HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/15/2026 Item 5a, Carpenter
Advisory Bodies
Subject:FW: ATC Meeting Jan 15th, 2026 Paving Project item 5, Johnson Ave.
From:
Sent: Sunday, January 11, 2026 9:21 AM
To: Schwartz, Luke <LSchwart@slocity.org>
Cc: Fukushima, Adam <AFukushi@slocity.org>; Ring, William <wring@slocity.org>; Wong, Justin <jwong@slocity.org>;
Advisory Bodies <advisorybodies@slocity.org>
Subject: ATC Meeting Jan 15th, 2026 Paving Project item 5, Johnson Ave.
Luke, Staff & ATC committee:
Thanks for reaching out regarding the ATC meeting and proposed 2026 Paving Project.
Unfortunately, I’m not able to attend the meeting, so I hope you’ll forward my thoughts on to the
committee prior to the 15th.
Having lived on the east side of Johnson Ave between Ella & Fixlini for 26 years, I’m well aware of the
challenges regarding traffic in this area. As you know, Johnson Ave. crosses our city from Orcutt Rd in the
south to the 101 freeway in the north. This 5 block section between Bishop & San Luis Dr. is the only
segment with two lanes in each direction. Vehicle speeds accelerate with the opening of extra lanes and
the downhill topography headed north.
I’m aware staff is NOT recommending a road diet because of traffic operations & emergency access.
Very disappointing as this is a “neighborhood” arterial where quality of life & safety are paramount. The
entire east side is of this stretch is residential housing. This particular section between Bishop & Ella
traveling north, I’ve daily clocked vehicles at 45-50 MPH speeds in this 35 MPH zone. Early morning &
afternoons when you have high school students present in both bicycle lanes & sidewalks, their safety is
obviously compromised. I’ve witnessed & experienced accidents, & many close calls in this section due
to excessive downhill speeds.
If you do not move forward with a road diet, (reducing traffic to one lane headed south, and adding
parking on the east side), please consider a protected vertical element on the east side between Fixlini &
SL Drive that would give extra security to those in the bike lane and pedestrians. As it currently
exists, vehicles traveling at almost 50 MPH are just inches from bicycles and pedestrians. A recipe for a
potential catastrophic event.
In closing, I’m saddened traffic operations & emergency vehicle access is taking precedence to safety
& neighborhood quality. I would appreciate anything you can do to enhance separation between vehicles
& our bicycle/pedestrian citizens, especially in the northbound down hill segment between Fixlini &
Ella/Iris/Lizzie!
Thank you for the consideration.
1
Daniel Carpenter
Johnson Ave
Ssn Luis Obispo
2