Council approves next steps for Veterans Monument at Veterans Park

By Camille DeVaul · Thu May 21 2026

Council unanimously approves preliminary concept as city weighs expanded cannabis delivery permits and oversight

PASO ROBLES — Paso Robles City Council meeting held on wednesday may 19

Plans for a new veterans monument at Veterans Park took a major step forward this week after the Paso Robles City Council unanimously approved moving ahead with the preliminary concept for the project, which aims to honor the sacrifice and service of military veterans through a large-scale steel and copper sculpture near the Veterans Memorial Building.

The proposed veterans monument at Veterans Park was first introduced in March 2025, when Paso Robles VFW Post 10965 Commander Leo Castillo approached the city with plans to design, fund, and build the project. City staff later worked with Castillo and blacksmith sculptor Max Randolph to identify a location south of the Veterans Memorial Building on the site of a former playground.

The monument, funded through fundraising efforts by VFW Post 10965 and American Legion Post 50, would feature six military swords, sabers, and cutlasses lifting an olive wreath overhead in a steel-and-copper structure standing more than 20 feet tall. Plans also include lighting, engraved memorial pavers, and suspended military tags honoring service members.

Castillo said at the meeting, "Our community is made up of heroes ... we want to acknowledge their support, sacrifice, and commitment."

City staff reviewed the concept and scale model in back in March. Support letters have been submitted by organizations, including the Association of the United States Army and Paso Robles Joint Unified School District, and the model has been on display at the Veterans Memorial Building, where organizers say public feedback has been positive.

"It's a beautiful monument," Councilman Steve Gregory said of the monument.

Council unanimously approved the plans to move forward with the preliminary monument concept for Veterans Park, which will include future City Council review and approval of the final design, engineering, and funding.

Later in the meeting, city staff received unanimous direction from the City Council on a series of proposed changes that would allow existing medical cannabis delivery businesses to expand into adult-use cannabis delivery operations within city limits. Since 2022, the council has directed staff to develop a process for permitting adult-use cannabis delivery offices while postponing broader discussions about storefront dispensaries until a later date.

Under California law, cannabis deliveries from outside jurisdictions are already permitted in Paso Robles, even though adult-use delivery businesses cannot currently operate from within the city. Staff said the proposed ordinance would “level the playing field” for local operators competing with businesses based in neighboring communities.

In February, the Planning Commission recommended allowing medicinal and adult-use cannabis delivery offices in designated commercial zoning districts through a Conditional Use Permit process. The commission also supported expanding police authority to inspect and enforce cannabis regulations.

As part of Tuesday’s direction, the City Council unanimously approved repealing Resolution 22-144, which temporarily authorized three named cannabis delivery businesses to provide adult-use deliveries and limited the number of permitted operators. According to staff, only one of those businesses — Dub’s Green Garden — remains active in Paso Robles.

The council also unanimously supported amendments to Chapter 21.60 of the Municipal Code removing the cap on the number of permitted non-storefront cannabis businesses within the city. Staff argued that limiting permits creates unnecessary barriers and artificial competition despite limited demand, noting that existing cannabis delivery businesses have not generated crime or nuisance complaints.

Council members also unanimously supported amendments to Title 5, Permits and Regulations, establishing a requirement that all cannabis businesses operating within Paso Robles obtain and maintain a Cannabis Regulatory Permit. The proposed permit system would oversee day-to-day business operations, including safety protocols, employee background checks, financial audits, and inspection requirements. Unlike a Conditional Use Permit, the regulatory permit would be renewed annually and tied to a specific business operator rather than the property itself.

In addition, the council unanimously supported requiring existing medical cannabis delivery businesses seeking to expand into adult-use deliveries to amend their Conditional Use Permits through the Planning Commission process.

City staff said allowing adult-use cannabis deliveries to originate within Paso Robles could improve tax collection and enforcement over the industry. Staff will return to the council at a later date with updated ordinances and regulations reflecting the direction provided by the council.