CUP Amendment (P25-0124 / AMD25-02)
City Council Hearing
4/7/2026
Applicant: Ravine Waterpark, LLC - Brett Butterfield, Joel Woodruff, Damien Mavis & Pat Arnold
Land Use Consultant: Ian McCarville & Jamie Jones - Kirk Consulting Counsel: Chris Guillen, Brownstein
The Ravine Waterpark
Swimming Pool Addition
Proposed Project
• Construction of an 1,825 sq. ft.
recreational pool and 153 sq. ft. spa.
• Installation of 13 cabanas
surrounding the pool area.
• New concrete deck and pool
equipment within an existing
recreation area
• Improvements located within existing
Ravine Waterpark site (16.16 acre).
Key Appeal Issues
1. Inadequate Project Description and ED: 16-acre project site includes the River, replacement amenities are in area currently approved for, and occupied by, water park use.
2. Offsite Improvements Required: Project is not an expansion of use. New amenities are in an existing approved use area.
3. Drainage Concerns: The project will not discharge into existing culverts.
Stormwater will be captured, treated and percolated onsite.
4. Outdated Traffic Study: Replacement amenities are in area currently approved for, and occupied by, water park use, a new Traffic Study is not required
5. New Kiddie Pool & Slides: Replacement facilities are permitted and allowed to occur.
6. Airport Zone Compatibility: ALUP allows for continuation of existing facilities.
7. River Setback Issues: Existing buildings are permitted.
8. Paso Robles Boulevard Access: Applicant has removed the river crossing and parking lot bumpers on Paso Robles Boulevard
Project Is Not an Expansion of the Approved Site
Appeal Concern: The project requires offsite improvements & an updated traffic study.
Response: Project is not an expansion of use. New amenities are proposed in an existing approved use area.
Shown as
“grassy area”
Project Area
Approved 2004 Site Plan
2005 Bldg. Permit (B05-0926-0001P)
Existing Site Conditions – July 2007
Project Area
Project area was constructed consistent
with approved site plans
Current Site Conditions – June 2025
Temporary
Shade Structure
Existing Bar
Active Use Area
Photos of Active Use Area
Halloween Party
Summer Foam Blast Daily Active Use Cornhole
Celebration of Life Ceremony
Response to Off-Site Access Concerns
Gate
installed by
applicant
Sign
installed by
applicant
Parking Lot & River Crossing Removed
Access Restricted and Discontinued
River Crossing has been removed completely. A
gate restricts access at this location.
Old Conditions Current Conditions
Drainage Improvements & Airport Road Conditions
Drainage Improvements & Airport Road Conditions
Existing detention
basin permitted &
built in 2007
Existing discharge
pipe permitted &
built in 2007
Approved Building Permit Plans
Drainage Improvements & Airport Road Conditions
• Standard seasonal maintenance activities were performed in accordance with the original CUP.
• The basin has been confirmed to be in substantial conformance with the original design by Wallace Group (April 2026).
• The basin will be re-seeded with a SLO County-approved mix or equivalent, and vegetative cover will be maintained to minimize erosion potential.
Basin maintained and is in substantial conformance with the original approved and built basin.
Discharge pipe repaired
Conclusion
• Project is located within the existing waterpark footprint and does not expand the approved use or capacity.
• Proposed improvements occur within a previously developed and actively used area of the site.
• No new or increased environmental impacts; consistent with CEQA exemptions and prior approvals.
• Majority of appeal issues relate to existing conditions, not the proposed project.
• Applicant has taken proactive steps to address concerns, including access, drainage, and maintenance.
• Project has been properly reviewed and permitted; the Planning Commission approval should be upheld.
Available for Questions
Ian McCarville
Jamie Jones
Brett Butterfield
Damien Mavis
Joel Woodruff
Christopher Guillen
Kirk Consulting
Kirk Consulting
Ravine Waterpark LLC
Ravine Waterpark LLC
Ravine Waterpark LLC
Brownstein
Backup Slides
Paso Robles Airport Land Use Plan Consistency
• The Ravine Waterpark is an existing recreational use approved under CUP 00-020 / PD 00-023 and physically operating on the site since 2007. • Under the Paso Robles Airport Land Use Plan (ALUP Section 2.7.1), the ALUC has no authority over existing land uses within the planning area. • Existing uses may remain and may expand up to 10% beyond the permitted project size without being considered a new development. • The proposed pool improvements occur within the previously permitted and developed project area and do not represent a new land use. • Therefore, the proposed improvements are consistent with ALUP policies for existing land uses within Airport Safety Zone 3.
Basin Maintenance Exempt from Grading Permit
The routine basin maintenance activities are exempt from a grading permit per ZC Section 20.04.040 based on the applicable exceptions:
G. A fill not intended to support structures which does not exceed fifty cubic yards; Response:
Approximately 10 cubic yards of sediment was removed as part of routine maintenance and condition compliance activities associated with the original CUP. This is below the 50 cubic yard threshold.
Grading must also comply with the following to be exempt:
1. An excavation which is less than two feet in depth, or which does not create a cut slope greater than five feet in height and steeper than two horizontal to one vertical. Response: Excavation was less than two feet in depth, and no new cut slopes were created.
2. A fill which is less than one foot in depth and placed on natural terrain with a slope flatter than five horizontal to one vertical and not intended to support a structure. Response: No fill was placed as part of this work. The activity consisted solely of removing accumulated sediment.
3. The grading does not obstruct or divert a drainage course. Response: The work did not obstruct or divert any drainage course. Instead, it restored the original capacity and function of the detention basin.
4. The disturbed area due to grading operations is less than three thousand square feet. Response:
The total area of disturbance was less than 3,000 square feet, estimated at approximately 1,000 square feet
CEQA Baseline
• CEQA baseline is defined as the “physical environmental conditions as they exist at the time the… environmental analysis is commenced.” (CEQA Guidelines, sec. 15125(a)(1).)
• CEQA evaluates the proposed activities and does not retrospectively evaluate work that has already been completed.
• The baseline encompasses past activities, even if they did not undergo environmental review or are inconsistent with prior approvals. • Any allegations relating to past unpermitted activities is left to the code enforcement agency; environmental review is based on existing site characteristics.
CEQA Exemptions
The project qualifies for the following exemptions:
• Class 1 – Existing Facilities: Covers minor alterations with negligible or no expansion of use, including additions of up to 10,000 square feet. Project occurs within an already developed waterpark; improvements are ancillary recreation features and are solely repurposing existing utilized space. (CEQA Guidelines, sec. 15301.) • Class 3 – New Construction of Small Structures: Applies to construction of small structures and accessory facilities (e.g., patios, pools, fences). Project proposes construction of a pool and small accessory facilities, like cabanas. (CEQA Guidelines, sec. 15303.)
• Class 11 – Accessory Minor Structures: Covers minor accessory structures to existing commercial or recreational facilities. Project proposes minor structures that are accessory to an existing recreational facility, the waterpark. (CEQA Guidelines, sec. 15311.)
• Standard of Review: CEQA exemption determinations are reviewed under the substantial evidence standard.
• Timing of Exemptions: The city may assert CEQA exemptions at any time, including during litigation and despite having relied on a different environmental document during the administrative process.