Downtown Parking
Lots Utilization
Previous Discussions
20 Aug. 2024
• Council requested
Information on lowcost permit program &
additional
enforcement options
3 Dec. 2024
• Staff presented
findings and
recommended
returning the lots to
public parking;
Council held first
reading of ordinance.
17 Dec. 2024
• Council continued
second reading to
allow for additional
input from
stakeholders
Employee
Parking Lot
Program
Implemented in December 2018
prior to paid on-street program
Designated permit parking lots
were to encourage employees to
avoid parking in front of downtown
businesses
$5 per month/$60 year (prorated)
Represented about 5.4 percent of
total parking spaces (lots/onstreet)
No new permits issued as of
January 1, 2025
Previous Discussions – Summary
Parking Lot Ownership
•All City owned; no use restrictions via title search/deed review Low-Cost Decal Program
•Requires subsidy from general fund
•Paying for lots, when on-street is free
Enforcement Options
•No dedicated staff for parking enforcement
•No capacity to redirect existing staff to full time enforcement •Cannot specifically restrict “downtown employees” from parking onstreet •Need additional part-time employee for program enforcement and management
•$27,000 to $122,000 annually
30 Minute Spots
35 spots
Provides space for a quick errands
30-minute spot generally see turn over
Most users are compliant with signage
Enforcement is complaint-driven
Stakeholder Outreach
Main Street Association
Board President Jeffry Weisinger
Design and Economic Development Committee
Board of Directors
Travel Paso
Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance
Paso Robles and Templeton Chamber of Commerce
Stakeholder Feedback
Main Street Association
No permit program, honors system signage
Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance
No permit program, revert to public parking lots
Paso Robles & Templeton Chamber of Commerce
No permit program, revert to public parking lots
Travel Paso
No permit program, revert to public parking lots
Main Street
Association
Recommendation
Removing "Permit Parking
Only" signage
Installing new signs that
indicate “Public Parking”
and “Employee Preferred
Parking,” modeled after
honor-based signage used
by retailers in shopping
center parking lots.
Seeking voluntary
compliance without active
City management or
enforcement
Staff Recommendation
(Continued from December 17th)
Approve second reading by title only and adopt Ordinance 1153 deleting Section 12.44.010 of the Paso Robles Municipal Code The existing code no longer reflects current parking policy or operational needs
Spaces convert to first come, first served public parking without any time restrictions
Still available for downtown employees to use
Would not install honor system “Employee Preferred Parking” See Option 3
Keep 30-minute spots as is
Complaint driven and “as available” enforcement
No additional staff required
Parking lot improvement project will be completed irrespective Option 3
Approve second reading by title only and adopt
Ordinance 1153 deleting Section 12.44.010 of the Paso
Robles Municipal Code and direct staff to implement
“Employee Preferred Parking” signage in the Spring
Street and 12th Street, 12th Street adjacent to Marv’s
Pizza, Alley between Pine Street and Railroad Street,
and 12th Street and Railroad Street lots and affirm that there will not be any ability for the Police Department to enforce non-employees from parking in these parking
lots.