HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-16-2012 ac kienow b2RECEIVE D
OCT16Z01 2
San Luis Obispo Chamber of CSIMWtW-ER K
1039 Chorro Street • San Luis Obispo, California 93401-327 8
(805)781-2670 •FAX (805)543-125 5
October 15, 201 2
Mayor Jan Mar x
Members of the City Counci l
City of San Luis Obisp o
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 9340 1
RE :Final Draft : San Luis Obispo Economic Development Strategic Pla n
Dear Mayor Marx and Council members ,
The San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce, in its representation of nearly 1,400 businesse s
employing over 33,000 individuals in our community, is pleased to submit our comment s
regarding San Luis Obispo City's final draft of the Economic Development Strategic Plan .
As we stated in our previous letter and is worth re-stating here, the development of a five-yea r
economic strategy is an exciting opportunity for the City and the community to prioritize effort s
to enhance our local economy . We greatly appreciate the ability to be a part of the process to -
date and commend the City for committing to invest in this work . We understand th e
significance of this document in providing important direction from which resources will b e
allocated and economic activity driven in our community for many years to come .
We are extremely supportive of a large number of the edits that were made to this version o f
the document including but not limited to clearer, more measurable metrics to ensure the tru e
success of this living document, the inclusion of more regional partnerships, more emphasis o n
the need to attract new businesses, energy and resource conservation assistance, th e
evaluation of increased cost sharing for projects providing a City-wide benefit, the inclusion o f
the Chamber specifically as a partner in creating opportunities to bring attention to existin g
businesses, and organizational restructuring .
While the edits that have been made to the final draft of the EDSP greatly enhance th e
document, we still believe further edits are needed . Specifically, we are concerned about th e
removal of the incentives from section 1 .7 of the first draft . As we stated in reference to thi s
section in our original letter, we believe this strategy needs to include real tools and incentive s
to allow businesses to grow, thrive and relocate here . Potential fee reductions are a ke y
stimulant to economic growth . The city's fee structure has long been referenced as a barrier t o
desired development . There are significant variations in fees when compared to other citie s
Meeting Agend a
Date Oct 16, 2012 Item B2
even within the County . An effort needs to be made to meaningfully address these costs t o
ensure that San Luis Obispo's economy continues to see healthy growth .
Another amendment we initially suggested was that there be regular, long and short ter m
reporting back to City Council on the progress of the strategy as a whole . The ability for th e
community to routinely see the progress made would help ensure its overall effectiveness .
Lastly, while we believe these edits do need to be made, we also strongly encourage the City t o
move forward with this document as quickly as possible, that there be no further delays . Th e
Chamber believes that the success of this plan is critical to building on the economi c
development efforts of recent years as well as to chart a course for future economic health an d
believe this work should begin as soon as possible .
Thank you for your consideration of our views on this matter .
Sincerely,
Courtney Kieno w
Director of Governmental Affair s
San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerc e
Cc :
Michael Codron, Assistant City Manage r
Claire Clark, Economic Development Manager