HomeMy WebLinkAboutComment Received 06-08-2017 - San Luis Ranch (General) (McKenzie)June 7, 2017
RECEIVED
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
JUN 0'8 2017
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Dear Planning Commission members,
I apologize for weighing in late on this project. My name is John McKenzie. I am a city resident with two
dogs. My focus of this correspondence is the San Luis Ranch Specific Plan and addressing the question
'what about the dogs?
Based on a nationwide survey, about 1/3 of all households will have dogs, and each of those households
will have between 1 and 2 dogs (1.6 per household).. Based on the assumptions stated below, the City
has more than 10,000 dogs, and more coming with the new development in the works. Nationally over
the last 15 years, there has been a steady increase (25%) of dogs in households.
For the proposed 580 residential units at San Luis Ranch, the City's dog population will increase by about
300 dogs. The proposed residences will have either a very small yard or no yard. Dogs need places to
run!! While the project includes a small park and some trails, it does not appear to include anything
specific for dogs, especially an area to run leash -free.
I have reviewed the project's EIR, as well as the Parks and Recreation Dept. staff report and minutes
(2/3/16) regarding this project and the recreational aspects. One of the PRC's interests was about dogs
and dog parks, and made a suggestion to the applicant to explore off-site improvements at the Laguna
Lake dog area. I did a cursory review of the Specific Plan but did not find any specific language
addressing this concern.
As this project is next to Laguna Lake Park, which has an off -leash dog area it would seem a logical
element of the Specific Plan to recognize the dog area; and its potential for improvements to make it a
full-fledged dog park and that San Luis Ranch would do its part to make its fair share improvements. The
existing dog area is an unfenced area which will only cater to a limited percentage of dog types and
owners. It is currently not good for the following dog types: wanderers, bolters, water lovers and many
smaller dogs. It is also not good for the following people -related aspects: no shade, disabled individuals,
those that don't want to see mud tracked into their vehicles, or those concerned with tics and water-
borne diseases.
It is my hope or suggestion the Commission will include some additional language in the Specific Plan,
and connected to Phase 1, where this project either 1) fund the costs of preparing a Dog Park Plan
(which would identify specifically where it would be located within Laguna Lake Park, identify specific
amenities, discuss maintenance elements, discuss volunteer element, etc.) and/or 2) pay its
proportional share towards the costs to install such a facility should the City approve such a Dog Park
Plan.
The Quimby fees/park offsets already required for this project do not appear to specifically cover or
include the costs of installing an off leash dog park anywhere within the City. Therefore, I would
reiterate additional language be added to the Specific Plan to direct the developer to specifically
contribute towards such a dog park as a part of Phase 1 development that are above and beyond the
Quimby fees/park offsets.
I would like to thank the Commission in advance for its ongoing efforts to our dogs' quality of life, which
in turn improves the life of their human companions. In this case I hope the City's path on this issue
`goes to the dogs'...
Sincerely,
ah/nM c K
813 Bougainvillea St., SLO
805-441-5894 (johnnimac@earthlink.net)
10,000 dogs — Assumptions/Facts
City of SLO pop — 47,339 (2015 census)
Per national 2012 estimate, over 1/3 of households (35.6%) own 1-2 dogs (1.6 average/household).
Based on the 2010 census for SLO there are 2.2 people per household; and if this is applied to the 2015
City pop., there are about 21,518 households.
Based on these stats there are over 7,000 households with dogs, and when the 1.6 dog average is
applied there would be over 10,000 dogs within the City of San Luis Obispo.