HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/22/2019 Item 11, Lopes
Wilbanks, Megan
From:James Lopes <jameslopes@charter.net>
Sent:Tuesday, October
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Item 11, 10-22-19 Council Agenda - Taqueria Santa Cruz Appeal
City Council
City of San Luis Obispo
RE: Item 11, 10-22-19 Council Agenda - Taqueria Santa Cruz Appeal
Dear Mayor Harmon and Council Members:
The zoning code violations of the appellant illustrate the inherent conflicts between
entertainment / restaurant uses and residences in mixed use projects. The Henry's purchased
their condo with the knowledge of a 6 p.m. time limit for open restaurants. How does one
account for your staff and Planning Commission blithely taking away that "contract" between the
City and residents? I purchased my condo with the knowledge that I signed an understanding that
an airport exists nearby, and I waived the right to sue for aircraft noise. Maybe the airport staff
should blithely let me sue them due to incessant aircraft noise.
The attempts to serve this business's interests over residents' interests are apparent and
frustrating. It is on your shoulders to uphold the standards in the zoning code. The zoning code
had an excellent time limit for restaurants located below residents - 6 p.m.
Incremental modifications are counter-productive to the residents and the general public. If your
family were living above these restaurants, would you want closure at 7, 8 or 9 p.m.? Restaurant
activity after hours is typically noisier than during open hours, or at least as noisy. So, would you
add an hour after closing to be within the time limit?
Somehow our staff made a modification to the zoning code to 8 p.m., but only until the air vent
noise issues are resolved. What discretion does staff have to modify the time limit at all? What
eventual limit would they invent - 11 p.m., or 1 a.m.? This case is an example of a
developer/business-friendly staff who demonstrate a palpable lack of care to defend the
restrictions within the City for which they work.
Please deny the appeal, and either restore the "contract" with the residents for a 6 p.m. closing,
or modify it to the least harmful extension, at 7 p.m. These restaurants should be quiet after
hours as well, so you might set an 8 p.m. limit for both closing and after-hours operations to
end. Imagine these residents, under the 6 p.m. rule, being able to fix and have dinner, enjoy
evening peace and productive time. If you let the 9 p.m. limit stand, these people will be finally
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able to have some peace by 10 p.m. - time to go to bed. Please honor our zoning code and our
residents with the least harmful modification possible.
Thank you,
James Lopes
912 Bluebell Way
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
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