HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-09-2015 B1 LopesLomeli, Monique
Subject: FW: Save Our Downtown input for 2015 -17 Financial Plan
Attachments: 6 -9 -15 City Council Budget Hrg.pdf
JUN 09 2015
- - - -- Original Message---- -
From: James Lopes [mailto:iameslopes @charC_er.net]
Sent: Tuesday, June 09, 2015 9:36 AM
To: E -mail Council Website
Subject: Save Our Downtown input for 2015 -17 Financial Plan
Dear Mayor and Council Members:
COUNCIL MEETING: I
ITEM NO.:
Please review the attached letter from Russ Brown, Chairperson of Save Our Downtown, which comments on three
financial items and proposes four additional ones. We hope that you will agree to incorporate our suggestions in the
financial plan.
Sincerely,
Jamie Lopes
James Lopes
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
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Save Our Downtown
Seeking to protect and promote the historic character, design, livability and
economic success of downtown San Luis Obispo.
June 9, 2015
Subject: 2015 -17 Financial Plan - Budget Considerations
Dear Mayor and City Council Members:
Members of Save Our Downtown have comments on the following proposals in
the 2015 -17 Financial Plan. The first three are from the April 21, 2015 City
Council report concerning Downtown:
LUCE IMPLEMENTATION - Update the Downtown Concept Plan; revise
design guidelines and prepare a new form -based code, with other Zoning
Code amendments:
a. We support your Council giving direction that guidelines be
amended to include a proper urban design orientation and review.
b. We support your Council revising the proposed work program to
separate these projects from the Infrastructure Fee Update and
thereby accelerate their completion. The Fee Update can follow
with adjustments to reflect these projects after completed.
2. SIDEWALK AND TREE REPLACEMENTS -Trees provide a protective
setting along a street between the buildings. The large canopy of the Ficus
trees provides a ceiling to the public space between the buildings on each
side of the street. They create a shelter for a living space along the street.
They absorb the noise of traffic and people. They are a major definition of,
and attraction to the Downtown.
a. We support an addition to the Budget for a Street Tree Plan in the
next year which will show the thoughtful and predictable
placement of large canopy trees, with limited variety.
b. We are concerned that tree removals with the sidewalk projects
occur only if absolutely required, and that they be replaced with
large canopy trees, and counted as part of the overall urban forest
regeneration project.
3. HOUSING - We support the continued development of incentives to
encourage additional housing in the Downtown, only if projects continue
to be subject to the full design review and approval process. We support
City efforts to attract retail uses for the daily needs of Downtown
residents.
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In addition, Save Our Downtown continues to recommend that the following
new programs should be added to the 2015 -17 work programs and budget:
1. Rent Stabilization - We recommend that the City encourage property
owners to moderate their rents so that small businesses can enter and
succeed in downtown (commercial rent controls are now prohibited in
State law). Inordinately and unjustifiably high rents are the chief cause of
business failures, particularly for local small businesses.
2. Enhancing Downtown's Vibrancy - Save Our Downtown has long
advocated that the City - specifically the Economic Development Manager
- needs to "target" business support to achieve a desirable mix of uses in
the Downtown. The following programs would implement this concept:
a. New Program: The City shall prepare an inventory of uses in the
Downtown Core, particularly to identify uses at the street level
which directly impact the pedestrian experience and vibrancy of
the Downtown. This information shall be used to target business
support and attraction to achieve a desirable mix of uses in the
Downtown.
b. New Program: The City shall implement the Economic
Development Strategic Plan and other appropriate strategies for
business retention and expansion with a focus on those providing
head -of- household jobs Downtown.
3. Visual Resource Study - The City should undertake a study of visual
resources within the Downtown core area to identify potential locations
for new publicly -owned open places with access to views of important
scenic resources. The City will consider acquisition of one or more of these
open places as resources permit. A range of options for property
acquisition, including development agreements, will be considered,
consistent with the City's fiscal policies and objectives.
4. Alcohol Outlets - Save Our Downtown continues to encourage the City to
enact a Zoning amendment to restrict the number of alcohol outlets on
each block face within the downtown, and enact specific criteria for
evaluating use permits for bars/ taverns, nightclubs and late -night
drinking establishments. This project could be incorporated into the
amendments proposed by staff for LUCE implementation.
5. San Luis Obispo Creek Landscaping - We are concerned that the creek
walk at Mission Plaza does not have adequate landscaping, old and out of
date plants and a lack of native plants and trees. We recommend that the
City fund and develop a new landscape plan and a landscape planting
schedule for San Luis Obispo Creek in the Downtown area.
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Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Russ Brown
Chair, Save Our Downtown www.saveourdowntownslo.com