HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRC communication 05-05-2016, CooperFrom: Advisory Bodies
To: Allan Cooper
Subject: RE: Park Proposal
From: Allan Cooper [
Sent: Monday, April 18, 2016 2:47 PM
To: Advisory Bodies
Subject: Park Proposal
Would you kindly forward this email to Jeff Whitener, Chair of the Parks and Recreation
Commission? Thanks!
Dear Jeff -
I thought I would direct this request to you as Chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission. Your May 5, 2016 meeting
agenda has yet to be finalized and I am hoping that it's not too late to find our way onto your agenda. If not, then we
would be happy to speak on a topic not on the agenda at the beginning of your meeting. In any event, we are requesting
that your Commission consider the merits of a 1.3 acre park that would be located within the North Broad Street
neighborhood. The location of this potential park is 71 Palomar, the site of the former Delta Tau Fraternity.
The North Broad Street residents have been promised a neighborhood park in this area for almost 50 years. 71 Palomar is
the last possible site for a park of this size with magnificent mature trees, the Historic Master Listed Sandford House
and unparalleled gorgeous vistas overlooking the northern and eastern parts of San Luis Obispo. The historic house
could be retrofitted into a supplementary senior center in the spirit of recent Measure G ballot language for enhancing
senior programs. The upper part of the property has a large, level area suitable for the expansion and promotion of Bocce
Ball or Pickle Ball. The lease of the Sandford House for special events or meetings could be a new revenue source for the
City. It is located 1 block from the Broad St. Bike Boulevard, 1 block from the Villages (seniors) and 1/2 block from the
Ramona/Palomar city bus stop. It would be perfect for multi-age cyclists to have a rest stop and for children to play.
Plcasc get back to us at your carlicst convcnicnce.
Allan Cooper, San Luis Obispo
Excerpts from the General Plan that clearly mandate a park in the neighborhood:
Click on link below and go to Parks and Recreation Element, revised April 3, 2001, Table of Contents, page 3
of 38 ... see page 8 of 38 "The priority of land acquisition will be:" See # 1-3 ... #1 states "Areas in developed
areas of the community lacking parks."
Go to page 16 of 38 Section 3 & look at 3.12 "Unmet Needs" #6 Neighborhood Parks: "In Broad St. area
near Highway 101 and Foothill Blvd." ( It's the only neighborhood mentioned.) Perhaps the needed #2 Multi-
use community center could be partially served by 71 Palomar and #10 Bocce Ball facility.
Go to page 17 of 38 Policy 3.15.1 "San Luis Obispo residents SHALL have access to a neighborhood park
within .5 to 1.0 mile walking distance of their residence." See 2.54 "While major facilities shall be designed
to meet multi -generational needs there shall also be space available to address the unique needs of the Senior
population." (71 Palomar is 1/2 block from city bus stop at the corner of Ramona and Palomar, and the
Villages 1 block away, in addition many seniors reside in neighborhoods north of 101.
http://www. s locity. org/government/de pa rtment-directory/corn m u n ity-d eve lopment/planning-zoning/gene ral-pla n