HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-07-2017 Item 6, SmithRECEIVED
COUNCIL MEETING: 2 - - �-
ITEM NO.: (11 FEB 0 ` 2017
From: carolyn smith [
Sent: Monday, February 06, 2017 2:17 PM
To: E-mail Council Website <emailcouncil slocit .org>
Subject: City Council February 7, 2017 - 22 Chorro Appeal
Mayor Harmon and Council members:
If you are at all familiar with this project area, you should already know that the traffic
at this very busy, unusual intersection is significant. One would have to be oblivious to
that fact to be able to make a finding that traffic from this project is not going to be a
safety hazard for drivers, bikers, and pedestrians. The additional traffic generated by the
probable 100 residents in this project, not including visitors and commercial patrons, will
make this already over -burdened intersection even more dangerous. While some
residents may not own a vehicle, many will, and if they are students, as presumed, they
will make numerous trips per day, attending classes, shopping, going to the beach and
social events, etc. I frankly find it hard to believe that you are being told that this
project will not cause extreme danger at this intersection. If you drive in this area, you
have got to know that can't be true and I am concerned that you are being misled by
unrealistic and incorrect suppositions. Please use your own knowledge, and the
knowledge of residents who frequently drive this intersection, in making your decision as
to the traffic dangers this project will cause.
Parking is another significant impact from this project. Since generous parking
exceptions have been granted, the nearby neighborhoods and commercial areas will be
heavily impacted by residents, visitors, and customers from this complex. Forcing the
nearby residential neighborhoods to form parking districts is a pitiful mitigation to the
parking problems this project will create. It's not an easy task to form parking districts
in this city. The process could require a majority of the residents in a several block area
to agree to forming a parking district, in order to avoid just moving the parking problem
to other nearby streets outside of the district. Consequently, that required majority is
oftentimes difficult to accomplish, particularly in a heavily student rental impacted
neighborhood for whom a parking district is not desirable. If that majority is not
reached, the parking district cannot be formed. I strongly suggest you look into the
city's residential parking district process before you make your decision since moving the
parking problems created by this project further up the street and/or around the corner,
is not an effective mitigation. Finally, for parking districts to be an effective deterrent,
they require adequate enforcement, which is already problematic in some of our existing
parking districts.
Furthermore, as noted under Agenda Correspondence, there are nearby commercial
properties concerned about the lack of parking from this project. Since there is
insufficient parking for its residents, visitors, and customers, there is no question the
nearby shopping centers will be used for parking, creating problems for their businesses.
It defies common sense why you would approve a project that would cause nearby
commercial and residential areas to experience such negative parking impacts. Your
1
duty should be to protect your residents and businesses from this kind of encroachment
from a new project.
You have the authority to deny this project or require that it be reduced to minimize the
significant traffic safety and parking impacts. Your decision shouldn't depend on whether
or not this developer will file a lawsuit but rather it should depend on whether or not you
are fulfilling your obligation to keep your constituents safe and protect quality of life.
You weren't elected to abdicate your decisions to a state mandate that goes against
what is best for your residents. Besides, that state mandate provides you an opportunity
to make findings for the safety and health of your residents and you can easily make
those findings in this project. When you were elected, you must have known that
sometimes you may have to make tough decisions and face challenges for those
decisions. You know this city, live in this city, and have to suffer the consequences of
your decision, as we all do. Therefore, please make the decision that most benefits
residents, not out of area developers, by revoking the use permit, upholding the appeal,
and denying the project.
Thank you for your attention and consideration.
Carolyn Smith
San Luis Obispo City Resident
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