Scott David Brennan

Published: March 1, 2017

I recently received a letter from a concerned resident about the rapid growth of new hotels in Paso Robles. It’s true that Paso Robles is pursuing an economic growth strategy that includes expanding the number of hotel rooms in town.

This resident’s thoughts, published below, are similar to those I sometimes hear at Paso Robles Planning Commission meetings and on comments below stories about new developments on the Paso Robles Daily News.

I received similar feedback from residents when I spoke to the North County County Newcomers Club and gave a presentation on new Paso Robles hotel projects on the horizon.

Letter concerning too many hotels:

February 6, 2017

To:
Members of the Paso Robles City Council
Members of the Paso Robles Planning Commission
Shonna Howenstine, Paso Robles Tourism Coordinator

I’m writing to voice my concern about the number of hotel rooms that have recently been approved in Paso Robles. There is the issue of natural resources of course, but it sounds like we are in a good situation with that. It’s more important to me that the city considers the negative effect on residents’ daily life which include more traffic, commercialization of areas that currently contribute to the feeling of living in a somewhat rural area and congestion in our lovely downtown.

The Paso area has been distinguished as a wonderful, new California wine country. Our PRcity website touts the rural ambiance: “You’ve just discovered a place that embodies a fusion of Western Spirit, rural ambiance and fine living.
A place where you can still experience authentic California. A place called Paso Robles.”

If we continue building without addressing infrastructure we’re going to get a reputation like Napa’s – as being overly crowded and “commercial”.

Where are all these visitors going to eat, let alone park? Obviously our small restaurants in downtown aren’t going to be sufficient, and with so many visitors the locals will be all but shut out of patronizing downtown. Hotel restaurants are notoriously expensive and usually not that great.

I think a good idea would be to have a “hotel zone” somewhere close to Hwy 46 so visitors can get to wineries without going through town and adding traffic on roads the residents use. Having restaurants in that area would be key to making people think positively about our city. Those that want can still make it to downtown to shop and dine; but hopefully, there won’t be hundreds of cars trying to cram into our downtown area, giving us a bad reputation.

The “zone” can be designed to have a wine country feel so it doesn’t look and feel too commercial. The addition of several non-chain restaurants and bistros would contribute to the charm of the zone.

Please, as you’re making decisions about whether or not to approve new projects keep the residents in the forefront of the decision-making process.

Respectfully,
A concerned resident

My reply to the letter:

Dear concerned resident,

Thank you for your letter. I agree that we need to take the concerns of our residents first and foremost. I also agree that we need to address the traffic impacts of development. As planning commissioners, we look for direction from the city’s General Plan and Economic Development Strategy. Both of these guiding documents were created with public input and approved by the city council. They also come up for review and re-drafting from time to time. Here are a couple of links for you.

http://www.prcity.com/government/departments/commdev/planning/general-plan-final.asp
http://www.prcity.com/pdf/PR-Economic-Strategy.pdf

Thank you for your thoughts and I would encourage your participation in city government.

Sincerely,

Scott Brennan
Paso Robles Planning Commissioner

More thoughts about hotel development in Paso Robles

Reflecting on my reply, I should have developed my thoughts further. I think that economic development is important to the city. Cities grow and thrive, or wither and die. I want to enjoy and live in a thriving community. That’s why I volunteered for the planning commission, so I could help see my town thrive. Here are my thoughts:

So, why are more hotels being built in Paso Robles?

#1 Investors who have the money to build hotels think it is a wise investment. They think building here will yield a profit and a return on their investment. And, they are willing to put their money where there mouth is.

The city has sufficient water supplies for more growth

The city has sufficient sewer capacity for more growth

Development means more jobs

New hotels mean more tax revenue

More tax revenue from visitors means locals will have to bear less of a tax burden and still reap the benefits of a resort community.

Hotels will help promote a resort community

No, we do not want to be Napa Valley, but being a developing resort community has many benefits for local residents.