HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-15-2016 Item 13, SmallCOUNCIL MEETING: 1-I5--/4
ITEM NO.:���
From: Camille Small <
Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2016 3:21 PM RECEIVE -ID
To: E-mail Council Website NOV 15 2016
Subject: Discovery SLO Signs
SLO CITY CLERK
Dear Mayor Marx and City Council Members,
Since David Brodie and I were the only residents in attendance at ARC regarding the signs
allowed at
Discovery SLO, I felt responsible to bring the matter to you for consideration. Please know I
wish in
no way to be disrespectful of the members of ARC. It is understandable that when
elements were very
cordially and individually discussed, five people could see no real harm in saying "ON' to
each.
Without question all of you have been in group discussions much like this. There are other
times when pros
and cons are presented that gave you pause to say, "I hadn't considered that element", 'I
understand your point' or 'Thank you for bringing that up'. Usually, as that type of
discussion goes forward, each has the opportunity to hear points not otherwise thought
of.
There is no need for any discussion to be a battle of "them" and "us", as concerned
residents are sometimes made to feel when bringing heartfelt concerns before Council or
Commissions. Each of us is a different type of thinker. I happen to be one who "sees"
possible misrepresentations. For example, the Discovery SLO's
representative from RRM made reference the brightly lit signs at the shopping center on
Foothill, I would
have answered: "But we're not talking about a shopping center --we are talking about a very
special downtown,
THE downtown of San Luis Obispo.'
Likewise, planners stated that the marquee was consistent with other downtown buildings.
The Fremont Theater and the Wiseman were used as examples by the RRM
representative. The Fremont and Wiseman are iconic and should remain as stand-alone
and very special elements in San Luis Obispo, shouldn't they? There is no justification for
them to be used as models. How could cheap imitations do anything but reduce their
singular charm? If the marquee sign is allowed, it surely would become a precedent. With
the proliferation of bars downtown, one can only imagine what it could look like if a
number of them added marquees. Downtown SLO should not mimic Reno.
As you well remember, the developers, supported by the Planning staff, presented Discovery
SLO as a family venue to the then -trusting residents. Their focus was providing a bowling
I
alley and activity center for families. The cocktail glasses on the signage misrepresent that
focus and no large cocktail sign should be allowed on the building's exterior walls.
The current signage ordinance allows 200 sq. ft. The marquee.sign at 152 sq. ft. is not even
included in the total requested and granted, which totals 312 sq. ft. A large, flat sign in
place of the marquee can be equally useful in announcing upcoming events. Should the
signage regulations be changed in the future to allow for the wider street frontage this
building occupies, I request that the cocktail glasses and marquee not be permitted.
Thank You for your careful consideration,
Camille Small
2