More than eighty people crowded into the Paso Robles library conference room for Tuesday night’s Planning Commission meeting. The issue was the Olsen-South Chandler Development.
The plan calls for nearly 1300 homes to be built on land stretching from Linne Road to Meadowlark. The construction would be done in three phases over 8-10 years.
Development planner Mike Zonavich outlined in great detail the plan for Vinedo, as they call it. One parcel includes 715 units and 13 acres of open space. The other parcel includes 639 units and 96 acres of open space. The homes would have three styles- Progressive Spanish, Modern Farmhouse and Wine Country Chic. The development would includes 60 multi-family homes, 108 town-homes, 129 Motor-courts, (which share a driveway), and 145 Alley homes. There would also be more than 500 conventional homes on varying lot sizes. Zonavich said, “Open space is a key element.” RRM of San Luis Obispo described another development proposed for a triangular lot created when Linne Road is straightened and cuts diagonally across a lot near the Our Town development. RRM plans to squeeze 123 units into that triangle, although the Planning Commission asked them to revise the plan in order to provide more parking.
Dr. Joe Kuntz of Paso Robles expressed concerns about traffic, particularly for emergency vehicles crossing the river between the east side of Paso Robles and downtown. He says there is no way the developer can mitigate the impact of 2500 additional cars.
Paso Robles Fire Chief Jonathon Stornetta said the city has acquired a site on Union Road for a 3rd fire station in Paso Robles. He says it would reduce the response time to residents on Paso Robles east side. Community Development Director Warren Frace said that the timing for construction of a new fire station is not known at this time, but it will be considered in the next budget.
After more than three hours of testimony, the Planning Commission voted unanimously on 16 staff recommendation resolutions to move the development plans forward to the Paso Robles City Council for their consideration.