HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-19-2016 Item 14, BuckshiCOUNCIL MEETING: c3l__t[ -�1� G E T V E D
ITEM NO.: - - - -- l L_i JAN 10 2016
From: Maier, John Paul
Sent: Tuesday, January 19, 2016 8:53 AM
To:
Subject: FW: Input regarding Jan 19 hearing related to housing proposal for 48Buena Vista Ave.
Attachments: Honorable Mayor and County Council.docx
Disregard previous email — this is the updated AC
From: Kristen
Sent: Saturday, January 16, 2016 2:03 PM
To: E -mail Council Website
Cc: Lichtig, Katie; Codron, Michael
Subject: FW: Input regarding Jan 19 hearing related to housing proposal for 48Buena Vista Ave.
Honorable Mayor and City Council Members,
I realize in my initial message I addressed you as "County" Council. I do understand I am addressing the City Council and
I apologize for the typo!
Regards,
Kristen Buckshi
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
From: Kristen
Sent: Saturday, January 16, 2016 1:39 PM
To: emailcouncil@slocity.org
Cc: klichtig @slocity.org; mcodron @slocity.org
Subject: Input regarding Jan 19 hearing related to housing proposal for 48Buena Vista Ave.
COUNCIL MEETING: 0 t`t �� t b RECEIVED r
JAN 19 2016
Honorable Mayor and County Council,
SLO CITY CLERl�
Unfortunately, I will be unable to attend the Council meeting Tuesday but would like to express my
perspective and concerns about the house proposed for 48 Buena Vista Ave in the Monterey Heights
neighborhood. I watched the two Planning Commission meetings and read all of the staff reports. I fully
understand that this is a legal lot and respect the fact that property owners have a right to develop their
respective properties. That said, there are a few characteristics about this proposal that cause me
concern.
The applicant is seeking a setback and height exception. While staff's analysis indicates that neither are
cause for concern, I believe otherwise. While the height exception, in and of itself, may not impede
views of the neighbors, the inclusion of the proposed roof deck results in an even larger exception than
what is being requested. The addition of patio furniture and outdoor equipment or accessories could
easily raise the level of the exemption by an additional ten feet. Also, according to the architectural
plans, the rooftop deck would be visible from the road, which I believe would be aesthetically
unappealing and would be inconsistent with the neighborhood's tranquil nature and character.
Furthermore, one of the defining characteristics of the neighborhood is that many of the homes have
views of the city and surrounding hills. Granting an exception to the height limit and the allowance of a
rooftop deck could be a significant and problematic precedent for future development in the
neighborhood.
The staff report states that the Public Works department evaluated the parking situation and
determined that the impact is negligible. I respectfully disagree with this conclusion. There are three
on- street spaces for the five houses that are located farther up the hill near the proposed house (one of
which is my own). Based upon the size, layout, and potentially high occupancy of the proposed dwelling
in question, it is very probable that the occupants would regularly use all three of the spaces, thereby
making them unavailable for use by the other five residences.
As a result of these cumulative, negative impacts, I ask that you not approve the requested exceptions
and ask that you deny the appeal of the Planning Commission's decision. Feel free to contact me if you
would like to discuss further.
Thank You,
Kristen Buckshi
Buena Vista Ave resident
Cc:
Katie Lichtig, City Manager
Michael Codron, Community Development Director