Help Shape the Upper Monterey Area 

The City of San Luis Obispo is seeking your input on the future of the Upper Monterey Area. The action items, originally identified in 2014, are being revisited by the City to determine whether these initial plans remain relevant or need to be updated to better reflect current priorities. 

The vision for the Upper Monterey Area includes creating a comprehensive area plan to address key needs such as parking, public improvements, mobility, building design, and other important considerations. Your feedback is essential to help identify which improvements matter most to the community during the upcoming input opportunities. 

Input Opportunities 

1. Take our online survey on Open City Hall at www.slocity.org/OpenCityHall.
   Review Policy 8.2.2 in the City’s Land Use Element and take the survey by 5 p.m. on February 7, 2025. 
   
   
2. Attend the Community Open House to learn more and participate in the discussion.
   • January 30, 2025
   5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
   Ludwick Center, 864 Santa Rosa Street, San Luis Obispo 
   Format: Open House (arrive and depart at your convenience)
   
   
3. E-mail City Associate Planner, Hannah Hanh, directly with your input at hhanh@slocity.org

Project Area 

Upper Monterey extends between Santa Rosa Street and Highway 101 and is a gateway into the City’s Downtown core and the Mission. In fact, Monterey Street used to be Highway 101 before the current route was established. 

Background Information 

In 2014, the City of San Luis Obispo identified the Upper Monterey Special Focus Area as Land Use Element Policy 8.2.2. The policy included a list of action items that focused on revitalization and enhancement with an emphasis on land use compatibility and neighborhood preservation, as summarized below. 

Summary of Action Items 

• Investigate parking options to encourage future development and redevelopment, such as an in-lieu program towards a parking facility
• Explore mobility improvements to enhance connectivity between Upper Monterey and Downtown, including possibility of a Transit Center and shuttle service with the hotels
• Evaluate active transportation opportunities to enhance bicycle and pedestrian connectivity between Downtown, Upper Monterey, and Cal Poly
• Promote restaurants with outdoor dining along Monterey Street
• Coordinate with the hotels and Cal Poly for enhanced meeting and conference rooms
• Develop a master plan with design guidelines to guide future development, including street, façade, and pedestrian improvements

For a full list of the action items, please refer to Policy 8.2.2 in the Land Use Element.