2017 November PASO Magazine

divided into smaller units.
Adjacent to the retail portion
will be a 1,960 sq. ft. commercial
kitchen, 1,188 sq. ft. banquet
kitchen, a 2,904 sq. ft. meeting
space with teleconferencing capabilities,
plus operational, storage
and administration buildings.
Centered within the parcel
will be a tree-shaded valet-serviced
entrance that leads into a
sweeping interior space of 3,351
square feet, featuring a lobby and
lounge seating with a two-sided
fireplace. Inviting niches will be
placed throughout where people
can gather and converse, sit
with a laptop or relax with a cup
from the coffee bar. Just south of
the entrance will be guest parking
with 179 spaces.
PLANNING WITH A FOCUS ON
SUSTAINABILITY
Zoned in the Uptown/Town
Center Specific Plan, the prospective
hotel, restaurant and
retail project aligns with the existing
designation as “Town Center-1”
within the City’s General
Plan and current Economic Strategy.
Transit Occupancy Taxes
collected from the Downtown location
will provide monetary sustainability
to the General Fund
along with local employment.
Center and Amtrak train station,
where traveling guests are inclined
to park their vehicles or
use area transit. Bicycle parking
will also be made available onsite
for Hotel AVA employees
and guests.
Impacts to public safety services
were also determined to
suffer less than significant impacts.
Emergency Services are
located one block away at 9th
and Park streets with nearby
highway access. Demand for new
services would not be proposed
and incremental impacts would
be alleviated through standard
development impact fees.
important to pay homage to our
heritage, we need our younger
generations to be excited about
Paso so that they will choose to
remain here and keep our town
alive and vibrant.”
HISTORICAL ROOTS
AND RELATIONSHIPS
In 2013, work began to protect
five existing Valley Oak trees and
one Coast Live Oak tree, which
Low-impact development continue to receive TLC. An arborist’s
(LID) features have been incorporated
study determined that
within the project the Valley oaks suffered varying
design to reduce watertight degrees of damage from previous
concrete paving and decom-
surfaces. “Green” materials will
promote groundwater recharge posed granite which essentially
through bioretention. To help choked their critical root zones
preserve area water quality, surface
of needed moisture and oxygen.
drainage facilities will clean Trunk scarring was discovered,
pollutants before they ever reach too, likely caused by lumber
the groundwater basin. For landscaping,
trucks backing into them.
graywater will be con-
“I fought for those trees and
served and recycled.
I want to see them survive and
Permeable hardscaping and thrive,” said Debbie.
fencing will harmonize with A landscape plan was designed
containers filled with native and
to protect the de-
drought-friendly plants and solar cades-old trees from further harm
energy panels will be installed on and enhance their health. Meticulous
rooftops. Throughout the structures,
hand-digging, low-impact
water-conserving fixtures tractors and safe construction
and high-efficiency laundry and methods will reduce potential
kitchen appliances will be used. harm to nearby root systems. Additional
The Planning Commission also
trees will also be planted
reviewed information regarding on the property.
increased traffic, everyday operational
“Historical connection and
noise and nighttime neighborliness are important to
lighting. Like the previous large me. The relationship to our train
plan, they determined all less station is part of that,” said Debbie.
than significant impacts with no
“I think it was important to
or few modifications. The Commission
change the design from a Tusable
noted the project’s walkcan
theme to accomplish these
proximity to Downtown, as things and bring a sense of who
well as the nearby Transportation we are to the project. Not only is it
November 2017, PASO Magazine 43