HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-05-2016 ARC Correspondence - Public Hearing 1 (Small)Meeting: � Iz • °s LtR
From: Camille Small [
Sent: Monday, December 05, 2016 3:24 AM
To: Advisory Bodies <advisorybodies@slocity.org>
Cc: Davidson, Doug <ddavidson@slocity.org>
Subject: ARC DEC 5 22 Chorro
Please see attached for entry to the record.
Thank you!
Item: I
RECEIVED
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
DEC 0 5 2016
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Architectural Review Commission
Re: 22 Chorro
Meeting: December 5 2016
Dear Commissioners,
Many aspects of this project are covered in a number of letters and there is no need to repeat all of them.
I will emphasize that a number of people I am in touch with are very protective of established
neighborhoods. We care about the deleterious effects to the nearby residents which apparently the City
Manager and Planning Staff do not. When housing for long-term residents is needed, a project to house a
short-term student population of 90 to 100 should never have been encouraged. Yet Planners met for
months at the direction of Ms. Lichtig. The amount of money the City can collect should be second to the
lives of residents who deserve to enjoy a visually pleasing project blending into the surrounding shops and
stores while retaining views of Morros and Mountains. Just the opposite has been put before us by this
developer. If built as proposed, it will be both an aggravation and embarrassment for endless years. There is
no aspect of it that belongs in a prominent placement in San Luis Obispo in the opinion of many.
The building should be 2- story with the Yd being the requested `extra incentive'—and only if required
per `state regs' The rooftop deck is not necessary and must be eliminated due to the fact that it is a source
of noise for neighbors and possible danger to students. It is not far-fetched to imagine a fall from any
number of playful rough and tumble, jumping to catch a tossed ball or an inebriated action.
Traffic
Most of the residents of the Northwest section of town use the Foothill/Chorro intersection often and
would unequivocally testify that it is problematic. Vehicles turning into and out of the shopping area
on the west side of Chorro frequently cause traffic backups on southbound Chorro. Traffic enters this
section of the street from north Chorro and from both west and east -bound Foothill.
No traffic study has been done.
Surely additional traffic entering and exiting from the proposed apartments just opposite the shops
will create more problems and increase the possibility of accidents. Additionally, this will create
dangerous conditions for unprotected pedestrians and cyclists.
At the corner, this large apartment building with no setback will also block northbound Chorro drivers'
views; visibility of westbound Foothill vehicles and pedestrians/cyclists would be significantly limited.
Increased probability of accidents is inevitable with the mix of standing and moving pedestrians, cyclists,
buses and vehicles. Setbacks consistent with the neighborhood must be required.
Architectural Style
The other shopping center buildings are linear and somewhat plain; however, they are consistent in
size and various facades could be imagined to enhance them if refurbished in the future. The proposed
structure is huge and boxy. It is not a design that will be adaptable in any way and will always stick out
`like a sore thumb'. Whether some people like the design, it is clear there are many more who do not.
It is not representative of San Luis Obispo, lacks character and will not be adaptable in future years.
Most importantly, IT IS NOT COMPATIBLE with buildings in the residential or commercial
neighborhoods. As commissioners you may have suggestions but how much time and/or money the
developer has spent must not be your concern for decision making. We, residents who are concerned about
our city and about the adjacent neighborhood, ask you to consider us as we, unlike the students and
developer, live here permanently. The difficulties commissions are often faced with seem to originate with
what the Planning Staff presents. It seems it would be in everyone's interest to have earlier input.
Thank You, Camille Small