HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-17-2015 Public Comment WingerLomeli, Monique
Subject:
Hathway Party
From: Carol [mailto:dcwinger @charter.net]
Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2015 12:57 PM
To: Jeffery Armstrong; E -mail Council Website
Cc: Keith Humphrey
Subject: Hathway Party
The latest chapter in the SLO party scene that took place this past weekend (collapsed garage, etc.) comes as no
surprise to those permanent residents who live in the residential area of SLO near (and not so near) the Cal Poly campus.
Events of this type are not uncommon in SLO and only the collapsed garage made it a national news event. I might add
this has been a very negative news event for the city and the university. City government and the Cal Poly administration
have long let studentification of city housing stock and its attendant problems continue unabated. There has been much
talk about "neighborhood wellness" but little has been done in the area of action. Some related points to consider:
• Will the location of a 1400 plus freshman dorm complex very near an off - campus party area be a positive factor?
Everyone supports the addition of on- campus housing but the location of this complex appears very flawed.
Perhaps the Cal Poly administration could show some real commitment, acknowledge its error, and change the
location to a more suitable interior site.
• The city needs to re -think its permitting of "mini dorm" construction (or remodels) in R1 residential areas. These
houses are typically out of scale to the neighborhood and designed as student rental units with inappropriate
parking requirements. Obviously, these rental houses also degrade the concept of a "neighborhood ".
• In several recent SLO City Council votes (Cal Poly dorms, Monterey Street hotel), the city has not seen fit to
support its permanent residents on issues which have direct effect on "neighborhood wellness ".
• SLOPD and CPPD were reported to have been caught 'off guard" by the recent party - estimated to have been
attended by up to 3000 persons with substantial property damage and personal injuries involved. Considering the
large number of attendees and the time and duration of the party only two arrests for public intoxication seems
mystifyingly low.
• It would be informative to get an estimate of the cost of police and fire department response as well as other
emergency response required at the recent Hathway party. It would seem that the bulk of this expense will be
borne by the taxpayers of SLO. How much will be recovered by the fines?
• If large outdoor partying with accompanying intoxication seems to be part of the college experience, perhaps Cal
Poly could find a half acre or so in its 6000 acre property to house a "party corral' well away from residential SLO.
As 52 -year residents of the City of San Luis Obispo, we are dismayed (along with many of our fellow residents) with the
state of affairs in the city. The quality of living here for many of us seems to be on a downward path with many deciding to
move elsewhere. Action, not words are required at this time.
Donley and Carol Winger
2041 Hays Street
: OUNCIL MEETING: 03 I IS
SLO
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