city with an
unhappy developer and an unsuccessful project in a spot that should be
an area of city pride. Why? Per the architectural drawings, the rooms are
"standard" but appear to us to be tiny and cramped, with bathrooms to
match - hardly what the customers will expect in a facility advertised as
upscale. The parking is tortuous and crowded, reminiscent of Albertsons'
parking lot, only smaller. Entrance and exit of left- turning southbound
vehicles from and onto Monterey St. with guest and diner and staff and
service vehicles in large numbers increases traffic and accident risks,
especially for people unfamiliar with the area or having had a few drinks at
the adjacent restaurant. Too much crowded onto those two skinny lots will
make for a less than five -star lodging experience.
The mystical number of 102 rooms seems to be due to the insistence of
potential lenders. Given the Firestone family reputation in my home
county of Santa Barbara, and the outstanding character of the Firestone -
Walker winery and brewery in this county, I'm surprised that more creative
financing is not available. A lower, smaller, softer hotel could be such a
nice addition to upper Monterey, congruent with the city and the
neighborhoods on both sides of the creek.
We hope the developer will rethink this project in larger context and
produce something that fits.