HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-13-2017 Item PH2 (Czech)
Purrington, Teresa
From:Genevieve Czech <agczech@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, November
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Mixed use project proposal @ Nipomo between Marsh and Higuers
Honorable Lady Mayoress and Members of the Council:
The proposal to build a mixed use project at Nipomo between Marsh and Higuera has its merits. However, while the
architect's drawing of the plan submitted looks fine enough, it is sadly obvious that the view of the hillside behind is
obscured. This is a permanent loss, putting commercial and residential construction above the value of the natural view.
It seems perfectly reasonable to ask the developer and designer to modify their proposal to a lower height to preserve
the view. The fourth floor proposed setback would not achieve that.
In truth, I am skeptical of the vague language surrounding the project. Attorney Belsher is quoted as saying that he is not
certain of the rental or purchase values to be designated for the units/studios/apartments. He describes them as
suitable for seniors and workers. What does "workers" mean? Furthermore, he has morphed his project to currently
include a small hotel while emphasizing the project's suitability for seniors and workers. It has echoes of another project
and another developer who was approved for 22 Chorro.
It was "mixed-use", "affordable", bicycle friendly. It completely obscures the view of the hillside behind Cal Poly, and
touts itself as "unrivaled luxuriously furnished apartments for students".
Are we going to encourage another developer to misrepresent his project in order to receive unthinking approval and
exempt from longstanding guidelines? Is the Council so eager to convince Sacramento that SLO is indeed building
workforce housing, when the reality is other?
Please use detached judgment and work for the common good of the community, which begins with preserving some of
the character of the happy town nestled in, and with a view of its lovely hills, remnants of the volcanoes which encircled
our valley. The natural geography of SLO must not be stifled by man made concrete in the name of moving forward with
the times. Our long term goals, vision and regulations must not be sacrificed. They are not obsolete, but rather rooted in
prudent awareness of harmony between man and nature.
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