HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-21-2016 Public Comment, Benson
From:
Sent: Monday, June 20, 2016 5:02 PM
To: Marx, Jan
Cc: Carpenter, Dan; Ashbaugh, John; Christianson, Carlyn; Rivoire, Dan
Subject: Luneta drive plan
Dear Mayor and City Council members
I will be attending and speaking at the City Council meeting tomorrow, June 21.
I have resided at 593 Luneta Dr. in SLO for the last 21 years. My driveway is the closest one to the posts in the street,
and I have to be careful backing out of my driveway because of that.
Long before I bought my house the 3 posts were already there. They were placed there so that the members of the
fraternity house at 71 Palomar couldn't continue to race in their cars up and down Luneta, threatening the safety of
children and adults living on that street.
As a result the entire local neighborhood, including residents on Luneta, Palomar, Serrano, Tassajara, La Estrada and
even Ramona, over the years developed into a safe area for walking, bicycling, exercising dogs, etc. The narrow strip of
asphalt between the posts and Palomar was no longer used by cars, and actually was never really intended for that
use.There are historic trees on the fraternity side of the strip, and there are owls, hawks and turkey vultures who have
long made their home in those trees.
There is a current developer who proposes to build numerous rental units around the prior fraternity house, which has
been used by the banned fraternity as a rental property for students not affiliated with the fraternity for quite a few
years. While the proposed developer has no interest in expanding the strip next to the posts, apparently the City intends
to follow a long -ago recommendation that the posts be removed, and narrow the strip made into a two lane road. In
order to do this the City's plan is to cut down the historic trees and displace the birds. If this whole project is carried out
it will permanently destroy the peaceful, safe environment that the whole neighborhood has always treasured.
Large numbers of our residents have signed petitions opposed to this action, including both resident home owners and
students. None of us wants to lose the neighborhood we have always had. If Luneta is changed in the way proposed
traffic will increase by up to 500%. Traffic will inevitably re-route from Ramona to Luneta as a short cut to downtown
SLO. In addition property values on Luneta will significantly be decreased. There is presently only one way for residents
of Serrano to get to Broad, by driving down that street to the intersection of Serrano at Broad. Heavier traffic from
Palomar to Serrano will significantly cause a traffic back up on Serrano. The intersection of Serrano and Broad is already
somewhat dangerous for traffic.
Until now there has been no input on this proposed change from residents of our neighborhood, while the opening of
Luneta is proposed to go forward by the city without considering our opinions
We strongly advocate that keeping Luneta closed to through traffic be placed as an item on the City Council agenda, in
order to re-evaluate the entire matter with input from the local residents.
Thank you very much.
Sincerely yours,
Edward Benson, M. D.