Council approves design of new long-term parking lot
Site of former Boatel Mini-Storage to become public lot
Drawing depicts the approved long-term parking lot, located at the site of the former Boatel Mini Storage at Pine and 7th streets in Paso Robles.
Paso Robles will have a new long-term parking lot at the site of the former Boatel Mini Storage, located at the corner of Pine and 7th streets. The next step in the process is to advertise for bids, said Ditas Esperanza, the city’s capital projects engineer. The project, estimated to cost just over $1 million, is to be funded from the transit department, a Proposition 1B grant for lights, a SLOCOG Park-n-Ride grant, bus sales and parking in-lieu fees. The Paso Robles City Council approved the design at its meeting on Sept. 2.
According to the staff report issued by Public Works Director Doug Monn, the design features include:
- Resurfacing the old parking lot
- Pervious concrete at new parking areas
- Pervious paver sidewalks
- Lighting
- Motorcycle parking
- Two spaces for electric vehicle stations — conduits and concrete pad for the equipment will be stubbed
- Connecting handicap ramps to 6th St.
- Trash enclosure for three bins — regular trash, recycles, and grease
- Two trash receptacles
- Bicycle racks
- Minimum, drought tolerant landscaping with three-year plant establishment period
- 43 parking spaces — two for ADA accessible
- Metal railing fence along the easterly property line and the bridge between south/north interior parking lots
- A ‘bid additive’ item to install a pedestrian bridge is also included — next to existing oak tree on east side of Pine Street at 7th Street
This is the second time the design has gone in front of the city council. The design presented at the Sept. 2, Esperanza said, incorporated directions and comments received from the council’s May 20 meeting. The on-going maintenance, she said, will be funded with transit revenue from the lease rental of buildings.
“I very much approve, I like the plan,” Councilman John Hamon Jr. said, adding, however, that he’s concerned about the front end of vehicles hanging over the sidewalk and impeding pedestrian traffic.
Esperanza said that curb stops will be installed to keep that from happening. Hamon also asked if the lot will be designated a Park-n-Ride lot only. She said long-term parking will be allowed.
“I welcome the park and ride,” Mayor Duane Picanco said. “I’d just like to call it public parking and be good.”
A pedestrian bridge was added as a big additive — it will be included as funding allows — taking the new sidewalk over the drainage channel so people can walk safely through the area.
“I think this will help alleviate [the public parking issue],” Paso Robles resident Dale Gustin said.
Hamon moved to accept the final design and Mayor Pro Tem Ed Steinbeck seconded the motion. The item was passed 4-0 with Councilman Fred Strong absent.
For self storage in Paso Robles, visit Paso Robles Mini Storage
