HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/11/2022 Item 4a, Dantona
Purrington, Teresa
From:Jim Dantona <
To:Advisory Bodies
Subject:Planning Commission 5.11.22 Item #4a
This message is from an External Source. Use caution when deciding to open attachments, click links, or respond.
Dear Planning Commission,
In case I am not able to make it to the meeting in time for public comment, I wanted to convey the following
thoughts regarding Item 4a this evening.
The San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce is excited to see the City considering a creative
use for this unique space. While the Chamber does not support individual projects, I wanted
to share our support for a predictable, expeditious processes that supports economic vitality
as well as the experience-driven business model that is being discussed.
We have long identified Upper Monterey as a place in our community that could and needs
to be energized in order to invite development that serves a broader swath of our
community, not only visitors and select high-end retail. In our economic vision Imagine SLO
our pillar of supporting the Doers & Dreamers exists to support our strong and diverse base
of businesses that thrive because of their leaders’ resilience, resourcefulness, and drive. In
that vision we commit to supporting businesses as they adjust to disruptive shifts in
consumer behavior such as online and experience-driven shopping. Marketplaces and
collectives like the one proposed are absolutely in line with that type of shift and we are
inspired by the successes we have seen in similar models in our city and throughout the
region.
Additionally, in the Imagine SLO economic vision our pillar of “Love of Place” speaks
specifically to recognize the importance of the neighborhoods of San Luis Obispo as a city
jewel that requires continuous care and enhancement and promote it as an area for residents,
families and visitors to experience and contribute to the cultural fabric of our community.
Our ask of you today is to be decisive and to adhere to the existing process – we hope to
avoid delays that add unnecessary holding costs and discourage business owners and
innovators like the applicant from bringing their ideas to our community.
Thank you for your service to our community.
Thank you for your consideration.
All the best,
--
Jim Dantona
President/CEO
1
895 Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
T: 805.786.2761
slochamber.org | imagineslo.com
2