HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Concept Plan (McKenzie) received 07-31-2017
From: John McKenzie < RECEIVED
Sent: Sunday, July 30, 2017 1:05 PM CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
To: Advisory Bodies
Cc: JUL 31 2017
Subject: PC communication -Downtown Concept Plan
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Dear Planning Commission,
In general, I applaud staff and the stakeholder's on a well thought out Concept Plan. However, I have one issue that I believe
has merit, that I think warrants some discussion in the Plan, which is 'how to address the new dog population'. The City
currently has about 12,000 dogs with 1,000 more on the way with the latest 'Ranch' projects (San Luis, Froom, Avila).
Goal 7.4 'Encourages higher -density projects and smaller dwelling units for a vibrant residential mix in the downtown.' While I
fully support this goal, each of these smaller, higher -density units, will at most have a small patio and no yard. National surveys
identify that about 1/3 of households will have dogs. Many dogs need places to run. In 2001, the City's Parks and Recreation
Element recognizes this reality and identified dog parks as an unmet need. Nothing has been done to address this over the last
16 years. The one pilot 'dog area' in Laguna Lake Park that allows dogs off leash does not meet the definition of a dog park, and
no specific efforts have been seriously considered or implemented to establish such a park. Furthermore, if your dog is found
off -leash in a public place outside of this one inadequate 'dog area', the owner is subject to a $500 ticket. Really? If the City is
going to charge this exorbitant amount, it should have at least one place, if not many more places, where your dog is allowed
off leash where all dog owners can go for an enjoyable off leash experience. Such a ticket cost is unfair and unreasonable if the
owners do not have a legitimate place to take their dogs. Until we have least one legitimate dog park, the City should be
requiring measures in all of their residential projects to establish a dog park as quickly as possible. And Laguna Lake Park would
be an excellent place to focus such efforts for the first real dog park.
As the Concept Plan's new dog population is a secondary impact from the above mentioned goal, it would seem that the
Commission and Council could easily address this issue with minimal changes to the Plan. It would seem that a directive could
be included for all new residential projects, that until such time that at least one dog park is established that a 'fair share'
portion of a project's recreation impact fee would go specifically towards dog park improvements at a City -approved location.
Please make this change for the well-being of future dog owners and their faithful companions. Thank you for your
consideration.
John McKenzie
805-441-5894