I’m looking forward to the progress being made on one the city’s largest vacant buildings. Here is my report from Tuesday evening’s meeting:
Eight businesses expected to fill massive building
The Paso Robles Planning Commission approved modifications of signage and architecture at the old Paris Precision building on Ramada Drive at the south end of town.
The changes allow the massive building to be split into eight units. Tenants expected to fill the 215,000-square-foot building include a large ag supply company, a winery, a beer storage facility and some offices. Paris Precision, a former sheet metal fabricator, closed its doors last May. About 130 employees lost their jobs at the time.
Modifications to the building
- 5 storefront entrances
- 4 windows on the front elevation
- 2 new loading docks
- 3 new roll-up doors
- 4 cupolas on the building roof for signage purposes
- New vehicle outdoor equipment sales area (9,000 sf)
- Sign program (building and monument signs)
The planning commissioners agreed on most all of the modifications. Three commissioners voiced concerns that the addition of four 10-foot high cupolas was unnecessary. There were also concerns about having signage on the cupolas that might be unattractive for the city’s southern gateway.
A compromise was proposed that permitted the cupolas but prohibited signage on them. The amended resolution passed with support from commissioners Scott Brennan, Doug Barth, Sheree Davis and Chairman John Donaldson. Commissioners Bob Rollins, Shannon Agredano and newest member Roberta Jorgensen opposed it.
Commission elects new leadership
The planning commission voted to appoint John Donaldson its new chairman and Doug Barth its new vice-chairman for the next 12 months.