PC 08.a - Supplemental Memo
MEMORANDUM
TO: PLANNING COMMISSION
FROM: TERESA McCLISH, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
BY: MATTHEW DOWNING, ASSOCIATE PLANNER
SUBJECT: SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
AGENDA ITEM 8.a. – DECENBER 1, 2015 PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETING
CONSIDERATION OF LOT MERGER 15-004, CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
15-007, AND MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION
DATE: DECEMBER 1, 2015
Attached is correspondence received after agenda preparation regarding the subject project.
Copies of these letters will be available for the Planning Commission at the meeting.
Attachment:
1. Additional correspondence
Teresa McClish
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Jeremy Davenport
Friday, November 27, 2015 2:20 PM
nick@nktcommercial.com; Teresa McClish
Village Inn
Just wanted to voice my support for the proposed Village Inn. Looks like a great addition to the Village!
Jeremy Davenport
Eclair Bakery
Matt Downing
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Subject:
11127/15
Dear Mr. Downing,
Mary Eister
Friday, November 27, 2015 8:32 PM
Matt Downing
Hotel in Village
I am very concerned about the proposed hotel at 325 E. Branch St. I attempted to access the initial environmental review on line, but it was
unreadable. These are my two primary concerns:
1. Water: At a time when wc are asked to significantly reduce our water usage, it doesn't seem reasonable to build a 50 room hotel. At our
home we are collecting shower water to flush toilets and kitchen and clothes washing water to irrigate the garden. This involves carrying
buckets of water several times a day. Hotel guests are notorious for water and utility waste. To build a hotel at this time is inconsistent with
the city policy.
1. Traffic: Branch St. is already highly congested with traffic from the canyons and Judkins Middle School. There is no alternative route for
going through the village. The additional traffic would add to our existing congestion, frustrating residents and tourists alike.
One of the channs of the Village is our small town atmosphere. I feel that the addition of a 27 ,000 plus square foot hotel would be destructive to the
image we want to reflect.
Please recommend denial of this project.
Sincerely,
Mary and Garry Eister
815 Willow Lane
Arroyo Grande
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Glenn Martin
Planning Commission
Community Development Dept.
300 E. Branch St.
Arroyo Grande, CA 93430
re: Proposal for a 51 room boutique hotel on
Michael C. Bondello
207 McKinley St.
Arroyo Grande, 93420
28Nov
Branch
I am completely opposed to the building ofthe proposed hotel complex on
Branch Street My main reason for this opposition is that we do not have the water
available to build and operate such an enterprise.
Since 26 May 2015 we have been on emergency water restrictions due to the
prolonged drought. Every resident is required to limit water consumption to 80%
the corresponding month of the previous year. Most have been compliant with
this ruling and conserved over 25%. Others have been fined for exceeding this
amount. How is it fair to impose water cutbacks under penalty fines on residents
while approving an additional water consuming boutique hotel? Either we are in a
water conservation emergency or we are not. Clearly, water is always going to be a
critical problem in Arroyo Grande due to our limited water resources, drought or no
drought. It would be the greatest foHy to allow type of development, whose
initial and on going water use will excessively draw from our limited resources.
Please honor the daily made by your fellow citizens and reject this project.
It is not fair to your compliant citizens and is an environmentally unsound
proposal.
Thank you for your attention.
Michael BondeHo
RECEIVED
NOV 3 0 2015
CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
November 30, 2015
City of Arroyo Grande
Planning Commission
RE: December 1 2015, Planning Commission Meeting
Consideration of Use Permit 15-007 Lot Merger 15-004
New 51 Room Boutique Hotel at 325 East Branch Street
Village of Arroyo Grande
Please deny the application to merge six (6) existing lots into one (1) lot (Lot Merger 15-
004) and conditional use permit for the construction of a 51-room hotel on 325 East
Branch Street.
If the merger and project are not denied, please require a full EIR before taking action to
approve the requested lot merger and project. A Mitigated Negative Declaration is
inadequate for the lot size and commercial activity. Moreover, it would be located adjacent
to a residential neighborhood and riparian habitat.
A large commercial lot and hotel does not fit with the existing size and character of local
businesses and buildings in the Village.
A six-lot commercial space does not fit with the residential nature of the east Village. It will
be in too close proximity to an elementary school and will abut many private homes. It may
also reduce property values for those homes.
A hotel does not serve the needs of Arroyo Grande residents. It will only serve visitor
interests. A business that will meet the needs of local residents is more in keeping with the
hometown feel of the Village and a working, living town.
There is no guarantee a new 6-lot commercial site will remain a "boutique" hotel. A short-
term decision today to approve such a large commercial site will have repercussions for
decades. Our city has been fortunate to be represented by people who were farsighted and
considered the long-term interests of the city and its residents over short-term interests
and financial gain. (And it's one reason we still have a "downtown" instead of a mall like
our neighbor to the South.)
Please put the long-term interests of Arroyo Grande residents first-and say no to a 6-lot
commercial site and hotel in our Village or, at the very least, require a full EIR.
Thank you,
Cindy Hansen
Arroyo Grande
Debbie Weichinger
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Joanne Austin
Monday, November 30, 2015 11 :26 AM
Debbie Weichinger
Planning commission
Dear Planning Commission Members,
I am opposed to the "Boutique Hotel'' now being considered. Although a market would have
caused more traffic in the village and surrounding areas, so will the hotel. A market would
serve many Arroyo Grande residents, the hotel would benefit only a few, especially the
investors and owners. I am disappointed that a hotel is even being considered and hope you
will reject it and suggest to the builder he find a way to build a market as he originally
planned.
Thank you,
Joanne Austin
Matt Downing
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Sent:
To:
Subject:
To Whom It May Concern:
Kelly Royer
Monday, November 30, 2015 11 :48 PM
Teresa McClish; Matt Downing; Jim Hill
Proposed Hotel Development in the Village of Arroyo Grande
We are writing to express our concern regarding the proposed development of a "boutique hotel" in the Village of Arroyo Grande. As
residents of the City of Arroyo Grande for the past 26 years, we have appreciated and supported small business owners in the Village and
local community events. We strongly oppose the concept of hotel development in the Village proper for the following reasons and urge you
to reconsider not moving forward with approval of this project.
1. The proximity of a local J w1ior High School where many students and parents utilize the village walkways and streets will be adversely
impacted from both traffic and practical safety considerations. Bringing hotel business and the transient nature of it's occupancy would add to
traffic congestion through the village as well as host persons whom have no vested interest in the protection of our community property or the
safety of our local students and residents. Your preliminary reports do not adequately address the negative impact of such building on the
walk ability of the village or offer a viable solution to mitigate traffic congestion through the village.
2. The current State of California water shortage and rationing plan that you are holding city of Arroyo Grande residents to compliance
appears to only benefit the city in reallocating water resources to building and development projects.
3. The project facade and building plans, parking, etc. look visually like a scale model of Motel 6.
In addition to all of the above concerns, we feel that for a project of this scale being built in the Village of Arroyo Grande, it is significant
enough that a special ballot should be created, a vote to allow such should be put forth to the tax-paying, business supporting residents of
Arroyo Grande. For you, the planning and development staff and commission, inclusive, work for us, the citizens of Arroyo Grande. If such
a project is approved by majority vote of the residents, thereafter, it would then be your responsibility to see that this project is built
according to the city regulations and codes.
On a final note, we understand the need for the Village of Arroyo Grande to remain economically viable and balanced. We appreciate the
efforts to create revenue stream for the City of Arroyo Grande and it's future operations. It's equally important for those of you in such
decision-making capacity to respect the voice of our residents. Too many projects get pushed through covertly for the sake ofrevenue or
special interest. Our Village has a history and a heritage and should not be sold out to the lure of tourists and profit margins.
If you care to take the time to research a well planned community and city that is thriving by creating opportunities for small niche business,
look at the Downtown Franklin Tennessee, also kuown as "America's Favorite Main Street". The Village of Arroyo Grande could do well to
follow such a model, instead of inviting more mortgage companies, bars, hotels, and overpriced empty commercial rental properties into our
Village. Hotels and such are not consistent with the community and family atmosphere that we have so appreciated.
We ask that this letter be shared at your planning meeting December 1 and that our mayor, city council, planning staff and commissioners
promptly respond to our concerns and recommendations.
Sincerely,
Dennis & Kelly Royer
441 Stagecoach Road
Arroyo Grande, CA
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