We asked the three candidates running for mayor in the City of San Luis Obispo a series of questions important to the business community. Here are their responses.

They answered other pressing questions in a series of short videos here.

Find all our election resources here.

T. Keith Gurnee

  1. Would you sign the Civility pledge?
    Absolutely, and I have already publicly agreed to abide by the spirit and substance of that pledge.
  2. For more than 10 years, buildings in the downtown core have been allowed to be up to 75 feet tall if they provide significant community benefits; do you support these current regulations?
    No I don’t. Those regulations were adopted before the state’s recent intrusion into local control. What was once permissive and discretionary has now become mandatory. As such, out-of- character 75’ tall buildings will become the norm rather than the exception.
  3. There are nearly 2,000 homes slated to be built in the city of SLO through Avila Ranch and San Luis Ranch; do you support these homes being built?
    As projects that have already been approved, these projects will get built. I’ll use my experience to make sure that they are completed in the best they can be to address the housing needs of local working people.
  4. What is your approach to traffic and parking issues, especially in downtown and surrounding neighborhoods?
    Other than state mandates, parking is the greatest issue facing downtown. Developing large hotels on public parking lots without replacing that parking was the city’s big mistake. Another is further lowering the parking requirements for buildings that may overwhelm downtown. We need to build the parking structure on Nipomo Street that should’ve been completed before the hotels went in. We need to keep on-street parking on Marsh and Higuera rather than eliminating it for bicycle paths, and we need to roll back parking reductions so as not to negatively affect our downtown and surrounding neighborhoods.
  5. What is the most significant difference between you and your opponents?
    With respect to the incumbent, my passion for open space preservation, my extensive local government experience as a professional planner and urban designer, my position that we should grow in a manner consistent with our great small-town character, my determination to listen to and represent all constituents, and my know-how to get things done distinguish me from her positions. As for Donald Hedrick, our greatest difference is our wardrobe!

Heidi Harmon

  1. Would you sign the Civility Pledge?
    Yes. I helped co-create the pledge with my colleagues throughout the county as I believe that a culture of civility is pivotal to create an environment in which all voices are respected. Policies, not people, can be safely debated.
  2. For more than ten years, buildings in the downtown core have been allowed to be up to 75 feet tall if they provide significant community benefits; do you support these current regulations?
    I would support appropriate infill done with significant community benefit, affordability, and thoughtful design. Higher density living – closer to where people work -creates a more vital, safe downtown. My priority is balancing community character while ensuring we don’t sprawl.
  3. There are nearly 2,000 homes slated to be built in the City of SLO through Avila Ranch and San Luis Ranch; do you support these homes being built?
    One reason I support these projects is because they prioritize local working people as owners. The homes are also smaller and highly efficient. They are a step in the right direction to address the jobs-housing imbalance in our community.
  4. What is your approach on traffic and parking issues, especially in downtown and surrounding neighborhoods?
    We do have an issue in our downtown and surrounding neighborhoods, and we have felt it over the last many years. We need to move forward with building the parking that has been planned for, both in the projects that are being built and in the areas the residents and the city have already identified. I believe we need to be creative in how we address parking so that we have an eye to future technologies but are grounded in how people move today. I also believe we have to support safe, accessible transportation infrastructure for pedestrians and bicyclists.
  5. What is the most significant difference between you and your opponents?
    We have starkly different visions for the future of our community. I believe that this community is better today than when I moved here 30 years ago. With progress comes fear of things shifting, but by working together in an inclusive way that considers the needs of all residents, we can continue to sustain and improve the character and quality of life in San Luis Obispo. My focus is on environmental stewardship, ensuring availability of affordable housing, fiscal responsibility, addressing our infrastructure needs while creating choice for all modes of transportation, and building a future focused on jobs and the economy.

Donald Hedrick

  1. Would you sign the Civility Pledge?
    Anyone can sign a pledge, but like the flag salute as practiced at the start of meetings, it sometimes becomes empty words. Progressive liberals would have others adhere to civility but it is optional for them. I would rather be civil.
  2. For more than ten years, buildings in the downtown core have been allowed to be up to 75 feet tall if they provide significant community benefits; do you support these current regulations?
    No! Those height limits are the product of a development owned cabal of special interests groups that would change our historic city with its moderate skyline that does not block the view shed of our surrounding hills. Stack/pack too much.
  3. There are nearly 2,000 homes slated to be built in the City of SLO through Avila Ranch and San Luis Ranch; do you support these homes being built?
    Much of the new housing planned is high end with little relation to affordability, targeting residents from distant cities where there are jobs that pay well enough for people to retire here. Make more homes but smaller affordable.
  4. What is your approach on traffic and parking issues, especially in downtown and surrounding neighborhoods?
    If developers want to build they should provide 10% of the parking attracted to them. The practice of making deals that give incentives to build by reducing the lawfully required parking has to stop. Our streets are already clogged with cars circling around to find a parking space just vacated. Infill projects must not make parking worse or disproportionately compound traffic problems. Parking structures should be 24 hours and permits could be issued to increase utilization. New projects should not take away parking on the street unless it is replaced off street.
  5. What is the most significant difference between you and your opponents?
    I have been compelled into the political arena by having been retaliated against my participation in the city’s decision-making process. My landlord was pressured to evict me from my business and it was bragged about by people around city hall by those who would abuse color of authority. My public input in the meetings was silenced an word and my lawful written citizen input went unpublished. When my input was silenced I promised to run for mayor.