Avila Beach Community Foundation

805.595.4095

  • About Us
    • Foundation History
    • Foundation Mission
    • Board of Trustees & Staff
    • Board Meeting Minutes
    • Monthly News & Views
    • Foundation Past & Current Projects
    • Avila Community Surveys
    • Foundation 990 Tax Filings
  • Grant Info
    • How to Apply
    • Current Grantees
    • Past Grantees
  • Charitable Giving
    • Ways to Give
    • Donor Advised & Special Project Funds
  • Community Links
  • Avila History
    • Avila Historical Film & Photo Gallery
    • Avila Storytelling Event
  • Contact Us

July, 2010

7/1/2010

0 Comments

 
“The perfect storm” - so said John Salisbury of the Avila Valley Advisory Council (AVAC) during their June meeting.  Traffic over Memorial Day weekend into and out of Avila was the agenda item.  I was out of town that holiday, but I’ve read and heard about the massive traffic jam that saw cars backed up all the way to the San Luis Bay Drive and Avila Beach Drive exits.  The “perfect storm” as described by John was the combination of a popular holiday weekend, two big events at the golf course, and unusually hot weather – all contributing to crowds not often seen in our community.

The biggest concern expressed by some attending the meeting was safety.  What would happen in the event of an emergency?  How could rescue vehicles get in and out of the area when lanes in both directions were grid locked?  In the event of a catastrophe, how would local residents evacuate the area?   These are valid concerns and questions deserving of answers and actions.  As you can imagine, opinions and suggested solutions that evening ranged from not allowing such large events to take place in Avila, to investigating ways to require mass shuttling alternatives as part of any special event permitting process.  Personally, I like having the option to attend outdoor concerts and other like activities without having to drive to Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, San Jose or San Francisco.  On the other hand, I share concerns about safety and over capacity conditions in Avila.

While listening to the ensuing dialogue, my thoughts turned to an activity my wife and I have enjoyed numerous times over the years – attending PGA tournaments in Pacific Palisades, Newport Beach and Reno.  At each venue, visitors are prohibited from arriving in their own vehicles.  Instead, shuttle buses at publicized locations transport everyone to and from their cars.  In some cases, those shuttle stops can be 10 or more miles away from the host golf course.  Karin Argano then shared a similar experience when she recently attended a U2 concert in SoCal, also accessible only by shuttle.  Is this an inconvenience for event-goers?  Perhaps, but you wouldn’t know it based on the often sellout crowds.  Actually, I’d much rather ride in a bus than have to spend who knows how long on roads or in parking lots not designed to accommodate such traffic.

Somewhere between sticking with the status quo or eliminating such events in Avila altogether rests viable compromises and positive solutions.  How we get there is the big question.  AVAC is one official body that can help address the issue, but is empowered only to make recommendations as a representative voice of those who live in the greater Avila communities.  I was encouraged during this June meeting to hear some rational and reasonable ideas, but I believe others in the community should be given the opportunity to chime in as well.  All local stakeholders must be part of the dialogue, be they residents, business owners, emergency services personnel, transportation providers, county officials, etc.  

In 1964 music composer and singer Bob Dylan recorded the lyrics, “the times, they are a changing”.  You know and I know that the times will ALWAYS be a changing.  Avila is no longer the sleepy beach town it was over a decade ago, nor will it ever be again.  We locals can be stewards who embrace and help shape change, or we can stand on the sidelines, snipe and bemoan the past.  What ideas do you have to mitigate safety concerns and help reduce traffic?  I welcome your emails to avilafoundation@gmail.com.

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Rick Cohen
    Executive Director


    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    November 2009
    October 2009
    September 2009
    August 2009
    July 2009
    June 2009
    May 2009
    April 2009
    March 2009
    February 2009

    RSS Feed

About Us
Our History
Historical Photo Gallery
Our Mission
Board of Trustees & Staff
Monthly News & Views
Foundation Projects
990 Tax Filings
Grant Information
How to Apply - Annual Grants
Current Grantees
Past Grantees

Charitable Giving
Ways to Give
Donor Advised Funds

Community Links

"Like us"

Picture
Stay informed on Facebook

Sign Up For Newsletter
For Email Newsletters you can trust.
Avila Beach Community Foundation | PO Box 297 |191 San Miguel Street  Avila Beach, CA 93424-0297 |
Ph: 805.595.4095
avilafoundation@gmail.com|
Contact Us | Trustee Portal

BACK TO TOP

© DivTag Templates Ltd | All Rights Reserved