HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/7/2023 Item 6a, Goswick
Jessica Goswick <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:City Council Meeting 11/7/2023: Public comment on Item 6a (Parking Program
Update)
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Dear SLO City Council Members,
As a resident of SLO for nearly a decade and frequent downtown visitor, I am writing to express my
support for the current parking programs and rates.
As stated in many of the documents providing context up to this meeting, including the Council
correspondence and Council Agenda Report for the Parking Program Update, our city was previously
undercharging for parking in the market, making it virtually free for people to park downtown and forcing
the city to make up the difference. While I believe in the importance of accessibility and choice in how we
get downtown, I do not believe that our local government should have to subsidize people who drive at
the expense of people who don't. Our parking fund should continue to fund itself through adequate rates
as currently implemented.
One of my favorite parts about living in SLO is the walkable, people-centered downtown core. I spend 3+
days per week biking, walking, and even driving to yoga, coffee shops, restaurants, shops, bars, and
offices throughout the downtown center. I am constantly grateful to the investment the city has made in
bike and pedestrian infrastructure to make it a safe and wonderful experience to bike and walk around
town. Similarly, when I do want or need to drive downtown, I am grateful for the easy parking downtown. I
am always able to find parking near where I need to go. When cost is a concern, especially when I was a
student and money was tight, I have always been able to find free(!) parking within a few blocks of
downtown and walk the rest of the way so I could still shop at the farmer's market, get coffee with
friends, or make it to my yoga class in the rain.
Since I'm local, I've enrolled in the Park Local program and told my friends to do the same. We've all
found enrollment to be easy and the free hour to mitigate any growing pains we were experiencing with
the changing parking rates. I understand that folks are surprised and upset about parking rates
increasing, but I like to think of it as a way to continue the viability of our downtown parking program. It
simply needs to pencil out, just like anything else.
Thank you for your continuous dedication to improving our city.
Jessica Goswick
pronouns she/her/hers
Lecturer
Architecture Department
College of Architecture and Environmental Design
1
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, CA
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www.calpoly.edu
2