SLO council to study effects of opening Luneta Drive to through traffic

For the past several months, a group of concerned residents on the north end of San Luis Obispo has fought the proposed opening of Luneta Drive to through traffic, saying that connecting the blocked-off street will disrupt tranquility with cars whizzing by, creating safety issues for children, walkers and cyclists.

On Tuesday, the residents continued to lobby as the City Council discussed the next steps, which involve a deeper look at the issue.

After about 15 people spoke against the idea during public comment, the council voted 4-0 to examine the issue more closely, opting to use $10,000 from the city’s general fund for a traffic study and environmental assessment.

Dan Carpenter recused himself, saying he has “membership in an organization that owns an adjacent property.”

“This is a place where we’ve gathered for neighborhood potlucks and parties,” said Roberto Monge, a resident who lives near Luneta Drive. “I’m afraid drunk drivers will take the back way if Luneta reopens, and it will be dangerous.”

The assessment will include projected traffic flows, gauging maximum traffic volumes and speeds on area roadways and considering any changes or mitigations.

“I strongly support keeping Luneta the way it is and not opening it to through traffic,” Mayor Jan Marx said. “I would like to urge staff to make sure students are in town when the traffic studies are done.”

The controversial proposal to build a 33-unit housing project at 71 Palomar Ave., along with the longstanding vision to connect Luneta in the city’s General Plan, triggered the Luneta traffic amendment proposal.

The street currently has bollards — short, vertical posts positioned in the middle of the road — that allow walkers and cyclists through, but not vehicle traffic.

After the study, the San Luis Obispo Planning Commission and City Council are tentatively scheduled to decide the issue within the first few months of 2017.

A key policy issue is the impact of traffic on nearby Ramona Drive, which runs parallel to Luneta. Under the city’s Circulation Element, the maximum daily volume of vehicles on Ramona is 3,000, but the current volume is 4,000. The daily maximum on Luneta is 1,500, and the current volume is 300.

Councilman John Ashbaugh said Ramona could be reclassified to allow a higher volume of vehicles.

This story was originally published September 7, 2016 at 5:07 PM with the headline "SLO council to study effects of opening Luneta Drive to through traffic."