Achievements

By Carlyn Christianson

While no one agrees 100% on every issue, Carlyn has brought a balanced, calm and thoughtful approach to making decisions on the Council. The City faces complex challenges that won't be solved by a simplistic approach. Issues such as employee compensation, infrastructure financing, neighborhood wellness, open space maintenance and climate change need innovative approaches tailored to San Luis Obispo, with lots of community input.

Previous to being on the Council, Carlyn helped to shape the City and surrounding County of San Luis Obispo with more than 10 years on Planning Commissions for the City and the County. Her decisions reflected a willingness to listen to and act on the public's concerns. She finds a common sense approach to the issues facing the community, maintaining a vision that preserves our small town's beauty, history and environment. Finding actual solutions to problems such as housing is where she excels, as evidenced by the wide variety of endorsements and support she has demonstrated.

Here's a short list of major projects and policies reviewed during Carlyn's six years as City Planning Commissioner (2002-2008) and 18 months on the Council. They demonstrate her extensive familiarity with the City's planning policies and key goals. Carlyn understands the planning process and the importance of public input, and her years of experience and institutional knowledge are crucial to the Council.

• Land Use & Circulation Element Update (October 2014)
• Damon-Garcia sports fields.
• Expansion of hours and overnights for Prado Day Center.
• Bicycle Transportation Plan (2013)
• Historic Preservation Guidelines and Ordinance.
• Laguna Lake Master Plan (2005) and Laguna Lake Natural Preserve Master Plan (2014).
• Open Space Conservation Plans: South Hills; Irish Hills; Cerro San Luis; Johnson Ranch; Reservoir Canyon.
• Bowden Ranch and Open Space.
• General Plan Elements, such as the Conservation and Open Space (2006), which included her personal insistence that the permanent position of Natural Resources Manager (Neil Havlik's/Bob Hill's position) be codified, and the establishment of a baseline aesthetic photograph archive. Also the Housing Element (2004).
• Water Reuse & Reclamation Project (WRRF) 2013
• Stormwater Management Program.
• Regulations supporting mixed-use projects, which allow much-needed housing to be added to commercial areas.
• Johnson Avenue hills project (DENIED, ie NOT approved, as a Planning Commissioner).

• Octagon Barn and Museum.
• Topaz/First Solar and Sunpower Solar Ranch.
• EnergyWise Plan (Climate Action).
• Los Osos Wastewater Project.
• General Plan Elements, including the Conservation & Open Space Element; and the Housing Element.
• Huasna Exceleron oil fields (DENIED, ie NOT approved).