Though the goals of the Pillar 4 guidelines to upzone land around urban transportation corridors for "missing middle" housing is great, I believe these are only places to improve. Arterial roads are loud and polluted, and do not make for the best places for more people to live. Instead, I believe that land around large destinations (down town and Cal Poly) should be the primary target for missing middle housing. Specifically, the low-density housing district between Cal Poly, California, and Highway 101 could provide great, affordable housing, and give many the opportunity to walk to Poly instead of driving.
One important part of sustainable city design I don't see in this plan is an increase in mixed-use zoning. Creating dense housing is great, but if that housing isn't near all of the amenities one needs, they will be forced to drive to meet their needs, which, even with electric cars, is bad the environment, health of the driver, and sense of a connected community. One glaring flaw in the current layout of SLO is that nearly all of our grocery stores and other large stores are located as far as they could be from the vast majority of housing, near Los Osos Valley Road. It would only take a few additional stores near our population centers to better connect our community and prevent huge amounts of unnecessary driving. Therefore, I propose that more land near population centers in SLO be zoned either mixed-use (let the land owners respond to both housing and retail demand) or for retail (allowing the city to optimize store placement in some way).
Extensions and improved connectivity of our bicycle network should also be heavily prioritized, as connecting our existing bike infrastructure could make a huge difference with little effort. Specifically, a direct and safe connection between our separated multi-use path on California and down town SLO could make cycling a far more popular option. Separated or even just better-maintained bike lanes on Foothill should also be a priority to encourage environmentally friendly cycling lifestyles.
Additionally, many slow and unresponsive traffic lights currently impede pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike. Prioritizing the needs of cyclists and pedestrians will ultimately make these intersections safer, move more people, and cause less pollution. I believe that the intersection of Chorro and Foothill should be re-designed to prioritize pedestrians, as the densely built area could easily become a great space for pedestrian life. Specifically, I believe removing the slip-lanes, adding a crosswalk on each of the four sides of the intersection, and providing quick response to the pedestrian beg button could greatly help make the area from a few strip malls into a well-connected destination.
Hello -
I'd like to make recommendation suggestions to the Circular Economy on Plastics reduction, and that what the State has implemented in AB 1276. In additon, compliance to our "Expanded Polystyrene Ordinance", passed into law June 2015; enforceable Jan 2016" is sorely lacking. That indeed if we have a violation rule, that it is followed through. I urge that SLO City update the Polystyrene Ordinance to comply with the latest and best Polystyrene Ordinance in the State - "Single Use Plastics Reduction" just passed in Goleta, Sept 6, 2022 that incorporates Polystyrene, mylar balloons, AB 1276 in one ordinance.
Compliance with "AB 1276 - Single Use plastics - cutlery, straws, and condiments upon request". That AB 1276 became law June 2021; enforcement was to begin Jan 1, 2022. Our city has not done any outreach and education that I'm aware of, or that the restaurants are aware of this ordinance and continue to have open containers of cutlery, straws, and bins of condiments. Implementing this could save each restaurant significant money by not having to purchase as many disposables, when customers take more than they need, or not use after they've taken them, then are discarded. Also that AB 1276 has a replacement, reusable, washable, or certainly compostable component.
That SLO City use one of the best role models - Berkeley's Single Food Use Rules:
<"Businesses selling prepared food must follow guidelines to reduce their usage of single-use foodware. The rules apply to all businesses selling prepared food, and include guidance for both on-site dining and takeout.
All businesses selling prepared food are required to follow guidelines for disposable foodware for both on-site and takeout dining. The guidelines are designed to limit the amount of waste generated by single-use foodware.
ON-SITE DINING REQUIREMENTS
Businesses that allow customers to eat on-site must use reusable foodware (e.g. plates, cups) and must provide color-coded bins for composting, recycling, and trash.
REUSABLE FOODWARE:
Businesses offering on-site dining must use reusable (durable/washable) foodware to serve customers eating on the premises. Food vendors may either provide cleaning and sanitation facilities on-site or contract with a service for off-site cleaning.
No single-use disposable foodware is allowed for on-site dining, with the following exceptions:
Paper tray liners, paper wrappers, napkins, and BPI-Certified bioplastic or paper straws are allowed for dining on-premises. Paper napkins and paper straws should be offered upon request or at self-serve stations.
Recyclable aluminum foil is allowed for wrapping/forming items (i.e. burritos/wraps)
COLOR-CODED RECYCLING AND COMPOST BINS:
Prepared food businesses that allow self-bussing must provide color-coded receptacles for customers to separate their recyclables, compostables, and landfill waste that is generated onsite. Post signage above and/or on the recycling, compost, and landfill receptacles.
Color-code receptacles:
Blue for recyclable containers (bottles, cans, foil, rigid plastic containers)
Green for compost (food scraps, food-soiled paper)
Black or gray for landfilled items (small plastics, plastic film/bags).">
Many CA cities are already implementing these regulations. As a progressive city, and role model to the rest of SLO County, I urge that we get in line with what Berkeley and others have implemented.
Let's be the County role model!
Sincerely,
Janine Rands