HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-17-2017 Item 12, Ayral—rz
COUNCIL MEETINC R��.I
ITEM NO.: Z.
JAN 17 Zp»
From: "Odile Ayral"
Date: Sun, Jan 15, 2017 at 3:27 PM -0800
Subject: Item #12
To: "E-mail Council Website" <emailcouncid(@,sloc�
Dear Mayor Harmon and Council Members,
Dana Street is one of the most interesting streets in the city. It is a true slice of life, and what downtown residential streets ought to
be. Restored houses along the creek stand side by side with condos, apartments, community buildings, a historical Dana house, and
even a historical adobe. None of these buildings are any higher than two stories, except for an apartment complex so well done that
nobody realizes it has three stories as it sits further away from the street, includes step -backs and a design that duplicates the main
characteristics of its surroundings.
The project on 560 Higuera, as it is presented to you, will be terribly detrimental to this street. Completely focused on Higuera, and
turned toward "modernity", it ignores the neighbors who have been on Dana Street for decades, and disregards the riches that a creek
can bring to a city. Please, look again at Dana Street and its creek.
The former Council heard the San Luis Drive neighborhood in their opposition to the Monterrey Hotel when they enforced a special
overlay to protect San Luis Drive, modified the design with step -backs, and shielded the neighbors from the noise and the lights of
cars in the parking lot. Please, use the same criteria for Dana Street and give its residents the same consideration. I therefore request
that:
1. the height of this building be reduced from 4 to 3 floors to make it more in line with the neighborhood.
2. step -backs be used on the Dana Street face of the building.
3. the parking lot be completely enclosed to shield the neighbors from car noise and, especially, from lights that would glare directly
into their homes. Plants cannot do this, unless they are a true jungle.
4. the appearance of the building be improved so that it does not look like a box, but instead, reflects its surroundings.
5. the creek is enhanced and more accessible than it is today, not less.
Thank your for your consideration.
Odile Ayral