HomeMy WebLinkAbout06_28-29_2017 PC Correspondence - Avila Ranch (Rogers)RECEIVED
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
June 27, 2017 1 JUN 2 8 2017
COMMUNITY DEEVELOPMENT
Dear Members of the Planning Commission,
The 2014-2019 San Luis Obispo General Plan Housing Element Report estimates
that the population of San Luis Obispo swells from 45,541 to 70,000 on work days.
It's a logical assumption that many of those 24,459 are commuting because they
can't afford to live where they work. Consider the environmental impact of tail pipe
emissions: it is widely believed that reducing such emissions is the single best thing
that can be done with respect to climate change. Of course SLO needs affordable
workforce housing!
In addition, by way of background, I confess to being an equity immigrant who sold
a home in Los Angeles in 2003 and bought four rental properties in San Luis Obispo
county. What I know from that experience is that high housing purchase prices here
drive up rents to prices few can afford but the parents of Cal Poly students. As a
result, young families can't live where they work. That's more than an
inconvenience. It is becoming increasingly more difficult for employers to attract
and retain young professionals: teachers, nurses, police officers, firefighters, doctors
and innovators.
The commuter lifestyle also negatively impacts the very reason we love living here:
community engagement. Commuters are less likely to participate and step up for
leadership roles in our communtiy and our schools, especially those with young
families. Personally, I'm a fan of millennials (having a couple of my own). Their
worldview and commitment to activism and kindness would be a boon to our town
— if they could only afford a home here. Those of us who are lucky enough to enjoy
the SLO Life shouldn't be drawing up the bridge but rather building pathways to
homeownership for these young citizens.
Please approve Avila Ranch. It is designed to provide the workforce housing that
the City has called for in its 2035 vision planning documents in terms of price,
location, quality and quantity.
And, in my humble opinion, it's the right thing to do.
Sincerely,
Kathryn Eisendrath Rogers
1727 Corralitos Avenue
San Luis Obispo, California 93401
kathrynrogersl@mac.com