The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About07/02/2002, 4 - PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION TO INITIATE AN AMENDMENT TO THE GENERAL PLAN LAND USE ELEMENT AN council 07-0 -09 acjenba epont 14 N..bx 6 '� C I T Y O F SAN L U IS O B I S P O FROM: John Mandeville, Community Development Directd c:/w TM- Prepared By: Jeff Hook,Associate Planner SUBJECT: PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION TO INITIATE AN AMENDMENT TO THE GENERAL PLAN LAND USE ELEMENT AND REZONE PROPERTIES BOUNDED BY ORCUTT ROAD, BROAD STREET (STATE HIGHWAY 227), ACACIA CREEK AND THE RAILROAD TRACKS TO CHANGE THEIR DESIGNATION FROM SERVICES AND MANUFACTURING TO HIGH-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL, AND AMENDMENT OF THE CIRCULATION ELEMENT REGARDING THE SACRAMENTO DRIVE EXTENSION. CAO RECOMMENDATION Consider the Planning Commission's action and direct staff to initiate General Plan Land Use and Circulation amendments and rezoning as recommended. i DISCUSSION Situation In May, Capstone West proposed development of a 200-unit, 800-bed student apartment complex on the south side of Orcutt Road, between Broad Street and the railroad tracks. The developer submitted conceptual plans and asked the City Council for a pre-application review. On May 7th Council decided to reject the student housing project application, primarily due to neighborhood traffic, public safety and other concerns related to student housing. At the same meeting, Council expressed general support for housing on this site. Council's action was referred to the Planning Commission to determine whether a city-initiated amendment to the General Plan to allow high-density residential use at this location was appropriate. Planning Commission Action On June 12`x, the Planning Commission voted 6-0 (Comm. Cooper absent)to recommend that the Council initiate a General Plan Amendment and rezoning to change,the land use designation on the south side of Orcutt Road from Services and Manufacturing to High-Density Residential. Commissioners enthusiastically supported the change, viewing it as a "proactive step" the City could take toward providing affordable housing in San Luis Obispo. Two property owners, Bill Tickell and Bob Schiebelhut, spoke in support of the changes. Nick Muick, resident at 3731 Orcutt Road, suggested that an area plan might be needed for the site to guide its development, and felt an EIR was needed for the change due to the number of planning issues. Commissioners noted there were important planning issues that needed to be addressed with this site, such as traffic, noise, and creek preservation. They emphasized, however, this was just the first step in a review process that wouldrequire detailed studies before such a change could occur. Commissioners felt there was a critical need for more R-3 and R4 zoned land in the City, and agreed that General Plan policies appeared to support high-density or medium-high density housing at this site. Concerned that limiting the land use change to the previ us Capstone site 4-1 Planning Commission Recommendation: Orcutt Road Area General Plan Amendment and Rezoning Page 2 might overlook opportunities for mixed-use housing, Commissioners recommended that Council expand the site area under consideration to include additional properties fronting on Broad Street. Commissioners also supported a possible amendment to the Circulation Element to modify or delete the Sacramento Drive Extension. Extension of Sacramento Drive to Orcutt Road is listed as a "Potential Major Street Network Change" in the Circulation Element. If extended, Sacramento Drive would serve as a commercial collector street roughly bisecting the site. The extension was originally established as part of a previously approved business park. If the site's land use designation is changed to residential, Commissioners wanted the street extension requirement to be re-evaluated for consistency with General Plan policies. Site Description The mostly vacant, 21-acre site is designated for "Services and Manufacturing" uses in the General Plan Land Use Map, allowing a broad range of commercial and industrial uses. Residential uses, with the exception of caretaker's quarters, aren't allowed. The site has been shown for service-commercial and manufacturing uses since it was annexed in 1960. The City has approved several commercial projects on this site since 1995, including an industrial subdivision, a business park, and fiber optic switching facility, but none of the projects were built and these earlier approvals expired. Recent planning approvals were granted for a commercial project along Broad Street near Orcutt Road, and for an Office/business park on the Tickell property. A construction permit was recently approved for the Tickell property, however the owner decided to postpone building the project pending possible land use changes. The site is bordered by houses to the east, across the railroad tracks; commercial service uses, homeless shelter, and Villa Rosa Residential Condominiums to the north, across Orcutt Road; vacant commercial-service zoned land to the west, fronting on Broad Street; and manufacturing uses to the south. The site involves multiple property owners. The largest parcels — those comprising the previous Capstone project site -- are owned by Bill Tickell and Bob Schiebelhut and cover about 13 acres. Besides the properties described in the Capstone Project, the Planning Commission suggested that eight additional parcels fronting on Broad Street under multiple ownership may also be appropriate for High-Density Residential land use designation, or for mixed commercial/residential uses (see Attachment 2). Located along an arterial street, General Plan policies may support High-Density residential uses here, or the parcels could provide secondary access to Broad Street and allow for compatible mixed-use residential/ commercial zoning to buffer a residential project on the larger interior lots. Housing Element Update The City has begun a two-year effort to update its Housing Element. Part of that effort will focus on ways to increase the City's housing stock, particularly housing affordable to low- and moderate-income persons. The need for such "workforce housing" has often been met in adjacent communities that have lower housing costs, or locally through lower cost multi-family rental housing and condominiums. Most of the City's apartments and condominiums were built in the 1970s and 1980s when large, vacant R-3 and R-4 zoned parcels were still available. 4-2 I Planning Commission Recommendation: Orcutt Road Area General Plan Amendment and Rezoning Page 3 Generally speaking, R-3 and R-4 zones are most appropriate for developing lower cost workforce housing, since they allow up to 18 and 24 density units per net acre, respectively. There are, however, no large vacant R-3 or R-4 zoned parcels remaining within city limits. By expanding its supply of high-density residential zoned land, the City can promote the development of new affordable housing. The State Department of Housing and Community Development has assigned a regional housing need to San Luis Obispo County of 18,892 dwellings by 2010. Of this assigned need, San Luis Obispo City's preliminary allocation is 5,720 dwellings. While the validity of this number is debatable, San Luis Obispo and neighboring cities will need to explore increased density and urban infill to even come close to meeting their regional housing needs. This General Plan amendment is an appropriate step in that direction. General Plan Goals and Policies At least at a preliminary level, a General Plan amendment to allow High-Density Residential uses appears consistent with General Plan land use and housing policies. Relevant policies include: Land Use Element LU 1.4. Jobs/Housing Relationship. The gap between housing demand (due to more jobs and college enrollment) and supply should not increase. Response: Commercial development and employment has grown faster than housing supply in recent years. Changing the site's designation from commercial to residential use will help offset this trend. LU 2.13. Neighborhood Traffic. Neighborhoods should be protected from intrusive traffic. All neighborhood street and circulation improvements should favor the pedestrian and local traffic. Vehicle traffic on residential streets should be slow. Response: The desirability of extending Sacramento Street as a commercial collector should be re-evaluated under a residential use scenario. LU 2.2.2. Separation and Buffering. Residential areas should be separated or screened from incompatible, nonresidential activities, including most commercial and manufacturing businesses, traffic arteries, the freeway, and the railroad. Response: The site appears large enough to provide appropriate buffering from Orcutt Road, Broad Street, the railroad right-of-way and commercial uses. LU 2.2.5. Street Access. New residential developments, or redevelopment involving large sites, should be designed to orient low-density housing to local access streets, and medium-or high-density housing to driveways accessible from collector streets. Major arterials through residential areas shall provide only limited private access or controlled street intersections. Response: A regional highway and an arterial street border the site. Policy LU 2.2.5 suggests that the density for residential development bordering such streets be medium or high density because it will be served by a driveway accessible to an arterial street. These streets will also better serve the intensity of trajftc and intensity of residential land use. LU 2.4.8. High-Density Residential. Development should be primarily attached dwellings in two- or three-story buildings, with common outdoor areas and very compact outdoor spaces. Such development is appropriate near the college campus, the downtown core, and major concentrations of employment. Response: The site is close to mayor concentrations of employment in the South Higuera Street/Tank Farm Road and Broad Street/Airport corridors. 4-3 Planning Commission Recommendation: Orcutt Road Area General Plan Amendment and Rezoning Page 4 Housing Element H2.2.2. Creation and Preservation. The City will adopt measures to encourage creating housing that's affordable to all its citizens, and to prevent loss of existing affordable housing. Response: Expanding the R-4 zone would be consistent with this policy. H5.1.1. Variety. Provide variety in the location, type, size, tenure, cost, style and age of dwellings to accommodate the wide range of households desiring to live within the City. Response: Residential condominiums, apartments and detached houses are located near the site. R-4 zoning would accommodate a range of housing types. H 5.2.2. Mixed-Use. Where housing can be compatible with offices or other businesses, mixed-use residential/commercial projects should be encouraged. Response: Adjacent C-S and M zone uses generally consist of light-industrial, office and business park type uses that are unlikely to pose compatibility issues. Mixed residential-commercial uses are possible along Orcutt Road or Broad Street. H 8.2.1. Encourage Special Needs Housing. The City will encourage housing that meets the special needs of families with children, single parents, disabled persons, those desiring congregate or co-housing lifestyles, the elderly, students, and the homeless. Response: High-Density Residential zoning can provide a range of housing types and costs to meet special housing needs. Circulation Element CI 8.4. Major Network Changes. Major changes to the city's street network may be initiated only after amending this Circulation Element. Response: This policy shows Sacramento Drive to be extended as a commercial collector to connect with Orcutt Road at Duncan Lane -- to be built concurrent with development of the south side of Orcutt Road. Initiating General Plan Amendments State law allows the legislative body of cities and counties to initiate changes to their General Plans at any time, subject to an annual limit of four amendments. The Council can initiate general plan amendments and rezoning when it perceives that such a change may better meet General Plan goals and policies or community needs. Council need not wait for a specific development project or developer to initiate the change, nor need all property owners within the area under consideration support the change. In this instance, two of the major property owners support the Commission's recommendation. As of the report writing, comments from owners of the eight additional lots recommended by the Commission for inclusion have not been received. "Initiating" a general plan amendment and rezoning is not an approval. It indicates there is sufficient policy and factual basis to study the change further, and to start the public review process. If Council follows the Commission's recommendation, an application number will be assigned and special studies begun as part of the environmental and planning work necessary to allow the Planning Commission and City Council to take formal action at a later date. Due to local publicity and community interest, at least one housing developer has already expressed interest in developing non-student oriented, high-density or medium high-density housing on this site. In initial discussions, the prospective developer and the two owners of the majority of the site have expressed willingness to help pay for traffic, noise, and other studies necessary to proceed with the amendments. This would facilitate preparation of a single environmental document evaluating both the land use changes and a specific 4@4ing 1 Planning Commission Recommendation: Orcutt Road Area General Plan Amendment and Rezoning Page 5 development project. From staff's perspective, this approach makes sense. It could reduce costs and added delay due to redundant environmental review, and provide project specifics on which to base detailed studies. This, in turn, could improve accuracy and usefulness of the environmental document and allow the Commission, Council and neighbors to see the type of project that could be developed with the land use change. What's Next If Council initiates the amendments and rezoning, staff will start the necessary land use and environmental studies and return to the Planning Commission for more thorough analysis and action. Staff anticipates key planning issues to include: 1. Possible transportation/circulation effects. 2. Creek setback and preservation requirements. 3. Land use compatibility of housing with adjacent uses. 4. Railroad noise. ALTERNATIVES 1. Initiate an amendment and rezoning for a lower density residential use, such as Medium- High Density Residential (R-3). This designation would still allow apartments or town homes and maintain a higher percentage of the site in landscaping and creek area, but likely to increase the cost of the housing produced. 2. Exclude properties fronting on Broad Street from consideration of the General Plan amendment and rezoning. These properties would continue to be zoned Commercial- Service (C-S), although could be part of access and land use discussions for a future residential development on the interior lots, or could be zoned C-S-MU to allow mixed commercial and residential uses. 3. Continue the item for additional study. 4. Determine that a General Plan amendment is not appropriate at this time and decide not to initiate an amendment and rezoning. This alternative would maintain the existing Services and Manufacturing land use designation. Attachments: 1. Site Map 2. Property Ownership and Addresses 3. Planning Commission Resolution with exhibits 4. Planning Commission Minutes of June 12, 2002 Council Reading File: Property owner and citizen letters Jh/UCapstone/Ccagendareport7-2-02 4-5 r t 4' �`-�•.r SIA' �� ' Y�,� � ; • • gawk • • • • ' Lim .. ................... .............................-..::: SII .I 0 . i o :.::::::: :::::::.::::::::::::::::::..:::::::::::. its ., - , `� Attachment 2 Orcutt Road Area General Plan Amendment Property Ownership and Addresses Parcels A-H Parcel Address Ownership A 3210 Broad Peter Nelson, Tre Et. Al. B 3220 Broad Dan M. Lemburg, Et-Al. C 3230 Broad D 3240 Broad " E 3366 Broad Ann E. Miller, Et.AI. F 3370 Broad Dane L. and Ann E. Miller G 3388 Broad Ashley H. Ashmore H 3398 Broad John C. and Eva M. Anderson 4-S ATTACHMENT 3 PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 5339-02 A RESOLUTION OF THE SAN LUIS OBISPO PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDING THE CITY COUNCIL INITIATE AN AMENDMENT TO THE GENERAL PLAN LAND USE ELEMENT AND REZONE PROPERTIES BOUNDED BY ORCUTT ROAD, BROAD STREET (STATE HIGHWAY 227), ACACIA CREEK AND THE RAILROAD TRACKS TO CHANGE THEIR DESIGNATION FROM SERVICES AND MANUFACTURING TO HIGH-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL, AND AMENDMENT OF THE CIRCULATION ELEMENT PROVISIONS REGARDING THE SACRAMENTO DRIVE EXTENSION. WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of San Luis Obispo conducted a public hearing in the Council Chamber of City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California, on June 12, 2002, for the purpose of considering the City Council's action on June 4, 2002, at which meeting the Council expressed general support for housing in the Orcutt Road Area; and WHEREAS, said public meeting was for the purpose of formulating and forwarding recommendations to the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo regarding the possibility of initiating a General Plan amendment to change the site's General Plan Land Use Map designation and to rezone the property to allow high- density residential uses; and WHEREAS, notices of said public hearing were made at the time and in the manner required by law; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has duly considered all evidence, including the testimony of property owners, interested parties, and the evaluation and recommendations by staff, presented at said meeting. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Planning Commission of the City of San Luis Obispo as follows: Section 1. Recommendation. The Planning Commission does hereby recommend the City Council initiate an application to amend the General Plan Land Use Element and rezone property shown in Exhibit "A", from Services and Manufacturing (C-S-S and M-PD) to High-Density Residential (R-4). The Commission also recommends Council initiate an amendment to the General Plan Circulation Element list of "Potential Major Street Network Changes" to re-evaluate the need for and design of the Sacramento Drive Extension in light of the recommended land use change. On motion by Commr. Caruso, seconded by Commr. Boswell, and on the following roll call vote: AYES: Commrs. Caruso, Boswell, Peterson, Aiken, Osborn, and Chairperson Loh. NOES: None REFRAIN: None ABSENT: Commr. Cooper 4-9 ATTACHMENT 3 Resolution No: 5339-02 Page 2 The foregoing resolution was passed and adopted this 12th day of June, 2002. Michael braze, S tary Planning Commission Exhibit A: Site Area - Orcutt Road Area General Plan Amendment Jh/UCapstone/Pcresol ution6-12-02 4-10 ATTACHMENT 3 Exhibit A Orcutt Road Area General Plan Amendment Railroad Tracks J� 0 TT z R- o �G f� � O e O� Acacia Creek N W* E S 4-11 ATTACHMENT 4 Planning Commission Meeting Update June 12, 2002 Page 3 BUSINESS ITEM: 3. 791. 861 and 953 Orcutt Road. Consideration of a Council request for a possible General Plan Amendment and Zone Reclassification of four properties along Orcutt Road from M (Manufacturing) to R-4 (High-Density Residential), City of San Luis Obispo Planning Commission, applicant. The Commission discussed the City Council's June 4, 2002 meeting at which the Council rejected a General Plan Amendment application for a 200-unit student housing development on the south side of Orcutt Road between Broad Street and the railroad tracks. Council was concerned mainly with a traffic and security concerns related to a student housing project, but expressed general support for housing on this site. In response to Council's comments, Commissioners enthusiastically supported a land use change to High-Density Residential on this site, viewing it as a proactive step" the City could take toward providing affordable housing in San Luis Obispo and reversing a jobs/housing imbalance resulting from rapid commercial growth. Property owners Bill Tickell, 3233 Davis Canyon Road, and Bob Schiebelhut, 1010 Peach Street, supported the changes. Nick Mewick, 3731 Orcutt Road, suggested that an area plan might be needed for the site to guide its development, and felt an EIR was needed for the change due to the number of planning issues. The Commission's comments focused on the following: • Their view that there was a critical, unmet need for more R-3 and R-4 zoned land in the City of San Luis Obispo; • General Plan policies appeared to support high-density or medium-high density housing at this site; • Noted there were important planning issues that needed to be addressed and emphasized its recommendation was just the first step in a review process that would require detailed studies before such a change could happen; • Supported a review of the Circulation Element to reconsider the Sacramento Drive Extension. Commissioners felt that limiting the land use change to the Tickell and Schiebelhut properties shown in the previous Capstone project might overlook opportunities for mixed-use housing, and recommended that Council expand the site area under consideration to include additional properties fronting on Broad Street. On a motion by Commissioner Caruso, seconded by Commissioner Boswell, the Commission recommended that Council initiate an amendment to the General Plan Land Use Element and rezone properties bounded by Orcutt Road, Broad Streeet ( ate ATTACHMENT 4 Planning Commission Meeting Update June 12, 2002 Page 4 Highway 227), Acacia Creek and the railroad tracks to change their designation from services and manufacturing to high-density residential, and amendment of the circulation element provisions regarding the Sacramento Drive extension. The motion carried, 6-0. COMMENT AND DISCUSSION: 4. Staff A. Agenda Forecast 5. Commission ADJOURN to the next regular Planning Commission meeting scheduled for Wednesday June 26, 2002, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber of City Hall, 990 Palm Street. 4-13 1 11 111 - - A 'ti*.t-. � \•.,t.` \ !�r �."�ti � ;. r. y ��; � .�+�I�. ,�.�'J^•.�. 1' .na' r� :�h') .:sA � .�, y br ..1 A, •;Y , •` LJ• x- t 1, .J NJ � � ., f , � ' �£+�p�•f !>SI e�' �-.•��J.— -�,3*' n�� (bra -a n� r •.•„�. � 4 ' i a el Al t\\ I• loi -t-Al k Is all .yam •.n '�. ..r�'W' �I. �� r��•��/�!��Y `/ .. � �i M1� .± TT�. �v.: a l'vE• e.ee rv�l •.. it t �� a � _ c • - • • • • • 111 • ' 1 o • 1 I � J i • r 1 1 111 A • .. MEETING 'AGENDA DATE d o2ITEM # Em _ ,'"• ,-'>- Individual Member source Commercial Group Commercial & Investment Real Estate CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO Mr. Jeff Hook June 20, 2002 Community Development Department `i I 1 2 12002 990 Palm Street COUNCIL ❑ CDD Dip San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 AO O FIN DIP COMMUNITY DEVECOPME_N AO = PW DICHIEF 01'tLERK/OPIQ C POLICE CHF Ca DEPT meAAD9 ® RECOIR �TQ-- P' Dear Jeff, LM-,L,�_�;�.�n>ro . Thank you for the information you gave me regarding the possible rezoning of the vacant parcels on Orcutt Road east of Broad Street to a residential zoning. As the property owner of 3210, 3220, 3230 and 3240 Broad Street (at the corner of Orcutt Raod), I was very surprised to hear that my property was also being considered as a part of that rezoning. While I am probably in favor of the adjacent parcels having a residential designation, I am adamantly opposed to the rezoning of my own for several reasons. First, I have a city approved commercial/retail development planned for the parcels. The city has all the information on file regarding this development. I plan to begin construction of the project in August of this year. Second, the site is not suited for residential. Its lengthy frontage busy on Broad Street makes it quite undesirable, the site is very restricted as to location of buildings, and there is a high pressure gas line running north to south through the center of the property. This property is, however, ideally suited as a neighborhood shopping center. Its location is an ideal complement to the residential element behind it. I am therefore requesting that my property be rezoned to CN or CR as a part of the general plan amendment under consideration by the council. As a portion of the 3240 parcel is located on the east side of the creek bordering the property, I suggest that the division of the respective zones follow the center of the creek. This would allow the now isolated portion of the parcel to possibly become useful as a part of any residential development on Mr. Tickell's property. Thank you for consideration of this request by your department and the city council. Sinc ly yours, RECEIVED 1;iN 2 200; Dan M. Lemburg, S<-0 CITY CLERK 560 Higuera Street,Suite H,San Luis Obispo, California 93401 (805) 544-1144 (805) 543-6091 Fax Jun 28 02 02d06p CYDNEY HOLCOMB 805-594-0365 p. 1 MEETIN v AGENDA E ITEM # Residents for Quality Neighborhoods P.O. Box ]2604•San Luis Obispo, CA 93406 RECEIVED June 28, 2002 JUN '2 , 200; Faxed to: 781-.7109 SLO CITY CLERK RE: Meeting Date: 3uly 2, 2002 Business Item #4 Recommendation to amend the General Plan Land Use Element, re-zone properties bounded by Orcutt Road, Broad Street and.the Railroad Tracks from Service Manufacturing to High-Density Residential, and to amend the Circulation Element In regard to the Sacramento Drive extension. Honorable Mayor and City Council Members: After a lengthy discussion the RQN Board is supportive of re-zoning the above mentioned property from service manufacturing to residential if the City adopts detailed design guidelines, pertinent to this property, prior to consideration of any specific project. It is our opinion that these guidelines should include the following: • An effort to create a "village" design with a variety of building types and architecture that will encourage a mix of occupants, so that younger and older people, singles and families, students and the working force, may find attractive and truly affordable. places to live. • A significant number of the units should be dedicated "in perpetuity" at below- market rates. • A Planned Development overlay to facilitate development of the property and incorporating creative amenities for the residents that would not be feasible under conventional zoning. The Planned Development overlay, however, should not be used as a rationale for increasing density or heights above the allowable development standards in the zone. • Treating the creeks as amenities. Creek habitat should be restored and protected for use by its native inhabitants. The design should respect the City's creek setback ordinance. • Mitigations that address traffic noise, through architecture, construction design, or setbacks especially along Orcutt Road. Setbacks should be sufficient enough to accommodate landscaped earthen berms to avoid the use of soundwalls. • Mitigation measures for traffic impacts from the development. Imaginative ideas and solutions should be considered; such as limiting the number of cars per unit, convenient transit stops within the development, free tran701-ATTORNEY r,sp= CDD DIR private shuttle services. L FIN DIR ❑ FIRE CHIEF C PW DIR p POLICE CHF a REC DIR p' TQtbyN ;.El UTIL DIR R'AiN 00 On ❑ HR DIR Jun 2e 02 02: 06p CYDMEY HOLCOMB 805-594-0365 p. 2 June 28, 2002 Page 2 Re: Orcutt/Broad Re-Zoning • A safer pedestrian and bicycle crossing on Orcutt Road. An above-grade bridge way, such as the Jennifer Street bridge, should be considered. • Designing the project to "connect' with existing and planned residential developments in the area to avoid the creation of an "island" of residential within a "sea" of commercial. Perhaps the vacant land to the north of Villa Rosa could be re- zoned as residential to provide a strong back bone for a "new" residential neighborhood In this section of the City. • The use of energy efficient features mandated by the energy element such as solar water heating and others which are in excess of the requirements of Title 24. The use of a renewable energy source such as "photo voltaic" would not only conserve energy resources, but would qualify as one of the required findings for a PD overlay zone. A RQN Board representative will be present at the Council Meeting if you should have any questions or comments regarding our proposals. We look forward to participating in this project as it moves forward to providing much needed affordable housing in the City. Sincerely, IF Cydney Holcomb Chairperson, RQN c: Community Development Department - Fax: 781-7173 RED FILE MEETING AGENDA July 2, 2002 DATE. ITEM # City Council Members City Hall 990 Palm Street SLO, Cal. 93401 Dear Mayor, and Council Members, Regarding: Council Agenda Item #4 Initiate amendment for Rezoning property near Orcutt Rd and Broad St The need for housing developments is not the issue of this letter. The issue is that 2 years ago there was alot of support to get moving with the process to put in an overpass or some kind of grade separation at the RR track crossing on Orcutt Rd. Two years, primarily because Public Works objected to the idea, the city lost some SLOCOG funding for that overpass. Today, there is another need for that grade separation - housing development potential for 320 units from rezoning.. Two years ago there was alot of City time, energy, and money put into trying to. put Prado Rd through. to Johnson Ave. That road would not have helped traffic in the immediate area because it was designed to be a faster moving thoroughfare with no interesections or off street parking allowed. Orcutt Rd from Broad St to Johnson Ave should have been the top priority. That segment of Orcutt Rd should be fixed as soon as possible. We need the development so let's improve the road. The city needs to improve Orcutt Rd, the RR grade separation and the Bullock Lane/Laurel Lane intersection as soon as possible. Everyone in the city will benefit from these improvements not just development. Traffic impacts from future housing developments will add to the problem, but the problem of traffic impacts in the Orcutt Rd area right now is very serious. It is an existing city traffic problem that needs to be addressed. We need to work to prevent further accidents and loss of life. .Sincerely, C OUNCIL C CDC: Dln r F� FIN DI- O G FIR1 CHIEr �C ORNEY C PW D:R K/ORIG C' POLICE C H' HEADS ❑ FEC DIR G DTII (p, �_ I-;R Uln RECEIVED JUL 0 2 2002 SLO CITY CLERK