CC 2020-11-10_11a Supplemental No 1
MEMORANDUM
TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: WHITNEY MCDONALD, CITY MANAGER
JESSICA MATSON, DEPUTY CITY CLERK
SUBJECT: SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
AGENDA ITEM 11.a – NOVEMBER 10, 2020 CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CONSIDERATION OF PRE-APPLICATION NO. 20-004;
CONSTRUCTION OF A PROPOSED MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT
CONSISTING OF 66 AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS AND 1,000
SQUARE FEET OF COMMERCIAL SPACE; LOCATION – 700 OAK
PARK BLVD.; APPLICANT – HOUSING AUTHORITY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO (HASLO); REPRESENTATIVE – MICHAEL BURKE
DATE: NOVEMBER 9, 2020
Attached is correspondence received today for the above referenced item.
cc: City Manager
City Attorney
City Clerk
City Website (or public review binder)
From:Benjamin Oakley
To:public comment
Subject:HASLO Pre-Application - 700 Oak Park - Agenda Item 11.a
Date:Monday, November 09, 2020 4:22:19 PM
Arroyo Grande City Council,
Thanks for the opportunity to review the pre-application for the proposed development of the
property at 700 Oak Park. The applicant HASLO enjoys a good reputation and is known for nice
projects. When I first learned of the proposal, I visited a recent development by HASLO and it looked
great. The fact that the applicant is willing to bring in a pre-application for community review speaks
highly of their organization and bodes well for the ultimate success of the project.
The project envisions 66 units on a 2.16 acre parcel, utilizing a density bonus and reduced parking
requirements allowable under AB 1763. Even though the proposal may be allowed by law, it
nevertheless puts a significant portion of the City’s affordable housing inventory in a single location.
That’s a whole lot of new neighbors that will be heading off to work and getting the kids to school
every morning. As noted in the staff memorandum on this item, the only noteworthy disadvantage
of the proposal is the potential impacts to the existing single-family residential neighborhood if the
“appropriate mitigation is not incorporated and implemented.”
I urge you to consider the impacts to the existing neighborhood as you evaluate the proposal and
incorporate the appropriate mitigation as indicated by the staff report with regards to parking,
access, preservation of the existing oak trees on the hillside lot, and walkable access to recreational
opportunities for neighborhood kids. I urge you to stop by the site in person so that you can get a
better feel for the topography and terrain challenges the property will present. Please help make
this project an asset to the neighborhood as well as the entire community of Arroyo Grande.
I look forward to welcoming the newest residents of this great neighborhood and City.
Sincerely,
Ben Oakley
Arroyo Grande
From:Sam Oakley
To:public comment
Subject:November 10 Agenda Item 11.a. Consideration of Pre-Application No. 20-004
Date:Monday, November 09, 2020 11:54:19 AM
Good evening Council and thank you for your time,
I am writing regarding the November 10 Agenda Item 11.a. Consideration of Pre-Application
No. 20-004--the large low-income development planned for the vacant lot on the corner of
Oak Park and El Camino Real (700 Oak Park). I am one of several neighbors directly adjacent
to the existing vacant lot.
HASLO has performed great projects in our community and I am in support of the proposed project but it is crucial
that careful and deliberate neighborhood outreach be implemented to help incorporate the project into the existing
neighborhood. This is a 50 year-old neighborhood with a well-established oak woodland-aesthetic and active
community engagement.
According to the NYU Furman Center--a research center that is based on housing,
neighborhoods, and urban policy--addressing neighborhood concerns will increase likelihood
of project completion and success while also improving the surrounding neighborhood. As
noted in the staff report,"the neighborhood may be impacted by the proposal if appropriate
mitigation is not incorporated and implemented." It will be crucial to identify and address
these potential impacts. As a an adjacent neighbor, my concerns include, but are limited to:
- increased police presence as a result of a substantial neighborhood population and population
density increase.
- increased lighting along chilton street for improved public safety.
- restricting the project to noncommercial-use only to designate this as a housing-only project.
- addressing increased traffic flow in and around the neighborhood on a narrow neighborhood
street (Chilton) that can barely accommodate a single flow of traffic.
- The far end of Chilton at Robles is not wide enough for emergency vehicles with the existing
parking.
- addressing increased traffic density in and around the arterial corridor of Oak Park.
Currently the interface between neighborhood streets and the Oak Park corridor ( Oak Park-El
Camino/Chilton/Sierra intersections) is dangerous and has resulted in frequent traffic
accidents.
- parking is already a concern in the neighborhood due to the condition and size of the streets
and degraded curbs; additional cars would negatively impact the existing lack of street
parking.
- two parking lots are shown to be accessed from Chilton. Restricting parking access to El
Camino Real/Oak Park only.
- 56/66 units would require the height of the building to block existing views on existing
adjacent properties. Housing height should be limited to the character of the neighborhood at
2 stories max and/or include adequate screening from Chilton residences.
- 56/66 units would possibly require the demolition of protected oaks that define the character
and aesthetic of the neighborhood. Protection of the oaks on-site should be of high priority
and will help to scale and screen the new development with and from existing properties.
- creating a park or parklet on the property that is designated for use by the neighborhood.
While reviewing Agenda Item 11.a, I respectfully ask you to please consider these items, as
well as for reducing the scale of the proposed development, and requiring HASLO to outreach
with the neighborhood to develop a cooperative design. Please let me know if there is
anything I can do to help. Thank you for your consideration.
Respectfully,
Sam Oakley