HomeMy WebLinkAboutAvila Ranch DEIR Public Comment received 1-18-17 (Wimer)From: John S. Wimer [
Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2017 1:24 PM
To: Corey, Tyler <tcoreV@slocity.org>
Cc: Susan Wimer <
Subject: Avila Ranch Draft EIR (DEIR) comments
John Rickenback/Tyler Corey
City of San Luis Obispo
Community Development Dept.
919 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-3210
RECEIVED
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
JAN 18 2017
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Gents, I am sure we will be echoing what many people have voiced either at meetings or by mail/e-mail. We just
wanted to make sure that the numbers of people with concerns and opinions is fully recognized. The biggest issues
we see are dealing with water/flooding and transportation/traffic.
Land is identified as a flood plain. As an adjacent property owner, what will our potential flooding issues
be with the re -alignment of creeks and massive grading for the Project and how is that mitigated?
The county has identified at least a good portion of this property a "Flood Zone". Re -alignment of the
creek and creek crossing at Buckley & Vachell — what are the long term effects of re -alignment? The existing creek
situation causes flooding (and closure) at the Buckley/Vachell corner during storm activity. Will the roadway and
bridge be elevated when the Buckley bypass goes through?
We can only assume that there will be additional water runoff generated because of the build -out and
pave -over of these acres. Is that additional water runoff being addressed in the EIR? The south west corner of this
property already has a serious drainage situation during heavy storm weather. The bridge (stream below) that is just
east of the Buckley Vachell corner cannot handle the current run-off that occurs, causing overcapacity and flooding
of this corner. This flooding requires road closure. That is the current issue -how is this mitigated in the EIR?
Our properties that border this site on the east all have natural drainage from our acreage flowing west
onto this property. Is this accounted for in the drainage plan? Will there be a backup/flooding issue onto the
adjacent east property during severe weather? Where is the liability for such an occurrence?
We understand the need for additional housing, but the circulation/infrastructure must be in place before
residential construction begins. WE CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH.
Gridlock is a word that is never used in the DEIR, but that is exactly what we will be faced
with. Gridlock/congestion/increased traffics accidents and safety for all traveling through this area. Not only should
the Buckley roadway in front of the development be upgraded, but the entire length of Buckley should be brought
up. Off-site infrastructure has to come first and be in place — not mitigated. Buckley Road extension to South
Higuera. although not a fix -all, MUST be completed in the initial phase of the Project, not at the end. The
timeframe mentioned is over 5 years. This is not realistic at all. A quote heard recently was "you don't build a
house without completing the foundation first", well this Project should not be allowed to complete Phase One
without the circulation and infrastructure in place (extension of Buckley Road to So. Higuera, widening of Buckley
Road with bike lanes, addressing the Vachell/So. Higuera intersection, addressing the Buckley Road/Hwy 227
intersection).
As an adjacent property owner/resident, we make numerous trips weekly onto Buckley Road pulling a
livestock trailer. The current traffic on Buckley more often than not ignores the speed limit posted and this makes
for a very challenging and dangerous environment with ingress/egress of Buckley/Esperanza. There have already
been fatal accidents on numerous areas of Buckley Road and without major upgrading and widening the additional
vehicle trips mentioned in the DEIR will make this an impossible situation.
Prado Road overpass is listed in the DEIR as mitigation, BUT it is our understanding that issue has been
decided that Prado Road overpass WILL NOT ever go through. This makes no sense, particularly in light of what
we thought was already committed funding.
Thanks for letting our voices be heard.
John & Susan Wimer
Esperanza Lane, APN 076-1-007
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401