HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/4/2025 Item 7a, Smith, C.
carolyn smith <cjsmith_107@yahoo.com>
Sent:Monday, February
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:City Council Meeting - Feb. 3, 2025 - Agenda Item 7a. South Higuera Road Diet
Project
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Mayor Stewart and Council members,
I am very concerned about this road-diet project and the many road diets and protected bike lanes
being scattered throughout the city. Have we not learned anything from the horrific evacuation
problems that have occurred at many of this state's fires such as Paradise and recently the Palisades
and Eaton Fires? These types of wildfires are going to be more commonplace as climate change
worsens. This city, who has made climate change a core goal, should be acutely aware of that and
include that knowledge in your decision-making process. Our city is surrounded by hills that are often
dry and over-grown. Under the right conditions, a fire similar to the ones that have occurred in other
areas over the past few years and recently are a fearful reality. When you remove lanes, it's a given
that you'll be limiting the escape route for residents trying to evacuate from a wildfire, particularly a
wind-blown fire where time is of the essence. Having been married to a 30-year career firefighter with
a bachelor's degree in Fire Protection Administration from Cal State LA, who has gone to many
wildfires over his career, I value his expertise and opinion which is that hindering escape routes will
have a catastrophic result.
A real-life example of what has happened in this regard is an experience recently shared with me
from a friend of mine. She was working in Paradise when the fire started. She said the fire was
literally everywhere with embers flying into buildings and the streets. People were attempting to
escape in their cars but couldn't get away, because the arterial roadways were only 2 lanes limiting
their escape. Cars were at a standstill so she, and many others, had to get out of their cars and
literally run for their lives. She was lucky and was able to run fast enough to escape the wall of
flames but sadly, some weren't so fortunate. After hearing my friend's nightmarish story, it made me
think about this project and how more difficult it will make it for people trying to evacuate by having
only 2 lanes, instead of the current 4, in which to escape.
We've had a few close calls in this city in the past and we've been lucky with most of them when
weather conditions weren't quite as bad as they are now. I lived here during the Las Pilitas Fire in
1985, which burned 75,000 acres and destroyed a total of 10 homes, and if it hadn't been stopped
when and where it was, it would have destroyed many more homes. Escape routes were reduced
due to the fire and people were complaining it was difficult to evacuate. Below are a couple of
excerpts from media comments during that time:
“It’s the worst fire we’ve had in the history of the city and county,” said Steven Seybold of the
San Luis Obispo Police Department. He said police had to switch to emergency power, and the
city was clogged with traffic as residents fled the flames and as sightseers crowded in to look.
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A 17-mile stretch of U.S. 101 was closed to traffic between the junction of California 1 and
Atascadero. State forestry officials said continued backfiring efforts by fire crews probably would
keep the highway closed throughout the night and much of today. Motorists were rerouted
through Morro Bay and over California 41 to Atascadero."
It would be short-sighted and irresponsible to make evacuation harder for residents to escape a
deadly fire by reducing vehicle lanes. The benefits from these road diets for bikers will mean nothing
if many residents are hindered from fleeing a dangerous fire and lose their lives. While this city has
made encouraging more and safer biking a major priority over the past ten years, new concerns and
revelations have cropped up in the meantime that may need the city to adjust and adapt its goals to
meet those new concerns.
Despite this project receiving a Grant, it's vital to look at all the consequences of this and other
projects like this before moving forward. We shouldn't be controlled by a Grant if its plan is not in the
best interests of our community. I hope you will have the wisdom and courage to scrap this plan (and
those planned like this for other main arterials in the city) and choose an alternative that will not
reduce vehicles lanes. Both safety concerns can be met without trading one for the other. A more
balanced approach should be utilized for all of these road projects with a broad-minded consideration
of all ramifications.
Thank you for your service and consideration of this vital issue.
Carolyn Smith
44 year resident of City of SLO
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