HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-12-2016 PC, Vujovich-La Barre
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From: Mila Vujovich-La Barre [ DEC 13 2016
Sent: Monday, December 12, 2016 2:52 PM
To: Advisory Bodies <advisorybodies@slocitu.orp; Gallagher, Carrie <CGalla her slocit .or SLD CITY CLERK
Subject: Tree Committee - 71 Palomar 12/12/16
Mila Vujovich-La Barre
San Luis Obispo, California
December 12, 2016
San Luis Obispo City Tree Commissioners
San Luis Obispo, CA
Dear Members of the Tree Commission,
It is my hope that you deny the proposal for 71 Palomar that is on your agenda for this evening. Like
so many other concerned citizens, I urge you to continue your deliberations for another month, while
you conduct your own independent research.
As you recall about six months ago, you expressed a desire to study the trees on site for potential
heritage qualities in person. This important task should be done by you.
It is my understanding that your committee's purview is to protect wonderful trees in our community,
not simply to agree to their removal to facilitate development. Your committee should have been
consulted at the onset of this process.
This particular project has taken a very unusual path through the City process. It has not been dealt
with in a logical and linear fashion.
The Cultural Heritage Committee and the Architectural Review Commission have weighed in on this
project and they too have found the process to be illogical.
Please disapprove the current project's building footprint on grounds no effort was made in designing
it to accommodate any of the site's wonderful urban forest. The ARC was critical of both the footprint
and massing, and asked them to be substantially revised. They have not been. The current proposal
is for high-priced students dormitories with insufficient parking - it is not for "affordable" or "workforce"
housing.
The current property at 71 Palomar should be cherished and protected since it is a historical master
listed house, surrounded by a healthy urban forest. The house will most certainly be damaged if it is
moved in the way that is proposed.
The roots of the trees are part of the infrastructure of the land that the house is on. Certainly the
destruction and clearing of the trees will further destroy support of the house.
There is significant wildlife at this site according to experts that will be negatively impacted including
the hooded oriole, scrub jay, Pacific slope flycatcher, orange crowned warbler, warbling vireo,
chestnut -backed chickadee, band -tailed pigeon, crow, kestrel, Anna's hummingbird, acorn
woodpecker, house finch, house sparrow, Cassin's kingbird, mourning dove, downy woodpecker,
American robin turkey vultures, barn owls and hawks.
I urge you as members of the Tree Committee to delay any approval of this project until you can
personally observe the concerns of residents and make the most informed decision.
Thank you for your service and consideration.
Cordially,
Mila Vujovich-La Barre
San Luis Obispo, CA