HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-28-2014 ac - farwellph1Goodwin, Heather
From: Mejia, Anthony
Sent: Monday, January 27, 2014 10:19 PM
To: Goodwin, Heather
Subject: Fwd: LUCE language recommendations of aggressive tourism
Begin forwarded message:
R 17-
JAN 28 2014
AGENDA
CORRESPONDENCE
Date Item #_!L'\
`I,,`I1u.'I -2y
From: debbie farwell <dif532earthlink.net>
Date: January 27, 2014 at 9:58:33 PM PST
To: "Carpenter, Dan" <dcarpentgslocity.org >, "Marx, Jan" <jmarx e,slocity.org >,
"ashbaugkslocity.org" <ashbaugcr�,slocit y.org >, "Smith, Kathy" <ksmithkslocity.org >,
"Christianson, Carlyn" <cchristinslocity.org>
Cc: "Mejia, Anthony" <amejia@slocity.org>
Subject: LUCE language recommendations of aggressive tourism
Jan. 27, 2014
Subject: Recommendations for aggressive tourism within LUCE Update
Dear Mayor Marx and City Council Members,
The more I learn about the Land Use and Circulation Elements of the General Plan Update, the more I appreciate
the work that has been done by staff and volunteers alike. Thanks to all, who are part of the process. It certainly is a
very complicated and monumental task. Clearly, there are a variety of interests, perspectives and values to balance
for an equitable outcome. I have concerns about the Chamber of Commerce LUCE language recommendations for
Tourism and Economic Development. I ask your close attention to the proposed changes in the LUCE Task -Force
language. These concerns should also be addressed in the EIR studying the Upper Monterey Street Area.
The Chamber recommendation that the LUCE TF language (3.9.8) be changed to "the City shall develop and help
implement aggressive tourism marketing programs" is irresponsible. Governor Brown has already declared a State
of Emergency for the State of California due to drought, Jan. 15th, the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture declared San Luis
Obispo County to be one of 27 Counties in the state, to be declared a "natural disaster area" due to drought. Within
our own County, both Paso Robles and Cambria are facing critical water shortages. Each of these communities, are
considering mandated intervention to curtail their own water usage. Residents and commercial users alike are faced
with cutting back on water consumption. Is it wise to promote aggressive tourism, which will bring in additional
autos, people and water needs by visitors? Increased air - pollution, water consumption and resource demands, will
impact the City and County alike.
The Chamber recommendation for Jobs /Housing Relationship (1.4) within the scope of the LUCE EIR is certainly
worth further study. The severe lack of affordable housing for working class persons within the city of SLO puts
workers and those with limited financial means at the mercy of landlords seeking to maximize profitability of their
property. It can take up to two years to get into low -cost housing. Within our neighborhood along the Marsh,
Higuera, Monterey and Palm Street corridors, numerous single- family homes have been converted from residential
dwellings to offices. These homes would have been ideal for working class families who could walk to schools and
work from a small, downtown home. These conversions from residential to office or commercial use begin on
corner lots and then march along house to house, to gradually encompass an entire block. There has been a large
reduction in low -cost, affordable housing within the Upper Monterey Street Area during the last two decades, due to
conversion. As a result, the feeling and character of the neighborhoods from Upper Monterey Street to the
downtown area has dramatically changed.
The types of jobs created by tourism are most often low- paying public service sector jobs. That is how Big -Box
Hotels are able to increase their profitability and pass along the numerous local taxes that make them so appealing to
cities. The Tourist Industry is seen as the vehicle for economic development and infrastructure maintenance. Yet
the very workers, needed to provide public service for the Tourism Industry, have been forced to live outside the city
by lack of housing. This isn't unique to San Luis Obispo! The July 24th 2013, U.N. General Assembly on
Sustainable Tourism points out negative impacts, which have occurred as a result of unchecked tourism, While
there are positive aspects of tourism, it is recommended by the U.N. that there must be a balance created with "local
control, community wellbeing, cultural richness, physical integrity ... and environmental purity". Residents have a
vested interest in their neighborhoods. It is not just an economic interest. A neighborhood should imply a home,
sanctuary in reality, not just words. When local workers are unable to obtain affordable housing, creating new
minimum wage employment, further degrades the quality of life, rather than improving it.
To even consider aggressive tourism in light of severe drought conditions is unwise. The impacts of tourism on
water usage, air - pollution, loss of local affordable housing in existing neighborhoods, are just a few of the possible,
negative impacts. Nurturing existing residential neighborhoods must be a priority to maintaining a healthy, vibrant
downtown community. The City has no place in aggressively pursuing any particular form of business, to the
detriment of residents living within the city.
Thank you for your consideration.
Debbie Farwell, 39 year Palm Street resident