SLO City Council May 19 Meeting Recap

The Council denied a fraternity appeal and approved the Vision Zero plan.

The San Luis Obispo City Council held a public meeting on Tuesday May 19, 2026. Below is a recap of the meeting. Review the full recorded video and agenda packet.

Presentations and Consent Agenda

The meeting began with a presentation from the City Manager with recent updates about City programs, services, and events.

There were also several routine matters on the Consent Agenda, which the City Council approved with one vote. These include:

Transferring funds for Public Works from operating budget to capital budget to ensure urgent maintenance projects get completed quickly and efficiently.
Approving an updated contract to Civica Law Group for their assistance related to ongoing code enforcement of a building at 1150 Laurel Lane.
Updating City’s Investment Policy so that it is in line with state regulations and laws.
Purchasing a property at 975 Broad Street, an investment that supports the long-term vision for a vibrant downtown.
Allowing the Police Department to apply for grant funding that will be used for the Office of Traffic Safety, Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, and more.

Public Hearings & Business Items
Council Upheld Planning Commission Decision to Revoke Fraternity’s Use Permit

The City Council upheld a recent Planning Commission decision to revoke a fraternity’s permit to operate at a house on California Boulevard. The City’s Planning Commission decided in March 2026 to revoke Alpha Epsilon Pi’s permit that allows them to operate their fraternity at 280 California Boulevard after the fraternity violated some of the permit’s conditions and the City’s municipal code. Alpha Epsilon Pi appealed to the City Council, requesting that the decision be overturned and that the fraternity be allowed to continue to operate at that location. One of the City’s goals is to ensure that neighborhoods are livable for all. While the fraternity had decreased the number of violations compared to previous years, recent violations continued to result in noise violations and disturbances to the neighborhood, which violated the conditions of their Conditional Use Permit. The City Council will hold a study session next week to discuss the City’s priorities for Code Enforcement, including a conversation around whether the City should analyze alternative ways to regulate fraternity and sorority houses in San Luis Obispo.

Council Approves Vision Zero Action Plan

The City Council adopted the 2026 Vision Zero Action Plan, establishing a roadmap to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries on San Luis Obispo streets. The plan follows years of community engagement and responds to an increase in fatal crashes in recent years, including 19 people killed on City streets between 2020 and 2024. The plan identifies speeding, impaired driving, and safety challenges on a small number of major corridors as key contributors to severe crashes, with nearly 70% of fatal crashes involving people walking or biking. Using a “Safe Systems” approach, the plan focuses on designing streets to reduce the likelihood that everyday mistakes result in serious or fatal crashes. Strategies include prioritizing improvements at locations with the most severe crashes, installing safer crosswalks and protected bike lanes, improving lighting and traffic signals, and evaluating speed reductions in some areas. The plan also includes strategies related to education, enforcement, emergency response, and broader transportation safety improvements citywide.

Looking Ahead

The next City Council meeting will be a special meeting that takes place on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers office at City Hall.

Attendees of the City Council Advisory Body meetings are eligible for one hour of complimentary parking in designated City garages. Learn more at Parking for Public Meetings.

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