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2021 Draft City of Salinas General Plan Annual Progress Report
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Table of Contents
1. Introduction
• Purpose and Summary
• General Plan Background
• Visión Salinas 2040 General Plan Update
i. Including coordination with partner agencies
2. Status of General Plan Implementation Efforts
1. Introduction
Purpose and Summary
California Government Code 65400 requires cities and counties to submit an Annual Progress Report (APR) on the status of the General Plan and implementation progress to their legislative bodies, the State Office of Planning and Research (OPR), and the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) by April 1 of each year. Because of the start of the COVID- 19 pandemic in the United States in March of 2020, the City’s first APR was submitted in 2021 and covered the calendars years of 2019 and 2020.
Despite the ongoing pandemic, the City made significant accomplishments related to General Plan implementation in 2021. The City rezoned six of its surface parking lots in the City Center through a SB-2 Planning Grant, opening up new possibilities for housing and mixed-use development downtown. Construction was also completed on the Downtown Complete Streets and Main Street streetscaping projects, adding new bike lanes, pedestrian safety improvements, and modern landscaping. A new sidewalk was added to Laurel Drive, connecting underserved residents in the Alisal/East Salinas with hospital and recreation destinations. The City also accepted a Vision Zero action plan for a safer overall transportation network. A new park was approved for the center of the city in the Carr Lake Basin, and the City secured $16 million dollars to rebuild Hebbron Family Center and improve existing park infrastructure. These accomplishments and more are detailed in Section 2. Status of General Plan Implementation Efforts below. In most cases, these projects and policy initiatives not only implement the General Plan, but also more recent community plans, like the Downtown Vibrancy Plan, Alisal Vibrancy Plan, Chinatown Revitalization Plan, and Parks, Rec & Libraries Masterplan. Together, these all form the foundation for the update of the General Plan, launched in 2021.
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General Plan Background
The City’s existing General Plan was adopted in 2002 and contains eight (8) Elements: Land Use, Community Design, Housing (updated in 2015), Conservation/Open Space , Circulation, Safety, Noise, and Economic Development (adopted in 2017). In several ways this General Plan was ahead of its time, with a vision that called for a compact city form, high quality mixed -use and infill development, and preservation of agricultural land. Still, much has changed in Salinas since the Plan was initiated in 1998. Salinas is acutely impacted by the statewide housing crisis and its population is projected to continue to grow for several decades. New state laws have also significantly altered the planning landscape . These legislative changes are focused primarily on increasing housing production and addressing climate change through reducing greenhouse gas emissions and developing adaptation measures. Several of the most important recent changes that the General Plan should consider or will have to directly address are summarized below:
• AB 32 (2006) – the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 required the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to develop a Scoping Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) to 1990 levels by 2020. Subsequent Scoping Plans have added reduction targets of 40 percent from 1990 levels by 2030 and 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. • SB 743 (2013) – removes automobile delay and congestion (level of service) as basis for determining significant transportation impacts under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). • SB 379 (2015) – requires general plan safety elements to include a climate change vulnerability assessment and address adaptation.
• SB 1000 (2016) – requires the creation of an environmental justice element to reduce the unique or compounded health risks in disadvantaged communities.
• AB 686 (2018) – requires jurisdictions to affirmatively further fair housing and adds new requirements for Housing Elements. • SB 330 (2019) – the Housing Crisis Act created procedural protections for large housing developments, including limiting certain fee increases, the number of hearings that can be held, and downzoning. • AB 68 (2019) – this bill allows for an Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and junior ADUs where certain criteria are met, prohibits minimum lot sizes for an ADU, and identifies opportunities for ADUs in multifamily buildings where building standards are met.
• AB 671 (2019) – requires local governments to include plans to incentivize and promote affordable ADUs in their housing elements.
• SB 6 (2019) – requires local governments preparing a housing element on or after January 1, 2021, to submit an inventory of land suitable for residential development.
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• SB 9 (2021) – Allows for two-four housing units where one was allowed before and waives discretionary review and public hearings for these developments. A proposed project cannot result in the demolition or alteration of a building that currently has a tenant or has had a tenant in the last three years.
Through the General Plan Update the City can address these and other legislative changes and chart a resilient vision for housing the entire community, creating a sustainable future, and equitable recovery from the pandemic and resulting economic downturn.
Visión Salinas 2040 General Plan Update
The City launched public engagement for the General Plan Update, Visión Salinas 2040, which will also include a new Environmental Justice Element and the City’s first Climate Action Plan, in the summer of 2021 . The City established a Technical Advisory Committee for community engagement, and a resident and stakeholder Steering Committee to guide the Update, held seven Land Use Workshops/Townhalls (one in each City Council District and one by the Mayor), and hosted a Community Resource Fair which involved dozens of local organizations. The City also relaunched its General Plan website, visionsalinas.org, with new digital engagement tools.
Coordination with Regional Planning Efforts
In addition to launching Visión Salinas 2040 , in 2021 the City worked closely with partner organizations on starting multiple regional planning efforts, each set for adoption consideration in 2022, including:
• Monterey-Salinas Transit’s (MST) network re -design. City staff attended stakeholder charrettes and worked with MST to increase service frequency on key lines and set the stage for future bus rapid transit opportunities along primary commercial corridors.
• 2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan & the Sustainable Communities Strategy. The City provided land use direction, updated project lists, and overall document comments to the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments (AMBAG). • Draft 6th Cycle Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) Methodology. The City also worked closely with AMBAG and housing partners on the draft Methodology, advocating for equity and Further Affirming Fair Housing as core component. • Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP). The Fire Department led coordination with the Mo nterey County Office of Emergency Services (OES) on the MJHMP update, which also included Administration, Public Works, and Community Development. This update includes vulnerability analysis for climate change hazards, new Salinas -specific climate problem statements and climate adaptation actions.
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2. Status of General Plan Implementation Efforts
2021
Element Projects and Accomplishments Implemented Goals/Polices Land Use
• General Plan and Zoning Code Amendments:
o Rezoned six City-owned parking lots downtown to mixed-use to allow for the production of up to 500 dwelling units and 125,000 square feet of commercial space.
o Rezoned a 73-acre portion of Carr Lake (located in the center of Salinas) from Agriculture to Park to allow for the creation of a six-acre neighborhood park and 67-acre habitat restoration area with trails.
Amended the Circulation Element to modify planned future road extensions to allow for park construction as designed. The project will also help improve the Carr Lake Basin’s natural hydrological functions
Goal-LU-1: Develop a balanced
land use pattern that provides
a wide range of jobs, housing,
shopping, services, and
recreation.
Policy-LU-8.4: Continue the use
of Carr Lake as a
reclamation/flood control
facility in addition to its other
functions in addressing water
quality, enhancing
traffic/circulation, and creating
recreational opportunities.
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2021
Element Projects and Accomplishments Implemented Goals/Polices Land Use
• Conducted seven Land Use Workshops in the summer and fall of 2021. Common themes that emerged from the meetings included the desire for more housing and mixed-use development, as well as welcoming signage for the city and districts that represent the community’s pride.
• Entered a new Franchise Agreement with Republic Services which includes the relocation of the Sun Street Transfer Station to Madison Lane outside the city.
The final move of the Transfer Station is expected in May 2022. This removes a waste facility from the center of the city and opens the Alisal Marketplace area for redevelopment opportunities connecting the downtown with the Alisal neighborhoods.
Policy-LU-1.2: Provide a plan
for land uses that includes the
capacity to accommodate
growth projected for 2020 and
beyond.
• Started a Sanitary Sewer Masterplan update.
• Started a $3.6 million replacement of a sewer main in the Chinatown neighborhood. This main connects to the Lake Street pump station with serves the east and northeast sides of Salinas. Pipe replacement is complete with full pavement restoration coming in Spring 2022.
Goal-LU-7: Provide sewer
service and maintain sewer
facilities to meet community
need for sewer collection and
treatment.
Policy-LU-7.1: Provide a sewer
system that meets the needs of
the community for sewer
collection and treatment and
work with MRWPCA for sewer
treatment needs.
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2021
Element Projects and Accomplishments Implemented Goals/Polices
Land Use
• Police Department obtained a command vehicle that enables detectives to quickly respond to internet crimes affecting children.
• Implemented a drone program to increase efficiency in response to crimes in progress and/or armed individuals, as well as increasing safety of officers and SWAT operators by obtaining real time data without exposure.
• Operation Blackhawk completion in September took thousands of drugs off Salinas streets through a partnership with Homeland Security Investigations Monterey Office.
Goal-LU-5: Provide effective
and responsive police
protection.
Housing See 2021 Housing Element Annual Progress Report Conservation/
Open Space
• The California Department of Parks and Recreation Office of Grants and Local Services (OGALS) has selected the City of Salinas Closter Park Improvements application for funding. The grant award is for $6.8 Million Dollars and will fund a comprehensive renovation of Closter Park.
• Through collaboration with Assemblymember Rivas, the City received $8.1 Million in State Funds to rebuild the Hebbron Family Center. This facility hosts more than 100 programs per month and provides critical services to the neighb orhood.
Having a new, state of the art recreation center will transform the Hebbron neighborhood and ensure youth and families can thrive for many years to come.
• Invested in park maintenance by hiring four new full -time employees including a Crew Superv isor, Senior Park Maintenance Worker and (2) Park Maintenance Workers. This represents a 50% increase in the authorized workforce and will improve the overall maintenance function.
Goal-COS-7: Provide, develop,
and maintain ample park and
recreational facilities that offer
a variety of recreational
activities.
Policy- COS-7.8: While
supporting the development of
private recreational facilities,
ensure that the supply and
maintenance of public parks
and recreational opportunities
is adequate to ensure
permanent availability of parks
and recreational facilities for
use by the entire community.
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2021
Element Projects and Accomplishments Implemented Goals/Polices Conservation/
Open Space
• The Big Sur Land Trust also received $8.5 million through OGALS and Proposition 68 funding for construction of the Carr Lake park.
Policy- COS-7.2: Maximize the
use of built and natural
features to develop a citywide
network of parks and open
spaces with Carr Lake, Gabilan
Creek, and the Sherwood
Park/Rodeo Grounds complex
as essential elements of the
open space network.
Circulation
• Adopted a Vision Zero Action Plan to build safer streets. Vision Zero recommendations will be incorporated into General Plan through Visión Salinas 2040.
Goal C-1: Provide and maintain
a circulation system that meets
the current and future needs of
the community.
• Worked with MST on their Network Redesign, encouraging improvements that put more Salinas residents and jobs closer to frequent service and more direct routes, as well as setting the stage for future bus rapid transit.
• Partnered with MST on a grant application for Federal Transit Administration funds to study bus rapid transit on East Alisal Street and authorized a local match of $20,000 if awarded.
Goal-C-2: Work with other local
and regional agencies to
develop regional transit and
transportation systems.
Goal-C-3: Promote an efficient
public transportation network.
• Finished construction of the Downtown Complete Streets Project, which included lane reductions to add buffered bike facilities, and signal and crosswalk improvements on West Alisal Street from Blanco Road to Front Street.
• Installed Safe Route to School features to improve pedestrian, bicyclist and vehicular safety on East Alvin, Linwood, Chaparral and Maryal Drive. The project installed two traffic signals on East Alvin and converted the road to a Complete Goal C-4: Provide an extensive,
safe public bicycle network that
provides on -street as well as
off-street facilities.
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2021
Element Projects and Accomplishments Implemented Goals/Polices Circulation Street. The proje ct serves Natividad Elementary School and North Salinas High School.
• Built new sidewalk and boardwalk along the north side of East Laurel Drive from Constitution Boulevard to North Sanborn Road where no facilities existed before.
Improved street lighting on E. Laurel and trail fronting County facilities. This critical infrastructure connects pedestrians from the Alisal/East Salinas Neighborhoods to the Natividad Hospital system and Constitution Soccer Complex.
• Updated Vendor Ordinance to remove street and truck vendors from operating on High Collision Corridors and Intersections identified in Vision Zero.
Goal C-5: Provide safe routes to
school, work, shopping, a nd
recreation for pedestrians.
Policy-C-5.1: Increase
availability of safe and well-
maintained sidewalks in all
areas of the City.
Safety
• Filled vacant Fire Department positions, promoting 22 employees and hiring 12 firefighters.
• Negotiated and secured a 5-year contract with Monterey Regional Fire to help us work towards 100% cost recovery.
• Completed procurement for West Wing Improvements for moving Fire Admin and Prevention.
• Completion of new roof and energy efficient/UV blocking windows and skylights of Fire Station 1.
Goal-LU-4: Provide effective
and responsive fire protection
and emergency response
service.
Policy-LU-4.1: Provide an
effective and responsive level
of fire protection, public
education, and emergency
response service (including
facilities, personnel, and
equipment, through the Salinas
Fire Department.
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2021
Element Projects and Accomplishments Implemented Goals/Polices Safety • Assisted Monterey County Health with mass vaccine clinics and hosted our own mass clinics with Pinnacle Health Care. We also provided help with many other smaller clinics with the city and other private industries.
• Worked with the Monterey County OES to draft an updated county-wide MJHMP.
Goal S-5: Improve the
community's ability to respond
effectively to natural and
human-caused emergencies.
Policy S-5.1: Regularly update
and use the City of Salinas
Multihazard Emergency Plan
for disaster planning, public
education and guidance in
responding to emergencies.
Economic
Development
• Broadband Expansion: Approved a Network Deployment and Service Agreement, including a License Agreement, with Underline Monterey, LLC for the construction and operation of an open-access fiber network within the public right-of-way.
Goal ED-QL-2 – Narrow social
and economic disparities in the
City of Salinas to foster a more
inclusive community rich with
diversity, social cohesion, civic
engagement, and sense of
belonging.
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2021
Element Projects and Accomplishments Implemented Goals/Polices Economic
Development
• Launched AMOR Salinas, a community commitment to citywide beautification, reducing litter and debris and improving quality of life through partnerships, volunteerism, and education and outreach.
Policy ED-QL-2.3 – Support the
emotional wellbeing of
residents by creating safe
opportunities for residents to
connect with their neighbors,
especially when they are from a
different culture or
background.
Action QL-2.3.1 – Promote
volunteer programs with local
non-profit organizations,
partnership collaborations, and
public schools to foster a sense
of ownership and pride among
residents that support
interactions between youth
and elders.
• Provided pandemic support and technical assistance (to over 500 businesses), including
o Launched a Small Business website
o Continued work with the Small Business Economic and Recovery Task Force to develop “A Road to Recovery for Local Businesses” Blueprint document.
o Provided technical assistance on CA Relief Grant Applications o Awarded Round 2 of Grow Salinas Fund grants ($400,000 total to 24 businesses)
o Distributed of over 10,000 masks between 2020-2021
• Created streamlined permitting to enable Temporary Use of Land Permits (73 approved in 2021) and Sidewalk Cafe Encroachment Permits (8 approved).
Goal ED-EBG-2 – Ensure that
existing businesses have access
to the resources and services
they need to prosper and
expand in Salinas.
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