Salinas planners outline timeline for general plan and zoning-code updates, review seven tentative maps totaling about 3,962 housing units

Salinas planning staff on Sept. 17 told the Planning Commission they expect to release public drafts this fall of an updated general plan and related environmental review and to begin a multi‑phase zoning‑code update meant to comply with recent state law and make the code easier to use.

"We're aiming for October release," Jonathan Moore, senior planner, said of the formatted draft general plan and related documents, adding staff were working through internal comments and cross‑departmental coordination before public distribution.

The update matters because the general plan guides long‑range land use and the zoning code implements that vision. "PlaceWorks is scheduled to meet with the planning commission at least once," Courtney Grossman, planning manager, said, describing the consultant's role in explaining new state housing laws and helping shape a public engagement plan for the code update.

Why it matters: staff said the work will affect how future subdivisions and development proposals are reviewed and will include phased code changes so the city does not face a long period of inconsistency between a new plan and the existing code. "Phase 1" will prioritize compliance with state laws, including rules on accessory dwelling units and provisions that are now processed at the staff level, Moore said. Phase 2 will align the zoning code with the updated general plan; phase 3 will be a comprehensive rewrite to produce a more objective, user‑friendly code.

Future growth area and tentative maps: Son Pham Gallardo, senior planner, presented an update on the city's future growth area applications, saying the city has received seven subdivision/tentative‑map submittals to date that together propose approximately 3,962 housing units across single‑family homes, townhomes, condos and duplexes. She said several West Area specific‑plan submittals originally deemed incomplete have been resubmitted in early September, one Central Area tentative map has been approved, and other applications remain at preliminary or completeness review stages.

Commissioners asked whether adopting a new general plan could undermine pending tentative maps. Moore replied the intent is to allow applications that sought vesting under earlier specific plans and the 2002 general plan to proceed under those rules; "the intent is not to pull the rug out from under them," he said.

State process and SB 330: Planning staff explained how state changes affect local timelines. "There have been a number of housing‑crisis bills that change how maps are processed," Grossman said, describing the pre‑application step and the SB 330 timelines that require a formal application within 180 days of the pre‑application and create specific review and resubmission windows. Grossman said the state's completeness and consistency steps are now separated and that the city is still working through completeness review on several maps.

Community engagement and Economic Development Element (EDE): Multiple public speakers urged robust community involvement. Peter Castavan, president of the Salinas Planning and Research Corporation (SPARC), asked the commission to preserve and incorporate the community‑written Economic Development Element in the general plan update and to use the same broad engagement processes for the zoning code update. "The EDE and the general plan is legislative in nature. It requires this type of community outreach for general plan updates and for zoning code updates," Castavan said.

Infrastructure concern: Commissioners and members of the public raised infrastructure questions, especially sewer capacity, as subdivisions advance. Commissioner Rakimora said residents worry whether the existing sewage system can support nearly 3,900 new homes. Staff did not provide a detailed capacity analysis at the meeting and said facilities and infrastructure issues are topics for future study sessions.

Process improvements and training: Commissioners asked staff to schedule study sessions and training on the current general plan, the 2002 zoning code, the Subdivision Map Act, updated CEQA processes and how streamlining/state law changes affect local review. Grossman said staff will work with PlaceWorks and return with a schedule; she said a study session on state housing laws and an initial meeting with the consultant are planned this year.

Public comment and next steps: Members of the public raised additional topics including infill opportunities, housing types and how standing committees and ad hoc groups interact with the commission. Staff said the steering committee and consultants will be reengaged once the public‑review draft is released and that the city will bring a community engagement plan to the commission and council for input.

Votes at a glance: The commission approved the Sept. 3, 2025 minutes by roll call.