Modesto introduces a general plan overhaul to Salida residents. No fireworks yet
Modesto’s general plan update has high aspirations for addressing land use, transportation, economic development and climate change in a plan through 2050.
City staff explained the planning process to Salida residents Tuesday evening, Sept. 6, without igniting territorial issues that have marred relations between Stanislaus County’s biggest city and its largest unincorporated town. Salida has about 14,000 residents.
“We certainly are not coming after Salida in any shape or form,” said Jaylen French, the city’s community and economic development director, speaking at the Salida Municipal Advisory Council meeting.
A proposal for Modesto to annex Salida in 2013 touched off a storm of opposition. It has been a politically charged issue going back to the 1990s.
Randy Pringle of Salida complimented French for a well-spoken presentation but said residents attending the meeting were quick to raise hackles.
“We are not going to give up anything,” another Salida resident said.
French said Modesto’s first general plan overhaul since 1995 is going through the “visioning” process. Discussion of land use scenarios most likely will begin in 2023.
He said the goal is building a community vision and the city promises many opportunities for public input through interactive tools, workshops, online surveys and hearings. The city expects to hold 35 or more meetings to update specific groups.
The general plan serves to guide where regional and local shopping is developed, plots residential areas and affects economic development, schools, parks, transportation and public safety, city staff said.
Modesto is also adding a state-required environmental justice element to the general plan, putting a lens on disadvantaged areas and deficiencies in public health, access to healthy food, safe and sanitary housing and exposure to pollution.
Placeworks of Southern California was hired under a $1.74 million contract to assist Modesto with the three-year planning effort.
Northward growth for Modesto
Situated north of Modesto on Highway 99, Salida has been part of Modesto’s growth planning for years. French explained that most communities plan around major transportation corridors, where the potential is greatest for high-yield land uses creating economic activity. Salida sits at the intersection of Highway 99 and Kiernan Avenue.
Salida community members, some of whom have dreams of incorporating as a city, are not expecting an attempt by Modesto to absorb Salida. They predict the city will go after prime development land.
Residents at Tuesday’s meeting said they don’t have a voice in Modesto’s planning.
Steve Mitchell, city planning manager for Modesto, said long-range planning is one process but a regional body oversees changes to local government boundaries.
Mitchell pointed out that the Local Agency Formation Commission rejected a Modesto proposal in 1996 to include Salida and other land north of the city in its “sphere of influence” or ultimate growth area. LAFCO consists of appointees from the county and cities and the public at large.
This story was originally published September 8, 2022 at 11:40 AM.
