Salinas seeks ag land into retail space, but Monterey County says hold on

Joe Szydlowski | The Californian

A proposal for Salinas to open five agricultural lots outside its limits to commercial development hit a stumbling block when county supervisors said they don't know enough to proceed.

The supervisors were discussing five areas, totaling about 450 acres, that Salinas had targeted for future development:

A property just north of the Russell Road and North Main Street intersection, east of Highway 101

A property on the west side of North Davis Road

A property on the southeast corner of Highway 68 and Blanco Road

Two properties spanning Highway 101 south of Harris Road

Those properties lie outside Salinas' sphere of influence, which is an area the county and city agreed to for future expansions in 2006. Therefore, the city needs the county supervisors to approve changing that agreement, according to agenda documents prepared for Tuesday's meeting.

At that meeting, supervisors asked city staff to return at a later date with more details of Salinas' plans and appointed an ad hoc committee to help review the projects.

"This board should have a more thorough presentation (on) where we have softer edges and where we have harder edges," said Supervisor Jane Parker. "I think the first step is getting a more complete view of what's being contemplated here."

Speaking at the meeting, Salinas Mayor Joe Gunter agreed.

"Maybe a more thorough briefing for everyone wouldn't be a bad way to go," he said.

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Several supervisors also expressed concerns on 40-acre southeast corner of Highway 68 and Blanco Road, which would become retail space.

"We have had this very firm line that everybody agreed to some time ago," said Supervisor Mary Adams. "I would be troubled to be the board that opened it up."

Supervisor John Phillips shared Adams' worry.

"Once you cross that, where does it stop?" he asked, adding that the city has land already open for development to its north and east.

In addition, the city has plenty of undeveloped space within its limits, said Luis Alejo, chair of the board.

Alejo also expressed concerns about other jobs that may be lost in agriculture and from the competition.

The city estimates annexing the five properties would add about 9,000 jobs if fully developed.