HomeMy WebLinkAbout8/18/2020 Item 16 Lewis -- Received after 6PM
From:Caitlin Lewis <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:public comment on item #16
Attachments:Caitlin Lewis SLO City Council Testimony 2020-08-18.docx
hello,
I wanted to submit my public comment on item #16 for tonight's city council meeting to the record. thank you!
best,
caitlin lewis
1
San Luis Obispo City Council Meeting Testimony
August 19, 2020
Hello, my name is Caitlin Lewis. I am speaking today as someone who was born and raised in
San Luis Obispo, a place I am proud to call home. Throughout my career, I have worked in the
public, private and non-profit sectors, with a focus on community development, economic
empowerment and most recently, affordable housing.
I was thrilled to read about the proposed project at 1144 Chorro, which will bring life to a long -
vacant building in the heart of Downtown SLO, create jobs and ex pand the City’s tax base, and
provide sustainable, urban living for current and future residents.
With regards to a quote in today’s Tribune about the adverse environmental effects of
population growth and the potential spread of “zoonotic diseases,” I would like to say two
things:
First, density is not the issue here – the issue is overcrowding. When there is a shortage of
housing and prices go up, we see situations where 3 families cram into a single home or
apartment. This is not only a public health issue – it’s inhumane, and it’s up to local
governments to do something about it. There is a deep irony in claiming to believe that San
Luis Obispo is a place for everyone and then subsequently voting down projects that will
create new, affordable homes for young people and essential workers. It is exclusionary, at
best, and it runs counter to our oft-cited narrative of a welcoming, happy place.
Second, building downtown is sustainable development. When we create denser and more
walkable communities, we reduce car usage and commute times, which in turn reduces
emissions. New buildings also bring the latest environmental standards, and they operate far
more efficiently than single family homes. Population growth is inevitable, but it only becomes
a problem if we don't thoughtfully plan for it.
This project is also sustainable from an economic perspective, creating places and spaces for
those who want to support Downtown businesses and potentially start and grow a business of
their own. In a time of immense economic uncertainty – to say the least – the City and its
elected officials should embrace opportunities to secure jobs and grow its tax base, not turn
away from them.
Finally, detractors like to claim that real estate interests are all big, bad, and looking to exploit
small towns like ours. But that is simply unfair in the case of Jamestown, a company with long-
standing roots in San Luis Obispo and a history of thoughtful adaptive reuse projects in cities
nationwide. They have been responsive to Commission and community feedback, and they
are exactly the type of partner we should all be excited to roll up our sleeves and work with, not
run out of town.
Covid-19 has highlighted and exacerbated systemic inequities in our nation, and if San Luis
Obispo wants to take part in a truly equitable recovery, we must start today. We cannot
support affordable housing in the abstract but then vote down projects that provide actual
affordable homes. As a community, we need to look beyond well-off single-family homeowners
and support the essential and entry-level workers who make this town great. 1144 Chorro is an
excellent first step.
Thank you.