Opinion articles provide independent perspectives on key community issues, separate from our newsroom reporting.

Letters to the Editor

Save SLO from developers

There are many reasons San Luis Obispo is touted nationally as an ideal place to live, work and vacation. Its setting along San Luis Creek — with Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa at its heart, in the foothills of Cerro San Luis and Bishop Peak — establishes a “sense of place” unique in all the country. This must be recognized and respected as San Luis Obispo grows.

In 1970, Ken Schwartz was the right man, at the right time and place, to lead the way for the future of San Luis Obispo in the creation of Mission Plaza, a pedestrian town center conducive to festivals, concerts, fairs and celebrations, while opening the creek for convivial dining and strolling. He and others established guidelines for future growth and development that are being ignored today by our elected leaders — a precedent will be set and there will be no going back!

The city recently hired a consultant and established a Downtown Concept Plan Committee to provide a road map for future downtown public projects and private development. Therefore, there should be a moratorium on all proposed downtown development until these consultants produce their guidelines.

Save San Luis Obispo from developers.

Dawnna McDougall, San Luis Obispo

This story was originally published January 7, 2016 at 2:28 PM with the headline "Save SLO from developers."

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