| San Luis Obispo County, CA | November 5, 2002 Election |
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Using Resources WiselyBy Joe CostelloCandidate for Councilmember; City of Arroyo Grande |
This information is provided by the candidate | |
A discussion about critical issues which will shape our future.One of the most important issues facing the future of the City of Arroyo Grande is water. Do we have enough, will we wisely use what we do have, and where will we get more when we need it? Without increasing our supply of water in 2001 we suddenly went from having enough water to support a community of 18,000 to being able to support 20,000. This was accomplished by changing the formula for service projections without increasing our water supply. This did not answer the basic fundamental questions. We changed the numbers but we did not reduce our water use or find other sources of water. Playing with numbers will not provide us with the water, or other resources we need. If we are to ensure that available resources fit projected needs, we must act as a community. We cannot sell out the future using statistics. We must look at every proposal and let it stand or fall on its merits or problems. We must plan for and use our resources wisely Another key issue is traffic. It is obvious to the residents of Arroyo Grande that some of our existing roads have reached the breaking point. Anyone who has driven through the West Branch and Camino Mercado intersection realizes how much our community has changed over the last 5 years. At this intersection, people routinely wait far longer than 30 seconds, which is the acceptable standard. As our community grows, the existing basic services must grow with it. The infrastructure: the roads, water supply, sewage services, police, fire, Parks and Recreation, and Public Works, must keep pace. In order for Arroyo Grande to remain livable, we cannot allow projects that over burden our infrastructure. If a project violates our general plan, can't pay for itself and will detract from the standard of living for the citizens of Arroyo Grand, it must be denied. If it adds to Arroyo Grande, if it helps to make our city a better place to live, I welcome it and will support it. Arroyo Grande needs to find new avenues to create affordable housing. The amount of housing that the state wants our town to add is completely unworkable. The State of California has mandated that we provide more housing than we can support with out present services. We must continue to work to gain reductions in these demands of the state and we must work with the county in this battle. We must provide more affordable housing in our community. We have made a good start in approving the two senior housing projects in the past year. They are excellent and should provide a guideline for some future projects. If we are to provide affordable housing it will take a concerted community effort. We will need to work with agencies such as Habitat for Humanity. We will need to look at mixed-use projects in our redevelopment district, and at projects that earn bonus units for setting aside affordable units. While there is no easy solution to the problem of affordable housing, if we are to be successful we we must work as a community to solve this problem. |
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Created from information supplied by the candidate: September 17, 2002 06:01
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