We'd Love Your Help: Please Consider Sending a Letter of Concern
Hi Neighbors!
Ambient is moving their proposal forward and so it’s time for us to send in letters of concern. The letters will be attached to the report provided to the San Marcos Planning Commission (more details below). We’d really love your help!
As a quick recap: You’ve likely noticed a flyer arrive on your doorstep over the past week that outlines our specific concerns…As you are aware, Ambient Communities is proposing a 28,000-square-foot apartment complex on the 0.5-acre median of land between SEMS and the dog park. Because they are proposing 3 ultra-affordable units; Ambient qualifies for density bonus exceptions that allows them to deviate from several standard building requirements. Due to state laws, San Marcos City has virtually no choice to approve this project unless the City Planning Commission concludes that the building will directly impact the safety of our community. At this juncture, there is no other way to stop the project other than to prove it is unsafe.
This is where you come in. We are hopeful that you will send in a short letter expressing concern with the proposed apartments on the median of San Elijo Road and to help you out, there is a simple template that you can use if you'd like to use that as a starting point. But you're encouraged to put your own twist on the letter... For instance, if you have photos or video of traffic accidents, fires, evacuation challenges, etc., you are encouraged to include those in your letter too! If you evacuated during the Cocos fire, we encourage you to share a sentence or two about your experience evacuating. If you have been dropped by insurance due to fire risk, please document that as well. Please consider writing a letter - even if just a few sentences!
Our primary ask in the letter is as follows:
- Deny the project on the grounds of specific adverse impact to public health and safety under the CA Housing Accountability Act (HAA)
- Require an independent, comprehensive Environmental Impact Report (EIR) that specifically addresses wildfire evacuation, traffic safety, fire apparatus access, and emergency resource capacity.
- Keep us informed of any updates or developments regarding this proposal
Where to send the letter:
- cgarcia@san-marcos.net
- dbudinger@ambient.email
- ConsiderSEHVoices@gmail.com
Thanks for helping out - it takes a village!
A few other ways to help:
*Text the petition to at least 3 neighbors
*Copy and paste the info from this email and post it on your neighborhood facebook page (if it’s not there already)
*If you have any data to share or ideas of info for us, please send along any/all ideas! (email to considerSEHVoices@gmail.com)
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lxGL1N7pp0DKaII5cFGH3waeu6KMzEksjRuuLGx3Hb8/edit?tab=t.0