HomeMy WebLinkAbout06_28-29_2017 PC Correspondence - Avila Ranch (Mills)
From: melanie mills <
Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2017 10:20 AM
To: Advisory Bodies
Subject: Attn: Planning Commission, Avila Ranch
Dear City of SLO Planning Commission: Kim Bisheff, Scott Mann, Nicholas Osterbur, Hemalata Dandekar, Ronald
Malak, John Fowler, and Charles Stevenson
I am writing in support of the Avila Ranch project. I have lived and worked in SLO for over ten years. Like so many
residents I love the natural beauty and access to outdoor recreation that our town provides, but am painfully
aware that home ownership in SLO is not a reality for many local families. The reason I find the Avila Ranch
particularly compelling is because of the big picture approach being taken to incorporate sustainable functions
and features into the project, such as creek protection and restoration, agricultural open space conservation, low
impact development stormwater management, net zero energy design, car sharing, and pedestrian and bicycle
infrastructure. All of these things will reduce the footprint of the development while also making Avila Ranch a
desirable place for families and young professionals to buy their first home. As a mountain biker and bike
commuter, one of the most impressive things to me is the extensive on-site bike network and the future
connections. When the Bob Jones Trail link is completed to the Octagon Barn, residents of Avila Ranch will be
able to ride on a separated bikeway from their homes all the way to the beach or over to the Johnson Ranch and
Irish Hills trail system. That type of safe, separated trail system is what it takes to get less experienced riders and
families with kids out of their cars and on their bikes.
The Avila Ranch project goes above and beyond on numerous aspects of community sustainability for a
neighborhood development. As the City of SLO looks to address the current workforce housing crisis, projects
like Avila Ranch can be a model for a new neighborhood sustainability standard.
Sincerely,
RECEIVED
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
Melanie Mills I JUN Z 8 2017
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT