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Resident alleges council member targeted her parking; council asks staff to investigate
Summary
A San Luis Obispo resident told the council she believes a council member used their position to target and remove a legal parking space in front of her home; she asked for an internal review and for equitable treatment. City staff said they would evaluate the case and respond.
Jackie Lowe, a resident and homeowner, told the San Luis Obispo City Council during public comment on April 7 that a month‑long series of actions by city staff began after a council member identified her vehicle and requested that the curb in front of her home be painted red.
Lowe said the action resulted in removal of an eight‑foot parking space without notice and that internal records initially cited differing safety rationales (hydrant, crosswalk, sight distance) before city staff acknowledged the original measurements were overly conservative and indicated the space could be restored. "When government action is taken quickly against a specific resident and the justification changes over time, that raises serious concerns about abusive position and special privilege," she told the council.
Lowe asked council to order an internal review to determine how the matter moved so quickly, whether special access or influence played a role, and why the city's public explanations shifted.
City Manager Natalie Harnett acknowledged staff had been working on multiple specific cases raised in public comment and said staff would continue evaluating and responding as needed. The mayor noted that today the city indicated it would restore the parking space and that staff would follow up with the resident.
The council did not take disciplinary or formal investigatory action during the meeting; staff said it would assess the issue and return with further information as appropriate.
