HomeMy WebLinkAboutARC 01-21-15 Meeting Correspondence - White-Monterey Heights Neighborsn:i 12
January 16, 2015
RECEIVED
CITE' OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
JAN 2 0 2015
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Monterey Heights Neighbors
Marcus Carloni, Associate Planner
Architectural Review Commission
Re: 323/353 Grand Ave.
File Number: ARC 25 -13
I am writing as co- chairman of the Monterey Heights Neighbors about the above named
project. We have organized to combat the further erosion of our previously "workforce housing"
neighborhood. This project is a prime example of what we oppose.
As stated in the staff report, we are an R -I Low Density Residential neighborhood. This
project is, in effect, greatly up- zoning our neighborhood. This project is so egregious that if this
lot was zoned R -2, the entire project would be limited to 12 bedrooms rather than the proposed
16 (not to mention the extra dens and media rooms that we know are euphemisms for more
bedrooms).
Grand Ave is the "Gateway" to the University and also a designated "Scenic Roadway"
running through R -1 neighborhoods. There should be an effort to have "infill" projects conform
to the existing, well- established, neighborhoods and not the more recently approved mini -dorm
projects. You can't undo the errors of these recent approvals but you can put a stop to further
errors. Please see attached photos of recent high density errors.
These are all substandard lots that do not conform to the established neighborhood lots
(average7,827 sq. ft.). They are even smaller than the recently approved error of Leroy Court
(5,697 sq.ft.). The proposed mini -dorm living space exceeds the existing established
neighborhood homes. The average ratio is 21 %- 24% for the established neighborhood. The
Leroy Court debacle is 42% which is still less dense than this proposed super -sized maxi -dorm
project of 49 %.
This project defies the very definition of "infill development" as stated in the Community
Design Guidelines (Chapter 5.3). This project is not compatible with the established
neighborhood in terms of size, scale, siting, detailing and overall character.
I would urge you to deny this project and return the speculator to the drawing boards. It is
not the responsibility of the City staff, ARC, or Planning Commission to lower City standards in
order to provide a profit to a speculator who has paid too much for a lot.
Please help the permanent residents reclaim workforce housing neighborhoods by
denying this egregious project.
Linda White, co- chairman
Monterey Heights Neighbors
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