HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-20-2010 Item B4 - ParkerChevron
Suzanne 8 Parker
[1 PGPA Manager - Central Coast
California
1 a� �n cu3 t~ c "C-0% a i h
July 19, 2010
To: City Council Members of San Luis Obispo
Re: Initiative Measure to Enact Revisions to the Margarita Specific Plan Area
Honorable Councilors:
Policy, Government 8 Public Affairs
Chevron Corp.
4051 Broad Street, Suite 230
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Tel 805-546-6985
Fax 805-546-6909
spanker@chevron.com
On behalf of Chevron, I am writing to express our concerns about the proposed initiative measure regarding the proposed
elimination the eastern portion of Prado Road (the measure). Specifically, our concerns are in two areas: first is the creation
of a potential impediment to the proposed San Luis Obispo Tank Farm Restoration & Redevelopment Project, resulting in
delayed realization of benefits to the community and the environment of San Luis Obispo; and the second relates to the
compounded problem of increased traffic congestion on Tank Farm Road, South Higuera and lower Broad Street.
A draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) is currently being prepared for both the City and the County of San Luis Obispo
concerning the Restoration and Redevelopment Project at our 332-acre San Luis Obispo Tank Farm (SLOTF) property, which
has environmental cleanup and economic development components. The SLOTF property is located immediately adjacent to
the area covered by the Margarita Area Specific Plan. The measure would undermine several pivotal City planning documents
being used the DEIR analysis and thus would significantly jeopardize all of the progress made to date on the SLO Tank Farm
DEIR. Extending the DEIR schedule will cause delays in project review and approvals and will delay the realization of benefits
of the project, such as environmental cleanup activities at the site and commercial business and job creation opportunities
through the economic development portion of the project.
The Measure does not present any alternatives to the current plans for traffic circulation. Relative to traffic congestion, the
measure would result in a significant increase of traffic on Tank Farm Road and its connectors now and in the future. Chevron
employees, contractors and visitors access our facilities at three different points along Tank Farm Road: the main entrances to
the northern and the southern portions of the SLOTF and our company office near the intersection with Broad Street. Safe
ingress and egress from our facilities is of extreme importance. We already experience traffic gridlock at the entrances during
rush hours, and exiting and entering Tank Farm Road during normal business hours can be difficult due to Tank Farm Road
traffic; this measure would only compound the issue.
If passed or adopted by ordinance, the measure will overturn plans produced as a result of years of careful thought, planning
and vision of City staff and community members. We believe that the City already has the right approach in terms of traffic,
safety and the environment. We encourage you to accept the City staff report and not adopt the ordinance proposed by the
measure.
f
espe tfully,
Suzann arker