HomeMy WebLinkAbout06_28-29_2017 PC Correspondence - Avila Ranch (Lewis)
From: Donna Lewis < RECEIVED
Sent: Monday, June 26, 2017 10:01 AM CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
To: Advisory Bodies JUN 2 6 2017
Cc:
Subject: Avila Ranch Development
COMMUNITY DC'VELOPMENT
Dear SLO Planning Commission: Kim Bisheff, Scott Mann, Nicholas Osterbur, Hemalata Dandekar, Ronald Malak, John Fowler, and Charles
Stevenson,
I am writing to you in support of the Avila Ranch Project. I've had the good fortune to finance homes for many families in San Luis Obispo
over the past 25 years. Never have I seen such a lack of available housing for our workforce and for those ready, willing and able to
purchase a home. The result of the short supply is directly correlated to how unaffordable housing in the City of SLO has become.
It is my understanding that Avila Ranch will provide a number of units which are affordable, both by design, and based on the City's
requirement to provide affordable units as a component of the project. The project concept in its entirety interests me given the mix of
housing options for all income levels and the mix of product type. I've spoken directly to the developer about his desire to give priority to
residents of the City and those who work in the City, which is critical to addressing commute times, carbon emissions, and meeting climate
action plan goals. I like the location for this project given that it's in an area where there has been a significant amount of job creation in
the past 2-3 years. In addition, the extension of Buckley Road is critical and this is a very important amenity that will be realized if this
project is approved. I lived in this part of town for years and endured the right and left turn onto South Higuera from Buckley which has
always been a challenging experience, especially during peak traffic times.
Recently, I was fortunate enough to be the preferred lender on the Moylan Terrace project, developed by HASLO. The project provided
much needed housing, affordable by design, as well as deed restricted affordable units for low, very low and moderate income
households. Needless to say, these units were in high demand given the product type and design. A significant number of families, who
might not have otherwise been able to afford to purchase a home in San Luis Obispo, are now homeowners and enjoy the ability to live in
the same City in which they work. However, there are just as many if not more families who attempted to purchase homes in this
development but were outbid or not the lucky winner through the lottery process. These families need the options that will be included in
the Avila Ranch development including smaller lots sizes/units, which are affordable by design, keeping the sales price in a more affordable
range.
Our community is DESPERATE for additional housing stock ... with prices rising and no immediate supply in sight, it is critical that the creation
of housing be prioritized. I commend you all for moving the San Luis Ranch Project forward, but we need to do more and Avila Ranch will be
a step further toward providing the housing options our residents need. Please do whatever possible to move this project forward so that
more families have the opportunity to live where they work.
Donna Lewis
Branch Manager, Senior Loan Advisor
RPM MORTGAGE, INC. • SAN LUIS OBISPO
755 Santa Rosa Street, Suite 300
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
805.783.4000 phone
805.235.0463 cell
844.496.1486 eFax
NMLS # 245945
donnaiewisOIrpm-mtq.com email
www.rpm-mtg.com/diewis website
Dylan Morrow
Production Partner
805.212.7682 phone
d morrow rpm-mtcI.com
Stephanie Rodriguez
Loan Advisor Assistant
805.212.7671 phone
srodriq uez(i�rpm-mtq.com