Success! Salinas Development Standards

            In early September 2008 the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board approved development standards for the City of Salinas. Salinas is the largest city on the Central Coast and is surrounded by agricultural lands prime for development. Salinas recently annexed land for 12,000 new homes.

            For two years the City has balked at new water quality protective development standards and has stalled on fulfilling the requirements of its 2005 Stormwater Management Plan. Monterey Coastkeeper, with the help of Dan Cloak, a leading urban runoff consultant, reviewed draft urban design standards and provided the Regional Water Quality Control Board with extensive revisions. The Regional Board approved the permit with 80-percent of the Monterey Coastkeeper changes as “required revisions.” New development in Salinas will now incorporate “Smart Growth” and standards more protective of water and air quality.