HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/6/2021 Item 6a, Christie
From: Santa Lucia Sierra Club <
Sent: Monday, July 5, 2021 8:00 AM
To: E-mail Council Website
Subject: Comment of the Sierra Club on the Draft SLO Parks and Recreation Plan & General
Plan Element
To: The Mayor & Council
Re: Draft SLO Parks and Recreation Plan & General Plan Element
We strongly support statements throughout the Draft Plan to the effect that the City's open space goals, policies, and
programs are the located in the Conservation & Open Space Element, and are not the province of the Parks & Recreation
element.The City's Open Space goals, policies and programs are located in its Conservation and Open Space Element
because Natural Open Spaces are not Parks. The primary purpose of Open Space is protection of natural resources.
Secondary to this goal, passive recreation is allowed in Open Space if it does not degrade the resources being protected
(wildlife and their habitat) or create conflicts with neighborhoods. The protection of Open Space is consistently among
the highest priorities of City residents and was most recently the listed highest priority of residents in the City's 2020
Survey for the renewal of the Measure G Sales Tax Measure.
Therefore, we commend the Draft Plan for these additions:
6!� "The [Parks & Recreation] Blueprint does not include uses, goals, or policies for Open Space; the
Conservation and Open Space Element of the General Plan includes goals, policies, and programs specific to
the City's Open Space." (pg. V)
6!� "As of 2021, San Luis Obispo owns and manages 13 Open Spaces and recreational trails covering nearly
4,050 acres. These open spaces are not the subject of the Plan." (pg. 28)
- "The City owns and maintains approximately 4,050 acres of natural preserves and open space properties
(2021). The Conservation and Open Space Element of the General Plan sets programs and policies for the
City's Open Space". pg 2, "Vision")
6!� "The Conservation and Open Space Element of the General Plan sets programs and policies for the City's
Open Space." (pgs. 9 & 13)
Consistent with the above statements, please remove the following proposed policy and its conflation of access to parks
with access to open space from the draft Parks and Recreation General Plan Element (Chapter 4):
"SAFE ACCESS TO PARKS BY SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION Create safe and clear bike and pedestrian
connections to trailheads, promoting non -motorized access to the City's open spaces."
Please also direct staff to remove all other proposed Open Space goals, policies, and programs from the draft Parks and
Recreation Plan chapters 1,2,3, and 5.
Thank you for this opportunity to comment and your attention to this issue.
Andrew Christie, Director
Santa Lucia Chapter of the Sierra Club
P.O. Box 15755
San Luis Obispo, CA 93406
(805) 543-8717