SandraMarshall

Thinking Out Loud

Where do I begin?
As your Mayor my intent is not to change SLO but to enhance and put our best foot forward. Just look at the ugly mess of anything goes building when entering SLO from Hwy 101 onto Marsh St.
The old gas station turned auto repair shop at Carmel & Marsh is now a big white over-sized 3-story building with what appears to be extend into the sidewalk. How did this get approved? Across the street, next to the Victorian home, is another ugly modern style 3-story building. The block of Marsh St has become a hodgepodge of buildings. How did this happen? It's a free for all.
Black buildings began popping up? I would strongly encourage the city color palette be followed. I've been told there's no real enforcement. Why not?
As Mayor or Council Member I will listen to public comments. It takes courage or a serious cause for a person to come forward during public comment. Whether it's one person or a room full of people the council needs to heed concerns and warnings, note what is working and what is appreciated by residents and businesses.
I fully support the movement to Save Our Downtown, its history, architecture, uniqueness and hometown feel. This is what makes SLO a treasurer. I am committed to protecting and preserving our 7,000 acres of Open Space. I do not support motorized bikes in these areas as it would be the first step toward allowing motorcycles which will change the landscape and purpose of the trails.
We are at a serious turning point or maybe it's too late. I say slow down SLO. Take a breath. Look at the future with eyes wide open. Do we have the water to proceed? More people will bring more cars which will create more pollution. If we don't slow down now than when? This is a citywide problem that we all need to be a part of. I welcome the opportunity to lead the discussion. Let's start it now. The next City Council will need to address these issues. Are they ready?

A Better Tomorrow Starts Today

Open Space

The city of San Luis Obispo currently owns 7,000 acres of Open Space. Unlike parks, Open Space is undeveloped protected parcels of land left to nature and wildlife. Within the City, there are eight designated Open Space areas accessible to the public for hiking, mountain biking, running, or taking a leisurely walk.
As your Mayor my number one priority is to protect and preserve our natural resources and designated Open Space.
Until 2017 Open Space was one of the most important issues per public City Surveys. Now it is not even included as a choice. How can the public express their interest in preserving Open Space if they are not even given the choice? To prove the level of community support, and for grant funding purposes, I will ask that Open Space be listed separately in future public surveys.
My track record of fighting for the environment is decades-long. As Mayor, I will work even harder to make sure Open Spaces are treated like the important resources they are.

Save Our Downtown

Retaining the unique charm of our downtown area is a major plank in my mayoral platform. Visitors from across the country and around the world flock to San Luis Obispo for its small-town charm, but a plan to erect a 75-foot monster building in the middle of our beloved downtown has recently been approved by the SLO City Council. As Mayor of San Luis Obispo, I would support the efforts of Save Our Downtown (SOD), a grassroots organization dedicated to protecting our historic architecture and promoting the design, livability and economic success of our downtown.

If, like me, you do not want to see our blue skies blocked by oversized buildings that do not serve the needs of the community or encourage visitors to spend their dollars with locally owned businesses, join me in the fight to keep San Luis Obispo on the list of California’s most charming cities

Ending Homelessness

Homelessness in SLO is real. In 2019, the number of unsheltered people living in our city increased by 32%. The majority of the unsheltered in our community were already living here when they became homeless. Job loss is cited as the primary reason and it does not discriminate. Who among us might be next to experience living without shelter?

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted many of our beloved city’s strengths but also its weaknesses, including the treatment of the homeless community. Clearing encampments often forces individuals to leave behind essential belongings such as tents and sleeping bags. At a time when Americans are being asked to stay indoors and limit contact with others, the unsheltered are being forced to stay on the move, sometimes sleeping in a tent with anyone who is kind enough to share. We can and should do better than this for our most vulnerable citizens.

As your Mayor, I will create a community task force and join with existing organizations to find real solutions that solve the homelessness crisis in the City of San Luis Obispo

Safer Communities

Violent crime in San Luis Obispo is on the decrease, but property crime is rising. In 2018, San Luis Obispo was reported to have a crime rate that is 86.5% higher than other U.S. cities. Organizations such as Neighborhood Outreach and Student Neighborhood Assistance Program (SNAP) work in conjunction with SLOPD and are effective when supported. Community outreach can work to reduce non-violent crimes and should be recognized as a valuable resource in our community.
A citizen’s freedom to peaceful assembly is protected by the constitution and should never be threatened. I would encourage interested community members to participate in nonviolent civil disobedience training as an opportunity for education and community building.
My role as your Mayor is to solve problems not create them.

Housing

It’s not cheap to live in San Luis Obispo. With fewer students returning to Cal Poly for the fall semester there may be a larger selection to choose from for the new arrival or a current resident looking to move. Rents continue to be high and wages low for the majority of residents making it difficult for the average person or couple to pay their monthly rent or save up to buy their own home.
In the meantime more houses are being built throughout San Luis Obispo making it possible for people to move up or relocate here. Part of the growth comes from California’s requirement for cities to meet new housing obligations and being held accountable if they do not follow through. Per an article published in The Tribune on June 19, 2019 I calculated more than 2,164 homes would be built in the next two years. Many of these new developments will be on the market soon and a majority will include some Affordable Housing. By including Affordable Housing the developer typically receives a break or benefit.
This is excellent for the housing market. But is this a buyer’s market? Do we have the jobs needed to fill these homes?

Environment

Fresh clean air, blue skies, and awe-inspiring sunsets, the natural beauty of San Luis Obispo is the best thing about our city, and it is the reason many of us came here to live. As your Mayor, my number-one priority would be to protect and preserve the natural resources and open spaces. In 2019, 564 old-growth trees were removed from prime agricultural lands to make way for new housing, a hotel and more shopping. The environmental cost of that decision is the equivalent of having nearly 790 tons of Co2 dumped into our environment. Sadly, the stately blue herons that soared above those trees are gone forever.

I pledge to work closely with local environmental groups and listen to community members to find satisfying solutions to environmental concerns and urge the City Arborist to ensure healthy trees are spared. When tree removal is deemed necessary, new trees will be planted to replace the loss.

It is up to us to protect and preserve the best of SLO for future generations.