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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-08-2013 pc brodieRECEIVE D JAN 08 201 3 SLO CITY CLER K Goodwin, Heathe r Worn :Grimes, Maev e Sent :Tuesday, January 08, 2013 4 :13 P M To :Goodwin, Heathe r Subject:FW : public input for budge t Attachments :ALCOHOL OUTLETS .do c Here is another correspondence for tonight's budget forum . Thanks . Maeve Kennedy Grime s City Cler k City of San Luis Obisp o 990 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, CA 9340 1 Phone : (805) 781-710 2 Email :mgrimes@slocity .org Original Message From : Carter, Andre w ~ent :Tuesday, January 08, 2013 4 :01 P M To : Grimes, Maev e Subject : FW : public input for budge t Public Fil e Andrew Carte r Council Membe r City of San Luis Obisp o From : Dixie Cliff [dixiecliff@att .net ] Sent : Tuesday, January 08, 2013 3 :12 P M To : Marx, Jan ; Smith, Kathy ; Carpenter, Dan ; Ashbaugh, John; Carter, Andre w Subject : public input for budge t Dear madame mayor and council members, Please place special attentio n to this issue tonight . Thanks, David Brodi e • COUNCIL MEETING : I?(13 ITEM NO .: 1 • • • ALCOHOL OUTLET S A large number of people are working on improving conditions in downtown SLO . Plans for street trees, sidewalks, benches, lighting, signs, etc ., pale in importance whe n compared with the proliferation of alcohol establishments . Unfortunately, alcohol is no w associated with a number of different types of businesses, particularly eatin g establishments . The combination of these businesses produces a disproportionate rati o with the retailers in downtown . If we are truly trying to develop a place that provides a high quality of life for downtow n a cross section of businesses should be encouraged . It would seem that we are on a path to overwhelm the regular retail businesses and in some cases generate a standard o f behavior that is unacceptable if not illegal . From the urban design considerations we recognize the important part played b y interesting shop front windows . Pedestrian paths are enjoyed by shoppers who see a continuous array of shop windows which entertain the walker . An unbroken facade is a good investment for the shopper who goes downtown . Insert many alcohol outlets including restaurants and the incentive for the shopper to continue along the path i s diminished . Boarded shop fronts ensue and eventually a world only of bars and eatin g spots remain . It takes years to reverse the harm done . We recommend that yo u immediately establish commissions and committees to study the afore mentione d conditions and also compare with other cities that are suffering or have suffered through the proliferation of alcohol outlets . In the meantime the city should have a moratorium on any new premises with these uses . Urban design should be top priority for all city staff and representatives .