Salinas finance committee hears plan to expand permitting staff, streamline ADU reviews and keep a business navigator

At a Salinas Finance Committee meeting, Lisa Brenton, Director of Community Development, told council members the city is struggling to process a growing number of building permits and entitlements and proposed converting a part-time senior planner to full time, creating an ADU team with a plan‑check supervisor and making the small‑business navigator position permanent.

Brenton said the city received 3,600 building permits last year and that roughly 80% of those were residential. "Good afternoon, members of the finance committee. I thank you for this opportunity to have a conversation regarding our planning and permitting processes, especially as it relates to anticipated volume with the future growth area and the current volume that we're experiencing with accessory dwelling units," Brenton told the committee.

Why it matters: councilors said the permit backlog and inconsistent customer service are a top complaint and warned that delays will undercut the city’s ability to support planned growth. The department framed the staffing and process changes as necessary to handle 11 development applications already filed in the future growth area and to reduce repeated review cycles for homeowners applying for ADUs.

What staff proposed - Convert an already…