HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-19-2016 Item 14, SchwartzCOUNCIL MEETING: Q % ( kc( (ZOI_co
ITEM NO,: Iy
To: Goodwin, Heather
Subject: RE: Appeal of PC decision to deny Buena Vista R -1 project
From: Kenneth Schwartz t
Sent: Saturday, January 16, 2016 7:49 PM
To: Codron, Michael; William Cochran; Linda White; pam orth
Subject: Appeal of PC decision to deny Buena Vista R -1 project
RECEIVED
f
JAN 19 2016
5'10 CITY CLERK
Michael,
Would you be so kind as to see my argument for the City Council to uphold the Planning Commission's 5 - 1 -1 vote to deny
approval of the Buena Vista
R - 1 -S project is placed in the Council's agenda packet. Thank you, Ken S.
Madame Mayor and San Luis Obispo City Councilmembers,
I write to urge your support of the action of your Planning Commission in denying by a 5 - 1 -1 vote approval the R - 1 - S project
proposed for a
Buena Vista site in the Monterey Heights subdivision. Please consider the following facts:
FACT: San Luis Obispo has long taken pride in involving its citizens in our participatory self governance;
FACT: San Luis Obispo City has historically reached out and selected well qualified citizens to serve on its many advisory
commissions and committees assuring that decision making will reflect broad citizen concerns;
FACT: The project under appeal underwent 3 separate public hearings before the Planning Commission turned it down by a 5 - 1 -
1 decision.
FACT: Nearby residents were unanimous in their objections to the siting of the proposed residence and to the traffic hazards that
would be created by the proposed design; they were of the belief that no exceptions to the strict compliance to development standards
should be granted.
FACT: Recent City Councils have chosen to appoint a majority of professionally experienced City Planners to our Planning
Commission, hence discussions amongst commissioners are far more detailed and cognizant of planning principles,enabling law and
ordinance details than ever before.
FACT: At least two current planning commissioners have more years of community planning experience than either our current or
immediate past Community Development Directors. Another Commissioner Chairs Cal Poly's
City and Regional Planning programs.
FACT: There can be no question, but that the 5 -1 - 1 decision taken by your Panning Commission was well- considered, well debated
and fair given the facts and testimony presented to it. A 5 - 1 -1 represents a solid rejection of the project before it as well as a
deserving appreciation of the testimony presented by neighbors whose lives would be adversely impacted by the proposed project.
RECOMMENDATION: Uphold the Planning Commission's recommendation;
deny the applicant's appeal.
Sincerely,
Ken Schwartz, FAIA
201 Buena Vista
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405