HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-15-2015 Item 16 - C. SmithRECEIVED
S E P 14 2015 SLO CITY C1_,TE-PK_
From: Carolyn [mailto :ke6hn att.net]
Sent: Sunday, September 13, 2015 7 :11 PM COUNCIL MEETING: I)q - 15- 1
To: E -mail Council Website ITEM NO.: �Y
Subject: Agenda Item #16 - Appeal of Bowling Alley Project
Dear Mayor Marx and Council members:
I have lived in SLO for over 35 years and have disappointingly watched our downtown
systematically deteriorate into "bar row." Everyone agrees that a vital downtown should have a
healthy mix of businesses. I believe the scales have tipped toward an over abundance of
alcohol outlets, causing many residents, like myself, to go downtown less and less. I'm
concerned this bar project will only exacerbate that trend which shouldn't be the goal for one of
our city's gems.
Over the years, our City has spent thousands of dollars on consultants who have reviewed our
downtown night -life, held seminars and meetings with City Staff, business representatives, and
community members, resulting in reports containing constructive recommendations. All that
time and money has been spent in an effort to curb some of the problems the over abundance
of bars in our downtown core has caused in order to create a safer environment for all residents
and visitors. Ordinances have been created to deal with the problems excessive alcohol use
creates, even diverting police officers from residential neighborhoods to the downtown core area
on weekend nights. Yet, here we are again, on the cusp of approving yet another bar
downtown — actually several bars in one. It seems counter - productive for our city to continue to
approve more bars downtown while having to expend more of our tax dollars to find solutions for
the problems those bars create —not only downtown but in our residential neighborhoods as
well. Additionally, as inebriated bar patrons trickle into the residential neighborhoods on their
way home after 2:00 a.m., a variety of crimes are committed. Consequently, approving this bar
project as proposed is contrary to our efforts.
Furthermore,l have attended many meetings with City staff, Cal Poly and Cuesta staff and
students, and community members over the past several years where there have been serious
discussions about the proliferation of alcohol that plagues our young adult college -aged
students and how that culture must be changed. The urgency of this problem was emphasized
by a local ER doctor when he wrote to this Council on March 15, 2015, (after the St. Fratty's roof
collapse). He expressed significant concerns about the alcohol culture in our city. He related
the serious, severe injuries and near death cases of young adults he has treated due to alcohol
abuse. He states: "The alcohol culture amongst young people here in SLO has become so
overwhelmingly destructive to lives and property that the leadership of our community has an
obligation to do something about it" [emphasis added]. This statement comes from a physician
who has had first hand experience of the horrific effects of alcohol abuse and how it jeopardizes
the health, safety, and lives of our young adults. His letter should be on your minds when
making your decision allowing this proposed bar project. What kind of mixed message will our
city be sending to its residents and, in particular, to our college age population by approving five
bars in this project? We profess we want and need a change in the alcohol culture here in SLO,
but yet more and more bars (or restaurants that morph into late -night bars) continue to be
approved in the downtown area where an alcoholic drink is now available at nearly every door.
You should also ask yourselves if you would be approving five bars at this site if it weren't for
the applicants including a bowling alley and other activities that allows them to make the claim
that this is a "family friendly" establishment. Perhaps this is an attempt to manipulate the city
into allowing an alcohol establishment that would normally not be approved by itself. Upon
reading the Yelp reviews of "Discovery Ventura," which I understand is a project similar to this
proposed project, I found some comments that are contradictory to the "family friendly" image
that is being portrayed of this project and that some supporters are expecting. A few of the
comments are:
"Not a family - friendly place"
"Best Advice, don't go with kids"
"Not a kid friendly place" (comment about foul language from drunken patrons)
"There were a lot of kids late at night on the weekend which was weird among the bar
and inebriated crowd"
"To all the reviewers wondering if this is the place to bowl if you really want to bowl,
it's not. The bowling here is more of an accessory than a main attraction. Very cramped lanes,
velcro bowling shoes, limited choice of balls, no room for the wind -up, and the pins are stringed
up. Your expectations are set. On the plus side it might be fun when you're hammered and
don't care how good you bowl" [emphasis added].
"This place is a sports bar, plane and simple."
I understand that it is important to fill this large vacant building, and I am certainly not against
new and varied businesses moving into our downtown area. However, I believe that adding five
more bars, especially all under one roof, is irresponsible. It will not only send the wrong
message to our college age adults, it doesn't support the goal of providing a safe and healthy
downtown environment for everyone.
Approving this project as proposed also dismisses and disregards the wishes of the
respondents who completed a survey in 2012 reflecting a majority want less bars
downtown. Was that survey meaningless and are you willing to ignore the wishes of your
constituents in favor of those who have the most to financially benefit from this type of project? I
certainly hope not.
I would prefer this project be denied as proposed. But if you feel compelled to approve this
project and if truly the goal is to resurrect a bowling alley and provide recreation for ALL ages on
this site, then it should be a true bowling alley, not a giant nightclub hiding behind the pretense
of being a bowling alley. At the very least, reduce the number of bars significantly (only selling
beer and wine) so it will be a more family - friendly facility. Also, requiring a physical separation
between the bars and the recreational activities for minors and families would prevent them from
being forced to witness fowl language and other drinking misbehavior. Further, as much noise
and crowd mitigation requirements as possible should be added for residents living in the
downtown area and nearby neighborhoods.
Thank you.
Carolyn Smith
San Luis Obispo