HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-09-2017 PC Correspondence - Items 1 and 2 (Brooks)To: San Luis Obispo Planning Commission
Chair Chuck Stevenson and Commissioners Kim Bisheff, Hemalata Dandekar, John
Fowler, Ronald Malak, Scott Mann and Nicholas Osterbur
advisorybodies@slocity.org
Re: Avila Ranch and continuous Class II bike lanes on Buckley Road
Dear City Planning Commissioners:
“Great Paths but Galling Gaps: Bicycle Riding in SLO County.” That was the finding of
the 2008-09 County Grand Jury. Although the county and San Luis Obispo City have
made significant progress since this report was issued more than eight years ago, major
gaps in the bicycle transportation network remain. As the report says: Rural area riders
attempting to get from here to there on well-designed, safe bikeways frequently find
themselves dumped on to narrow rural roads where cars and trucks whiz by
uncomfortably close. The Grand Jury report summary on bicycles is posted at:
http://slocourts.net/downloads/grand_jury/reports/2008/Great%20Paths%20but%20Galli
ng%20Gaps.pdf
Please support continuous Class II bike lanes on Buckley Road as part of the Avila
Ranch Development Project proposed on 150 acres at 175 Venture Drive in San Luis
Obispo. Do not allow a major gap in the bicycle transportation network.
The developer has agreed to add Class II bike lanes from Buckley Road’s extension to
Higuera Street to the eastern boundary of the project site, leaving an approximate one -
mile gap from the project site to Thread Lane in the unincorporated area. Completing
this gap is outside the scope of the developer’s responsibility.
Recommend that the City and County of San Luis Obispo negotiate a viable solution for
completing this gap as a condition of approving Avila Ranch. There are so many
reasons to require continuous Class II bike lanes on Buckley Road as it transitions from
a country road to a major connector between Higuera Street and Highway 227:
-This gap in the bicycle transportation network would effectively discourage most people
on bikes from riding to job sites, Los Ranchos Elementary School, the Octagon Barn,
Bob Jones Trail, Edna-Price Canyon segment of the Juan Bautista de Anza Trail and
other easily bikeable destinations in the vicinity of Higuera Street and Highway 227.
-The 2015-16 County Bikeways Plan and 2013 City Bicycle Transportation Plan,
respectively, show continuous Class II bikes on Buckley Road between Highway 227
and Vachell Lane, including the one-mile segment in question. Both bike plans have
goals to increase bicycle usage, provide for a safer bicycling environment and
collaborate with other agencies to support a regional bicycle network.
-Traffic will increase significantly as Avila Ranch is phased in and Buckley Road is
extended to Higuera Street, providing another connection for Highway 101 commuters
to Highway 227 and job sites. The San Luis Ranch project just approved by City
Council, the proposed Froom Ranch project and other developments will generate even
more motor vehicle traffic.
-San Luis Obispo was designated a Gold-Level Bicycle Friendly City by the League of
American Bicyclists in 2015. A Gold-Level City should encourage bicycle transportation,
not create a gap in the bicycle transportation network associated with approval of A vila
Ranch that will house thousands of new residents. Bicycle-Friendly designations are
based on 10 building blocks, including “High Speed Roads with Bike Facilities” for
streets with posted speeds of 35mph that meet or exceed current American Association
of State Highway and Transportation and National Association of City Transportation
Officials standards.
-The vast majority of county commuters travel alone in automobiles. Continuous Class II
bike lanes are needed to reduce personal vehicle trips generated by Avila Ranch and
Highway 101 commuters who will use Buckley Road to reach Highway 227. San Luis
Obispo City established a 20 percent trips-by-bike goal in the Land Use and Circulation
Elements (LUCE) and Climate Action Plan and a 20 percent mode share objective in
the Bicycle Transportation Plan. Multi-modal transportation a major city goal.
-San Luis Obispo is a popular destination for vacations. Continuous Class II bike lanes
on Buckley Road will make it easier and safer for visitors who want to ride bicycles to
enjoy our beautiful county.
Consistent Class II bike lanes on Buckley Road should be a priority for both the city and
county so people have a safe and convenient way to reach their destinations without
driving. Do not accept a gap in the bicycle transportation network because it’s
inconvenient to find a solution. Because of the development of Avila Ranch, Buckley
Road must be an integral part of the regional bicycle transportation network so people
who want to ride bikes can do so without fear of being hit by motorists.
Sincerely,
Lea Brooks
San Luis Obispo
cc: SLO County Board of Supervisors
Ron DeCarli, Executive Director, SLOCOG