Salinas committee asks staff to return with housing, permitting and zoning presentations; public urges use of city properties for shelters

The Salinas Housing and Land Use Committee on Sept. 30 asked staff to develop and prioritize a slate of presentations next year on housing affordability, permitting, zoning reform and tenant navigation to inform future committee work.

The request came during an item titled “development of future housing and land use committee agenda topics,” presented by Vincent Montgomery, planning manager in the city’s Housing and Community Development Department. Committee members suggested topics they want staff to return with, including presentations on rent-stabilization processes, permitting timelines, zoning density and development feasibility.

Council member David Salazar said he “would more than welcome a housing affordability presentation,” asking staff to compare Salinas with similar cities and to include measures such as rent, mortgage, utilities and garbage costs. Salazar also asked for information on zoning reforms, parking-minimum reductions and accessory dwelling unit requirements.

Council member Maria Sandoval asked for a presentation from the city’s housing resource center and ECO Housing so residents can better navigate processes for tenant complaints, rent changes and petitions. Sandoval suggested a resident community housing advisory committee to monitor rent-stabilization and permitting workflows and make recommendations.

Montgomery told the committee staff will compile the suggested topics and present a proposed calendar within about a month to a month-and-a-half. He said staff will work with department leadership to prioritize topics but encouraged committee members to communicate individual priorities to staff.

Public commenters urged the city to consider using municipal properties for transitional housing. Jessica Macias, identified as the chief executive officer of YWCA Monterey County, told the committee she is “interested in finding out more information about what those properties entail, what that would look like in that process of being able to be an agency selected to use a city-owned home for our shelter.” Macias said nonprofits sometimes face landlord reluctance to rent to agencies serving domestic-violence survivors and asked whether incentives for landlords exist.

Marisol Gonzales, a public commenter, urged the city to “take a lot of time and focus and effort” when negotiating contracts for funded housing projects, warning that “what looks nice on paper…in practice” can create extra costs for residents.

Chair Barajas closed the discussion by asking staff to return with a proposed schedule and prioritization approach that committee members can adjust.

Why it matters: Committee direction will shape the Housing and Community Development Department’s work plan for the coming year and the types of information the public will see at televised meetings. Staff responses, presentations and a proposed calendar will determine which technical topics — from permitting timelines to financing tools — receive early attention.

What’s next: Montgomery said staff aims to present a draft calendar and prioritization method in about a month to six weeks; committee members may then refine priorities and request community-facing materials or stakeholder sessions.