From: Barbara Lee
To: Mary Gourley
Subject: Public Comment/Parking Ordinance
Date: Wednesday, February 23, 2022 1:29:33 PM
Hi Mary Gourley:
I have attached my public comment to the City Council for tonight’s special meeting on the parking ordinance requesting that you please forward it. I may not be able to attend all the meeting.
As always, your help is greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Barbara Lee
Dear Sebastopol City Council Members:
I don’t see any equity or “balance” written into this highly restrictive parking ordinance.
It doesn’t serve Sebastopol residents; it actually prevents them from parking their RV’s, vans, and trailers in front of their own properties.
If family or friends visit from out of town, it seems they are banished to the hinterlands as there is no parking for their recreational vehicles anywhere in Sebastopol.
With regards to local businesses and tourism, the ordinance seems completely unsupportive of local businesses. It does not allow RV’s trailers or vans to park in commercial areas during business hours.
I have listened to the council’s previous discussions on this subject, and it seems obvious it is being proposed to specifically target the unhoused living in RV’s and trailers on Morris Street. Morris, a two block area, located at the edges of this city of 8,000, has sadly become the impetus for this unusually restrictive and harmful ordinance. Maybe it’s time to take a broader view of what is possible for all who live within the city limits.
I’d like to quote one of my favorite statements from Buckminster Fuller: Try to make the world work for 100% of the people, through spontaneous cooperation, as quickly as possible, without ecological harm or to the disadvantage of anyone.” It’s highly feasible to take care of everyone on earth at a higher standard of living than we have ever known…it is a matter of converting our technology from weaponry to livingry."
Maybe we could ask some pertinent questions as to the effects this ordinance will have on all residents.
So:
1). Why now?
2). Who does it serve
3). Who is leading the charge to put in place such a restrictive ordinance adversely affecting so many in this small city we all love to call PeaceTown?
Please consider other options that are less restrictive and harmful to the most vulnerable..
Thank you.
Barbara Lee
Sebastopol Resident