Letters to the Editor: On Ziplines

Ziplines for Avila

Let’s hope that the ziplines at Santa Margarita Ranch are not being swayed. The Tribune reported Nov. 19 that the ziplines “… don’t fit into any existing permit process,” according to County Planning.

Planning might have overlooked that the property’s agricultural land-use designation entirely prohibits “outdoor sports and recreational facilities.” If the property owner would obtain an amended land-use designation to recreation for a portion of the property, a permit for ziplines would be possible. An amended designation to recreation also would enable permitting for an events venue — for the numerous events being held at Santa Margarita Ranch without permit.

Perhaps my homeowners association would be receptive to my proposing that we install ziplines in our oak-studded Avila hills open space. We could attract tourists and thereby contribute to the local economy as well as add to our coffers. Because a permit from County Planning would be unnecessary, we would avoid such typical permit fees as those which support planning, fire, the sheriff, environmental health and roads, plus avoid property taxes associated with an income generator.

Certainly we need the money from a zipline attraction since we are involved in a very costly repair to our main road, one designated by county agencies as an emergency route for the Avila area.

Sherri Danoff

Avila Beach

Call the authorities!

OMG! Someone notify Homeland Security. Call the governor and get the National Guard mobilized. Get a flu shot. Lock your front doors. Someone in the county is doing something (operating ziplines) there isn’t a regulation for. Do you think we’ll survive?

The county can’t get a permit out “in the following weeks” when it is regulated, yet they surely can work the issue when they think somebody is getting away with something. Talk about businesses being regulated into nonexistence. I know the economy is bad, and I’m sure business is a little slow down at the ol’ courthouse. But come on, there must be something more important than drafting up some regulations for ziplines.

L.G. Gibson

San Luis Obispo

Gone wild

As I read this morning’s Tribune (Nov. 19), I was both amused and alarmed by the county bureaucrats’ reaction to the zipline at Santa Margarita Ranch. This is a perfect example of government gone wild. It appears the ranch did all that was necessary to start the ride by obtaining a business license and making sure the equipment met safety standards, yet the county bureaucrats just can’t leave it alone.

These bureaucrats will no doubt spend our money to “research” just how they can gain control over this activity. Maybe if we had less government control over our activities, we would not have the budget problems we now have. Is it any wonder why people don’t want to start or expand businesses today?

Robert Lewis

Los Osos