District 6 resident urges Merced Planning Commission to favor denser, mixed‑use housing in long‑range plans

Arturo Martinez Jr., speaking as a resident of District 6 at the May 6 Merced City Planning Commission meeting, urged commissioners to prioritize denser housing and mixed‑use zoning as the city plans for the next 20 to 30 years.

"We need homes," Martinez said, arguing that growth tied to the university and new jobs will bring more people to the city and that relying primarily on single‑family development risks creating sprawled neighborhoods with longer trips to transit and services. He cited the Virginia Smith trust fund's requirement for single‑family homes adjacent to the university and asked the commission to consider alternatives, including multifamily and multiuse rezoning, to better use available land.

Martinez said he values agriculture and farm workers and is not opposed to annexation, but wants planning that balances housing supply with access to groceries, transit and pedestrian routes. He asked commissioners to include diverse housing types in upcoming general plan and zoning discussions so that the city can serve residents who cannot afford or do not want single‑family homes.

Commissioners acknowledged the comment; the transcript records no formal action stemming directly from Martinez's remarks other than noting the general plan amendment and upcoming study sessions on the city's long‑range growth framework.