HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/5/2022 Item 6a, Ambrose
Delgado, Adriana
From:Laura Ambrose <lambrose@woodstocksca.com>
Sent:Wednesday, June
To:E-mail Council Website; Fukushima, Adam; Schwartz, Luke; Hermann, Greg; Johnson,
Derek; Ambrose, Jeff; Tony Dellamano; Michael Walters; Johnson, Lee; Bettina Swigger
Subject:Woodstock's Response to Agenda Item #6 on July 5
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To Members of the City Council and City Leaders --
First, we are very appreciative of all that the city staff in San Luis Obispo have done to support and
encourage us through the pandemic. We have received invaluable advice and financial assistance to not
just survive the pandemic -- but thrive. Our positive partnership with the city was an example that we
pointed to in working with departments in other cities we serve, including San Diego, "Talk to the people
in San Luis Obispo -- they know how to make things happen!"
We're happy to see that the city is working on next steps with the sidewalk dining and parklet program,
and we hope to continue some form of outside dining. We repeatedly hear positive comments from our
guests about how much they enjoy this dining option -- even through the winter! However, we take issue
with the calculated projections of revenues lost by the city that need to be passed on to the business
owners. The projected costs to continue outside dining are cost-prohibitive starting next year if the
current proposal passes.
According to city projections, the loss of each parking spot along the street is costing the city
$8710. With our current set-up, we will be looking at an annual cost of nearly $28,500 starting
next year. A rate of $4.54/square foot for a spot in the street is considerably higher than what we're
paying for our fully built-out restaurant building!
We support the new bicycle lane on Higuera Street, but we were required to take eight feet off one of
our three parking spots for designated bike parking. Is there an accommodation for this requirement?
This rental rate would indicate that we're paying $5,000 a year for public bicycle parking.
Our responses to each of the projected costs (as outlined in the city proposal) for our parklet:
Manual Street Sweeping -- $3900/parking spot X 3 for us = $11,700
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We frequently sweep our outside dining area, and will be happy to maintain this without city staff coming
in with brooms. We find it hard to believe that sweeping around our parklet alone is costing the city
$225/week.
Parking Revenue Loss -- $12,000
This assumes that people will not come downtown and park any longer. No, they will just park in other
parking spots -- either on the street or in one of the city-owned parking structures. So no revenue loss.
Permit Administration -- $1500
OK, we understand there is a cost to administer this program.
Tree Trimming -- $930
I realize this is an estimate for any parklet, but we don't actually have any trees around our parklet.
We have no issue with the costs projected for tables and chairs on the sidewalk. And we believe it is
fair to pay something to the city for the parklet space. But please keep in mind that all of us who want
to maintain parklets will be required to invest additional funds into the structural improvements and
ongoing maintenance outlined by the city in addition to the fees being proposed.
Outside dining has been a wonderful addition to the beauty and vitality of downtown SLO. Continuing this
initiative into the future is a positive next step. But please don't kill the program with fees that most of
us cannot justify.
Thank you!
Laura Ambrose
Co-Owner
M 858-220-4094
W www.woodstocksca.com
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