[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5986524,"mediaKeyId","5772523-d5c3a0341890042b6e8d4712969cb6ca","parentId",5772523,"title","City staff lists pipeline projects: Almond Acres, Holiday Inn site plan, truck stop, Container Village and rising ADU interest","audioSeconds",572,"startMs",4288000,"endMs",4860000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5772523-d5c3a0341890042b6e8d4712969cb6ca&start=4288&end=4860","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5772523-d5c3a0341890042b6e8d4712969cb6ca/thumbnail_4288000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5986524/Soledad-City/Monterey-County/California/City-staff-lists-pipeline-projects-Almond-Acres-Holiday-Inn-site-plan-truck-stop-Container-Village-and-rising-ADU-interest","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5986524-b1edde31c9276afdec4eae9a8c29b798/orig.mp4?Expires=1776327691&Signature=cmJ8JEEjI9vw1VOdSQ5JDqYJMCdlz3MnnEY5eoZRztasF~eOUmwd8KWfE35IEWuGFQE6mv8FtyIjTLAxFZCFjgnQ2HirOw~BJ8cuwHYPL1w15XVl-3GIyFJ~Issv6-y2V1bMn76MankrKS8eewJm8z9hYkd5iZl34OZYk2vjxhprxxlGckOUraH5-yVtw-2ienDOc0m73Iyxvfj5aRFTsuS-XQNlnAN5Oc5HXONZYFrHeUqQBUeZ4oHwUjOSmn~81cNFvP1IMMIOZi7p3szmP4S657lXSeKjFgPQj9yLwqo7GgWvDdOtkDZnkJaUqpdJ0T8xYrw16mM9kvax7dN3dg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Soledad City, CA","date","2025-09-12T14:32:32Z","article","City of Soledad planning staff gave commissioners an overview of ongoing and upcoming development projects and department activity at the Sept. 11 special meeting, highlighting several commercial and housing proposals the department expects to bring forward this fall and winter.

A staff member identified as Jared (staff) told the commission the Holiday Inn had submitted a site plan and staff was awaiting a revised resubmission expected in September. Jared said the Oasis truck‑stop project (referred to in the presentation as a truck stop application resumed this year) is proposed near the metal building by Panda off H. Dela Rosa Street, and that the applicant is preparing a revised plan for resubmittal. Jared also highlighted that Tractor Supply is planning a soft opening on Saturday, Sept. 13, with a grand opening planned for Sept. 20.

On housing, staff discussed Almond Acres, a 9.5‑acre project across the street from Parcel B that the department said would propose about 55 single‑family homes and 12 multifamily units. Staff said Almond Acres is a partnership between a for‑profit developer (Nino Homes) and a nonprofit (referred to in the presentation as Chisba) and that an environmental impact report (EIR) has been completed; staff aimed to present Almond Acres to the Planning Commission in November.

Staff also updated commissioners on a school‑housing project near the fire station that is advancing rapidly; the presentation noted the project is using prefabricated wall systems to speed construction. On the Container Village project, staff said a feasibility study is complete and the city is preparing an Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant application. Staff said the City Council directed retaining city ownership of the container village to control rents and avoid commercial‑rent displacement of small businesses; due to that approach staff said the project will likely be phased, with a truck park as an initial activation and later phases added as funding permits. “We are gonna try to start activating the area with first having a truck pot, which hopefully that can happen next year,” staff said.

On housing policy and permits, staff reported steady interest in accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and JADUs, with many applicants choosing garage conversions or junior ADUs because construction costs for detached ADUs remain a barrier. The department noted turnaround targets set by state law — first plan review within 30 days — and estimated subsequent reviews typically take two to three weeks. Staff provided a ballpark permit fee range: approximately $2,000–$3,000 for garage conversions and about $3,000 for detached ADU permits, though exact fees vary by valuation and the department recently updated its fee schedule.

Staff invited commissioners to ask questions and offered to bring items back for more detailed review; no formal commission action was requested or taken on these information items. The activity report, staff said, is produced monthly for City Council and attached to the Planning Commission packet to keep commissioners informed of projects in the pipeline.

Why it matters: the projects outlined include commercial development that could increase local retail and lodging options, and housing projects that contribute to Soledad’s housing pipeline. The Container Village and hotel projects could affect downtown activation and commercial rents; Almond Acres and the school housing project add to expected housing capacity.

Next steps: staff said the Holiday Inn revised site plan, Almond Acres entitlement package and the truck‑stop resubmittal will be tracked and brought to the Planning Commission or City Council as they reach readiness; the Container Village will proceed through grant applications and required ordinance work for phased implementation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular Planning Commission Meeting 09.11.2025","oneSentenceSummary","City of Soledad planning staff told the Planning Commission on Sept. 11 that several commercial and housing projects are moving through review, including a Holiday Inn site plan resubmittal, an Oasis truck stop, the Almond Acres 9.5‑acre housing proposal and a Container Village feasibility effort.","taxTitle","Soledad City, Monterey County, California","taxId",72163,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5986529,"Planning commission recommends council approve 61‑unit Parcel B small‑lot development",3130,1139000,4269000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5772523-d5c3a0341890042b6e8d4712969cb6ca&start=1139&end=4269","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5772523-d5c3a0341890042b6e8d4712969cb6ca/thumbnail_1139000.jpg","/articles/5986529/Soledad-City/Monterey-County/California/Planning-commission-recommends-council-approve-61unit-Parcel-B-smalllot-development","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5986529-565c94a40caae0b6323a9cb4a62cb3d8/orig.mp4?Expires=1776327691&Signature=lGiSKeNLESEcc8swGlC37MQkdxroHGC04aSH87MGuqjOdPW0w6W91-FvozNS3yRPAcKyDO-a61VjKLLtl7cWortVQbVKCC9eIDFkbnXBLw3f22u64lzl-G1yacECn9EZ9lYSdt6qrkFqY1dL8nG4k4-ioE5uxbZxFTZ2-FwAq~~-o72LSnZEtGYZCv4yz7aZS3rC3NvtmrX2hUmpo3GehOEo4uFPS6Mm5QsceNpLbH9u2dl1HL0lsW9bLlYIpqXqWvCTsBG8Pv3ey3Rxbm041vlX~Kh7fdCtMmdkJx~l2anjoEipzd3LT65rk6MQ6gs3yj9Z3Ybl1zu2AvQSIwlmGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Soledad Planning Commission on Sept. 11 voted 3–1, with one absence, to recommend the City Council approve a planned unit development (PUD‑23001) and vesting tentative subdivision map (TM‑23002) for Parcel B, a proposed small‑lot subdivision east of Orchard Lane and Cedar Lane. The project, as presented by city staff, would create 61 residences — 37 small‑lot single‑family units and 24 multifamily units — on a site the staff described as about 4 acres and located next to Orchard Lane Park and near Hartnell College.

The recommendation advances a staff position that the city should prioritize housing production to help meet state‑mandated RHNA targets. Ariana Mora, a city planner with the City of Soledad, told the commission that staff’s “recommended actions at this time is to receive the staff report and make, consider a staff recommendation to approve the original plan for Parcel B, as proposed.” Mora said staff recommended the original 61‑unit design because reducing units would diminish the number of housing units counted in the city’s housing element pipeline and would reduce impact‑fee revenue used for public projects.

Commissioners debated two of the project’s key deviations: reduced on‑site recreational open space and a shortfall in multifamily off‑street parking. Under the subdivision code cited in the staff report, the development’s recreational requirement is 6,100 square feet; the proposed on‑site recreational area measured 4,800 square feet, a shortfall of about 1,300 square feet. The developer offered an alternate “Option 1” that would remove two units (reducing the project to 59 units), enlarge the common open space to exceed the shortfall (staff cited an increase to about 1,368 square feet over the requirement in the alternate), and add two parking spaces. Mora told the commission the city would lose approximately $14,060 in park impact fees if two units were removed.

On parking, Mora and the applicant acknowledged the multifamily portion was short by 28 off‑street parking spaces under a standard calculation; the applicant proposed to rely in part on on‑street parking adjacent to the multifamily buildings to meet demand. Randy Russell of RM Design Group, representing the applicant, said the project would include accessible parking and that “The California building code requires a certain amount of accessibility,” and that ground‑floor multifamily units would be adaptable to accessibility standards. Russell also said the applicant had added two on‑site spaces in the alternate plan and that the difference was in parking configuration as well as quantity.

Commissioners voiced differing priorities. Vice Chair Sergio Diaz and one other commissioner expressed concern that the parking shortfall would make the multifamily units undesirable for residents; Diaz said he was “still a little hesitant” because of parking. Other commissioners argued the site’s proximity to transit stops, Hartnell College, schools and Orchard Lane Park supported the denser design and reduced parking. Mora emphasized the project had been counted in the city’s RHNA pipeline as 61 units and that the city’s housing element and adopted programs encourage small‑lot subdivisions and tailored parking standards to increase housing production.

The commission also reviewed project design and safety items: the developer supplied a diagram showing emergency‑vehicle turning radii and the applicant and staff said the private street would meet health and safety access requirements. The applicant confirmed accessible pathways to the adjacent park would be provided and that multifamily ground‑floor units would be adaptable.

After public testimony was closed and commissioners discussed the merits, Commissioner Fuerte moved to approve Resolution No. 2025‑05 recommending the City Council adopt an ordinance approving PUD‑23001 and TM‑23002 consistent with the staff‑recommended original 61‑unit proposal; Commissioner Lorenzo Sanchez seconded the motion. The roll call recorded Chair Jose Perez Aguirre voting yes, Vice Chair Sergio Diaz voting no, Commissioner Sandy Guate voting yes and Commissioner Lorenzo Sanchez voting yes. The motion passed 3 yes, 1 no, 1 absence. The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council, which has final authority to approve, modify or deny the entitlements.

Why it matters: the project would add small‑lot and multifamily housing counted in the city’s RHNA pipeline and trigger conditions for affordable units and impact fees. Mora told the commission the project would be required by local ordinance to provide 20 percent of units as affordable housing — about 12 units under the 61‑unit plan — and that the city’s housing element relies on pipeline projects when reporting to the state. The staff presentation also noted Parcel B qualifies for a CEQA infill exemption for projects under five acres and that the annexation and prior environmental review cover the site’s analysis.

Next steps: the Planning Commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to the City Council for a public hearing and final decision. The council may adopt, amend or reject the recommended resolution and associated ordinance.

(Reporting note: direct quotes and attributions in this article are drawn from the Sept. 11 Planning Commission transcript and public presentation.)","The City of Soledad Planning Commission on Sept. 11 voted 3–1, with one absence, to recommend the City Council approve a planned unit development (PUD‑23001) and vesting tentative subdivision map (TM‑23002) for “Parcel B,” a proposed small‑lot subdivision adjacent to Orchard Lane Park that would create 61 housing units.","actionData","errors"]

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City staff lists pipeline projects: Almond Acres, Holiday Inn site plan, truck stop, Container Village and rising ADU interest

Planning commission recommends council approve 61‑unit Parcel B small‑lot development