HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-19-2016 Item 14, Devitt and WolcottCOUNCIL MEETING;: O -:—k ~ � b
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APR 1 1 2016
San Luis Obispo City Council
990 Palm Street �`� CITY CLERK
Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Re: Proposed Amendment to Zoning Regulations and Use Permit Application by
SLO Brew for a "nightclub" and concert venue
Dear Members of the City Council,
Thank you for considering the input of residents like ourselves who are opposed to
amending zoning regulations and approving a Use Permit which would allow "concerts
or other large party events" at a 600 -person indoor/outdoor venue to open across Broad
Street from a family neighborhood.
There is no compelling reason to allow a large concert venue to open so close to a
residential neighborhood with homes less than 900 feet from the proposed venue. This
would not serve the common good of the community in any way. What does the
community gain by having such a facility? With options such as the PAC, Spanos
Theater and the Fremont Theater, the city of San Luis Obispo does not need a new venue
of this size, and it is not reasonable to allow something like this to open where it would
have a negative impact on a family neighborhood.
We do not want the noise, traffic, and increased crime which will inevitably flow into our
neighborhood from the concerts and crowds, should this venue be allowed to open.
The sound from an outdoor concert broadcast to 600 people, as well as the noise from
hundreds of people and cars coming and going, will carry into our neighborhood. The
noise study funded by the applicant that was presented to the Planning Commission does
not convince one that the sound will not carry. Instead, that report contends that the
sound will be masked in part by the "significant" traffic on Highway 227. The report,
which sampled noise levels over only three days in 2015, neglects to consider that traffic
on 227 is significantly reduced as evening turns to night, thus this allegedly masking
element will not exist substantially during nighttime events. In addition, this venue will
only draw more noise -producing traffic.
The traffic pattern on Broad Street, and the uncontrolled intersection at Aerovista Place
(the street on which the SLO Brew facility will exist), cannot support such a large event
venue. If parking is limited or cars have to wait to exit the designated parking, patrons
will resort to parking on the other side of Broad Street, then crossing Broad Street on foot
in an undesignated and poorly lit area, which will be unsafe especially after patrons have
been drinking.
With up to 600 people attending concerts or large party events at a brewery, there will be
instances of public intoxication, physical fights, etc. Look at the activities that routinely
require police attention at and near the bars downtown, and you will see the sorts of
activities which will require law enforcement resources near this venue if it is allowed to
host "concerts or other large party events." In addition, there is no reason to invite
intoxicated drivers leaving events at this venue to be driving right past or through our
neighborhood.
SLO Brew previously received approval to open a "Brew Production Facility and other
light manufacturing and warehousing uses," as well as a "Tasting Room (Bar/Tavern)"
according to the Staff Report submitting to the Planning Commission. Now that
construction on that facility has begun, SLO Brew wants to significantly change the
nature of the facility, and seeks to exceed the zoning for the area.
The current zoning regulations do not allow for "nightclubs" in this area. The proposed
venue is not consistent with current zoning restrictions, which were put in place for a
reason. How can a 600 -person concert venue be in any way a logical offshoot of the
"research and development, light manufacturing, and business services," for which the
area is zoned? Please do not change the zoning to accommodate this Use Permit
Application.
According to the Staff Report submitted to the Planning Commission, the Land Use
Element states that entertainment facilities such as nightclubs should be downtown, as
downtown is the cultural, social, entertainment, and political center of the City. If
downtown cannot accommodate an entertainment venue this large, the area so near a
family residential neighborhood should not be forced to accept it.
Please do not let a business interest outweigh the voice of your constituents, who seek to
preserve the atmosphere of our family neighborhood. We strongly urge all Council
members to vote to deny the zoning change, and to vote to deny to Use Permit.
Sheryl Wolcott
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