Smart Growth

By Shelly Higginbotham

The general plan for Pismo Beach states that it is essential that the amount and timing of growth must be in accordance with the acceptable levels of service and quality of life for existing and new residents.

The Los Robles Del Mar project as currently proposed is not in the city's best interest. The project proposes over 200 homes, a senior housing development, and a park. There are also plans to build a private school should the property be annexed into the city. Although the developer should be praised for the inclusion of senior housing, significant open space and a park plan, there are major problems with this project. Traffic flow, sewage treatment, and water are the significant problems facing this development. These issues must be resolved by the developer before the project should ever move forward.

The Benson project is located downtown by the pier parking lot. This project is in excess of 55,000 square feet and will combine residential and retail space. It is often encouraged to combine a "mixed use" approach to building, but this project has some significant flaws. For example, the project calls for 101 parking spaces, yet the building code requires 177 spaces based upon the square footage. The developer proposes paying in-lieu fees for the deficit parking spaces. Although the in-lieu fees will total about $640,000.00, that money will not provide 76 parking spaces downtown. Another concern I have is that fact that the retail portion is technically on the second floor and does not promote a pedestrian friendly building similar to those currently downtown. This project will cetainly set the tone for future development. The city and it's residents should pay close attention to see if this is the direction they want for downtown.