Tall buildings in SLO would obstruct surrounding green foothills

There goes our view of the lovely green foothills and rocky peaks surrounding our San Luis Obispo town center (“SLO council open to idea of 75-foot-tall project downtown,” Feb. 18). To be impeded by a 75-foot high-rise on the former Monterey-Santa Rosa Shell Station site. I know many of us are so used to the marvelous views seen from downtown that we forget to stop and admire them.

When we find the views of our open space obstructed by numerous multistoried buildings of tall gritty walls and expanses of cold glass being planned for downtown, then we will notice — and grieve — the loss of our views of the surrounding green foothills. If we allow the many massive developments proposed for SLO to proceed without proper planning and reverence for the environment, soon it will feel like any other small town across America, not the special place that Oprah Winfrey raved about.

Rack your conscious. What do you value — nurturing nature or overflowing coffers? We are at a critical moment. Soon there will be no turning back. Take action now or live with it.

This story was originally published March 1, 2016 at 7:09 PM with the headline "Tall buildings in SLO would obstruct surrounding green foothills."