HomeMy WebLinkAbout8/21/2018 Item 17, Peterson
Christian, Kevin
From:Shirley Peterson <shirleyspeterson@gmail.com>
Sent:Thursday, August
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Proposed increased building heights
August 18, 2018
Dear San Luis Obispo City Council:
I’m writing regarding the proposed high building height limits that is being discussed at your
August 21, 2018 meeting. I believe it’s Item 17 on your agenda.
I ask that you do not vote to increase the building height limits in our city. Of particular
concern is the proposed 75’ height of buildings along Monterey Street. However, I’m opposed to
that height of building anywhere in the community.
The current city planning policies have tied the hands of the Planning Commission on at least two
recent projects: the proposed 4-story building at the corner of Foothill and Chorro and the large
complex on Orcutt Rd. on the Box Kite property. Both are overbuilt for the areas where they are
planned. Additionally, the Orcutt Rd. development has the safety concern of the close proximity to
the railroad tracks. The Planning Commission was very clear that there could be much more
reasonable, and less dense options for these properties. However, the Planning Committee was
forced to approve them because the projects meet local and state planning regulations and
requirements.
We are all too wise to not realize that if higher building heights are approved, builders will come
wanting to build to those limits. New projects will want to build to the higher building heights
regardless of whether or not they are appropriate for the area and regardless of whether or not they
will bring long-term benefit to our city. Allowing an option for bigger buildings and more density
generally means that that option will be requested by developers—just like what is currently
proposed for the projects mentioned earlier. The qualifications that must be met to get a large
building approved are not stringent enough to prevent them being built very quickly.
As a City Council you have an opportunity and a responsibility to save what residents and visitors
like most about San Luis Obispo—a small, beautiful, clean, safe community. With a no vote on
higher building heights, you will indicate that you want San Luis Obispo to have its own character
and you don’t want it to become a mish-mash of projects that leave the residents to deal with the
end results such as over-crowding, traffic, insufficient parking, and water availability concerns.
By not approving additional height limits in San Luis Obispo, you can send a message that
indicates:
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San Luis Obispo wants reasonable projects that enhance our community by not taking away the views
and openness that make our City so special.
We want to limit the impact of traffic and pollution associated with overly dense development.
We value our current local residents and our neighborhoods, and we prioritize long-range natural
resource sustainability.
There is truly no need or reason to pull this issue out from a more general and comprehensive
planning process that happens every few years.
Just because we can, doesn’t mean we should. Let’s take a breath and see how all the current
development ends up impacting our City. Please take a couple years to feel the results of what is
already in the works. Then as a part of an overall city planning review, determine if there is truly a
need to change policy regarding building heights.
Again, I ask your Council to not approve any new 75” building height options for our City.
Sincerely,
Shirley Peterson
SLO City Resident
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