HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/17/2026 Item 6b, Phene-McKellar
Mimi Phene-McKellar <mimi@iflipforccg.com>
Sent:Wednesday, February 18,
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Regarding The Higuera Complete Steets Final "Public Hearing"
Good Wednesday afternoon,
I would like to express my gratitude for the time and effort that all participants have
dedicated to this matter. This project has been in development for several years. As you
know, my husband and I have been attending, and we learned about this through other
projects, not through a mailer or email communications.
1. The Mayor mentioned that the data being used is two years old, which means that
the vote is based on outdated information. We don't know whether the protected
bike paths are actually increasing safety and bike participation in our community.
Are these protected bike lanes being utilized effectively? Many avid cyclists have
expressed that they don't feel safe riding in the current conditions created by
cement barriers and flex poles. These structures limit their ability to maneuver
safely, avoid obstacles, and allow faster cyclists to pass them.
Instead of proceeding with maximum protection on S. Higuera, why not upgrade
the poorly marked bike lanes instead? We could implement wider lanes, marked
with green paint and double white lines, similar to what has been done in other
cities, including ours.
Moreover, I have repeatedly pointed out that we already have a safe bike and walk
path running parallel to S. Higuera from Prado to Los Osos Valley Road, and it is
not being used as intended.
2. The Mayor seems to be the only one concerned about the businesses on S.
Higuera. This project construction is going to significantly impact our ability, and
that of our customers, to access our facilities in a timely and safe manner,
especially since it will coincide with the Prado Bridge project, which will shut down
access to the freeway from S. Higuera.
It's devastating to hear that you are worried about being the reason businesses
close, but the reality is that you will be. This will directly affect my business and
access to it from the Southern counties. Additionally, large trucks already struggle
to make turns and maneuver along S. Higuera.
This situation will only add to the major congestion already present on LOVR,
creating a real mess. I have already received complaints from customers living in
the southern cities who can no longer attend CCG (Choice of Gymnastics) classes
due to the massive traffic delays on the 101 and down Broad Street after 4 PM.
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They find it difficult to get home if they take an afternoon class. Now, with this
project, things are going to get even worse.
3. Safe rides for all youth to schools are important, and we fully support that, but it
needs to be approached properly—not piecemeal. There are numerous challenges
that this project is introducing to our streets, and the data being used is over two
years old, which makes it difficult to determine if this is a viable alternative. I
don’t understand the mindset of learning as we go. What have you really learned?
The core issue seems to be the $9 million grant that expires on June 26, 2026.
I recognize that a lot of effort has gone into exploring various angles and options.
Why, then, are we not moving forward with stripped-down, wider bike lanes? If
you feel more protection is necessary, then consider adding that later. Have you
not taken any lessons from the parking problems created downtown? There have
been numerous fixes, and we’ve often reverted to previous solutions, such as
removing newly installed paid parking stations, replacing them with different ones
3 times, and removing attendants in garages, adding gates that many could not
utilize. Businesses downtown have suffered horrifically, many closing because of
these poorly made decisions, and the same will happen to those on S. Higuera.
The timing for this work is unfortunate. There is no need to create protected bike
lanes on S. Higuera. Instead, focus on improving existing bike lanes and
enhancing access to the Bob Jones Trail's one-mile section. I encourage you to
walk that area—it’s a great addition you've made, yet it's underutilized.
4. I wish to bring attention to an inconsistency with the flyer that was distributed,
which indicated that this meeting would serve as the "Public's Final Hearing" for
input on the project. Regrettably, the flyer did not specify that the City Council
would be conducting a vote on this matter. This meeting was intended to provide a
final "Public Input Opportunity." However, the implication that "the City Council
will consider final design approval and construction authorization on
February 17, 2026," was misleading. In fact, a vote to approve the project took
place.
Several community business leaders have expressed their concerns regarding
the lack of additional mailings prior to this City Council meeting, which would
have allowed for better-informed participation. The misleading nature of the
mailer suggests that our input had little influence on the Council's decision-
making process. Consequently, many participants felt that the substantial time
invested—over five hours—was ultimately unproductive. Additionally, I find it
puzzling that such a significant agenda item was scheduled late in the
meeting, leading to the departure of many attendees who wanted to give input
since the meeting commenced at 5:30 PM and extended past 11:00 PM.
It is disheartening to witness the city council and mayor publicly affirm their
commitment to soliciting public input, only to conduct meetings in this
manner. I inquire whether there have been prior mailings about other public
input meetings, or if this is the first instance of such communication. I do not
recall receiving any similar correspondence in the past. It is imperative that
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future communications clearly indicate whether the City Council will be voting
on the agenda items at hand.
Our main concerns are the protected bike paths, the use of flex poles, and the recent
addition of cement parking bumpers as protection for these bike lanes up and down S.
Higuera Street. These enhancements are unnecessary at this time. Instead, we urge you
to focus on fixing the sidewalks along S. Higuera, ensuring that traffic signals function
properly for safety, adding green paint and white double lines, widening the existing bike
lanes, all the items that create better transportation for all, and creating a bike GPS for
San Luis Obispo that helps all cyclists navigate the best routes in the city and county. It
is essential to gather current data before making any more poor decisions that
taxpayers will ultimately have to support with the budget shortage for this project. We,
the people, deserve to be heard, and last night, we were not. It was not a final input
opportunity for the public. It was approval time only to move forward.
Warmest regards,
Mimi Phene-McKellar
CEO
Central Coast Gymnastics
Sports Center, Inc.
21 Zaca Lane, Suite 100
San Luis Obispo, Cal. 93401
805.549.8408
www.iflipforCCG.com
“A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes. It
is a catalyst…a spark that creates extraordinary results.” – Successories
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