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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/06/2007, PH1 - COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM, PH-1, MEETING OF FEB. 6, DOWNTOWN BUILDING HEIGHT 9ED FILE ME rING AGENDA 007 [RECE:IVE]DDA ITEM #� B2 CLERK San Luis Obispo ChamberofCommerce february 2, 24�9 Ch rro Street • San Luis Obispo, California 93401-3278 (805) 781-2777 • FAX (805) 543-1255 Mayor Dave Romero and Members of thE?aeiJ)ECiPresidenUCEO City of San Luis Obispo, 990 Palm St. San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Re: Council Agenda Item, PH-1, Meeting of Feb. 6, Downtown Building Height Dear Mayor Romero and Council Members, Our Chamber has been engaged in the issue of downtown building height and intensity limits for the past year. A subcommittee consisting of architects, designers, engineers and planners made a careful study of the matter and provided input to the Cultural Heritage Commission, the Architectural Review Commission and the Planning Commission. Now, we want to re-iterate to you, our city council, our support for your staff's recommendation that a moderate height limit increase to 60 feet be approved and that existing policy for taller buildings be implemented. Your approval of this increase will demonstrate support for compact urban form and the continued viability of a vital downtown. Current structural and energy saving standards support the need for this moderate increase to allow for ventilation and communication needs as well as natural ventilation and natural daylight. In addition, new structures are more likely to complement existing historical buildings with higher first floor ceiling heights that allow for expansive and light filled retail areas. We concur with the recommendations of your advisory bodies and echo their belief that it is important to respect the historic patterns of our downtown while establishing a building height policy that will allow for modern structural requirements and well-designed infill projects. The desire for mixed use and housing in the downtown core calls for compact urban form with taller buildings that can accommodate these uses. Your agenda packet includes on 1-120, an illustration prepared by Barry Williams, a member of our subcommittee, that clearly demonstrates how a 60 foot building will help achieve these needs and goals. Thank you for directing staff last March to undertake this project. Your approval of the resolution presented tonight is the next important step in this process. Sincerely, COUNCIL CDD DIR .2-CAO -0'FIN DIR ACAO 21FIRE CHIEF f'ATTORNEY 2rPWDIR CLERKIORIG O'POLICE CHF J ff u Ingham, Chairperson of the Board ❑ DEPT HEADS Z'REC DIR MA UTIL DIR grPffl Pin email: slochamber@slochamber.org • websites: www.slochamber.org www.visitslo.com