HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/10/2021 Item 2, Otto
Wilbanks, Megan
From:Garrett Otto <
To:Advisory Bodies
Subject:PC Agenda Item 2 - LOSSAN CCLF
This message is from an External Source. Use caution when deciding to open attachments, click links, or respond.
Dear Commissioners and LOSSAN Agency Members,
As an alternative transportation advocate, I feel our railways are a key infrastructure that is typically underutilized in the
US. I appreciate the recent surveys and discussion about increasing railway services along the coast and the potential to
serve more commuters and visitors along this corridor. With increased service, there is an obvious need for a facility to
accommodate the additional passengers and associate maintenance. Railways also are logical locations for bike and
pedestrian multi use paths since they have mellow grades and like this segment pass through the center of towns like
SLO. The proposed site does seem to make some logistical sense for the proposed project. I would like to present you
with the following recommendations as they pertain to the project, planning, environmental and local impacts that
should be considered as the project continues through the planning and engineering phases.
1. The City of SLO's Railroad Safety Trail (RRST) has segments planned through the proposed project site. When
developing the site please consider that this planned section of multi use path would provide a great continuation to the
existing segments of the trail and connect several neighborhoods which do not have access to low stress bike and
walking facilities. From the draft layout it appears there may be an opportunity to make separated Class I multi use
paths through the site. By providing this segment of Class I path it will provide access for those who bike and walk to
reach several destinations along the Broad street corridor as well as safe and convenient access to the Amtrak Station
further helping people to reach their designations without a vehicle (and hopefully encourage more train usage).
2. Bike and pedestrian crossings at Roundhouse St and Francis Ave or Lawrence Ave. The City of SLO Active
Transportation Plan has identified two crossings near the project site that would provide greater access for those who
bike, walk, and live along this corridor. There is already a desire for people to cross at these locations as we have seen
from people constantly cutting down fences to cross the tracks. It makes sense when you consider that a 1 minute cut
through would save them 30 minutes to walk around to existing crossings. The railway bisects much of SLO and
infrequent crossings make it more time consuming to bike and walk between portions of town on either side of the
tracks. I would encourage the project to build these crossings as a way to help reduce vehicle miles traveled, encourage
alternative transportation choices, and provide a great benefit to those who live near this project site. If the LOSSAN
agency is not willing to build the bike/bed crossings, please plan for them in the future and dedicate necessary
easements so the City has the ability to build these crossings when they are able to fund them.
3. Easements for RRST completion. As mentioned above these railway corridors make great locations for bicycle and
walking paths. In the past it has been hard to get necessary easements and for segments to complete the proposed
RRST. The segments that are complete are heavily used and have a potential to serve more community members. I
would encourage the LOSSAN agency to review the proposed routes and provide the City the necessary easements to
allow the City to start designing and building the missing segments and crossing of the RRST. These segments will help
the City meet our transportation modal shift, climate action, and equity goals. It will also help encourage more
community members and visitors to use the railway system in an effort to live more car free/lite.
1
4. Neighborhood wellness impacts. Though I do not live near the proposed project site, I have several friends that do.
Please consider making appropriate limitations on activities at the site to help reduce noise and pollutant impacts to
nearby residents. Maintenance activities should ideally occur during the day when people are not trying to sleep. Shore
power should be used readily and regularly to prevent excess idling which can cause harmful pollutants and excess noise
to those nearby.
5. San Luis Obispo Climate Action goals. The City has ambition goals to be carbon neutral by 2035. Though the City does
not have authority over the project, Greenhouse Gas impacts from additional activities at the site do affect residents
locally, regionally, nationally, and globally. The project will increase the City's overall GHG inventories and forecast if not
mitigated. I have mentioned several proposed mitigation measures above that will help us achieve carbon neutrality
while also providing community benefits and increase railway use and access.
Additional information of proposed active transportation routes and connections:
https://slocity.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=d0c9ddaa42a444bda8d5940e05891eb7
https://www.opentownhall.com/portals/189/Issue_7764
Thank you for taking the time to consider these comments and recommendations.
Sincerely
Garrett Otto
Resident of San Luis Obispo
2