Council removes downtown employee‑permit code, agrees on "employee and public" signage

The Paso Robles City Council on June 17 approved a second reading and adoption of an ordinance deleting the municipal code section that established an employee parking permit program for several downtown lots and agreed to place advisory signage on those lots reading "employee and public parking." The ordinance number discussed by staff was 1153.

Staff reported the city no longer operates the prior paid on‑street or employee permit program; annual permits expired earlier in the year and enforcement capacity has not been available. Community stakeholders — including the Downtown Main Street Association, the Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce and the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance — told staff they preferred no paid permit program but asked the city to install advisory signs to indicate certain lots are preferred for employee use.

"We recommend deleting the obsolete municipal code language," Transportation staff told the council, and presented an attachment describing an "employee preferred" sign option. Main Street Association President Jeff Weinsinger said the signs would be a goodwill gesture and would help businesses encourage employees to use the lots.

Speakers at the dais and from the public debated whether the city should use the word "preferred" or a clearer designation. Several residents warned against signage that would deter visitors; business representatives said marked lots would help them direct employees to off‑street parking. After discussion the council voted 4–1 to adopt option 3 from staff with wording changed to read "employee and public parking," and it affirmed that the police department would not be expected to enforce nonemployee parking in those lots. Mayor Hammond cast the lone no vote.

The ordinance deletes the obsolete section of Chapter 12.44 and directs staff to update lot signage and continue to protect 30‑minute curb spaces for short‑term patron access, the council said.