HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/13/2019 Item 2, Rich (2)
Purrington, Teresa
From:Bell, Kyle
Sent:Thursday, February 14, 2019 9:27 AM
To:CityClerk
Subject:FW: Mixed Use Development Atoll Property on Laurel Lane
Please provide the email below as agenda correspondence for the Planning Commission Meeting February 13,
2019 Item #2.
Kyle Bell
CDD Associate Planner
T 805.781.7524
From: carol rich <carolsrich@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2019 6:24 PM
To: Bell, Kyle <KBell@slocity.org>
Subject: Mixed Use Development Atoll Property on Laurel Lane
Hello Kyle,
For the first time in a long time I wonder why I am even bothering to share by viewpoint as it pertains to development in
San Luis Obispo. As a life-long and very involved resident of San Luis Obispo, I have unfortunately reached the point (like
so many others) that I feel my voice in not being heard by the Planning Commission, City Staff, or City Council. Every
time I pick up the paper there is another headline about a development that has been approved under the guise of
“affordable housing.” Although I understand and appreciate the concept of infill rather than sprawl, and I realize that
San Luis Obispo cannot be stagnant in terms of growth, I do think that the current rate of development is irresponsible
in that it seems to be overburdening our city’s already taxed infrastructure. In my opinion, we need to slow the current
pace of development to determine the impacts of what is already planned and under construction in the City of San Luis
Obispo.
This proposed development at Laurel Lane and Orcutt Road is simply too aggressive for the area. Laurel Lane has
recently been reduced to two lanes to make way for more bike lanes. I am not opposed to bike lanes, as my husband
and I are bike enthusiasts and avid hikers/walkers. Realistically, not everyone can walk or ride their bikes on a day-to-
day basis. Running the kids to school or riding to Costco for a heavy load of supplies just does not work on a bike. I keep
looking to see if more bikes are traveling up and down Laurel Lane since the “improved” bike lanes were added, but
have yet to notice any increase in bicycle traffic. Just because the developer is excited about adding more bike spaces
than car parking does not mean more people will replace their cars with bikes - as nice as that may sound. I have seen
plenty of accidents and cars backed up as trains slowly cross Orcutt Road. I cannot imagine 702 units with 54,000 square
feet of commercial space without proper access in and out of the area. I am also not a fan of our ever-increasing
building heights covering our beautiful mountain views.
Please listen to the many voices of our community before the very reason we all love to live here is gone
forever. Developers from out of the area do not care about the character of SLO. We are suddenly growing at a pace
that in my opinion is well beyond our capabilities. SLO is not in an urban environment, so State mandates must be
challenged accordingly.
Thank you for your consideration.
Carol Rich
1
San Luis Obispo
805-459-8518
2