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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-04-2017 Item 16, HafemeisterCOUNCIL MEETING: '-/- "-/- /moRECEIVED w [TEM NO.: IG MAR 3 0 2017 CLERK From: David W. Hafemeister Sent: Thursday, March 30, 2017 9:16 AM To: E-mail Council Website <emailcouncil@slocity.org> Cc: Harmon, Heidi <hharmonO)slocity.or >; Gomez, Aaron <agomez@slocity.or >; Rivoire, Dan <DRivoire@slocity.org>; Pease, Andy <apease@slocity.org>; Christianson, Carlyn <cchristiansonlu7a slo_c_ity_.ar >; David W. Hafemeister < Subject: 4/4/17 Appeal 71 Paolomar March 30, 2017 To: Mayor Harmon and the Councilors of San Luis Obispo From: David Hafemeister ( Re: 4/7/17 Appeal 71 Palomar; Unintended Consequences from 71 Palomar The 6 buildings at 71 Palomar are not apartment buildings, but they are, essentially, college dormitories, located in residential neighborhoods. Many of the long-time residents of San Luis are concerned about the possible "Isla-Vistazation" of our town. In the near future, Cal Poly would like to add another 5,000 students to its present 20,000 enrollment to rise to 25,000. Because the Cal Poly approach is successful in gaining "jobs" for its graduates, there will be further pressure from the state to expand beyond 25,000. A similar school, Texas A&M, has 48,000 students. Why not Cal Poly? At this point, only about 35% of housing is owner -occupied, this parameter is lower in San Luis when compared to other cities. From the outside, it appears that the SLO-City government has caved to Cal Poly and developers, allowing the university to get by with housing only about one-half of its students. By having so many students living in town, it is changing the character of our community. If SLO-city caves on 71 Palomar, it will give Cal Poly confidence it can expand without reducing the concerns of the citizens of SLO. The big term in the SLO population equation is driven by Cal Poly. I enjoyed my thirty years at Cal Poly. It is an excellent school, fulfilling its mission. In light of their excellence, it should extend to taking responsibility for its impacts on San Luis. If the City Council overlooks the many problems of the expansion of 71 Palomar, which you are hearing tonight, then Cal Poly will know they can push SLO-city to allow these harsh impacts on the residents. Thus far it appears that Cal Poly can ignore much of its responsibility, essentially, to fully -house its students on campus. We are talking about larger impacts in the future. The 135 students at 71 Palomar are but 1% of the potential growth of an expanded "super Poly" of 33,000 in some two decades. It is time to drastically modify the 71 Palomar expansion plan, that you are now considering, to draw a line in the sand. Members of the City Council, I support the resident's appeal to drastically reduce the size of this project. Sixty-three parking spots at 71 Palomar is clearly insufficient for the 146 residents. 71 Palomar needs fewer residences and more parking. Now is your chance to show that your first priority is for San Luis Obispo; the residences in the neighborhoods, the city as a whole. Your first priority should not be with the developers. March 30, 2017 To: Mayor Harmon and the Councilors of San Luis Obispo From: David Hafemeister ( Re: 4/7/17 Appeal 71 Palomar; Unintended Consequences from 71 Palomar The 6 buildings at 71 Palomar are not apartment buildings, but they are, essentially, college dormitories, located in residential neighborhoods. Many of the long-time residents of San Luis are concerned about the possible "Isla- Vistazation" of our town. In the near future, Cal Poly would like to add another 5,000 students to its present 20,000 enrollment to rise to 25,000. Because the Cal Poly approach is successful in gaining "jobs" for its graduates, there will be further pressure from the state to expand beyond 25,000. A similar school, Texas A&M, has 48,000 students. Why not Cal Poly? At this point, only about 35% of housing is owner -occupied, this parameter is lower in San Luis when compared to other cities. From the outside, it appears that the SLO-City government has caved to Cal Poly and developers, allowing the university to get by with housing only about one-half of its students. By having so many students living in town, it is changing the character of our community. If SLO-city caves on 71 Palomar, it will give Cal Poly confidence it can expand without reducing the concerns of the citizens of SLO. The big term in the SLO population equation is driven by Cal Poly. I enjoyed my thirty years at Cal Poly. It is an excellent school, fulfilling its mission. In light of their excellence, it should extend to taking responsibility for its impacts on San Luis. If the City Council overlooks the many problems of the expansion of 71 Palomar, which you are hearing tonight, then Cal Poly will know they can push SLO—city to allow these harsh impacts on the residents. Thus far it appears that Cal Poly can ignore much of its responsibility, essentially, to fully—house its students on campus. We are talking about larger impacts in the future. The 135 students at 71 Palomar are but 1% of the potential growth of an expanded "super Poly" of 33,000 in some two decades. It is time to drastically modify the 71 Palomar expansion plan, that you are now considering, to draw a line in the sand. Members of the City Council, I support the resident's appeal to drastically reduce the size of this project. Sixty-three parking spots at 71 Palomar is clearly insufficient for the 146 residents. 71 Palomar needs fewer residences and more parking. Now is your chance to show that your first priority is for San Luis Obispo; the residences in the neighborhoods, the city as a whole. Your first priority should not be with the developers.