HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/25/1991146
City Council Meeting Page 2
Monday, November 25, 1991 - 6:00 P.M. ,
Boardmembers Steve Owens and Tom Brown spoke about the external factors that pose a threat to the
downtown, including large retailers such as K -Mart and WalMart, construction in the downtown, the recession
and asked that the City look at ways to make things easier for downtown businesses, i.e., easing up on siguage
and remodeling restrictions. They also urged that the City buy local.
Betsey Lyon said that the BIA wanted to continue to work cooperatively with the City and would appreciate
input regarding making the downtown a more viable retail environment.
Councilwoman Pinard encouraged uniformity of hours of operation and later hours for downtown stores in
order to enable the in -flow of workers in the downtown to shop after work. She said she did not like the vision
of the downtown being an "entertainment" night spot but should also have vitality during the day.
Councilwoman Rana offered the Idea that downtown San Luis Obispo should reinforce its image as a
destination and agreed with Councilwoman Pinard that shops should stay open later to allow shopping after
work hours.
Mayor Dunin joined the meeting at 8:10 pm.
After discussion on non - residential growth control, Council encouraged the BIA Board provide meaningful
input to them on the General Plan Update currently under review.
Boardmember Dick Cleeves briefly addressed the seismic retrofit issue.
Councilwoman Penny Raooa stressed that it had to be clear to the public that seismic retrofit was a health and
safety issue and would not necessarily be a guarantee that in the event of an earthquake buildings would
remain standing. She hoped that the City and BIA could work together on a disaster preparedness program
as well as a Downtown Design Plan so that in the event of a disaster of any kind downtown we would be able
to recoup and recover soon.
John Dunn. City Administrative Officer, said it was important that the BIA and City work together to reduce
the parking problem in the downtown, particularly business owners and employees taking the prime parking
spaces.
The discussion on parking encompassed several issues including a rebate program for downtown employees
in the Marsh Street parking structure, providing employee incentives to use the parking structures, a BIA trip
reduction program and free parking for carpools, a program that is already in existence but many business
owners and employees are unaware of. It was suggested that the BIA Newsletter be used to educate both
employees and the public about parking options in the downtown.
Boardmember Tad Hillier expressed the desire that the City keep the BIA informed about future projects in
the downtown so that they could be prepared for street closures that are of concern to merchants.
Dave Romero, Public Works Director, said that the city is working very hard to get information out as early
as possible regarding downtown projects.
Councilwoman Raona requested that formal guidelines for notification of public works projects be brought
before the Council in the form of a resolution.
There being no further business to come before the City Council and the Business Ltapreyery t ssociation
Board of Directors, Mayor Dunin adjourned the meeting at 9:15 p.m
APPROVED BY COUNCIL: 1/7/92
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