Current Planning Division

About the Division

The Current Planning Division promotes a vibrant and sustainable Salinas by ensuring that development conforms to our General Plan and Zoning Code or any other applicable regulations and standards. Specifically, Current Planning is tasked with efficiently processing various applications including: General Plan and Zoning Code Amendments, Zone Variances, Planned Unit Development Permits, Tentative and Parcel Maps, Conditional Use Permits, Site Plan Reviews, Temporary Use of Land Permits, Home Occupation Permits, and Sign Permits. Staff also coordinate environmental evaluations (CEQA) for all development projects.

Accomplishments

In 2015 the Division:

Processed approximately 450 permits and planning entitlements
Facilitated several key developments including the Northridge Mall and new JCPenney, Taylor Headquarters Building, Hampton Inn, Mission Tortilla, and Creekbridge Apartments
Completed a 2015 update to the planning fees to achieve greater cost recovery
Assisted approximately 2,400 customers at the public counter.

What We're Working On

Enhancement of Permit Center Operations to further Economic Prosperity through:

Improved case management of key economic development projects to streamline review process.
Reduction in time to process applications.
Enhanced coordination between Permit Services, Code Enforcement, and Current Planning Staff in order to manage cases seamlessly through the process.
Identification of challenges or issues with the existing General Plan and Zoning Code to eliminate barriers to healthy economic development.

2021 Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance Annual Report

January 24, 2022

Current Planning has released its 2021 Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance Annual Report for the California Department of Water Resources. Local agencies are required to report on implementation annually by January 31st of each year. There were 8 projects with a total of 118,365 square feet that were subject to the Ordinance during the 2021 annual reporting period. The purpose of the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance is to not only increase water efficiency but to improve environmental conditions in the built environment.

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Dick Bruhn Building Restoration Project Approved

December 6, 2021

The restoration and façade improvements of the former Dick Bruhn building located at 301 Main Street that was severely burned February of 2016 has been approved by Current Planning. This is in connection with an Adaptive Reuse Project to convert the existing historic commercial building into 19 dwelling units on the 2nd and 3rd floors and retain the 1st floor as commercial use, creating a Mixed-Use Building in downtown Salinas. The Current Planning Division approved a Site Plan Review on July 21, 2021, and the Historic Resources Board approved the project on June 28,...

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General Plan Amendment & Rezone Approved for Carr Lake Project

October 22, 2021

On September 14, 2021, the City Council approved a General Plan Amendment and Rezone for the Carr Lake Project , which is proposed by the Big Sur Land Trust . The Project consists of 73-acres located at 618 Sherwood Drive and would create a six (6) acre neighborhood park that offers a variety of amenities and recreational opportunities. The remaining 67-acres of land would be used to improve wetland and riparian fish and wildlife habitat and improve water quality through the enhancement of natural physical and biological...

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