Paso Robles council delays decision on downtown employee parking permits after lengthy public comment

The Paso Robles City Council voted 3-2 on Dec. 17 to continue action on changes to the downtown employee parking program to the council meeting on June 17, after more than an hour of staff presentations, council questions and public comment.

Staff had recommended approving second reading of an ordinance amending the Paso Robles Municipal Code (Chapter 12.44.0.01) to remove the employee permit program and convert most employee-designated spaces to first-come, first-served public parking. Assistant City Manager Chris Huot told council that staff did not recommend a low-cost decal program and that enforcement resources and the decommissioning of the vendor (Flowbird) complicated any immediate transition to a new permit platform. Staff estimated the inventory at about 98 spaces that would convert if the ordinance were adopted.

Why it matters

Downtown business owners and employees told the council the spaces are used daily and that removing them without a…