Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Vacant Lot Uses topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners debate revenue-generating and community uses for city-owned Hacienda/West lot
Summary
The Planning Commission discussed leasing vs. selling a roughly 2–3 acre city parcel at Hacienda and West, weighing affordable‑housing sale requirements, RV/mini storage, nursery or wholesale cannabis cultivation, mixed-use with senior housing and beautification; no final decision was reached.
Commissioners extensively discussed possible uses for the city‑owned lot at Hacienda and West but did not reach a final recommendation to City Council.
Chair Ray Fernandez and several commissioners described outreach to a local commercial broker and an affordable‑housing developer and reported that leasing the parcel may narrow buyer interest compared with sale. Commissioners reviewed a menu of options raised in prior work: mixed commercial with senior housing above, RV or mini‑storage, a nursery or wholesale marijuana grow operation, farmers market or seasonal uses, a food‑truck cluster, horse stalls and a riding arena, or sale/subdivision under the surplus land act. Staff noted that the Surplus Land Act requires offering surplus land to affordable‑housing developers before an open market sale and that leasing can complicate private developers’ willingness to invest.
Revenue and constraints: commissioners offered estimates and concerns. One commissioner estimated RV storage could generate significant monthly revenue (a back‑of‑envelope estimate of roughly $30,000/month was raised in discussion), while others cautioned about traffic, noise, odor (for a grow operation), and state and local regulatory limits. Staff said a beautification option (fence, base material and plantings) appeared in the draft budget at about $100,000 so the lot could be made lease‑ready; commissioners cautioned against spending until City Council provides direction.
Next steps: Commissioners agreed to seek more public feedback and to ask City Council whether to pursue sale (surplus‑land process) or lease options; several commissioners volunteered to pursue brokerage contacts and preliminary market checks if Council signals interest.
Quote: Commissioner Rick Brooks said, “If we could generate some money, it would be a positive thing,” but several attendees warned that traffic, smell and community sentiment would shape any acceptable use.
The discussion produced no action to commit the parcel; staff will await Council direction before incurring major study or capital expense.
