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Home My WebLink About10/17/2023 Item Non-Agenda PC, Bilsten Brad Bilsten < To:E-mail Council Website Subject:Downtown Parking Attachments:10-16-23 letter to SLO City Council.pdf This message is from an External Source. Use caution when deciding to open attachments, click links, or respond. Greetings- I was too late to have my name added to the original letter, but wanted you to know that I agree with it. Please add my name to the list of property owners/business owners who would like to see some changes. Thanks, Brad Bilsten -- Brad Bilsten B.Anthony and Company Jewelers cell 805-748-5970 work 805-544-8988 fax 808-544-8990 1 October 16,2023 Non-Agenda Public Comment for 10/17/2023 Council Meeting Subject:Parking Rates and Policy in downtown San Luis Obispo Dear Mayor and Council Members, We are reaching out as community members and business owners,who represent hundreds of employees,to express our concern with the parking situation in downtown San Luis Obispo. The increase in hourly rates,hours of enforcement,and change to the free hour program is negatively impacting the atmosphere of downtown and consumer spending. We understand the change was made to fund the new parking structure and theater on Nipomo Street,but it shouldn’t come at the cost of local support and a vibrant downtown in the meantime. What we’re hearing from customers: The steep rise in parking rates is changing the reputation of downtown as a friendly,welcoming destination.Customers and community members are sharing their frustration on a regular basis, often choosing another place to eat,shop,play,or relax because of the high cost of parking. Tourists may still make a stop downtown but locals are changing their habits.Local businesses need local support. What we’re experiencing in life and business: According to Moody's Analytics,the typical American household spent $709 more in July 2023 than they did two years ago to buy the same goods and services.Coupled with the high cost of living on the central coast,many families and individuals have experienced a significant change in disposable income.Business owners are navigating this reality in addition to increased costs and staffing shortages.The rise in parking costs for consumers and employees is only adding to the stress of doing business. We understand there is a normal churn of businesses,but longtime fixtures become part of the fabric of the community.They create a sense of place and generate a following that often supports surrounding businesses,especially new ones. The argument that people should park further away and walk,or bike,to avoid paying is hurting brick and mortar.Convenience has become a part of culture,changing the way we work,travel, shop,etc.We can’t go back -the convenience of online shopping and food delivery service is here to stay.Downtown shops and restaurants are competing with this reality everyday,and current parking policy has undoubtedly made it harder to compete. What we’re feeling as community members: These changes don’t create a more inclusive or equitable downtown experience.The loss of the free hour in all structures and the rise in rates is hardest on the most vulnerable in our community.Though there is a free hour for locals in one structure,the barriers to accessing the permit are real,even for those who are tech savvy and motivated. What we’re seeing in other cities: Paso Robles -first two hours are free;$2.00 per hour after Chico -$1.00 per hour in downtown core;paid parking is enforced Mon-Fri,9am-6pm; weekends are free Walnut Creek -Meters:$2 per hour in Downtown Core with 3-hour time limits $1 per hour outside of downtown core with 10-hour limits;hours are 10 a.m.to 8 p.m.daily; Garages:1st hour free and $1.25/hour after Santa Barbara -first 75 minutes free;$2.50 fee per hour after Santa Monica -Meters and lots are typically $2.50 per hour in the Downtown and Beach Meter Zones and $1.25 per hour in all other Citywide Meter Zones.Parking structures:first 90 minutes are free Boulder,CO -First 90 minutes of parking are free,additional 90 minutes may be purchased for $1.50 per hour with a 3 hours maximum,Monday through Saturday,9 a.m.to 7 p.m;Sundays and City Holidays are free Bend,OR -$1.00/hour and the daily rate is $10 (when parking longer than 6 hours)time-limits and paid parking are enforced Monday through Saturday,8 a.m.to 7 p.m.;Sundays and holidays are free What we’re advocating for: We understand that the city has hired a consultant to review the parking program in January 2024 but that won’t help us during the holiday season/Q4.We all count on 4th quarter ’s sales to carry us into the next year so time is truly of the essence. In the short term,we’re asking that you consider the return of the free hour in all structures for the holiday season. In the long term,we’re advocating for: -First hour free in all structures -Reduce hourly rate to be comparable with other cities -Free Sunday parking -End enforcement at 6pm rather than 9pm As downtown business owners and concerned community members,we are united and motivated to be part of solutions.The vitality of downtown and our businesses depend on them. Respectfully, Josh and Lindsey Haring,The Mountain Air and The Switchback Amber Karson,Ah Louis Store Emily Butler,Ah Louis Store Kannyn January,Ambiance SLO Shevon Sullivan,Anam-Cre’Pottery Studio Natalie Risner,Apropos Billy Hale,Ash Management (Bulls,McCarthys,Library,Frog and Peach) Kristin Huebner Walker,Avanti SLO Robin and Sarah Peterson,BA Start Arcade Jessi and Curtis Campbell,Banshee Beauty Company Cherisse Sweeney,Basalt Interiors Shelley Stuckey,Battle Axe Matthew Baxter,Baxter Moerman Jewelry Mathew Moerman,Baxter Moerman Jewelry Tom W.Brown,BlackHorse Espresso &Bakery and Brown's General Offices,Inc. Jodie Domareki,Myriam Olaizola,Nicole Walters,Black Sheep Erica and Maryalice Hamilton,Blackwater McKenzie Murray,Blue Harvest Mike White,BooBoo Records Florencia Breda,Breda Robin and Rodney Cegelski,Carissa and Rod &Hammer ’s Scott Smith,Central Coast Surfboards Solomiya Luce,Central Coast Wines Tracy Bogue,Club Bubbly Crescencio "Chencho"Hernandez Villar,Corazón Cafe SLO Sara McGrath,Corazón Cafe SLO Pedro Arias Lopez,Corazón Cafe SLO Samantha Phelps,Fanny Wrappers Randy Price and Callie Walter,Field Day Coffee Debra Fogg,Finders Keepers Hal Billingsley,Firestone Gessica and Alberto Russo,Flour House Ali Jansen,Frame Works Joe and Giuseppe DiFronzo,Giuseppe's Cucina Rustica Joshua Luce,Gold Land BBQ Sara Voskov,Hands Gallery Steven Wick and Katy Hemler,Hemp Shack and Euphoria Randy “Doobie”Coates,High Street Deli LynAnne Wiest,HumanKind Fair Trade Carla Wingett,Idlewild Floral Jenny Kompolt,Junk Girls Melissa James,Junk Girls Patricia Koberl,Koberl at Blue James Whitaker,Kreuzberg and Batch Leonard Cohen,La Esquina Shannon Len,Len Collective Mike and Becky Hicks,Lincoln Market Deli Lindsey Harn,Lindsey Harn Group Rusty and Alan Quirk,Linnaea's Cafe Shanny Covey and Robin Covey,Luna Red Restaurant Marianne Seaborne,Maison Marianne Nicola Allegretta,Mama’s Meatball and Mistura Catherine Doyle,Mannikins Tailoring Michael Palmer,McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams Earl Olson,Milestone Tavern Randy Adler,Moondoggies Robin Covey,Novo Restaurant Matt and Danae Pearce,Old SLO BBQ Angelic Dirden,Opulence Jim and Patty Dee,Palm Theatre Kay Porczak,Picking Daisies Dede Bruington,Picking Daisies Jon and Sara Peterson,Scout Coffee Josh and Lauren Christensen,Sidecar Cocktail Co.and The Penny Jeremy Christensen,Sidecar Cocktail Co. Karen and Shari Rubino,Skipper ’s Brew Peter Shaker,SLO Froyo &Italian Ice and Slo a la Mode Ice Cream Kelly Yates and Casey Hall,Summerland Co. Shelley Stuckey,Tails Pet Boutique Andrew and Stephanie Stackhouse,The Center Yoga Studio Katelyn Kaney,The Mercantile and The Hat Bar by Kate Kaney Brittany Brown,The Ritual Larella Ellsworth,Tigerlily Salon Christy Grierson,Trio Boutique Amanda Miller,Twig &Arrow Salon Anne Gough,Yarns at the Adobe