HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/2/2018 Item 13, Cooper
Christian, Kevin
From:Allan Cooper <saveourdowntownslo@gmail.com>
Sent:Sunday,
To:E-mail Council Website; Lee, Scott; Fuchs, Alexander
Subject:Public Hearing Item #13 “Establish Fine Amounts”
Dear Scott and Alex -
Would you kindly forward the letter below to the City Council before their meeting on Tuesday, October 2,
2018? Thanks!
- Allan
To: San Luis Obispo City Council, Scott Lee and Alex Fuchs
Re: Public Hearing Item #13 “Establish Fine Amounts”
From: Allan Cooper, Secretary Save Our Downtown
Date: September 30, 2018
Honorable Mayor and Council Members -
I would like to share with you some concerns I have with two of these proposals under Item #13.
First, I have a concern with the new $60 fine established for cars stopping or standing in a Class I and Class II
bike path. I am aware that other cities prohibit cars driving or parking in dedicated bike lanes and this is well
and good. I might add that it would be helpful should the City decide to post signs notifying drivers of this
potential traffic violation.
However, I am requesting that you make an exception for neighborhoods (such as the Anholm Neighborhood)
where a dedicated 2-way bike lane abuts multiple driveways. Imagine the difficulty these residents will
experience backing out of their driveways first looking left and right to avoid bicyclists. Once the bikeway is
clear, the resident may then confront an oncoming car. Yielding to this car will leave the driver standing
squarely within the bikeway. Because the driver is in the wrong for stopping in a bike path, it will be the driver’s
fault should a bicyclist impact this car. But even without a collision being involved, the resident could end up
paying a $60 fine for simply exercising extra caution before entering a stream of traffic.
Second, I would like to take issue with the proposed scheduled increases in fines for parking meter time
violations. Starting on January 1, 2021 the fine will increase from $40 to $45 and on January 1, 2023, that fine
will be increased to $50. Although these increases do not appear to be significant, Save Our Downtown is
concerned that they will further discourage residents and visitors from shopping or dining in our Downtown
core. The presence of vacant stores downtown is already becoming noteworthy and there is significant
anecdotal evidence attributing this to the fact that parking is becoming increasingly scarce. Thank you!
Allan Cooper, Secretary - Save Our Downtown, San Luis Obispo, CA
Website: www.SaveOurDowntownSLO.com
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