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 partially funded senior planner position (50% approved in the 2024–25 budget) to a full‑time role in the 2025–26 budget; the proposal calls for the additional 50% of salary to be paid from the permit center enterprise fund. Brenton said that role would serve as project manager across planning, permit services, building, fire and public works to keep applications moving and to convene weekly coordination meetings. - Create an ADU team with a plan‑check supervisor, an additional plan checker certified for residential reviews, and front‑end customer support including early owner‑designer‑city meetings and over‑the‑counter help. Brenton said the city processes roughly 250–300 ADU permit applications annually and that many applicants are first‑time users of the permitting system. - Make the currently limited‑term small‑business navigator position permanent in the 2025–26 workforce allocation. The navigator has been funded by CDBG COVID funds that expire June 30 and has led the city’s micro‑grant program, outreach on outdoor dining grants and the façade improvement program.

Brenton described recruitment challenges: a part‑time senior planner left in October 2024, a second senior planner was hired this spring, and the city has had difficulty hiring senior plan‑check engineers who also can supervise. She recommended splitting technical and supervisory responsibilities (creating a plan‑check supervisor separate from the engineer) to improve recruiting and oversight of consultant reviews.

Council response Mayor Donahue said the city needs extra capacity and an "acceleration mentality" to prepare for incoming development. "You've got to have extra capacity," Donahue said, adding the city should plan to be "plus one" on critical positions so it can absorb unexpected workload.

Council member Margaret said permit processing ranks with potholes as a top constituent complaint and that the staffing plan may be too modest to keep up with future growth. Council member Salinas emphasized public expectations: staff and elected officials should show progress rather than more delays.

Budget and next steps Brenton said half of the senior planner position is already in the 2024–25 budget and that the 2025–26 proposed budget would fund the remaining half through the permit center enterprise fund, limiting general fund impact. The business navigator would be an "add/delete" in the 2025–26 draft: funded as a priority while the economic development division refines its staffing plan, but not necessarily filled immediately. Brenton said final budget decisions will return to the council in the spring budget cycle (noted for adoption in June).

Votes at a glance - Motion: Approve minutes from last week (consent agenda). Mover/second: not specified in the record. Vote: Council member D'Arrigo — yes; Council member De La Rosa — yes; Mayor Donahue — yes. Outcome: approved.

Context and limits Brenton noted the city cannot change state building or fire code requirements but can streamline how zoning standards and local development design standards are written and explained. She identified one example where a conditional use permit (CUP) is currently required to extend a driveway by up to 10 feet; staff said removing that CUP requirement and replacing it with an objective standard could reduce workload and cost for property owners. Brenton also flagged reliance on consultants for plan checks as a constraint; consultants do not always meet city timelines or provide consistent customer service.

What was not decided The committee provided feedback and general support but did not adopt final budget allocations. Brenton will return with budget language and proposals for council approval; specific hire dates and full funding amounts for new positions were not finalized at this meeting.