HomeMy WebLinkAbout6/28/2018 Item 1, Smith
From:carolyn smith <
To:Advisory Bodies
Subject:Planning Commission Meeting - June 28, 2018 - Item 1 - San Luis Ranch
Chair Fowler, Vice Chair Stevenson, and Commissioners,
I am a 38 year resident of the Laguna Lake area and have been following this project for years. I
have been to nearly every meeting with regard to this project, including several Airport Land Use
Commission Meetings. At every meeting, it was expressed that the Prado Road Overpass was
absolutely necessary to mitigate the tremendous traffic congestion that this project was projected to
produce. At each meeting, there has been a discussion about when that overpass might be built and
there has always been uncertainty as to when. No one ever guaranteed a date or year certain when
the overpass would be built, since it depends on funding from various sources. Additionally, this
Commission discussed the need for the Prado Road Overpass with this project at length last year and
concluded that before Phase 2 could be built, the overpass would have to be funded and ready to
build. The Council also confirmed that condition, so the public was assured another phase couldn't
proceed without the overpass.
So when this applicant, who is a very experienced developer, now indicates that he is having difficulty
with financing because of the overpass uncertainty, it makes me question why he didn't know about
this problem when he came before the city for project approval last year? Certainly this is something
he would have thoroughly investigated before the final approval of the project. I would imagine every
project has some changes that are needed after approval, however, this change is significant and will
have much bigger impacts on traffic than the approved project. This has the appearance of
manipulation of this process in getting approval for a project, knowing that it can't be built as
approved, with the expectation of coming back, threatening the city that if they don't allow more
phases to be built, the project can't proceed. This is the proverbial nose in the tent scenario and if this
applicant is successful in doing this, others will follow suit. The planning process was lengthy and
thorough when this project was approved. To now come back and request this extreme significant
change, is not only unfair to the process, but dangerous for residents, existing and future.
While housing is a major city goal (and you have received numerous letters from those who want to
buy a home in SLO), shouldn't we make sure the current and new residents are able to traverse our
streets and roads safely, both by car and by bicycle? More housing shouldn't be built at any and all
costs. Residents' quality of life should be taken into consideration and approving a project that will
cause dangerous traffic congestion is certainly a quality of life issue in this small city. The mitigation
for the additional traffic congestion as a result of applicant's request is woefully insufficient, thus, the
Prado Road overpass is absolutely necessary to assure traffic safety.
Therefore, please deny this applicant's request and stick to the project plan that was approved last
year.
Thank you for your time and service.
Carolyn Smith, SLO City Resident
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