HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/14/2022 Item 4b, HimotoSeptember 14, 2022
Planning Commission
City of San Luis Obispo
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
I N IN M111147.111 a N W.111 I Ml MIMI
As the President of the Santa Maria Valley Railroad, a supporter of the San Luis Obispo Railroad
Museum, and as a resident in the City of San Luis Obispo, I would like to voice my comments in
regards to the Safe Railroad Parking Program. I am opposed to the proposed resolution to make
the temporary Safe Parking Program permanent.
This is not the appropriate location for the Safe Railroad Parking Program. In theory if all of the
participants strictly adhere to the program rules the location would not have a detrimental effect
to the neighboring businesses and property owners. This activity attracts people who have no
intention of following the rules of the program.
The Santa Maria Valley Railroad is a 14 mile freight railroad serving the Santa Maria Valley
Railroad. Transload operations offers customers in the Central Coast including San Luis Obispo
the benefits of freight rail transportation reducing greenhouse gases and traffic congestion while
enjoying savings in transportation costs. The Santa Maria Valley Railroad is a handling carrier
for Union Pacific Railroad, the adjacent landowner to the Safe Parking Program's current
location. The Santa Maria Valley Railroad's interest in this issue is in regards to how this
program affects our partner Union Pacific Railroad.
This location has and will continue to attract a large transient population, which would inevitably
move to the Union Pacific Railroad Right of Way. It will become a safety concern as trains and
people do not mix. Transients are attracted to railroad right of ways, as a result trash and
vandalism will increase on the railroad right of way.
The Santa Maria Valley Railroad and myself are major supporters of the San Luis Obispo
Railroad Museum. The museum attracts visitors from across the U.S. and internationally as it is
a big draw to local residents and visitors. The San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum does a great
job of preserving the history of railroads on the Central Coast. Although the museum hours are
limited, there are very interesting outdoor displays for visitors to see. The Safe Railroad Parking
Program has been detrimental to the museum. The museum has suffered trespassing, vandalism
and trash.
Santa Maria Valley Railroad, PO Box 5665, Santa Maria, CA 93456
On Saturday July 30, 1 was conversing with a museum officer just outside of their caboose on the
display track. I personally observed many visitors from out of the area, a young couple from
Taiwan, a young family from British Columbia, and a multi -generational family from Orange
County. Just a very short distance away is what appeared to be campers even though it was
during the day. What I saw was numerous violations with the Safe Parking Rules. There was
trash and one person was working on his vehicle in the parking lot. There was cooking activity
performed outside of one of the vehicles. One person was hostile, and appeared to be randomly
shouting at passersby. Also this is not how we want to portray the city to guests visiting the
railroad museum. By the way the three pat -ties were visibly concerned and either left or went
inside the museum.
About six months ago a local car club visited the Railroad Museum. Our employee who is a
member of the car club said that the general consensus of the car club is that they loved the
museum but felt unsafe in the parking lot.
As a resident I have seen the Railroad District through the years transform into a vibrant retail
and office area with fantastic restaurants anchored by the magnificent railroad museum. This is
not an appropriate location for this activity. The Safe Parking Program next proposed Amtrak
layover yard in the roundhouse area is not a good idea. Railroad facilities suffer vandalism,
trespassing, and theft due to transient population nearby. Here on the Santa Maria Valley
Railroad, the City of Santa Maria has recognized the myriad of problems when transients are not
discouraged from being nearby the railroad right of way.
The businesses, landowners, and the Railroad Museum have worked so hard to make the
Railroad District a vibrant part of the City attracting locals and visitors. I urge you to deny the
resolution to make the Safe Parking Program a permanent program in this area.
Sincerely,
. ...... . . .
Rob Himoto
President
CC: Mr. Ryan Pichler, Senior Director, Union Pacific Railroad
Mr. Javier Sanchez, Manager Roadway Operations, Union Pacific Railroad
Mr. John Henry, Manager Train Operations, Union Pacific Railroad
Ms. Lupe Valdez, Senior Director Public Affairs, Union Pacific Railroad
Ms. Norma Dengler, President, San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum
Mr. Kevin O'Roark, Director, Friends of the Santa Maria Valley Railroad
Santa Maria Valley Railroad, PO Box 5665, Santa Maria, CA 93456