PISMO BEACH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INTERVIEW

By Theodore "Ted" Ehring

I believe that the questions asked by the Chamber of Commerce were representative of two important issues, as such, I wish to revisit these for your inspection.

The time frame in my opinion is too short. Since planning, permitting and engineering takes 1 to 3 years (without environmental and coastal commission appeals) before construction starts and construction of major projects takes from eighteen months to 2 years my vision extends to at least 10 years. Reducing the bureaucratic paper work must shorten these time frames.

My vision for Pismo Beach includes both the residents and business. I believe that the preservation of our City's beauty and the needs of our growing community are not mutually exclusive, however, action must be based on sound long-term planning.

First: I see the Benson Project completed in five years on the "Dirt" parking lot with municipal parking below. Up-scale retail at ground level, and exclusive condominiums and residential on the second level over 39,000 square feet of new construction. The developers will supply their own parking requirement and the municipal parking will be below that.

Second: I see in the development, the building of underground parking beneath the current pier parking and a plaza constructed on the top. Potted plantings and kais' vendors displaying their wares. I see benches and a place for people of the community to meet and visit with each other and interface with worldwide tourists coming to our town. Parking paid for by special tax district, paid parking and in lieu of fees for the smaller shops unable to supply parking because of a small lot size.

The Beach Walk hotel constructed in place of the steel warehouse and "clam diggers" dwellings on Stimson Street and the strand. A magnificent architectural design in the theme of the Coronado Hotel on Coronado Island in San Diego Bay may possibly be completed within the five years. This is designed as a 62-unit hotel with a patio on the beachfront and tied to the boardwalk for public access. If we are lucky a duplicated mirror image hotel structure on Hinds Street replacing the remaining "clam huts", Rene's house and the offices of one of our council members. This would be a significant hotel for the next 50 years. They are providing their own onsite parking.

Third: The Gateway Plaza located on the west end of our Central downtown area at the intersection of Dolliver and Price Street replacing the Mobil Station, convenience store, J J's restaurant and other small shops will be ground floor retail, up stairs business and condominiums with its own subterranean parking. Designed in the Mediterranean style by Steve Puglisi.

Fourth: I visualize a beautiful, clean and non-toxic San Luis Bay free from Waste Treatment out-fall and toxic storm drain run-off. This clean bay will support mollusks (clams, abalone and mussels) with a sufficient food source to populate themselves to their former status in the chain of life. To provide views of this natural bay I see an entire city with underground utilities.

These new structures will set the mark for revitalizing the Downtown Area for the 21st century. Paid municipal parking will provide the impetuous to renovate and retain many of our historical structures in the downtown commercial core area. I am not forgetting the vitalization of the Shell Beach commercial area. Parking ordinances need to be changed to accommodate businesses in this area. "One size does not fit all" and this commercial area is vital to our community.

QUESTION 2: HOW WOULD YOU PROPOSE TO STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN THE INTEREST OF BUSINESS AND DESIRES OF RESIDENTS?

I am not of the opinion that there is a difference between the interests of business and the desires of the residential community. The downtown area will not become a tunnel of tall buildings. As long as the pier area remains an open plaza with subterranean parking, views of white water will remain from the surrounding hills. The prominent structures mentioned above will provide the vibrant economics required to retain the small shopkeepers and quaint 1950's food establishments of a beach community. The economics generated downtown will provide the impetuous for renovating, retrofitting, and upgrading of historical type buildings. New and up graded retail business will attract the residents of the community to shop in the downtown area.

The key to this community is the beauty and the cleanliness of our beaches and bay. Being a geologist, conservationist and a board member of a non-profit park development society, I have achieved extensive experience and a deep appreciation for our natural resources.

I favor annexation and working with the developers to provide the housing required to meet the needs of the professionals working in our community. Working with the developers as a community guarantees that controlled growth is maintained.

"Growth is neither our enemy, nor the harbinger of sprawl; however, poor planning will lead to the unacceptable destruction of our community's pristine environment." (te).