This land is your land...or so you thought -

In its ongoing effort to cope with a stringent Airport Land Use Plan that significantly impacts both residential and commercial developments in the city, the City Council last night directed staff to pursue an Airport Compatible Open Space Plan. The idea is that setting aside suitable open space will allow for the development of urban areas to greater density. So far, so good. But here's the rub: while developments currently in the pipeline may continue to go forward, the fate of many others is in question. The problem is that the ALUC will not accept the City's definition of existing development, which includes planned development within the city limits, whether already proposed or called for under the current General Plan and Zoning Requirements. Stay tuned as City staff and the ALUC continue their negotiations.

Aggressive panhandlers, part II -

We've received more reader responses to last week's E-Insider article about aggressive panhandlers in downtown SLO than we have to any previous report. Reactions were mixed, ranging from "I hope the City can take a stronger stance on this" to "Must the 'misfits' be swept away so everything looks perfect?" After spirited discussion this morning, the Chamber's Tourism Council has agreed that a Chamber representative should sit on the City's Transient Task Force. Volunteering to serve is someone who hears from tourists and deals with street people every day: Lindsey Miller, the Chamber's Director of Visitor Services, who manages the Visitor Center on Chorro Street.

VCB considers new concept for tourism promotion funding -

The San Luis Obispo County Vistors and Conference Bureau, facing a decline in funding from hard-pressed cities and the county, is meeting with motel and hotel operators to see if they'll buy into a new funding concept. Similar to SLO's Downtown Association, a countywide business improvement district being proposed by the VCB would include all of the county's lodging properties. The BID would assess properties $1 per night per occupied room to generate more than $2 million annually. The VCB would use that money-almost ten times what's currently being spent-to promote SLO County as a tourist destination. Needless to say, the BID could change the very competitive tourism landscape in the county.


Click here for a printer-friendly version.


Important Upcoming Events:

Wednesday, March 16 - Monthly Membership Mixer, 5:50-7:30 p.m., Slender Lady, 3121 South Higuera Street, Suite F. Check out Slender Lady's fitness facilities while you network with Chamber members, munch on treats provided by Vallarta's and sip libations poured by Laetitia Vineyard & Winery. For more information, contact Director of Membership Services Heather Hundley.

Thursday, March 24 - Good Morning SLO, 7:30-9:00 a.m., Grace Church Community Center, corner of Pismo & Osos streets. The Marketplace is coming up for a vote, Michael Jackson is on trial, French Hospital has a new CEO, PCPA is producing Guys & Dolls and much more is afoot in and around SLO. Come to GMSLO to catch up on all the latest. Click here to register.

Friday, April 8 - Legislative Council Lunch, noon-1:30 p.m., Novo Restaurant, 726 Higuera Street. $15 includes lunch. State Assemblyman San Blakeslee of the 33^rd District has gained a reputation as a smart, ambitious legislator in just a few months in Sacramento. He will speak about the legislative issues he feels are most important to the interests of the district and will ask for input on priorities for his first year in the State Assembly. Click here to register by April 4.