Ashbaugh Opposes "Fast Track" Annexation of Open Space Lands

By John B. Ashbaugh

On Tuesday, August 26 the SLO City Council approved, on a 3-2 vote, a "fast-track" process for annexation of 1,320 acres of land, including some of San Luis Obispo's most scenic open space, wetlands, and agricultural lands. Ashbaugh spoke out at the meeting in opposition to this proposal, supporting instead a comprehensive update of the general plan.

Submitted to the San Luis Obispo City Council on Tuesday, August 26

I wish to express my support for the overall staff recommendation to proceed with a general plan update without "fast-tracking" the proposed 1,380-acre annexation of the DuVaul Ranch and other holdings along Foothill Boulevard and Los Osos Valley Road.

There is no advantage to be gained by "fast-tracking" any single project that seeks special treatment, particularly one that involves such a large tract of open space land that forms a signature part of this city's unique setting.

While I concur with the overall recommendation to proceed with a general plan update, the Council should also commit to meaningful participation by a wide cross-section of residents at all stages of the process. I recommend that the new general plan include particular attention to NEIGHBORHOOD plans that reflect the collective vision of the talented people we have living within each part of the city.

A general plan update is, above all, a LISTENING process where the Council, the Planning Commission, and the staff are firmly committed to citizen input with open ears, open eyes, and open minds. I expect that throughout this process, the residents of San Luis Obispo will continue to speak out loudly and clearly for a general plan that will preserve our quality of life, maximize open space, and provide incentives for infill housing, mixed use projects, and retail centers that are accessible and attractive to local entrepreneurs.

I could be surprised, of course, as we undertake the launch of our general plan update: We might find that NONE of these basic "smart growth principles" will find favor + that the priorities of this community have changed, and we're ready for "gung-ho growth" at any cost.

Frankly, I doubt that opinions have changed that much + but in any case, the important thing now is that we begin systematically to LISTEN to the people, to the residents, voters, and taxpayers of San Luis Obispo who have never been shy about expressing their diverse points of view.

Please go forward with this long-overdue update of our general plan. Thank you for LISTENING to my views on this important matter.