HomeMy WebLinkAboutComment Received 07-01-2017 - Avila Ranch (General) (Avila 1)Meeting:v` — Ly
Item: 1
From:
Frank Avila < >
Sent:
Saturday, July 1, 2017 7:15 AM
To:
Advisory Bodies
Subject:
PC communication
Dear Planning Commission Members:
RECEIVED
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
JUL - 3 2011
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
In the next few weeks you will likely be asked to approve the proposed Avila Ranch project. I strongly urge you to
approve this project, as it will be a significant step forward in fulfilling the Council's and Mayor's top priority of
facilitating the creation of more workforce/affordable by design housing in our city. As you know this project is part of
the updated General Plan and was also part of the recently adopted LUCE, which many man-hours were spent on by
both public advocates and government agencies.
As long-time residents of this community, we have seen the worsening jobs -housing imbalance negatively affect our
environment and our economic prosperity. Traffic congestion is worse now; employers are faced with the decision to
stay (if housing opportunities improve), or move elsewhere; and our families are forced to spend more and more of their
time commuting.
The city's housing situation is in dire need of a project of this nature, since it incorporates many of the city's objectives:
Workforce/Affordable by Design Housing: Avila Ranch is a step forward for the city in its effort to address the
city's severe housing shortage. By design, many of the Avila Ranch homes will be priced to be attractive to
working families. Many features have been added that will reduce the cost of ownership including Net Zero
Energy, car sharing, and small yards with lower monthly costs. The ability for working families to purchase a
home in the city in which they work will also impact both their commute time, which will impact their quality of
life and carbon footprint, which is good for the environment.
2. A Net Zero Energy Community: Through solar power and other energy efficiencies, Avila Ranch will be a net
zero user of electrical power, and residents' electrical, heating and cooling costs will be minimal.
3. Traffic Improvements: As a result of this project, desperately needed infrastructure improvements will be made
at no cost to existing city residents. These improvements include but are not limited to an extension to Buckley
Road to South Higuera, which has been on the County/City to do list for many years prior to the introduction of
this project. This extension will address the tricky Vachell Lane- Higuera intersection. These improvements will
provide a walkability component that many other communities do not have thru the addition of public
transportation bus stops, free bikes to home owners and the extension of various roads to allow both Avila
Ranch homeowners and other city residents to walk to parks and various local services, including Trader Joes,
Food 4 Less and Starbucks. Also with this affordable by design housing here in SLO it will help redistribute and
reduce overall city traffic on the main city arteries. Individuals that are employed in SLO today and commute in
from South County that utilize 227, South Higuera and Buckley each day who do become Avila Ranch residents
will reduce that traffic and be able to use other various access points to the community. Also the citizens that
come in from South Higuera today and turn on Vachell Lane to get onto Buckley will no longer have to do that
and will be able to use the Buckley extension, thus reducing the traffic at the LOVR/South Higuera intersection
and the dangerous Vachell Lane/South Higuera intersection.
4. New Parks & Bike Paths: This project will provide the community new parks and bike paths for the enjoyment of
everyone, not just Avila Ranch residents. In addition there are various attributes of the bike paths and open
space that will be utilized by the Bob Jones Trail.
5. EcoFriendly: About 30,000 commuters drive into SLO everyday to work. As I mentioned above if more
individuals are able to live closer to where they work it will have a significant positive impact on the
environment and is one of the best things we can do to address climate change and individuals quality of life.
On a personal note, my family have been citizens of this great city we call home for over 150 years and I have been here
over 60 years. We have seen and participated in change over the years and see the Avila Ranch as a great addition to our
community for many reasons a few of which I have outlined above. Many of my friends moved away for college or jobs
after high school and they are now trying to return here to retire and have had a very difficult time locating affordable
housing in SLO. I have told them to hold on knowing the Avila Ranch project will address this issue and provide them the
ability to come back home sooner.
Thank You
An Avila Ranch Supporter