May 17, 2022
Pismo Beach City Council
Dear Councilpersons:
The planning for a new public safety facility at the corner of Bello and Wadsworth Streets is a project that I have watched with intense interest. To say that this is a much needed upgrade for the City of Pismo Beach would be a considerable understatement.
The plans which I have seen show that emergency vehicles will exit at the intersection of Bello and Wadsworth Streets. It is my understanding that an option is being considered which would have emergency vehicles exiting onto Bello Street, and another option would have them exiting onto Wadsworth Street.
In my opinion both new options have serious disadvantages. As already proposed, emergency vehicles can readily exit – regardless of traffic – north or south onto Bello Street, and either direction onto Wadsworth Street.
If the new exit were to be near the present fire station on Bello Street – which is a narrow street – and traffic there is bumper to bumper southbound as happens regularly now, emergency responders will have only one way out – northbound on Bello Street. That could be problematic if traffic was heavy, or there was a collision, or a vehicle became disabled there. Driving southbound almost the full length of Bello Street going the wrong direction would not be a viable option.
Exiting onto Wadsworth Street also presents more challenges. Traffic on this – also narrow street – is sometimes bumper to bumper going uphill. If vehicles going downhill are waiting at the stop sign, which is going to happen, emergency vehicles will be delayed.
I would urge the council to proceed with the plans which have previously been made available to the public.
Respectfully,
Henry Myers