Regular Planning Commission Meeting 11.12.26

The City of Soledad Planning Commission’s regular meeting, dated November 12, 2026, considered an amendment to Conditional Use Permit 2003-03 for 230 Kidder Street. Sandoval Roots Collective proposed using the existing modular building as nonprofit office and community-program space, with gatherings capped at the fire marshal’s 50-person occupancy limit and no on-site parking. Commissioners raised concerns about the proposal’s broad scope, neighborhood impacts, traffic and parking, and requested more detail, including a defined program scope and business hours, letters of intent from interested organizations, and outreach to neighbors and Liberty Chapel about parking. The commission voted 4-0, with one member absent, to continue the item to December 10, 2026, rather than approve or deny it. No contract award or purchase was made on this item.

In the economic development report, staff said the City received a $300,000 CDBG grant for planning the Front Street Container Village. The funds will support engineering and architectural plans, and the City expects to draft a request for proposals beginning in December to select a firm. Staff also reported that City Council approved an impact-fee deferral proposal intended to help a prospective hotel identify an anchor tenant; the hotel’s identity was not confirmed. No vendor was selected and no RFP was issued during this meeting.