HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-14-2016 PC Correspondence - Item 1 (Kienow)
From: Ken Kienow [
Sent: Friday, December 02, 2016 11:25 AM
To: Advisory Bodies <advisorybodies@slocity.org>
Subject: PC communication
Hello Planning Commission members,
Item:
RECEIVED
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
DEC 0 5 2016
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
I'm Ken Kienow, a member of the Bicycle Advisory Committee, but I am writing this email as a private citizen and
my views do not necessarily represent the views of the BAC as a whole or the views of other individuals on the BAC.
In my opinion, Avila Ranch has done a great job of integrating our city's Bicycle Transportation Plan projects as
mitigations for impacts identified in the draft EIR. However, I am still concerned with the project's overall lack of
contribution towards moving away from a gas -burning car -centric suburban housing model. Traffic in SLO is bad and
getting worse, and I believe more needs to be done to encourage Avila Ranch residents to move away from owning
two cars and using them for most or all trips. The project is anticipated to add 6000 - 7000 trips per day to city streets,
as detailed on page 3.12-29 of the draft EIR:
http://Www.slocity.org/Home/ShowDocument?id— 14119
The project provides opportunities for residents to walk, ride a bike, or take transit to destinations within the city and
makes great strides in connecting to existing or planned alternative transportation infrastructure. However, I believe
it's in our city's best interest to see Avila Ranch do things such as:
1) Integrating on-site car sharing opportunities (zipcar, funride, etc.)
2) Providing electric car charging stations
3) Reducing per-unit on-site parking facilities to accommodate only one car
4) Implementing a paid parking district to discourage curb parking and encourage single car ownership
5) Prohibiting curb parking altogether
Additionally, self -driving cars from many major manufacturers will become available to the public while Avila Ranch
is still being developed. It is possible, and perhaps likely, that by the time the last brick is laid at Avila Ranch, even
residents who have no interest in biking, walking, or taking transit will not see the need to own two cars. The ability to
quickly summon a self -driving car via smartphone app sounds very science fiction, but it will probably become reality
within the decade. Many households could meet their transportation needs by owning one car and summoning a self -
driving shared car only when needed.
Thank you,
Ken Kienow
883 Vista del Collados
San Luis Obispo, CA