HomeMy WebLinkAbout06_28-29_2017 PC Correspondence - Avila Ranch (Visit SLO CAL)
June 27, 2017
City of San Luis Obispo
Attn: Planning Commission; City Council
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Subject: Support for Avila Ranch Project
Dear Commissioners and Councilmembers,
I am writing to express Visit SLO CAL’s support for the Avila Ranch project. As the countywide destination
marketing organization, we understand the importance of workforce housing to our county. About 30,000
commuters drive into San Luis Obispo every day to work. The county tourism industry supplies
approximately 17,820 jobs to residents of the county – about 1 out of 8 total jobs – and many of these
jobs are in San Luis Obispo. Employees need to be able to live in the communities in which they work,
and workforce housing efforts like that of Avila Ranch project make that possible.
The features of this project align with the current housing demand in San Luis Obispo. Avila Ranch’s
supply of mid-priced housing helps fill the current gap in housing product in San Luis Obispo. Many of
these homes fall within the budgets of working families, and efforts to cut ownership costs in the long-
term are easy to recognize—Net Zero Energy, car sharing and small yards with low monthly maintenance
costs are just a few examples. Moreover, the added bonus of new parks, bike paths and traffic
improvements make this a win-win for the entire San Luis Obispo community.
A key strategic imperative for our organization is to advocate for development of tourism infrastructure.
The Avila Ranch project is an opportunity for San Luis Obispo to take the lead on workforce housing and
accommodate this growing sector, which generated $61.7 million in local tax revenue for the communities
throughout the County.
Please take this opportunity to approve this investment in San Luis Obispo’s future.
All the Best,
Chuck Davison
President & CEO
Visit SLO CAL