Planning Commission approves finding that Car Lake/Ensign Park conveyance to Salinas is consistent with general plan

The Salinas Planning Commission on Jan. 15 accepted a staff report finding that the proposed conveyance of 73 acres of the Car Lake/Ensign Park project from Big Sur Land Trust to the City of Salinas is consistent with the city's 2002 general plan and is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Lisa Brenton, Salinas community development director, presented the staff report and recommended the commission affirm the findings.

Brenton told the commission the project is being delivered in two phases: Phase 1 would convey six acres as a neighborhood park with amenities including restrooms, picnic tables, a skate spot, trails, a parking lot, basketball courts, a gazebo, a playground, and two existing houses described in the report as a front house and a back house. The back house is planned to be renovated for storage and meeting space. Phase 2 is a later conveyance of 67 acres as a restoration area that Brenton said would include passive recreation, trails, interpretive signage, water-quality improvements and flood-management work.

The staff report cites a memorandum of understanding between the city and Big Sur Land Trust and states the project aligns with the conservation and open-space elements of the 2002 general plan, including policies to provide and maintain parkland and to use partnerships to secure funding. Brenton said construction began in 2024 and that Phase 1 is expected to open to the public in spring 2025, no later than June 1, 2025, to meet a funding deadline.

Rachel Saunders of Big Sur Land Trust urged commissioners to approve the resolution and described the neighborhood-park features as the result of community input. "We've had over 6,000 people participate over the last eight years in helping plan this park," Saunders said, adding that the larger restoration phase is expected to begin construction later this spring or early summer and could open in spring 2026.

Commissioners asked a small number of clarifying questions about the location and use of the existing structures on the site and the Phasing timeline; Brenton and a Big Sur Land Trust representative described the back house location near the parking area and reiterated its intended use for storage and meeting space. Public comment included a community member who described personal connections to the site and congratulated the project team for its long-running effort.

The commission voted to accept the staff report and adopt the findings. Commissioner Meeks moved to approve the resolution; Commissioner Martinez seconded. The roll call vote recorded a unanimous approval of commissioners present.

Votes at a glance: Motion to approve minutes (Consent ID 25-002): motion by Commissioner Meeks; second by Commissioner Purnell; roll call vote recorded as yes from Commissioners Wakamora, Martinez, Meeks, Purnell and Chairperson McKelvey; outcome: approved. Motion to accept report and findings for conveyance (Misc. ID 25-001 / Misc. 2024-007): motion by Commissioner Meeks; second by Commissioner Martinez; roll call vote recorded as yes from Commissioners Okamura, Martinez, Meeks, Purnell and Chairperson McKelvey; outcome: approved.

The staff report and resolution note that the initial study and mitigated negative declaration for the Car Lake project were adopted by the City Council on Sept. 14, 2021, and conclude that, with adopted mitigation measures, the project will not have a significant environmental effect. The city council remains the decision maker for the actual conveyance agreement and any related convenience/conveyance instruments; this Planning Commission action is a finding of conformity with the general plan and a determination that the report itself is not a CEQA project.

A city staff member told the commission that language establishing conditions for the renovation and use of the back house would be included in the conveyance documents considered by the council. The commission's notice of decision informed interested parties that anyone with standing who is aggrieved may file an appeal with the Community Development Department at 65 West Alisal Street.

Looking ahead, city staff said construction and outreach on the restoration phase will continue and that the Big Sur Land Trust and city would coordinate a public opening and celebration once Phase 1 is complete.