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Home My WebLink About01-28-2017 - SpenceCOUNCIL MEETING; f:TEM NO.:7.+giRECEIVED 1.. b I��E,�,,,�� January 26, 2017 JAN 2 7 2017 City of San Luis Obispo Attn: Mayor Harmon and City Council SLO CITY CLERK 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: 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 measures addressed only existing signalized intersection level of service for vehicles. o 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 unaddressed 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 Page 2 Mayor Harmon and City Council Members January 26, 2017 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, Quick -Stop, 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 nearly died when he 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. Sincerely, (� �. Cynde Spence San Luis Obispo, CA Y _ oC C:) J N V W N a U O J V)