HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/7/2023 Item 6d, Valpey, J.
John Valpey <
To:E-mail Council Website
Cc:Valpey John
Subject:North Chorro Greenway project
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Dear Council members,
It is with great hope and optimism that the current City Council will reevaluate the North Chorro Greenway project now
that 5years has passed and there are factors which have changed.
First of all, with full disclosure and a resident on Chorro, I was adamantly opposed to the alternative of removing parking
on Chorro St. and the addition of a two-way bicycle lane. Primary reasons are the fact that Chorro is a difficult street to
live on and street parking is an essential element in “normalizing” life. The parking needs not only relate to resident
safety but the demand by service delivery vehicles, caregivers, utility maintenance, emergency vehicles, and
construction service which continues to increase. It is unsafe to jaywalk constantly across Chorro Street.
Additionally, the use of Lincoln Street, as an alternative. had been offered overwhelmingly by neighborhood residents as
a safe bicycle route with very little traffic, no intersections with stop signs - and very inexpensive to construct. I thought
the matter was resolved when then council member Aaron Gomez introduced a motion to utilize the Lincoln St. option
for at least 2 years and evaluate it’s effectiveness. However, staff convinced him to withdraw his motion as he was
advised “it did not have the impact the council desired”. I do not believe the “impact” on neighborhood residents was
considered.
One last comment, the nature of bicycle riding has changed dramatically in the past 5 years. Many of the outspoken
proponents of the bicycle lanes on Chorro now travel uphill on Chorro without pedaling at the speed limit, with e-
bicycles. I cannot conceive of two way traffic in a bike lane with these vehicles. Additionally, the proposed diagonal
crossing at the intersection of Chorro and Lincoln (one of the busiest intersections in SLO) is absolutely not a safe
strategy for bicyclers.
In conclusion, I request that the Council return the North Chorro Greenway project to staff for the purpose of revising
the bicycle portion of the plan to fall within the current budgeted amount.
By best regards and appreciation for your consideration.
John Valpey
jvalpey51@gmail.com
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