HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/01/2019 cc - Nelson-Selby (1911 Johnson, ARCH-0161-2019)
Wilbanks, Megan
From:Carol Selby <
To:Advisory Bodies
Subject:Planning Commission & ARC re ARCH-0161-2019, Loss of solar
energy; mitigation
Carol Nelson-Selby
1201 Leff Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
805-593-0187; 440-5868 (text)
November 1, 2019
To: Members of the Planning Commission, City Counsel and Architectural Review Commission
Re: ARCH-0161-2019, USE-0500-2019, VAR-0499-2019 1911 Johnson Street.
Several years ago, for environmental reasons my husband and I invested in solar panels which
have satisfactorily provided almost all our electricity. Now, it appears that we may lose half of
that energy because of the proposed new French Hospital employee parking structure. More
than just a personal loss to us, blocking solar access to homes is a community loss because people
will be less willing to invest in and use solar energy if someone can take it away. In addition, that
much shading would necessitate additional winter heating of the houses along our block,
increasing our “carbon footprint”. Somehow, leaving residents with no protection for their solar
exposure does not seem consistent with the City Council’s stated commitment to clean energy.
While protecting light-shed may be a new concern for this City government, it deserves serious
consideration and it demands every effort to mitigate any plan that would harm the value of
homes and the quality of people’s lives. In this case, the significantly lower elevation of our
houses to the west of the proposed structure exacerbates the effect of its height. The architect
either ignored, was unaware of, or chose not to recognize this in the materials presented for your
review.
There are always possible mitigations to make plans work better, but owners don’t pay architects
to think about mitigation until City governments and community organizations make them
address it. We are begging you to do exactly that. This light-obstruction can be mitigated. The
footings for the Hotel SLO required digging 45 feet below grade level, I am told. Given the less
stable environment on the bluff where this proposed 4-story parking structure is sited, it would
require digging at least that deep. If it is possible to safely dig deep enough for footings, why not
just go a bit deeper and move several stories of the building underground to achieve a two-story
profile which would eliminate most of the issues and also provide a more pleasant view of the
City for those looking westward from the hospital itself?
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Please require the architects and the owner to use their resources in this case, design with the
neighborhoods in mind and reveal their findings. We depend upon you and trust you to be the
guardians of the interests of all. Without transparency, we are at a serious disadvantage to the
professionals; but we do matter, because this is our home.
Sincerely,
Carol Nelson-Selby
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
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