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 replacement would harm operations and employees’ commutes. Other residents and callers said public access to downtown parking should not be limited. The council said it wanted more stakeholder follow-up before making a final change.

What council and staff said

Huot said staff’s analysis found that enforcement costs, the lack of a back-end vendor to manage permits after the paid-parking program ended, and limited demonstrated demand for a new paid or low-cost permit system led staff to recommend eliminating the permit ordinance. He also said signage and outreach would be needed if council changed the program.

Police Chief Nord told council there was no legal prohibition against leaving permit signage in place while not actively enforcing the program, but that enforcement decisions are ultimately council priorities: "No. There there's nothing legally wrong with doing that, obviously. That's at the will of the council to do." (Police chief identified in transcript as Chief Nord.)

Public comment

Business owners and downtown stakeholders urged the council to preserve some form of employee-designated parking. Dave Nelson, who has spoken on the issue in previous meetings, told council, "It's your main job. Listening to what the people want." Jeff Wiesinger, president of the Paso Robles Main Street Association, said the association "is in support of keeping the lots designated for employee parking." Dominique LaBourgeois, a new downtown business owner, said, "I'm a new business in town, and I'm begging you, please do not get rid of those lots." Former Council Member Sharon Roden criticized using signage without enforcement: "There's no honor to lying to people in our community of what a public parking place is utilized as."

Council decision

Councilman Steve Gregory moved to continue the item to the June 17 meeting; Councilman Chris Bausch seconded. The roll call vote was: - Councilman Gregory: Aye - Councilman Bausch: Aye - Councilwoman Chris Beal: Aye - Councilman Bill Strong: No - Mayor John Hammond: No The motion passed 3 to 2. The continuation means council will ask staff and stakeholder representatives to return with more detailed options and, at minimum, more outreach before taking final action.

What remains unresolved

Staff had earlier described options it considered, including a low-cost decal program and enhanced enforcement, but said neither was ready to implement without additional direction. Council directed staff to coordinate with downtown stakeholders and bring a follow-up proposal to the council at the continued hearing. The precise scope of any future permit, hours of restriction if any, and funding for enforcement remain open.

Votes and next steps

The council’s action was procedural: it delayed the second reading/adoption decision and asked staff to pursue stakeholder outreach and return with a proposed ordinance or recommendation at the June 17 meeting.