From: axel leijonhufvud
Sent: Thursday, January 27, 2022 8:24 PM
To: City Council
Subject: City Council Special Goals, Agenda items 3H & 3I, January 28,2022
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Dear Council: I may not be able to attend the Zoom meeting so I submit a short version of my comments. On January 19 I sent a letter to Ben Fine and the Council (and additional comments to Scott Newton and Marcia Guthrie) with regard to the proposed "beautification of James Way." We have lived in our current home for about 20 years and use James Way extensively.
We agree that a few more trash cans, and, perhaps, in certain spots, easy access to doggie bags would be helpful. We also would like to see the tree boxes which are either empty or in disrepair removed.
We strongly object to the proposal to add many benches along James Way. There are many problems across Highway 101 between Oak Park Blvd and Fourth Street. In our view, benches would merely help to bring these problems into our area. In my previous letter I gave my perception as a long-time resident of the growing problems near by. [My perception is verified by the 2021 Pismo Beach Department Crime Map. There have been a number of arrests mostly involving narcotics, outstanding warrants, and, larceny. I have looked at Police Zones 7-12. In my zone, 12, most of the 58 arrests last year were near the corner of North Oak Blvd and Highway 101. Zone 7, however, which encompassed Fourth Street and Five Cities Drive had 536 arrests, almost all of which were just the "other" side of Highway 101.] Having lived in the area for about 20 years, I do not recall many small brush fires in our area. Yet, on September 8, 2020 firefighters had to respond to a "cooking fire at a homeless camp" that resulted in a brush fire (seen from my home) on N. Fourth St between Ocean View and Five Cities Drive. Similarly, I may have been one of the first on July 27, 2021 to report signs of a "vegetation fire" that occurred on Five Cities Drive just south of Fourth St behind Oxford Suites "near a homeless encampment". One of the primary duties of local government is to provide for the safety of its residents and that should not be forgotten.
I think that adding trees could restrict views of some residents, and, they may object. And, given frequent water restrictions due to drought conditions, young trees, and other vegetation suffer, during these periods. The suggestion by Council member Guthrie to use succulents in certain strategic areas, might be possible. But, I agree with her, that we should not return to using "boxes". I am not an expert but a relative of the ice plant might work and naturalize. I am thinking of the type with small tubers that gives brilliant fuschia blooms after the rains, and, does not have the problems with die-back that its larger relative has. I would definitely NOT use pampas grass, an invasive species. In fact, the city should work with CalTrans, if necessary, to eradicate this invasive species which is growing on James Way between Fourth St and the R/R/underpass. I, personally, think the Florida-type palms are overused by developers these days. Interesting or bright relatively low-growing blooms that are drought tolerant AND easy to control and remove could be turn out well. If allowed a few banners might work for holidays or other events
I do not favor sculpture on this street, and, am fairly indifferent to colorful designs on the sidewalks but strongly reject the idea of children's hopscotch and other games on the sidewalks and in the intersections for safety reasons.
Fencing: I seemed to understand that the choice of fencing materials was up the private homeowner in this area. One could, of course, give incentives to the homeowners, in the form of cash, for restoring their fences!
I am not bothered by the field, with a deep gully, in Toucan Terrace, across the street from Effie Way. From my home up the hill, I welcome the green in the spring, and its natural look as the wild oats or wheat emerge, and appreciate that it is cut back shortly thereafter for fire-control. The city, if they have the easement, could change and/or improve the plantings along the fence.
With regard to that fence, CURRENTLY, since the last discussion, I believe, a large part of this fence is missing. It is a piece adjacent to a home that faces James Way. I think this field needs to be closed in the interests of safety.
I hope that in working on "beautification" the Council members will keep the needs of the residents uppermost in their mind.
Sincerely, Earlene Craver Leijonhufvud