March 4, 2026 Joint City Council, Planning Commission, Airport Commission Special Meeting

The City of Paso Robles held a joint special meeting on March 4, 2026, involving the City Council, Planning Commission, and Airport Commission to discuss the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) commercial spaceport license application for Paso Robles Airport. The meeting focused on the progress made toward obtaining the horizontal launch spaceport license, the economic impact projections, and the next steps in the licensing process. Consultants from RNH presented the roadmap forward, highlighting the 12 to 18 months estimated timeline to complete the licensing, including technical assessments and environmental reviews. The economic impact study projected up to 900 total jobs and $335 million in business revenue over 10 years. The council received public comments supporting the project and discussed infrastructure improvements, including fiber and traffic enhancements. The meeting concluded with a unanimous vote directing staff to proceed with preparing a Request for Proposal (RFP) to engage qualified firms to complete the remaining licensing steps and to return with a funding plan and cost estimate.