July 8,2014
New Hotel Planned For LOVR & Hwy 101
A new extended-stay 116 unit hotel is in the works on Calle Joaquin,just off the Hwy 101/ LOVR interchange. The project was the subject of a city Architectural Review meeting his month, the first step in getting construction approval. The fifty foot, 56,975 sf hotel would be located north of the interchange and would need approval of a rezone for tourist-related commercial uses. The same interchange already sports several hotels including Motel-6 down the block, and the newer multi-story Hampton Inn on the south side of LOVR. Rezoning the property could open the door for more hotels along this stretch of open land. Good thing they are widening the interchange starting this fall.
Los Osos Dog Park Gains Support
Plans to open a new dog park in Los Osos at Pine and LOVR got a boost earlier this month as the LOSCD heard from about 30 residents who support the project. The group is seeking CSD approval of plan by a Fresno developer to transfer water and sewer credits for the 5.5 acre parcel elsewhere in town. The developer says building on the site would be too expensive requiring some $2.2 million in infrastructure costs before they can build. Instead, they want to donate the land to the community if the CSD allows them to build elsewhere in town. Supporter Daryl Roe says their group snowed up with their pooches to lobby for the project in front of the CSD board although the matter was not on the agenda. He hopes to hear about the CSD’s views at their next meeting August 7. “Our idea is that we could use about half the property for a dog park and allow the use of the rest for a new larger community library.” The developer has offered to clear the abandoned buildings on the acreage as part of the deal. New uses would require far less water use than the old ones expects Roe.
Lake Nacimiento Intertie Could Provide Drinking Water For Mens’ Colony/Others
The County wants to build a1.6 mile pipeline intertie with the Nacimiento pipeline that connects to SLO to provide an emergency water supply for users in the Chorro Valley that would include the Mens Colony as well as Camp San Luis and Cuesta College. A 30 day comment period on the preliminary plan is open now until July 28.
SLO-Morro Bay Trail
SLOCOG is preparing a feasibility study and implementation plan for a multipurpose trail in the Chorro Valley. This trail would connect the cities of San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay, in the vicinity of Highway 1, with connections to Cal Poly and Cuesta College. Funded with a Federal Scenic Byway Grant and SLOCOG and San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay, and the County, the current exercise will decide where the trail might go, initial design of the trail, and segments that have potential to be built in the near future.
Residents Urge Dredging Of Laguna Lake
Residents near Laguna Lake in SLO are urging the City Council to consider dredging the lake to improve its long term viability at their next meeting July 15. The man-made lake is in danger of becoming marsh with reduce water quality and now with half it normal lake level they say.One writer says fish have only a few inches to survive currently. The main cost is disposing of the material says former council member David Romero.He urges pumping that material to the nature preserve northwest of the lake to serve as soil amendment. The project has been delayed for years due to budget concerns.
Los Osos Makes List Of State’s Most Affordable Beach Town
A recent Realty Trac report puts Los Osos on the list for Top 10 Beach Towns based on housing affordability. With the rest of the top ten in Florida and Hawaii,Los Osos was the only California town to make the ranking. Nationwide, Los Osos was number 6 based on a median home value of $418,403, an average temp of 60F, 78% sunny days and 100% days of good air quality. The town also ranked high with a crime rate of grade A.The top 20 markets all had median home values below $1 million. Other California beach towns among the top 20 were Morro Bay at No. 11 along with the Southern California towns of Dana Point at No. 16, Seal Beach at No. 17, and San Clemente at No. 19.
Morro Bay Council OKs Coast Guard Plan
This week the Morro Bay City Council approved a plan to allow the US Coast Guard to move forward on formal planning for an additional location for the guard along the Embarcadero. The council approved language approving the USCG to plan to build to the south of their current site – either in the 138-139 leased site requiring relocation of the bathroom there or the city Harbor Department building if that can be worked out. Leasing the 138-139 Embarcadero spaces would allow construction of a two story, 2800sf building bringing the USCG space total to 6800 sf. The agency has indicated the long term they would like double that space in the area.
County Building Activity Up
SLO County building activity is up. For fiscal year 13/14 – through May – single family permit values are up 40%,new commercial is up 31% and total applications by number are up 42%. So far this year 327 single family homes have been permitted in the county compared to 242 for the same period in 2012/13.
County Building & Planning Opening North County Center
Obtaining a building permit in fast growing North County will be easier when a new county service center opens in Atascadero July 14. The center will be located at 6555 Capistrano Ave and be open Monday,Wednesday and Friday. The Planning and Building departments will share space with the Clerk/Recorder and Assessor.
Morro Bay Oyster Farm Plans Expansion
With news that the US Supreme court has denied a hearing to Pt Reyes oyster farm – Drakes Bay Oyster Co., the likelihood of reduced California oyster supply is closer to a reality. Not that Morro Bay oyster farmer Neil Maloney wishes their competitor any harm, Maloney says even with the current handfull of farms along the Pacific Coast “we cant keep up with demand.” Maloney says his company who farms in Morro Bay estuary on some 100 acres, is applying for permits that could allow it to increase production by 50%. He hopes to be ready in winter 2016 to take advantage of the increasing popularity of this nutritious farm-to-table food. To harvest more oysters the farm would set up a purification process called depuration.Maloney ought to know since he is trained as a marine biologist.