HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-27-16 CHC Correspondence - Item 1 (Smith)Lomeli, Monique
RECEIVED
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
JUN 2 7 2016
Subject: Cultural Heritage Committee -- June 27, 2016 -- Item 1, 71 Palomar] COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
From: carolyn smith [
Sent: Monday, June 27, 2016 9:49 AM Meeting. --ell(,' ` 7p
To: Advisory Bodies
Subject: Cultural Heritage Committee -- June 27, 2016 -- Item 1, 71 Palomar item:
Dear Committee Members:
am very confused with regard to the sequence of meetings for this project. It appears that the CHC
and the ARC will be reviewing this project prior to the Tree Committee reaching a determination on
the removal of the numerous trees on this property. It seems to me that a decision on the removal of
the trees would be the first issue that needs to be resolved prior to review of the developer's current
project which includes moving the historical Sandford Home. If the Tree Committee determines that
the removal of the 49 trees, as proposed by the developer, cannot occur, it could affect the moving of
the home, as well as the design of the entire project. If it is within your purview to refuse to hear this
project until such time as the Tree Committee has made its determination, please do so.
However, if you must review the project at this time, please do not allow the Sandford Home to be
moved. This is a historical site that should be considered in its entirety. The home was built at its
current location to maximize its prominence on the property. This will be lost by its move and the
Home being surrounded by the proposed large project. The beautiful trees that were planted many
years ago augment the impression of the entire site. Moving the home per the developer's request
will require many of those trees to be removed which will be the final blow to the historical nature of
this site which will be forever lost.
I have lived in the city of San Luis Obispo for 36 years and our city leaders have always taken pride in
preserving our historical homes and character. It has been a large part of the reason it is such a
desirable place to live. However, it appears the current culture is so much in favor of building
"affordable" housing, it is blinding the long-time vision of our community. This project will not provide
"affordable" housing for families and trying to claim that it will is extremely disingenuous. The project
is not designed for families and its location is optimal for student housing. So, if in your mind, the
current proposed development is worth maiming a historical site for the goal of acquiring affordable
housing, please reconsider. This project is not intended nor will it truthfully provide affordable
housing for our workforce families. It will only provide more student housing at high rents, maximizing
profits for the developer.
Unfortunately, it appears that the word is out to developers from all over the country: if you want to
build housing in SLO, all you have to do is CLAIM it's affordable housing for workforce families, and
you'll get to build what you want. I have seen this occur in numerous projects throughout the city that
have become student housing projects after being publicly presented to our city leaders as affordable
family housing. It's upsetting to see this lie perpetuated by out of town developers and how they
are purposely deceiving our city and getting away with it. Once the housing is built, no one is ever
held accountable for their lies. As stewards of our city's historical properties, I hope you will not want
to be part of this current culture which is on the path of destroying our city's famous historical charm
and character.
Thank you for your consideration.
Carolyn Smith
SLO City Resident