Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Soledad approves exclusive negotiating agreement with local developer to study downtown gateway site
Summary
Council authorized the city manager to execute a one‑year Exclusive Negotiating Agreement (ENA) with developers Sharad Patel and Poris Ahir to evaluate potential development of city‑owned land between Front Street and Highway 101; staff said the ENA does not commit the city to sell the property and developer costs will fund due diligence.
The Soledad City Council on Aug. 5 authorized an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement (ENA) with local developers Sharad Patel and Poris Ahir to study possible redevelopment of a narrow, underutilized city parcel adjacent to Front Street and U.S. Highway 101.
Planner Ariana described the ENA as a one‑year framework that allows the city and developer to evaluate feasibility, zoning, infrastructure and financing without approving a project or committing to sale. Ariana said the Surplus Lands Act process required for city property was completed in 2023; because the standalone parcel is narrow, combining it with neighboring property owned by the developer could create a site viable for commercial redevelopment. The developer confirmed via Zoom that he now owns the adjacent parcel and seeks to assemble the larger site.
Ariana said the developer has established a developer account to fund eligible costs — staff time, studies and outreach — so the ENA will have no immediate general‑fund impact. Council members asked about potential incentives (prevailing‑wage implications reduce developer interest) and whether the ENA could be extended if negotiations progress. Staff said the ENA is intended to allow due diligence and return to council with any proposed purchase/sale or incentive package for approval.
Council voted to authorize the city manager to execute the ENA; the agreement provides the city a structured period to pursue economic development while preserving council review on any final sale or project approval.
