Soledad council adopts vision and guiding principles for 2024 general‑plan update with equity and environmental stewardship edits

Planning staff and PlaceWorks consultant presented the draft vision and guiding principles for the city’s 2024 general‑plan update and recommended council adoption to frame later goals, policies and actions.

The draft reflects community outreach (pop‑ups, surveys and GPAC input) and lists guiding principles including community places, mobility, safety, health, equity, economy and housing. Council discussed wording edits and additions: Councilmember Fernando Ansaldo Sanchez proposed language highlighting access for people of all ages and abilities and adding commitment to expanding higher education and vocational training; Mayor Anna Velasquez and other members pressed to add explicit references to equity and environmental stewardship. Consultant Charlie indicated those edits were consistent with community input but recommended incorporating detailed policies in subsequent plan chapters.

Council agreed to add a short equity/environmental‑justice sentence and to refine the vision phrasing (including a line citing Soledad as a gateway to Pinnacles National Park). By unanimous vote council adopted Resolution 6071 accepting the vision and guiding principles and directed staff to incorporate the approved edits into the draft for finalization. Staff will return the redlined version on consent for ministerial approval.

Next steps: staff will integrate agreed edits, post revised materials and proceed to the draft alternatives and goals, policies and actions phase of the General Plan Update.