November 19th,2024
Re:11/19/24 Council Meeting,Public Oral and Item 13:Pre-Development Conference 24-0002,a Proposal for Specific Plan Amendment to Reduce Commercial Space Obligation for a Proposed 47-Townhomes Mixed Use Development within the Town Center Land Use District of the Poway Road Specific Plan,APNs 317-101 -04 and 317- 101-05
Dear Mayor Vaus,Poway City Council Members,City Manager,Chris Hazeltine and Director of Development Services,Julie Procopio,
I am concerned about the over development of highrise apartments and condos on Poway Road.The original Town Center plans were supposed to support a wide variety of uses for local residents,both commercial and residential.So far,there has been nothing built but huge apartments and condos which are too close to the busy road.These new plans look more like the huge Mira Mesa View Apartments seen along the 15 freeway in Mira Mesa.Residents want shops and dining restaurants that were promised,not MIra Mesa Condos.
Please take into consideration what was proposed to residents and fulfill that promise.
Sincerely,
Lori Grennan
Images of MIra Mesa View Apartments in MIra Mesa
November 18th, 2024
Re: 11/19/24 Council Meeting, Public Oral and Item 13: Pre-Development Conference 24-0002, a Proposal for Specific Plan Amendment to Reduce Commercial Space Obligation for a Proposed 47-Townhomes Mixed Use Development within the Town Center Land Use District of the Poway Road Specific Plan, APNs 317-101 -04 and 317- 101-05
Dear Mayor Vaus and Poway City Council Members, City Manager Chris Hazeltine and Director of Development Services Julie Procopio.
Poway Voices has several concerns about the proposed specific plan amendment (SPA) that impact the development of two adjacent parcels of property on Poway Road (APNs 317-101 -04 and 317-101-05 noted above). If approved this SPA would make significant changes to the Poway Road Specific Plan adopted on December 5th, 2017.
The two parcels identified above, reside in the Town Center (TC) and the Land Use Designations for this location are “To create a distinct Town Center in Poway that supports a mix of land uses, with unique shopping, dining, and entertainment uses and vibrant street activity well integrated with housing, civic buildings, cultural uses, and parks and other public spaces”.
More specifically. “The Town Center is distinguished by a distinct and exciting “Main Street” character, with pedestrian-oriented buildings. The goal is to have a mix of uses that draw people during the day, evenings, and on weekends. Physical Form: The physical form consists of two- to three-story vertical and/or horizontal mixed-use building types that accommodate active storefronts, boutiques, restaurants, cafes, small offices, civic uses, and residential uses. Wide sidewalks, consistent street tree planting, public plazas, and well-designed buildings will support the pedestrian character of the Town Center”.
TC objectives include, “Promote a unique sense of place, where the Town Center is the “heart” of Poway, with comfortable sidewalks, transparent and active storefronts, outdoor dining, and civic uses” and under characteristics, “Ground-floor retail/commercial with residential or office above to promote activity and interaction with the street through active frontages”.
Images taken from PRSP as Town Center Examples
Proposed with SPA
Poway Voices are concerned that approval of this SPA will be a retrograde step and clearly not what was is envisaged in the PRSP. Indeed, we strongly object to the city acquiescing to the demands of developers when many Poway residents spent time and effort to generate the PRSP over several years.
Poway Voices requests:
• Adhere to the land use regulations described in the PRSP for the “Town Center” land use district within which these two parcels reside.
• Confirm that this development will include the affordable housing that is outlined within the City of Poway Housing Element 2020-2029 ( pages 4-8 and 4-9).
• While we recognize that developers, due to combining lots within the Town Center designation, are entitled certain height and density bonuses this comes at the cost of increased traffic and a greater demand for parking. Consequently, we request that you consider the negative impacts of these bonuses before allowing additional building height.
Thank you for your attention and we look forward to a favorable response.
Sincerely,
Nick Carruthers, Chris Cruse, Alison Park, Jana Johnson, Torrey Powers, and Eric Weller
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