Planning commission recommends council adopt downtown and Railroad Street streetscape standards; motion passes 7–0

The Paso Robles Planning Commission voted 7–0 on Jan. 14 to recommend that the City Council adopt new downtown and Railroad Street streetscape engineering standards and to support the city’s efforts to explore municipal ownership of decorative street lighting currently under PG&E control.

Dante (last name not provided), the city’s development review engineer, presented the proposed standards, which cover materials and fixtures for two defined areas: a Railroad Street special palette (gray pavers, ornamental poles, tree grates, benches and integrated conduit for future lighting) and a downtown palette (charcoal‑blend pavers, commemorative bricks and standardized benches and trash receptacles). Dante told commissioners the goals are to standardize frontage improvements, reduce long lead times and minimize maintenance costs.

Why it matters: commissioners and staff said the standards will make frontage improvements more uniform as private development occurs, ease maintenance for public works, and support public‑realm upgrades intended to increase pedestrian activity in the city’s downtown core and Railroad Street area.

Key provisions and discussion: - Materials and fixtures: The standards specify Victor Stanley benches and trash cans, powder‑coated tree grates, Holland concrete pavers in a charcoal blend for downtown, and a gray, tumbled paver for Railroad Street. Dante said the selected bike rack was chosen in part to reduce cost and lead time compared with alternate designs.

- Lighting and PG&E ownership: Dante said some poles and lighting in the downtown are currently provided under PG&E standards. The proposal supports exploring city ownership of lighting infrastructure to expand design options, including a taller ornamental pole for Railroad Street that would meet fire department clearance needs. Commissioners and staff said moving to municipal ownership would require council action and negotiation with PG&E.

- Accessibility and maintenance: The presentation described how pavers and scored concrete patterns were chosen to address grade differentials and reduce cracking, while maintaining ADA‑compliant paths of travel. Dante said conduit installed under the pavers at recently completed frontage work will make it easier to add future poles without major street cutting.

- Implementation approach: Dante said the city will rely on private development to trigger frontage improvements under the new standards. Staff noted several projects already using the new palette or preparing permits, including frontage work at 1102 Railroad (the Bottle Shop area), the city parking lot on Railroad Street and other nearby commercial properties.

Public comment: Stephen King, chair of the Main Street Design and Economic Vitality Committee, said Main Street volunteers support the effort and appreciated staff outreach during design. No public speakers opposed the standards.

Motion and vote: Commissioner Koechler moved that the commission recommend council approve the downtown and Railroad Street streetscape engineering standards and support city efforts to pursue municipal ownership of lighting fixtures; Commissioner Davis seconded. A roll‑call vote recorded seven ayes and no noes or abstentions; the motion passed 7–0.

Next steps: The recommendation will go to City Council for final consideration. Staff said municipal ownership of lighting would require a separate council action and negotiation with PG&E; the standards themselves would guide future frontage improvements as developers submit permits.