Option 1- OPEN PARKING

No time limits; No City control

Pros- Eliminates the kiosk system and paid parking. Encourages people to come downtown to spend money at our local businesses. Does not rush customers and people no longer have to keep checking their time. Revenue stays in Paso Robles. Both locals and visitors feel welcome to come downtown. Eliminates need for senior and employee permit parking. Research shows 4 hours is the average time a tourist spends in a downtown.  

Cons-  No limit allows people to park all day long. Employees may park in front of businesses.  Businesses would be responsible for their own employees. 

Option 2-TIME LIMIT PARKING

Determine time limits (number of free hours) per parking zone.  Time limits may differ pending types of businesses within a zone.   

Time Limit Parking requires posted time limits in identified parking zones.  Individual is allowed to park without the payment of a fee.  Individual is responsible to move vehicle before end of time limit to avoid fines.  Traffic control device is not used.  Enforcement is required. 

Pros- Eliminates the kiosk system and paid parking. Simple and easy to understand. Encourages turn over. Encourages people to come downtown, spend money, and don't have to rush. Revenue stays in Paso Robles. Both locals and visitors feel welcome to come downtown. Eliminates need for senior and employee permit parking. Research shows 4 hours is the average time a tourist spends in a downtown.  

Cons- Requires regulation and enforcement by the City. Requires customers to check their time. Employees can park in front of businesses, pay fines, or move their vehicle from one space to another. 

Option 3- RETURN TO ORIGINAL PARKING PROGRAM

2 free hours and $1 an hour thereafter. Senior parking permit.  Employee parking permit.

Paid Parking requires posted restrictions and a traffic control device (kiosks, meters).  Individual is allowed to park with the payment of a fee.

Pros- Helps deter employees parking in prime customer spaces. The city has ran this program so can easily change back. No added costs to the City. City gets to earn money.

Cons- Keeps the kiosk system.  Added cost to our customers.  Limits people spending time and money downtown. Requires customers to check their time.  Limited number of parking permits offered. Paid parking takes away the friendly atmosphere and is not welcoming. Charges people to enjoy the park, the library and the museum. Residents and potential customers are boycotting the downtown.  Kiosks are difficult to use. The signage is not clear.  The parking regulators are not friendly, causing issues with locals and tourists.  City Council can change at any time: raise fees, raise fines, eliminate senior parking permits, eliminate permit parking.

Option 4:  EXISTING TRIAL PROGRAM (February Decision, 90 day trial)

2 free hours and $2 an hour thereafter. Senior Parking Permit. Employee Parking Permit

Paid Parking requires posted restrictions and a traffic control device (kiosks, meters).  Individual is allowed to park with the payment of a fee.

Pros- Helps deter employees parking in prime customer spaces. The city is currently running this program. No added cost to the city. City gets to earn money.

Cons- Keeps the kiosk system.  Further increases cost to our customers. Limits people spending time and money downtown. Requires customers to check their time. Limited number of parking permits offered. Paid parking takes away the friendly atmosphere and is not welcoming. Charges people to enjoy the park, the library and the museum.  Residents and potential customers are and will continue to boycott the downtown.  Kiosks are difficult to use. The signage is not clear.  The parking regulators are not friendly, causing issues with locals and tourists.  City Council can change at any time: raise fees, raise fines, eliminate senior parking permits, eliminate permit parking.

Option 5- CURRENT DECISION, $2 PER HOUR (December 2022 Decision)

$2 per hour. No free parking. Senior Parking Permit. Employee Parking Permit.

Paid Parking requires posted restrictions and a traffic control device (kiosks, meters).  Individual is allowed to park with the payment of a fee.

Pros- Helps with employee parking. The city has ability to do the program without any major changes; do not have to purchase anything. City gets to earn money, estimated $1 million per year not including fines.

Cons-  Keeps the kiosk system.  Even further increases cost to our customers. Limits the downtown to people who can afford to pay for parking. Limits people spending time and money downtown. Requires customers to check their time. Limited number of parking permits offered. Paid parking takes away the friendly atmosphere and is not welcoming. Charges people to enjoy the park, the library and the museum. Residents and potential customers are boycotting the downtown.  Kiosks are difficult to use. The signage is not clear.  The parking regulators are not friendly, causing issues with locals and tourists.  City Council can change at any time: raise fees, raise fines, eliminate senior parking permits, eliminate permit parking.

Option 6- LONGER FREE PARKING 

3 or 4 hours of free parking and then a fee per hour thereafter determined by the City Council. Senior Parking Permit. Employee Parking Permit.

Paid Parking requires posted restrictions and a traffic control device (kiosks, meters).  Individual is allowed to park with the payment of a fee.

Pros- Customers able to complete most of their activity by having a longer free session.  Encourages locals to bring their business back downtown.  Encourages potential customers to spend time and money.  Helps deter employees parking in prime customer spaces.  No added cost to the city to offer this program. City gets to earn money.

Cons- Keeps the kiosk system.  Still limiting, but not as restrictive as other paid parking options.  Requires customers to check their time. Limited number of parking permits offered. Paid parking takes away the friendly atmosphere and is not welcoming. To a lesser degree, discourages locals and potential customers to come downtown.  Kiosks are difficult to use. The signage is not clear.  The parking regulators are not friendly, causing issues with locals and tourists. City Council can change at any time: raise fees, raise fines, eliminate senior parking permits, eliminate permit parking.