HomeMy WebLinkAbout05_24-25_2017 PC Correspondence - San Luis Ranch (Barker) Meeting: 05-.11 -?-s- . U I-4-
From: Christine Barker < tem: C> M RECEIVED
Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2017 11:04 AM CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
To: Advisory Bodies
Subject: Attn: ARC, RE: San Luis Ranch MAY 2 4 2017
Dear SLO Planning Commission: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Kim Bisheff, Scott Mann, Nicholas Osterbur, Hemalata Dandekar, Ronald Malak, John Fowler, and Charles Stevenson:
Please vote to approve the San Luis Ranch housing project that will provide 580 new workforce and affordable housing unit
homes that are so desperately needed in this community. With its farm -to -table, sustainable agricultural and open space
design features, this project is extremely appealing to everyone who values the beauty and accessibility of the fresh and
natural foods and lifestyle we all enjoy here. Most important to the people of San Luis Obispo, however, is the critical need to
have affordable housing close to our employment. Following is my personal story...
I have lived in Paso Robles for almost 18 years, and worked in Paso Robles for nearly 15 years. I was well paid for my position,
but still, as a single woman living in a senior housing community in a less -than -market -value rental home, my income was
barely sufficient to meet the basic necessities of rent and utilities. I was laid off from that job when the downturn market crash
hit the oil industry. In the current economy, the average administrative position for which I was highly qualified was offering
$5-7 per hour below my pay rate. Even if I took a job in Paso Robles, I didn't know how I would survive. I accepted a position a
year ago in San Luis Obispo. However I now am forced to commute 60 miles a day round trip, with all the accompanying
expenses and wear on my vehicle. I looked at the alternatives to commuting... spending nearly 3 hours a day on a bus (over 15
hours a week), or paying double to triple the amount of rent that I currently pay in Paso Robles, and in most cases, for far less -
than -equivalent housing in SLO or surrounding communities.
Even though I must commute I love my job, in the housing industry coincidentally. I was already an advocate for workforce and
low-income housing prior to my new job, obviously because of my situation and that of many others I know. What I have
learned this past year in my job has given me a clearer understanding of SLO housing needs. I will continue to advocate for the
new housing development of San Luis Ranch, and others like it, so that families and residents like myself will hopefully have an
opportunity to work and live in the same community and lifestyle that we so enjoy and value.
Thank you for your consideration of my story as you make housing decisions for San Luis Obispo.
Chris Barker,
Resident of Paso Robles,
Employed in San Luis Obispo