HomeMy WebLinkAbout06_28-29_2017 PC Correspondence - Avila Ranch (Richard)B. K. Richard
130 Anacapa Circle
San Luis Obispo, California 93405
805.801.7578
June 18, 2017
Dear Planning Commissioners:
I have been a homeowner in the City of San Luis Obispo since 1996. I have also served
for ten years on the Board of Trustees of the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo
County. In that role I have been leading the Land Conservancy’s Octagon Barn Center
project since 2008. See www.octagonbarn.org
As you know, the Octagon Barn Center is now in construction and promises to be a
major community gathering place, education center, and bicycling trail hub. Our lease
parcel also has frontage on the prospective route for the Buckley Road connector
between Vachell Lane and South Higuera Street.
Because of our location and project timing, I’ve had a fruitful, professional, and positive
relationship with the Avila Ranch development effort for over five years. In this regard
[and because I’ll be away from the City for the next several weeks], I’m providing the
following written testimony regarding your upcoming deliberations about Avila Ranch:
• Avila Ranch has worked diligently to keep the Land Conservancy in the loop
regarding its plans. Their pro-active outreach has been vital in working
through issues associated with right of way, bicycle safety, and project timing.
• Avila Ranch’s substantial network of bicycle pathways meshes very well with
the services we plan for the Octagon Barn Center. Per an Operating
Agreement with the County of San Luis Obispo, the Land Conservancy is
already committed to serving citizens planning to utilize the Bob Jones City-
to-Sea Pathway. Avila Ranch’s paths will reinforce this mission. We in turn
will amplify the City’s efforts to encourage healthy, low emission
transportation and recreation. The City’s own Bob Jones Connector Trail will
do even more to bring a major bicycling amenity to a new, large population
base to a growing part of the City anchored by Avila Ranch.
• The Octagon Barn Center serve as a gateway to the City and, specifically, to
the Avila Ranch community. The developers recognize this and have been
very supportive of our effort to bring the Center into operation.
• The Avila Ranch project developer has provided the Land Conservancy with
fly-through video of the Bob Jones Trail. This and other steps of advocacy
have enabled us, as a non-profit, to enhance our fundraising efforts for the
Barn Center.
We see Avila Ranch as being mutually reinforcing and a net asset to the Octagon Barn
Center. We expect residents of Avila Ranch will be among our most frequent visitors
and beneficiaries. Conversely, the Octagon Barn Center will great expand the reach of
its education and conservation mission by having Avila Ranch as a neighbor.
Thank you very much for your consideration.
Sincerely yours,
B. K. Richard, Chairperson
Octagon Barn Center Committee and
Trustee Emeritus of The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County