Congratulations to the Far Western. It will be convenient to have a great steak house of this caliber in Old Orcutt. I do plan to patronize it when it opens; it’s in walking distance. Parking will not be a problem for me. However, parking is a concern that needs to be addressed now.
Greed for tax dollars and a county-supported special interest revitalization group have eliminated all on-site parking requirements for businesses. The completed traffic study in Old Orcutt is misleading. County plans call for shared parking of existing parking lots, including our U.S. Post Office. Many business owners were not aware of this plan, and most have posted “Customer parking only” signs. The traffic study includes parking in residential areas. Example: Businesses can use residents’ parking while residents are at work. Then, at 5 p.m. businesses will close, and returning residents can have their parking back.
I doubt the Far Western has this kind of business plan; they are much smarter and more caring than county officials. This county has allowed a monster problem to be created; now they need to build a parking lot on Clark Avenue in the center of the business area. There are plenty of lots for sale to do this. This request has been made several times in the years past, but has been completely ignored by all.
The Far Western has 25 employees—not all working at the same time, I assume. I asked the county planner where everyone will park. I was told, as many times before: “Your point is well taken.”
It is time to reexamine the parking issue in Old Orcutt. We want the Far Western to thrive here, as well as other businesses. County, STEP UP!
This article appears in Jan 6-13, 2011.