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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/17/2025 Item 4a, Havas Gary Havas < To:Advisory Bodies Cc:Rick Ellison Subject:Active Transportation Committee, Item 4.a, BOB JONES TRAIL Attachments:250715 BJT Creek Alignment Support .pdf Greetings Active Transportation Committee Members! Please find attached a Letter of Support addressing Bike SLO County’s desire for a creek alignment for the Bob Jones Pathway between LOVR and the Octagon Barn on South Higuera. And thank you! Gary Havas Board President, Bike SLO County 805-458-0755 gphavas6953@gmail.com  1 July 15, 2025 To: San Luis Obispo Active Transportation Committee advisorybodies@slocity.org RE: Item 4.a, BOB JONES TRAIL: BROADSTONE PROJECT PRELIMINARY DESIGN CONCEPTS, July 17 Meeting Agenda Greetings Chair Otto and Members Mills, Amos, Brooks, Coari, Levin, and Nguyen! Please accept Bike SLO County’s support for the original, long-agreed-upon design that has the alignment of the Bob Jones Trail near the Broadstone Village Project, however outside of the project and along the creek. Bike SLO County advocates for, educates about the use of, and inspires the adoption of bicycling in our county and works thereby to create a connected community. We are pleased that at this early stage in the Broadstone Village Project, we can support the inclusion of a vital segment of the Bob Jones Trail in conjunction with the project’s planning. The inclusion of a bypass of the Higuera and Los Osos Valley Road intersection does present an opportunity to easily include a segment of the Bob Jones Trail that will allow riders a safer way to ride by avoiding that dangerous intersection, and we are urging for an even safer route that aligns with the western project edge (nearer the creek). The creek alignment was the preferred option in a City of San Luis Obispo Bob Jones Pathway Octagon Barn Connection Study/Initial Study, completed in 2013, that considered the alignment of the trail and potential options for crossing Los Osos Valley Road and Higuera Street. City staff prepared an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration, which was supported by the then Bicycle Advisory Committee, and adopted by the SLO City Planning Commission on Nov. 9, 2016. The San Luis Obispo County Planning Commission determined conformity of the proposed trail's creek alignment with the County General Plan on June 8, 2017. This alignment would avoid project entrances and exits, increase trail user safety, and limit driveway congestion factors for motorists. In addition, a pathway that does not have automotive crossings will be more pleasant and attractive for the timid and cautious, something we hope will increase ridership from this large group and trail use in general. With respect to the continuity of the Bob Jones Pathway, we also consider that a grade-separated crossing of Los Osos Valley Road at the Highway 101 overpass a priority; however it is ultimately designed. Removing or de-incentivizing the at-grade crossing of LOVR will further enhance the safety and value of the Bob Jones Pathway. Sincerely, Gary Havas Rick Ellison Board President Executive Director 860 Pacific Street, Suite #105, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401