HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-19-2016 ARC-CHC Correspondence - Item 1 (Murray)September 16, 2016
Cultural Heritage Committee members
Architectural Review Commission members
SUBJECT: ARCH-3336-2016
Bishop Street Studios Review
Honorable Committee members and Commissioners:
I am writing in support of the Bishop Street studios project you will be considering on Monday
September 19, 2016. While design recommendations may result from the review process, the
project deserves your support for many reasons.
The Land Use Element anticipates and supports this type of development at this location. The
adjoining neighborhoods are separated from the site and the transition will be buffered. The
new development will occur on elevations lower than development in the neighborhood to the
north of the site, and the footprint of the individual buildings is similar to those of the single
family houses that occur in the neighborhood to the north.
The affordability levels of the units in the residential care facility meet critical objectives
articulated in the Housing Element for affordability as well as objectives for provision of different
types of housing. These housing units will be accompanied by supportive services for the
residents. Existing housing developed by Transitions-Mental Health has shown great success
in seamlessly integrating into existing neighborhoods and the current proposal has great
promise to continue this performance.
Rehabilitation of the Sunny Acres building is a daunting task. The building has remained vacant
for years; has served as a magnet for graffiti and for questionable unauthorized use; and has
deteriorated to the point where safety is a concern. The cost to retrofit the building to meet
building code is almost prohibitive. Saving this historic structure and finding updated uses for it
meets the Secretary of the Interior’s guidelines and retains this building as part of the City’s built
environment and history.
Finally, the additional buildings on the site provide low profile development without
compromising the historic character of the Sunny Acres building. The architecture draws from
key rhythms and materials from the existing structure but separates and differentiates new
development from old.
Please support this important project. Thank you.
Kim Murry
Meeting: ARC/CHC 09-19-2016
Item: 1