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City staff updates council on East Area specific plan; Barton Ranch developer outlines 852‑unit concept
Summary
City staff and consultants presented progress on the East Area specific plan (the final portion of the city’s Future Growth Area). Developer Meritage Homes described a proposal called Barton Ranch for 852 homes with 15% set aside as affordable units; the council and public raised questions about traffic, water and prioritizing local residents for
City planning staff updated the Salinas City Council on progress toward an East Area specific plan, the last portion of the city's Future Growth Area. The plan will translate the general plan’s policy updates into detailed land‑use and infrastructure directions for largely under‑developed agricultural land north of Veranda Road.
Planner Monica (project lead) and consultant PlaceWorks described outreach completed in 2024, a preferred land‑use alternative tied to the general plan’s new “place type” designations (including hillside neighborhoods and mixed‑use centers), and a draft schedule that calls for a second community meeting in spring 2025, a public review draft this summer and potential adoption by late 2025. Staff said the plan reserves land for parks, greenways and four school sites and that a fiscal analysis and circulation studies remain underway.
Developer representatives from Meritage Homes (Chris Stumpf) described a concept called Barton Ranch — a proposed residential development northeast of Veranda Road with roughly 852 dwelling units and a 15% affordable‑unit commitment (about 128 units). Stumpf said the project team has submitted preliminary applications and is coordinating technical studies; staff noted the project may proceed under SB 330 provisions and that environmental review and tentative‑map review are in process.
Public commenters and several council members raised recurring concerns: water supply and groundwater sustainability in the Salinas Valley; traffic, particularly on Veranda Road and Natividad Road; parking density in new neighborhoods; and whether new housing would prioritize residents who already live and work in Salinas. Staff said developers are responsible for infrastructure funding and that the city will do a fiscal analysis and further circulation planning; a tentative date of April 30 was given for the next community meeting.
Why it matters: the East Area plan will guide future development for thousands of units (staff estimates range‑wide for the entire Future Growth Area), with implications for housing supply, infrastructure, schools and the city’s obligation to plan for affordable units.
Next steps: staff will hold further community outreach (April 30 tentative), complete fiscal and circulation analyses, progress the CEQA review and return to council with draft plan materials and environmental review.
