HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/17/2018 Item 3, Mitchell
The Soda Water Works
Mary Mitchell
1015 Nipomo Street, Suite 230, San Luis Obispo, Ca. 93401 (805) 550-7168(direct) (805) 781-0652(phone/fax)
marymitchellre@gmail.com marymitchellrealestate.com
City Council Members
City of San Luis Obispo
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
emailcouncil@slocity.org
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RE: July 17, 2018 City Council Hearing/Item #3
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Dear Council members, July 17, 2018
My name is Mary Mitchell and I represent the Soda Water Works Complex immediately
kitty corner to the proposed parking structure. I write this letter in support of the Palm
Street Parking Structure currently being reviewed for approval.
I paid parking in-lieu-of fees back in 1999 and have been waiting for the parking
structure to be built ever since. The Soda Water Works complex has 13 tenants in all on
site when fully leased up and NO parking was allowed on site by the City of San Luis
Obispo when I permitted the project. In order to keep my business viable and retain
quality tenants -I ask that the parking structure project be approved and construction
begun here soon.
The real need is for parking-not City owned commercial ventures. I believe the little
theatre is a good idea but beyond that the rest of the structure should be built to
accommodate cars and trucks-not roof gardens, restaurants and other conflicting uses.
Finally, if I can just suggest one design element that would improve dramatically the
flow of traffic at Palm and Nipomo. As things go now-traffic at Nipomo and Palm backs
up for a solid block on Thursday Nights and anytime there is a downtown event-which is
very often. This creates not only a traffic jam but a dangerous environment when
pedestrians, bikes and cars are in the mix. I suggest that this would be the ideal time to
install a TRUE Full sized Roundabout (2 lanes) at Palm and Nipomo that would
efficiently move traffic at that intersection AND out of the parking garage into Nipomo
and Palm Street. Monterey Street South could be the entrance-mid block and only in the
direction away from the Mission so traffic can wait on the dog leg-if necessary-to get in
at peak times. A bike/pedestrian path can be created on the sidewalk along Nipomo
and Palm-at the Roundabout-keeping bikes and pedestrians out of the roundabout and
minimizing conflicts there. Bicyclists could be required to dismount and walk their bikes
alongside pedestrians-at this juncture-thereby creating a calm dynamic between the two
modes of travel-an interface-so to speak. This would also help to slow down bicyclists
before they enter the downtown.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. I appreciate all your hard work and
dedication to our community.
Sincerely,
Mary Mitchell, Trustee
The Soda Water Works