HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-16-2017 Item 5 & 9, KatzCOUNCIL MEETING: 17 RECEIVED
ITEM NO.:____ MAY 15 2017
SLOGiTY CLERK
From: Todd Katz [
Sent: Sunday, May 14, 2017 4:12 PM
To: E-mail Council Website <ernailcouncil@siocity.arg>
Subject: comment on the May 16 Council agenda: Avila Ranch and Lateral Ordinance
Dear Honorable Mayor Harmon & Honorable Council Members:
Here are several brief comments related to items on the Council's May 16, 2016 agenda:
A. Item 5, Authorization to Enter into Development Agreement Discussion with Avila Ranch, LLC.
Comment: If I understand correctly, this is the area off Tank Farm Rd. adjacent to the SLO airport. I hope
any permit regarding construction of businesses or housing in this area will include long-term covenants
in which any current or future property accepts that there will be noise from aircraft and/or the airport,
including both manned, unmanned, public and private flights and the traffic necessary to get to and from
an airport. (As you no doubt are aware, complaints from neighbors regarding airports, flight paths and
airplane are commonplace in cities which have airports near the City center. Protests by such
neighborhoods often contribute to the loss of local, easily -accessed airports. In our case, successful noise -
abatement protests would likely mean losing our airport's commercial flights (at least) and requiring
county residents to go to Santa Maria to fly in or out of the area.)
B. Item 9, Establishment of Private Sewer Lateral Ordinace for Inflow and Infiltration Reduction.
Comment: I have read the discussion and proposed ordinance and — as one who has been
adversely affected by current Utility Department lateral policies — believe this represents an
important improvement. I do hope it is clearly noted that under this agreement any inspection
which finds any degree of "root intrusion" would require replacement of the lateral involved. This
is a much stricter requirement than many other cities in California and will be considered
burdensome by residents with working laterals. Secondly, I suggest that any lateral replacement
rebate should match the rebate amount as was used some 20 years ago in SLO adjusted for
inflation. I believe that would be more than the $1,000 figure mentioned in the Discussion.
Thank you for taking the time to consider these and other matters affecting our City.
Sincerely,
Todd Katz
(