Salinas Planning Commission backs 1‑year extension for 37‑lot Eleventh Hill Circle subdivision

The City of Salinas Planning Commission on June 18 recommended that the City Council approve a one‑year time extension for tentative map 2019‑002, a proposal to subdivide a 7.74‑acre property at Eleventh Hill Circle into 37 single‑family lots.

Tom Wiles, senior planner for the City of Salinas Community Development Department, told the commission the extension request would move the tentative map's expiration to April 13, 2026, under the city's subdivision ordinance. "The request for time extension does not change any of the conditions that were originally applied to the project back in the original approval," Wiles said.

The project was originally approved by the City Council on April 13, 2021, with a mitigated negative declaration and a planned unit development (PUD) allowing alternative street sections and frontage designs for interior roadways. Staff said the PUD may be extended administratively by the city planner, but both the PUD and the tentative map are required for the project to proceed and the commission's action is a recommendation to council.

Wiles told commissioners there is a final map in process and that two prior time extensions were granted in April 2023 and April 2024. Under Chapter 31 of the Salinas Municipal Code (the subdivision ordinance), a tentative map may be extended up to five years from the original approval date; if conditions are not completed by April 13, 2026, the tentative map will expire and a new application would be required.

Commissioners asked staff about outstanding items. Commissioner Gutierrez asked whether work required by federal wildlife agencies had been completed; Wiles said the applicant was continuing to work with those agencies and that one recent delay had been caused by an applicant injury. Commissioner Meeks pressed on the planned common area and whether it would be a play area; Wiles and another staff member said the original approval included open‑space amenities and a common area intended as a park for children. Commissioner Meeks also asked about buildout timing; staff replied construction schedule details would be up to the applicant and that final map processing requires bonds and preparation of improvement plans.

Commissioner Rook said the final‑map process can be protracted when federal regulatory permits are involved and expressed support for granting the extra year, adding, "We need housing desperately." Staff noted they were tentatively scheduling the council hearing for August 2025.

Action: Commissioner Rook moved to "approve the resolution finding the project consistent with the mitigated negative declaration adopted April 13, 2021, affirm the findings and approve a one‑year time extension to tentative map 2019‑002." The motion was seconded; the commission voted unanimously in favor. The commission's vote is a recommendation to the City Council, which will make the final decision. If council grants the extension, the applicant must complete all conditions by April 13, 2026, or reapply.

Key details: the map would create 37 single‑family dwelling lots on a 7.74‑acre site under R‑L‑5.5‑AR‑F (residential low density, airport overlay, flood overlay) zoning; the project includes a PUD with alternative street sections and frontage designs. The staff report and commission discussion note that three inclusionary units (the minimum required under the applicable rules at the time of approval) are part of the approved project.