HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-07-2018 - Item 2 - Czech1
Tonikian, Victoria
From:Genevieve Czech <
Sent:Saturday, May 05, 2018 2:38 PM
To:Advisory Bodies
Subject:ARC communication
Honorable members of the Architectural Review Commission: I am a resident of the area north of Foothill, and am very
concerned about the scope of the proposed 790 Foothill project. The exemptions being requested regarding height and
lot size on the grounds of provision of
12 affordable units, are disproportionate to the constraints of the site. The current 22 Chorro project is causing
significant delays, with Pedestrian detours, and altogether disturbing activity and particulates in the immediate
residential and commercial environment.
The everyday impacts of 22 Chorro upon its completion should be measured, and a traffic study completed together
with the completion of 71 Palomar, BEFORE the undertaking of a new proximate project.
It would be irresponsible to approve yet another project which would impact in like manner the juncture of Foothill,
Chorro and Broad.
Above all, the plan to create a special crossing for school cyclists from a bike lane at the Mormon church, crossing
Foothill, should enter your judgment, in view of those children's vulnerability. Their safety is paramount.
You are, no doubt, aware of the liquor store abutting the MacDonalds'
site, and you will have observed the impatient entry and egress onto Foothill of its clients. This is compounded by the
vehicles turning into and out of the shopping center opposite. Were a traffic study undertaken, there would be powerful
persuasion to limit the number of new residential units and their vehicles. You are also aware of the Cal Poly student
cyclist killed by a young drunken driver at Foothill/Ferrini.
Further, there is a principle of integrity and honesty in the developer's intent in maximizing the lot and height of this
project.
We all witnessed the sad defense of 22 Chorro as a model of environment friendly design committed to promoting the
use of bicycles and buses as transport. We witnessed arguments about its value in providing affordable housing. Those
of us who warned the City and Council about the true nature of the project do not need to remind you of the promotion
of "non‐affordable" luxury student quarters squeezed into a wee triangle of land. More cement, more of man's greed to
cover our city's soil with construction and wastewater.
Foothill is a corridor where the northern end of SLO gently yields to open space, to Bishops Peak, the jewel in the SLO
crown. Foothill is also an over‐required corridor, a high crash location. It is the route to Sierra Vista Hospital from
Bishops Peak and the surrounding area.
Please be clear that this project is another instance of a familiar developer seizing an opportunity to build with
exemption, to absorb the burden of housing college students from Cal Poly, and extort top rent from them. If SLO is
serious about affordable housing, then at least grant exemptions on authentic projects that make a difference in our
housing market, rather than make a difference in the accommodation of Cal Poly students. It is an embarrassment to
yourselves, to the City, to the Council, to "play the game" with the developer. May you delay this project until 22 Chorro
and 71 Palomar have been completed, and their impact observed and evaluated. Respectfully yours, Genevieve Czech