HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-19-2014 pc farwellKremke, Kate
From: Mejia, Anthony
Sent: Monday, August 18, 2014 8:58 AM
To: Kremke, Kate
Subject: FW: LUCE Update language
Council Correspondence w /cc DJohnson & Murry
Anthony J. Mejia, MMC I City Clerk
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990 Palm Street AGENDA
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Date f' 19' Item# P C
From: debbie farwell [mailto:dif530earthlink.net]
Sent: Sunday, August 17, 2014 7:50 PM
To: Mejia, Anthony; Marx, Jan; Carpenter, Dan; Christianson, Carlyn; Smith, Kathy; Ashbaugh, John
Subject: LUCE Update language
Aug. 17, 2014
Mayor Marks and Members of the San Luis Obispo City Council,
In monitoring the City Council meetings for 8 months, I have been greatly troubled by the amount of rhetoric
used to promote the Land Use and Circulation Elements Update, Pursuasive language has been sculpted to
distract attention from the cultural and economic changes resulting from the LUCE Update, Land speculation,
building industries, and tourism promoters are poised to reap huge benefit from the construction, infill and
development promoted by the city with the LUCE Update. Residents are impacted by increased density, noise,
traffic, loss of view shed and loss of trust in the city.
Magic words like: Happiest City in the Nation, Economic Development, Community Well -Being are just a
sample of words used to refocus attention from the growth now taking place. The meanings of these words are
open to a wide variety of interpretation. They can magically be used to mean whatever the user wishes. Words
and images are used to describe land speculators, developers, tourism support systems, Cal Poly Administration
and business models to shape a misleading picture for city residents. This model isn't reflective of many of the
values of citizens living in San Luis Obispo. What do these magic words really mean and who will profit from
this rhetoric?
According to The 2013 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) To Congress, San Luis Obispo County is
listed 3rd in the nation for total homelessness with 90 % of our homeless living without any shelter at all. As the
County seat, San Luis Obispo shares in this huge negative impact on the lives of fellow human beings, Many of
the affected are children. Is it possible that these folks are happy being homeless? How is their economic
development improved by homeless? Is our community well being improved, with a large homeless
population? To be listed 3rd in the nation for total homelessness is a shameful fact which conflicts with the
magic words of the "Happiest City in the Nation ",
I realize that the City and private citizens donate to the homeless shelter and food provision programs, I
applaud those efforts. Yet, as I watch and listen to City Council meetings, adequate housing for low income
and entry -level workers becomes less affordable, Small houses are now offices. Downtown rent is increasingly
out of reach for local Mom & Pop businesses. Open spaces have been turned into big box store
developments. The city has been dressed up to impress tourists: a commodity to buy and sell at the highest
price. Meanwhile, residents are increasing disenchanted with life in San Luis Obispo.
Some folks are making huge amounts of money, on the backs of others. The outcomes of the Updated LUCE
will promote growth and development, at a huge price for many residents in the city. Please consider the
rhetoric being used to promote San Luis Obispo as a commodity. Don't continue to buy into the pretty pictures
used to sell San Luis Obispo as a product to profit the few.
Sincerely,
Debbie Farwell