HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-20-2013 ac katz ss1RECFD
AUG 19 209
Schroeder, Sheryll
L SCE
From: Marx, Jan
Sent: Sunday, August 18, 2013 7:14 AM
To: Todd Katz; Schroeder, Sheryll
Cc: Smith, Kathy; Christianson, Carlyn; Carpenter, Dan; Ashbaugh, John
Subject: RE: regarding proposed moratorium on new alcohol outlets in the downtown
Thank you for your message on this important issue. I am including our city clerk in this response, so that she can post
your email on our city website as Agenda Correspondence for the August 20, 2013 meeting.
All the Best,
Jan Howell Marx AGENDA
Mayor of San Luis Obispo
(805) 781-7120 or (805) 541-2716
From: Todd Katz [zososlo@gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, August 17, 2013 4:45 PM
To: Marx, Jan
Cc: Smith, Kathy; Christianson, Carlyn; Carpenter, Dan; Ashbaugh, John
Subject: regarding proposed moratorium on new alcohol outlets in the downtown
Dear Madam Mayor Marx and Honorable Council Members:
CORRESPONDENCE
Date ?/? ltem# L2 l .
This email letter is in regard to the proposed moratorium on new alcohol outlets in the downtown. I am writing this on
behalf of myself and my wife, Jeanne Dale Katz.
In our five years in San Luis Obispo we have been surprised by the vociferous antagonism to downtown restaurants that
make ends meet by serving alcoholic beverages. It's a surprise, given the dependence of the city on tax revenue from
downtown businesses and the dependence of the county on the wine industry. Having known many downtowns in our
time, we feel that our downtown is lively and interesting (a plus) but that it is by no means dangerous or raucous,
especially considering our area's large college -age population.
It would be easier to understand the antagonism if there was a large religious community that was simply opposed to
the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages. However, instead of 1,000 people pressing an issue forward, this
seems more like ten people pressing an issue forward 100 times each.
While there are, no doubt, citizens who do not frequent downtown restaurants who if surveyed would agree that a
moratorium is an OK idea, we wonder if they would persist in that position if they were asked to pay higher taxes to
replace future revenue that will be lost if a moratorium were in place and promising new businesses unable to get
started?
And we have serious concerns that a moratorium -- if passed -- would immediately lead to an effort to significantly
reduce the number of businesses currently serving food and drink in the downtown area and to curtail their hours.
Another concern is that instituting a moratorium will have a deforming effect on the economics of buying and selling
downtown restaurants. Obviously, the value of existing establishments will increase, if no new permits can be obtained.
All the more so if an establishment cannot be moved or their license expanded. Someone will be making money, but it
won't be the city or county governments. And we doubt that the quality of the establishments' food and diversity of
their menus will improve if the direct or indirect cost of beer, wine and liquor licensing increases in unpredictable ways.
Of course, we understand that establishments serving alcohol put a burden on the city and our fine police force.
However, reducing nighttime activity in downtown -- if it were to occur --could actually have undesired effects
throughout the area. Some of these cannot be foreseen. However, there would likely be more young people driving
after drinking. Those concerned about crime should ask themselves if it is easier to prevent crime in a well-defined, well -
lit, well -policed area or crime that occurs throughout the city and into the unincorporated areas of the county.
The bottom line for us is that we elect a mayor and city council to make informed decisions directly and through their
appointed boards and commissions. Deciding the merits of an application to serve alcoholic beverages makes all the
sense in the world; instituting an artificial moratorium to appease a determined interest group -- well -intended as they
may be -- is bad policy and bad precedent.
Sincerely,
Todd & Jeanne Dale Katz
3478 Gregory Court
San Luis Obispo