Want to shape the future of climate action in SLO? Voice your thoughts on the draft 2023-37 Climate Action Plan Work Program by 11/16!

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

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.

I am happy to see the city of San Luis Obispo creating and executing a thoughtful CAP, as the climate crisis is the most important issue of our time, and I support all the pillars outlined in the plan.
I believe that city government can make a particularly strong impact via the mechanisms outlined in pillar 4, and I would like to see the plan go further in making housing development and zoning laws an integral part of this pillar. We certainly need more public transit and a more connected bicycle networks, but SLO also needs more housing. To reduce vehicle use, we need to plan for transit-centered and walkable communities, putting housing units close to jobs and close to public transit.
I would also like to see more focus on adaptation and resiliency policies integrated into all pillars of the CAP, particularly to address the threat of drought and wildfires that will continue to plague California in the decades to come.

I’m so grateful to live in a city that not only values, but prioritizes policies that deliver climate action and sustainability. The climate work SLO is doing makes me proud to live here. Thank you for your diligence and providing this opportunity to receive community feedback. How we approach the coming fifteen years, as this approach relates to carbon neutrality and sustainability, will determine the future of our community. We hope the city feels the full support of its constituency behind them as they prepare to present the updated Climate Action Plan.

Our county's cities need to be connected with reliable transit systems that all people can access even on holidays. Schedules seem to change leaving people without transport on holidays when they could really use the buses.

I appreciate the work being done, as well as the opportunity to provide my input. When it comes to outreach, there seems to be a lack of true attempts to connect with younger generations. In recent years, it has been proven that Gen Z is very politically active and motivated, and by not connecting with this demographic you're missing a crucial resource. This group is unlikely to attend forums or roundtables, so you may want to consider other additional forms of outreach.

I support SLO's Climate Action Plan Work Program in its entirety. I appreciate: the 2035 carbon neutrality goal; the growth of open space; the City's inspiring "lead by example" program; and the decarbonization of new buildings. I would like to see an accelerated timeframe for the elimination of gas leaf blowers. I know that the City is working hard on acquiring many more electric (non-Tesla) car charges. Once that is accomplished, I believe that the transition to electric vehicles will blossom! Many thanks to all who are working on these climate solutions!

I would like to write to emphatically support the cap pillars outlined here. As a young person in San Luis Obispo, I see climate change as our #1 challenge and opportunity. We will create jobs and reliance by investing in clean energy sources (pillar 2), including supporting for local green energy projects such as Morro Bay offshore wind, the continued operation of Diablo, and solar farms across the county. I additionally support the green building practiceS in pillar 3, such as encouraging rooftop solar and critically heat pumps (as the majority of SLO residents will consider installing ac units as extreme summer temperatures increase). Pillar 1 seems especially critical as SLO is so often a leader on policy within the state, country and world. More outreach should be done by the city in public spaces to demonstrate how we are addressing these pillars. Pillar 4 is critical, as SLO is a fantastic candidate for increased connected bike networks (including more protected bike lanes downtown and beyond) and more recreational trail connections (such as completing bob jones, and creating a bike friendly route to arroyo grande, Los Osos and Morro Bay).

I think that the state of california has an action plan for climate change that is sufficient and the city of slo should concentrate on local issues that effects the quality of life of its residents. The money that is being spent on the Climate Action Plan would be better spent on homelessness, downtown vitality and housing.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on a excellent plan. I would like to suggest one addition to the Natural Solutions pillar. Tulles are more prevalent in Laguna Lake than in the past. The tops of these plants can be harvested and sent to the biodigester to sequester the carbon. Since the plants will regrow this can become a sustainable process. Hopefully there is some grant funding to purse. A bonus would be reduction of the mosquito population around the lake and parts of the park