HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-28-2017 - FunkCOUNCIL MEETING: I —Z-1 JAN 2 7 2017
ITEM NO.: �bIJ�
c1 P
From: Lisa Funk
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2017 11:03 PM
To: E-mail Council Website <emallcouncil@slocity.or >
Subject: Neighborhood Walkability
January 26, 2017
City of San Luis Obispo
Attn: Mayor Harmon and City Council
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Subject: Implementing the South Broad Street Area Plan Projects 1 (Median) and 2 (Signals) to Improve
Safety and Neighborhood Walkability, and to Address Cumulative Impacts of Development to the South
Dear Mayor Harmon and City Council Members:
My name is Lisa Funk. My husband Mike and I own our home at 636 Mitchell Drive where we live with our
two elementary school-age children. We are long time SLO residents and have a growing concern about the
decreasing quality of life in our neighborhood, due to vehicle traffic patterns. We feel there are solutions that
could mitigate the safety issues that impact our neighborhood.
We respectfully urge the City to give a high priority to constructing the planned median and signalized
intersections on South Broad Street during the 2017-19 financial plan and goal setting process. Broad
Street has become a major barrier to movement whether in a vehicle, on foot, or on a bicycle. Broad
Street between South and Orcutt is 0.7 miles of four lanes without any traffic control to allow left turns
or pedestrian and bicycle crossings in and out of the adjoining neighborhoods and businesses. The
neighborhoods on both sides are increasingly isolated as the City's major growth areas to the south generate
more vehicle trips on Broad Street, on top of the increasing commute traffic from the South County.
Although the City's EIRs for southward development, by disclosing decreases in Level of Service at
the existing Orcutt Road and South Street traffic signals, acknowledge that projects will substantially increase
traffic on South Broad Street, none of those specific plan EIRs address the direct, indirect, or cumulative
impacts to left turns or pedestrian and bicycle safety in the 0.7 miles between Orcutt and South Street. The EIRs
effectively regard this area as a motorized vehicle through -way by addressing only Level of Service for cars and
trucks. For example:
+ For 979 residences planned in the Orcutt Specific Plan Area, the Broad St. traffic mitigation we understand
that measures addressed only existing signalized intersection level of service for vehicles. For 297 residences
planned (many already built) in the Four Creeks Specific Plan Area, the Broad
St. traffic mitigation measures addressed only existing signalized intersection level of service for
vehicles.
This emphasis on mitigating impacts to intersection Level of Service for vehicle trips, and lack of
consideration for other modes of transport in existing neighborhoods, is at odds with the community's
broad support for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and making neighborhoods more livable by enabling
pedestrian and bicycle trips.
The'uiiaddressed cumulative effect from development to the south is declining safety and livability for the
residents `of the South Broad Street area, Caudill tract, Stoneridge, and other surrounding neighborhoods due to
the traffic increases and loss in neighborhood connectivity.
Consider that our neighborhood polling place and farmers' market (at the Grange Hall) is about 100 yards from
the end of Lawrence Drive. Due to the traffic on Broad when most of us can make it to the polls (before work
or shortly thereafter), one must go to Orcutt to cross Broad Street, resulting in a nearly half -mile round trip to a
location that is right across the street. Similarly, instead of a half -mile bike ride to our only nearby grocery store
(SLO Natural Foods), it is a 1.6 -mile trip to cross safely at an existing signal. The lack of safe crossings
discourages biking and walking, and likely reduces the amount of "walk-up" business that should be coming
from the many residences right across the street from Taste, Mission Thrift, SLO Natural Foods, and other
establishments in the South Broad Street Plan Area.
In addition to the lack of safe pedestrian and bike crossing opportunities, left -turns have become out of the
question at peak hours. Left -turn accidents here are frequent. Most recently, a motorcyclist collided with a
vehicle turning left onto Lawrence Drive from Broad Street.
Lastly, a planted median would immediately improve the aesthetics of this southern gateway to the City.
Investing in the planned improvements to South Broad Street now will directly improve the quality of life for
the residents around South Broad Street while improving conditions for business in the South
Broad Street Plan Area. We respectfully urge the City to prioritize investments in this area now.
Respectfully,
Lisa and Mike Funk
SLO