From: Tarren Collins
Sent: Monday, June 6, 2022 8:54 PM
To: City Council
Cc: Sheila Blake ; Ed Waage ; James Lewis
Subject: City Council Agenda Item #9L Public Safety Project/ Old Historic Schoolhouse
External Email
Dear Council Members,
I write to you in opposition to “Plan C”, a new configuration for the Public Safety Facility Project located at 1000 Bello Street. Plan C would result in the unnecessary, and complete, destruction of the old historic school house built in 1923, a charming building that was later repurposed as our historic city hall.
I urge you to pull this item from the Consent Agenda, vote to decline approval of Amendment #2, and direct your staff to analyze the newly submitted “Henry Myer’s Plan for the 1000 Bello Safety Facility June 3, 2022”. I’ve attached Henry Myer’s Plan to this email, though I believe most of you have already received it.
It is my understanding that Henry Myer’s Plan would preserve the old schoolhouse’s brick front, historic artwork, and the entry steps, in place, thereby preserving some of this important historical resource. Mr. Myers, who served as our former Pismo Beach Fire Chief, understands the details concerning response times inherent in this Public Safety Facility project. Mr. Myer’s Plan also incorporates the ramping necessary to satisfy the ADA requirements.
In the event that you vote in favor of “Plan C” (also known as the Newton Plan), the city will be required to prepare an EIR. “Under CEQA an EIR must be prepared when a public agency proposes to approve a project which ‘may have a significant effect on the environment.’ (Section 21100, subd. (a).) A project which ‘may cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an historical resource is a project that may have a significant effect on the environment.’ (CEQA Guidelines, § 15064.5, subd. (b).) Thus … a proposed demolition [which] may result in the loss or serious damage to a significant historical asset would trigger not only the determinations called for under the municipal code but an EIR as well.” Lincoln Place Tenants v. City of Los Angeles (2005) 130 Cal.App.4th 1491, 1507 n.19 (Emphasis added.)
During the EIR process, the city will have to propose feasible alternative projects which would not entirely demolish the historic brick school house.
A better plan now would be to save the brick façade, historic artwork, and entry steps of this charming landmark, and save money, by rejecting Plan C. Then direct staff to analyze how the Myer’s Plan could be used as the beginning point to create
a plan for a project that would protect, in place, as much of the charm and history of the 1923 brick schoolhouse as possible.
Also, consultation with the local Chumash representatives is imperative. I trust that city staff has already started the consultation process, but if not, a good understanding of the cultural resources which may be impacted on this site is important when determining design and construction plans.
The old school house, which became our historic city hall, has been a fixture in our community since 1923. We need you to respect, protect, and honor this rare and cherished historical old brick schoolhouse. It’s charm, and meaning, are important features in our community. We have lost too many of our important historical buildings over the years, and it seems lately that the pace of this destruction has accelerated. The California Environmental Quality Act recognizes historical resources as important, and worthy of protection.
Protect our quality of life here, while also protecting our public safety. We can have both. Vote no on Plan C.
Thank you,
Tarren Collins
Law Office of Tarren Collins
PO Box 3063
Shell Beach, CA 93448
(805)773-0233
https://collinscoastlaw.com
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