HomeMy WebLinkAbout8/21/2018 Item 17, Smith
Christian, Kevin
From:carolyn smith <cjsmith_107@yahoo.com>
Sent:Monday, August
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Council Meeting of August 21, 2018 - #17 Zoning Code Update
Mayor Harmon and council members:
I have several concerns about the Zoning Updates:
ADU's and Tiny homes on wheels in R-1 and R-2 neighborhoods:
(1) Our city's R-1 and R-2 properties were never meant to have the type of density that is
being proposed in this zoning update. These properties are already densified by numerous young
adults living in homes built for a family with limited garage and driveway space. With the
addition of ADU's and/or Tiny Homes on Wheels, density will be even higher causing more
health, safety, and parking problems. At the very least, keep the tiny homes out of the R-1 and
R-2 properties. They will overburden the areas already over-densified by abnormal occupancy
that will create further parking problems.
(2) ADU's and Tiny Homes should maintain the owner occupancy requirement (owner must
reside in one of the residences on the property). If this is removed, our rental properties,
particularly in the areas nearest to Cal Poly, will explode with additional student rental homes.
This will make it less likely that workforce families will live in these homes which has been the
goal of this council—provide more workforce affordable housing—not more student rentals.
(3) Some parking requirements should be maintained to assure that the ADU and/or Tiny
Home residents won't be parking their cars in front yards or in other nearby neighborhoods. Our
streets in many neighborhoods are already jammed with parked cars. Let's not make it worse.
(4) Tiny homes on wheels and those without wheels on foundations should be required to
have full hookups to the property's sewer, water, and electric to avoid health and safety issues.
This should be part of the permit approval process. Depending on inspections without these
permit requirements to assure sewer isn't leaking onto properties and electrical cords aren't
strewn through the yard will not be sufficient or effective, since our city doesn't have the staffing
to enforce these health and safety issues.
ARC Purview: The new ARC purview will limit the opportunity for the public to comment on
floor plans, parking, and landscaping, since these will now be under the purview of the Director.
This will downgrade the ARC's effectiveness to assure that architectural and community design
guidelines are followed appropriately and that the public can voice their concerns, particularly
when a project will directly affect them. The ARC should have the final approval. Their members
are the experts in this field and giving all the decision making to one person, not only shuts out
the public, but can have the appearance of impartial decisions by the Director.
Director Approvals: The change in the levels of Director approvals for projects under a certain
size is a slippery slope of making our Director a “Kingmaker.” We have had checks and balances
on these types of developments for a reason—to maintain integrity and impartial decisions and
to allow public input. When you give that power to one person, it can be used as a tool to accuse
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the city of bias, since some developers may think others are being favored by the Director. With
the current process, there are commissions and committees to provide a group decision to
assure that this doesn't occur or have the perception of occurring. These projects involve a great
deal of money and if it is perceived that the Director is playing favorites, it could result in more
appeals and/or lawsuits.
75 foot buildings in Monterey Street area: If there's one thing I hear most often from
family, friends, neighbors, employees in commercial establishments, long-time tourists, and
people who shop here is that they don't like the tall buildings going up in the downtown and
other parts of the city. While this may provide for more density, it destroys the small town feel,
beautiful views of the mountains, and the unique character and charm that has made our city a
very desirable place to live, visit, and shop. It seems counter productive to destroy the very
things that everyone loves about San Luis Obispo. It's clear that many, not just residents, want
to preserve what makes our city so special.
Thank you for your attention to these important changes.
Carolyn Smith
SLO City Resident
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