HomeMy WebLinkAbout06_28-29_2017 PC Correspondence - Avila Ranch (Plourde)
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Dear Commissioners
Kayla Plourde <
Thursday, June 29, 2017 10:56 AM
Advisory Bodies
Avila Ranch Project
RECEIVED
CITY OF SAM LUIS OBISPO
JUN 2 9 2017
COMMUNITY C7EVE.LOPMENT
Below is an excerpt from the San Luis Obispo Land Use Element. Please review this project using the blueprint
created by this document.
PREAMBLE TO THE LAND USE ELEMENT [word-for-word]
We, the people of San Luis Obispo, hold that we have the right to determine our community's destiny based on
our community's values; that the future livability of our community will be driven by historical choices made
from day to day, and not by inevitable forces beyond our control; that in an age when the livability of large,
urban communities to our north, south, and east is being destroyed by incrementally accelerating environmental
degradation and the breakdown of civility, we assert our desire to seek a different sort of future for our
community; that, therefore, we direct our elected representatives and civic employees to preserve our
community's natural environment and control excessive growth detrimental to the long-term sustainability of
the community.
SOME BACKGROUND [also taken from the Land Use Element]:
SLO has had a Land Use Element since 1961. Residents have clearly reaffirmed commitment to preserve and
enhance the environmental quality of our community, including prime agricultural land in and around the City.
In 1977 loss of this farmland was cited as a major issue facing planners, but no concrete solution was proposed.
In 1994 a solution was supposedly proposed related to the continued loss of this world-class asset, and yet right
now we are in danger of the irrevocable loss of a major parcel — the 150 acre Avila Ranch (not from the Land
Use Element).
Experience with growth has caused citizens and public officials to question whether growth, even well planned,
produces benefits worth the social, economic and environmental costs and consequences. Despite such
consistent and strong expression of community values, there has been continued, incremental degradation of the
natural environment expressly valued by residents of San Luis Obispo. The element stated that key
environmental resources known to have finite limits were water supply and air quality. Concerns about
environmental quality continue today, and are the basis for much of the General Plan.
In one survey, respondents placed quality of life and environmental issues at the top of their concerns. Asked, in
open-ended questions about concerns, the top response was excessive growth, and the second was traffic.
We know there are major problems that will be created by this project with no mitigation being proposed. Particularly,
traffic and safety issues for those of us that already live near the project. In you meeting last night your staff was
acknowledged as being able to solve these problems, I ask that they do so before it is approved and built.
Always for the children
Kayla Plourde
805-459-9151