Planning Commission Meeting

Docusign Envelope ID: 3728EDD6-091B-419D-B7FD-7DC16EE06495 MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION Tuesday, August 13, 2024 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER, 580 PACIFIC STREET MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Dawson, Bluth, Brassfield, Freeman, Latasa, Silva Commissioners Absent: Fletcher Staff Members Present: Planning Manager Hill, Senior Associate Planner Schmidt, Senior Associate Planner Sabdo, Senior Engineer Paulding, Recording Secretary Barrera ***Afternoon Session Agenda Only*** 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. CALL TO ORDER Chair Dawson called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m. Recording Secretary Barrera called the roll and explained to the public how to participate in the meeting remotely. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS None. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Minutes 2. June 25, 2024 (Not a project under CEQA per Article 20 Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5 Section 15061) ACTION: Approved as amended. Commissioner noted that Commissioner Freeman’s name was spelled wrong in the “Commissioner Present” block. On a motion by Vice-Chair Bluth, seconded by Commissioner Freeman, and carried by the following vote, the Planning Commission approved the June 25, 2024 Minutes as amended: AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Dawson, Bluth, Brassfield, Freeman, Latasa, Silva NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Fletcher ABSTAIN: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Silva RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ***End of Consent Agenda*** 3. Recommend to the City Council that the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024/25 Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program is Consistent with the General Plan, Specific Plans, Docusign Envelope ID: 3728EDD6-091B-419D-B7FD-7DC16EE06495 Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday August 13, 2024 Area Plans, Master Plans, Coastal Plans, Traffic Calming Plans, and Move Monterey Multimodal Plan (Not a Project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) ACTION: Approved a Resolution Recommending the City Council that the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024/25 Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program is Consistent with the General Plan, Specific Plans, Area Plans, Master Plans, Coastal Plans, Traffic Calming Plans, and Move Monterey Multimodal Plan Staff Presentation/Commissioner Questions NCIP Staff Coordinator and Senior Engineer Reginald Paulding and Senior Associate Planner Christy Sabdo presented the Agenda Report and answered Commissioner questions regarding distribution of funds and rank ordering, proposed fencing at Veteran’s Park, and the percentage increase in project costs due to inflation. Vice-Chair Bluth asked if there was an easy way for members of the project to access a list of projects and their status. Mr. Paulding answered that there is an NCIP website and staff is working to update the list. Public Comments Chris Barlow questioned the status of the Hartnell Gulch project. Mr. Paulding said a plan is being put together to address major issues at Hartnell Gulch. Commissioner Comments Commissioner Freeman spoke in favor of updating current NCIP project lists on the website. Commissioner Brassfield commended the efforts of NCIP. On a motion by Commissioner Freeman, seconded by Commissioner Brassfield and carried by the following vote, the Planning Commission approved a resolution recommending the City Council that the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024/25 Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program is consistent with the General Plan, Specific Plans, Area Plans, Master Plans, Coastal Plans, Traffic Calming Plans, and Move Monterey Multimodal Plan: AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: Dawson, Bluth, Brassfield, Freeman, Latasa, Silva NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Fletcher ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None Commissioner Silva announced that he must recuse himself and left the Chambers at 4:26 p.m. 4. Consider 601 Lighthouse Avenue: Variance Application VA-24-0019 to Allow Construction of a Roof Deck and Associated Railing Exceeding the 35-Foot Maximum Building Height; Applicant Chris Barlow c/o Wald, Ruhnke, and Dost Architects LLP; Owners Monterey 601 Light House Ave LLC; PC-LH Zoning District; Commercial General Plan Land Use Designation; Exempt from CEQA Requirements per Article 19, Section 15303, Class 3 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday August 13, 2024 2 Docusign Envelope ID: 3728EDD6-091B-419D-B7FD-7DC16EE06495 Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday August 13, 2024 ACTION: Denied Variance Application VA-24-0019 to Allow Construction of a Roof Deck and Associated Railing Exceeding the 35-Foot Maximum Building Height at 601 Lighthouse Staff Presentation/Commissioner Questions Senior Associate Planner Schmidt presented the Agenda Report and answered Commissioner questions inquiries and clarified the applicant’s proposal. Commissioner Latasa noted that the project had been previously reviewed by the commission however the applicant is now requesting a variance for a larger deck. Commissioner Brassfield asked if the off-site comparisons/examples provided by the applicant were approved before the Lighthouse Specific Plan (LHSP) was adopted. Mr. Schmidt answered they are in completely different districts. Commissioner Brassfield stated a two by four railing won’t impact views. Mr. Schmidt added staff didn’t find an impact to privacy or views. Vice-Chair Bluth asked if a hotel on Del Monte Avenue is comparable. Mr. Schmidt stated the staff recommendation is purely based on the height limit and the other hotel is in a VAF zone which has no height limit, noting that it is a separate site with different standards. Commissioner Brassfield asked if BBQs and similar furniture will be added; Mr. Schmidt mentioned that the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) required a condition to limit the height of furniture and lights. Applicant Architect Chris Barlow stated he understands staff’s position and explained why a variance is needed. Owner Owner / Contractor William Hamilton respectfully asked the Commission to approve the project citing the benefits to the community. Owner / Contractor Ethan Hare outlined additional reasons why the project should be approved. Commissioner Freeman asked if the deck is only open to residents. Mr. Hare confirmed it would be. Public Comments Jean Rasch from the Monterey Vista Neighborhood shared concerns on the expansion of the roof deck and changing the city code. Ms. Rasch spoke in support staff’s recommendation in denying the project. Commissioner Comments Vice-Chair Bluth spoke in favor of the applicant’s request. Commissioner Latasa stated that the applicants haven’t met the “special circumstance” finding. Commissioner Freeman agreed with Commissioner Latasa. Commissioner Brassfield agreed with Commissioner Freeman and Commissioner Latasa. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday August 13, 2024 3 Docusign Envelope ID: 3728EDD6-091B-419D-B7FD-7DC16EE06495 Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday August 13, 2024 On a motion by Commissioner Latasa seconded by Commissioner Freeman and carried by the following vote, the Planning Commission denied Variance Application VA-24-0019 to allow construction of a roof deck and associated railing exceeding the 35-foot maximum building height at 601 Lighthouse Avenue: AYES: 3 COMMISSIONERS: Brassfield, Freeman, Latasa NOES: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Dawson, Bluth ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Fletcher ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Silva Commissioner Silva returned to the Chambers at 5:00 p.m. 5. Consider 581 Scott Street: (1) Use Permit UP-24-0081 Request for Reduced Setback Incentive for a Two-Story Addition with Deck for a H-2 Designated Property; Applicant John Scourkes, Scourkes Architecture; Owners: Liam O’Brien and David McLoughlin, Somerset Monterey LLC; R- 3-6-H-2 Zoning Designation; Medium Density Residential General Plan Designation; Exempt from CEQA Requirements per Article 19, Section 15303 (2) Appeal Application AP-24-0150 of Historic Preservation Commission Approval of Historic Permit HP-24-0007 and Adoption of Historic Preservation Report for a Two-Story Addition with Deck; Appellant John Bailey; Exempt from CEQA Requirements per Article 19, Section 15303 ACTION: Denied UP-24-0081 Request for Reduced Setback Incentive for a Two-Story Addition with Deck for a H-2 Designated Property at 581 Scott Street ACTION: Denied Appeal Application AP-24-0150 of Historic Preservation Commission Approval of Historic Permit HP-24-0007 and Adoption of Historic Preservation Report for a Two-Story Addition with Deck 581 Scott Street Staff Presentation/Commissioner Questions Planning Manager Hill presented the Agenda Report and addressed Commissioner questions and concerns. Commissioner Silva asked about findings related to SOI standards, specifically standards two and nine, and the Historic Preservation Commission’s (HPC) stance. Mr. Hill clarified that a historian argued the project’s consistency with SOI standards, though SOI is subjective. Commissioner Silva expressed concerns over the term "compatible" and its impact. Commissioner Freeman inquired if the project would have been reviewed by the Planning Commission if the appeal had not been filed. Mr. Hill confirmed it would have only involved the Use Permit application. Commissioner Latasa questioned the possibility of separate votes on the Use Permit and Appeal Permit, and the type of proposed windows. Mr. Hill noted that windows were not a major concern at HPC. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday August 13, 2024 4 Docusign Envelope ID: 3728EDD6-091B-419D-B7FD-7DC16EE06495 Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday August 13, 2024 Chair Dawson asked if the applicants addressed concerns related to SOI standard two. Hill deferred to the applicant Historian for further explanation. Commissioner Latasa inquired if impacts to views were considered. Mr. Hill responded no. Applicant Liam O’Brien and Architectural Historian, Meg Clovis, discussed SOI standards two and nine, citing issues with openings and dormers. Architect John Scourkes addressed questions on building footprint, height, and windows. Mr. Scourkes clarified that aluminum windows are proposed and corrected an error in square footage calculations. Appellant Mr. Bailey summarized the appeal basis and introduced owner representatives of the trust. Jake Evans opposed the structure, citing privacy and light concerns due to the home’s placement. Joel Panzer outlined CEQA guidelines and requested a redesign. Public Comments Jean Rasch spoke in opposition of the project. Commissioner Comments Commissioner Silva surmised the HPC didn’t make and error and the decision is subjective. Commissioner Silva expressed concerns about the impact of the project on neighbors and supports the appellant’s position. Commissioner Latasa stated it is a difficult decision, specifically citing the setback issue. Commissioner Freeman stressed respect for the HPC’s training and findings and expressed support for Staff’s recommendation. Commissioner Freeman praised the applicants for maintaining a historic site with care. Vice-Chair Bluth agreed with Commissioner Freeman and Commissioner Silva but expressed he was conflicted about the Use Permit. Commissioner Brassfield noted he appreciates the work the HPC does. Commissioner Latasa commended the property owners for their work. On a motion by Commissioner Silva seconded by Commissioner Freeman and carried by the following vote, the Planning Commission denied Use Permit UP-24-0081, Request for Reduced Setback Incentive for a Two-Story Addition with Deck for a H-2 Designated Property at 581 Scott Street: AYES: 4 COMMISSIONERS: Bluth, Brassfield, Freeman, Silva NOES: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Dawson, Latasa Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday August 13, 2024 5 Docusign Envelope ID: 3728EDD6-091B-419D-B7FD-7DC16EE06495 Planning Commission Minutes Tuesday August 13, 2024 ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Fletcher ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None On a motion by Commissioner Silva seconded by Commissioner Freeman and carried by the following vote, the Planning Commission denied Appeal Application AP-24-0150 of Historic Preservation Commission Approval of Historic Permit HP-24-0007 and Adoption of Historic Preservation Report for a two-story addition with Deck 581 Scott Street: AYES: 4 COMMISSIONERS: Bluth, Brassfield, Freeman, Silva NOES: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Dawson, Latasa ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Fletcher ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None 6. Confirm Annual Appointments for Chair and Vice Chair (CEQA: Exempt per CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 and 15061 - Not a Project) ACTION: Planning Manager Hill confirmed the Planning Commission rotation of Chair and Vice-Chair positions. Commissioner Bluth as Chair and Commissioner Silva as Vice Chair. Public Comments None. Committee Member Comments Vice-Chair Bluth and Commissioner Silva accepted their chair appointments. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Brassfield asked about scheduling a “findings” training. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS Update Received. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:31 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Levi Hill Chair Planning Manager Planning Commission Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday August 13, 2024 6