HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/3/2026 Item 7a, HessJamie T Hess 320 Buchon St San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 February 3, 2026 Dear Mayor Stewart and Members of City Council, I am writing to urge you to preserve Laguna Lake Municipal Golf Course as publicly owned recreation space and a community greenbelt, while advancing housing solutions through smart-growth and infill strategies. Our city faces real housing pressure, and addressing it requires thoughtful planning — not the loss of irreplaceable public land. Smart growth emphasizes infill development, higher-density housing in appropriate areas, and zoning updates near existing infrastructure, transit, and services. These approaches create housing while strengthening neighborhoods and protecting open space. Laguna Lake is a city-owned asset that provides affordable recreation, environmental value, and essential green space. Converting this land to housing would undermine long-term planning goals by eliminating open space that supports community health, climate resilience, and quality of life. Once lost, this land cannot be recovered. I support maintaining Laguna Lake as a recreational facility and investing in improvements that expand access, increase usage, and ensure financial sustainability. Exploring a golf-centric community multiplex is a forward-thinking way to enhance public benefit while keeping the land publicly owned and aligned with smart-growth principles. Housing solutions and open-space preservation are not competing priorities. With strong infill policies and zoning flexibility, our city can meet housing needs without sacrificing one of its most valuable public resources. I respectfully ask that you protect Laguna Lake Municipal Golf Course and pursue housing strategies that reflect smart growth, responsible zoning, and long-term stewardship of public land. Thank you for your time and leadership. Sincerely,
Jamie Hess