Planning commission reviews East Area specific plan, hears Barton Ranch concept

SALINAS, Calif. — The Salinas Planning Commission held a study session April 16 to review progress on the East Area Specific Plan and a developer concept called Barton Ranch that could bring housing to the northeast portion of the Future Growth Area.

Planning senior staff described the East Area effort as the final specific plan for a large area annexed in 2008 and said the work is being coordinated with the city’s general plan update and technical studies. “Specific plans serve a little serve a little bit like a mini general plan, for these large underdeveloped areas,” Senior Planner Monica Garmillan said during the presentation.

The presentation said the East Area work began with property-owner and stakeholder outreach in 2024; the city selected PlaceWorks as lead consultant and has held focused stakeholder meetings and a community open house that drew more than 70 people. Staff described a preferred concept plan that layers new “place type” designations from the general plan update, and includes a Hillside neighborhood (2–6 units per acre), a centrally located mixed‑use village and four sites for future schools.

One active proposal, called Barton Ranch, is identified on maps northeast of Baranda Road between Ryder Avenue and Williams Road. Staff said the concept proposes 852 dwelling units, “of which 15% or a 28 units would be restricted for affordable housing,” and land dedicated for parks and open space. Staff noted Barton Ranch contains only residential uses in the draft concept and that the project is undergoing a tentative map review and preliminary consistency checks with the City’s zoning and environmental requirements.

Commissioners pressed staff on details residents frequently raise. “The problem here in Salinas is parking… that’s the main concern of most residents,” Commissioner Rakimora said, noting the neighborhood examples in the concept images appeared dense. Staff replied that proposed development would be reviewed under the city’s current parking standards and that other design standards would be considered when a specific plan is adopted. When asked about a previously discussed narrow‑street concept, staff said standard local street widths are 20 feet, and any alternative street design would need to be established in a specific plan or approved as part of development review.

Commissioners also asked about unit types and sizes. Planning staff and consultant Grant Leonard described a mix of single‑family detached homes, townhomes and smaller condominium/townhome units; Leonard said typical single‑family track homes shown in the concept range “in the range of 1,500, 2000 square feet.”

Staff highlighted a statutory factor affecting timing: Senate Bill 330 (SB 330). Under SB 330, developers can in some cases proceed with discretionary subdivision applications before a jurisdiction adopts a new specific plan; staff said that can create parallel review tracks because some site‑specific design parameters normally set by a specific plan may not yet exist.

Staff said next steps include a second community meeting April 30 at La Paz Middle School, release of a draft public review document this spring, coordination with the general plan environmental review and an expected return to the commission for adoption by late 2025 or early 2026 if timelines hold.

The session was informational only; no commission action or vote was taken on the East Area plan at the meeting.