Soledad council gives staff direction on draft land-use and circulation maps for 2025 general plan update

City of Soledad planners told the City Council on July 2 that draft land‑use and circulation maps for the 2025 Siempre Soledad general plan update will prioritize flexibility to encourage housing, neighborhood retail and targeted commercial growth while protecting existing neighborhoods.

The council received a detailed presentation from Senior Planner Adriana (last name not specified in the meeting record) and PlaceWorks consultant Amy Seinsheimer, who described two alternatives tested during outreach — a downtown‑focused growth alternative and a regional‑hub expansion — and said public input favored a mix of both approaches. The maps define new designations including “traditional neighborhood,” “blended residential,” “multifamily neighborhood,” “neighborhood centers,” and north/south gateway commercial areas.

City staff said the updated land‑use map is intended to clarify where the city wants higher density housing and small commercial nodes while preserving character in long‑established single‑family areas. “The land‑use map will set the base map for zoning and for the environmental review,” Adriana said. She told the council the maps are intended to give…