HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/3/2018 Item 2, Pickering
Goodwin, Heather
From:Nancy <applyrepeat@gmail.com>
Sent:Wednesday, AM
To:Advisory Bodies
Subject:ARC communication. Item 2. 1144 Chorro project
Members of the Architectural Review Commission,
I am writing today to express my strong opposition to the six-story mixed use building at 1144 Chorro with the maximum
height of 75 feet within the Downtown Historic District as it is proposed.
"The proposed concept plan consists of ground floor retail and parking, two stories of office space, and three of
residential dwellings."
With current rents in downtown going on Craigslist for:
$1100 / 400ft2 - Studio w/loft Historic Railroad District Downtown (San Luis Obispo)
$3100 / 1br - Iconic Downtown SLO Apartments (Monterey Street)
$1700 / 500ft2 - 579 Buchon Street (San Luis Obispo)
I can see why the developer will want three stories of living space. It's all about money, isn't it? To dwarf the
surrounding area and to reach past the height of the neighboring buildings to capture the view at the expense of town
visitors and the residents is extremely greedy and not of good use for the town. It is giving the developer something
that has been a gift for all, and it would create more expensive housing inventory for a few.
Many of us realize that the retail space will only be affordable for chain stores that can secure rents. Therefore, pushing
out another unique trait that was San Luis Obispo's more so than any other town our size; the small business owner. If
this goes through, the concept will continue until the very close surrounding residential neighborhoods are shadowed by
these giants. Therefore creating a very unhappy place to live, close to downtown. It's adding injury to insult. These
retail spaces and office spaces will need to have employees park in already impacted neighborhoods because of the
employees now that work downtown.
But your job is not about if these units are affordable or maybe the scope of your job is not concerned over the
neighborhoods that surround downtown. You are here to determine if this building keeps with the character of the
town. Having a monolithic style building on the corner of Chorro and Marsh will certainly not pay tribute to the
surrounding area. A building of this size if truly necessary should be in the center of the block with lower building
gradually drawing the eye down to ground. Aesthetics are important.
Is there a way to make it work for the location? The current concept of the ground floor, retail and parking and 1 floor
of retail could easily be put under ground. And there could be three floors for dwelling as intended. But, it wouldn't
give the views the developer is banking on those elevated rental or condominium prices. The housing with the views.
But you're not concerned about these issues, you're concerned if such a building is a good fit for this location. Once
again, not on the corner. Have two levels underground.
If safety is an issue, then please consider the opening to the parking on a very busy corner/intersection as a safety
hazard. It's certainly inconvenient for the tenants, but dangerous for the passing pedestrians. During business hours
that is one of the most congested areas in town, with pedestrians and vehicles.
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This same developer was exempted from providing parking for the Copeland's Downtown Center many years ago and
now we can see how that wasn't in the best interest of our town. And garages that are now being developed are playing
catch-up again at the expense to our visitors and residents. Not all can use bicycles.
Please don't take away the inherent right of all who live within our city, the views should be all to enjoy, not just for a
few privileged. Going up to create more expensive units does not and will not serve the problem of affordable housing.
Look at the rents that people are asking for now. This is a preposterous concept.
Please try to keep the integrity of San Luis Obispo and thwart off people who want to make our town a mecca for the
financially well to do. Go down, not up. Help preserve our view shed and preserve the historical character that these
towering monsters will distract from.
Thank you for you for considering a resident's opinion.
Sincerely,
Nancy Pickering
382 Broad Street
San Luis Obispo
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