Planning Commission Meeting
Regular MeetingMonterey, CA · January 13, 2026
Minutes
MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Tuesday,January13,2026
4:00 - 5:30 PM
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 580 PACIFIC STREET
MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA
Commissioners Present: Silva, Bluth, Freeman, Palmer, Stocker
Absent: Latasa, Pauly
Staff Members Present: Planning Manager Hill, Principal Planner Roveri, Principal
Planner Sabdo, Recording Secretary Barrera
..._Afternoon Session Agenda Only..._
4:00 • 5:30 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Silva called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Recording Secretary Barrera announced
staff present and provided information to the public about how to participate by calling in to give
public comment on the live web meeting.
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Minutes
2. December 23, 2025 (Not a project under CEQA per Article 20 Section 15378 and under
General Rule Article 5 Section 15061)
ACTION: Approved as submitted
On a motion by Commissioner Freeman seconded by Commissioner Stocker and carried by
the following vote, the Planning Commission approved the December 23, 2025, Minutes:
AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Silva, Bluth, Freeman, Palmer, Stocker
NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Latasa, Pauly
ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS
None.
PUBLIC HEARING
4. Consider 456 Lighthouse Avenue: Six-Month Trial Period Review and Amendment to
Use Permit Application (UP-23-0072) Allowing an Assembly Major Use and Amplified
Music at 456 Lighthouse Avenue and a Request for an Four Additional Private, Auto-
Related Events Per Year (10 Total Per Year); Applicant Samuel Pitnick, Samuel Pitnick
Architects; Owner 456 Properties LLC; Planned Community - Lighthouse Specific Plan
(PC-LH-CB1) Zoning District; Mixed Use Neighborhood General Plan Designation
(Adopted ls-ND SCH# 2024091088)
ACTION: Approved Six-Month Trial Period Review and Amendment to Use Permit
Application (UP-23-0072) Allowing an Assembly Major Use and Amplified Music at 456
Lighthouse Avenue and a Request for an Four Additional Private, Auto-Related Events
Per Year (10 Total Per Year) at 456 Lighthouse Avenue
Staff Presentation/Commissioner Questions
Principal Planner Sabdo presented the Agenda Report and responded to Commissioners'
questions regarding the number of proposed events per year.
Applicant
Steve Kittrell shared a presentation highlighting the events of 2025 and answered
Commissioner's questions regarding branded experiences, lighting, and parking.
Public Comments
None.
Commissioner Comments
Commissioner's spoke in favor of approval, complimenting the presentation and use of
space.
On a motion by Commissioner Palmer seconded by Commissioner Bluth and carried out by
the following vote, the Planning Commission approved six-month trial period review and
amendment to Use Permit Application (UP-23-0072) allowing an assembly major use and
amplified music at 456 Lighthouse Avenue and a request for an four additional private, auto-
related events per year (10 total per year) at 456 Lighthouse Avenue:
AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Silva, Bluth, Freeman, Palmer, Stocker
NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Latasa, Pauly
ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Commissioner Stocker asked for an update on the city-wide work program. Commissioner
Freeman requested that the Garden Road Specific Plan be agendized, as well as a report on
the ownership of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies buildings.
INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS
Mr. Hill reminded Commissioners of an upcoming Brown Act training at City Council.
ADJOURNMENT
There being rio further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:48 p.m.
Planning Commission Minutes
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
2
Respectfully Submitted,
Levi Hill Chair
Planning Manager Planning Commission
Planning Commission Minutes
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
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Agenda
Commissioners
Planning Commission
Peter Silva (Chair)
Meeting Agenda
Terry Latasa (Vice Chair)
Robert Bluth
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Sandra Freeman
Eric Palmer
4:00 – 5:30 PM
Justin Pauly
Council Chamber, 580 Pacific St. David Stocker
Monterey, California
HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS MEETING:
• Written comment: Members of the public may submit comment(s) to
planning@monterey.gov until ½ hour before the start of the meeting. These messages
are not read aloud during the meeting but are made available to the meeting body and
public at https://monterey.gov/submitted-comments. All comments received become part
of the record.
• In-Person: Please see the meeting location listed above.
• Remote via ZoomGov Webinar:
o Join on a computer or smartphone: https://monterey-
org.zoomgov.com/j/1619908039 An up-to-date version of the Zoom
software must be used.
o Or join by telephone: Dial 833-568-8864 (Toll Free), 669-254-5252 (Campbell,
CA) or 646-828-7666 (NY). If one number doesn’t work, please try another.
▪ Enter Webinar ID: 161 990 8039 #
▪ If prompted to enter a participant ID, press #
▪ To “raise your hand,” dial *9. Once called upon, dial *6 to unmute
o Need help using or updating Zoom? Read our Zoom Meeting Instructions (PDF)
• This meeting will also stream live for viewing only on youtube.com/cityofmonterey (10
second delay) and on Comcast Channel 25 (up to 90-second delay).
PUBLIC COMMENT PROCEDURES AND TIME LIMITS:
The total amount of time allocated for public comment on a particular issue and for each
individual speaker is generally as follows:
1. Up to three minutes per speaker.
2. For regular Planning Commission meetings, there are two 15-minute public comment
periods, one in the afternoon and one in the evening. Speakers may only comment during
one session.
3. The total time allocated for public comment:
a. Items pulled from the consent agenda – 15 minutes each item
b. Public Appearance items – 30 minutes each item
c. Public Hearing items – 30 minutes each item
At the time an item is considered, the Chair will ask those attending the meeting in person to
line up at the podium or raise their hands, and for remote participants to use *9 on the telephone
or the “raise hand” function in Zoom, if they wish to address the Planning Commission. The
maximum amount of time for each person to speak and the total amount of time allotted for
each item will be determined based on the number of people indicating an interest in speaking
and the amount of business to be conducted on the agenda. In exceptional circumstances and
when necessary to ensure a full opportunity for public input, the Chair may, with the Planning
Commission’s consent, adjust the amount of time allowed for public input and/or the time
allotted for each speaker.
FIELD TRIP
The Planning Commission will not conduct a field to review the January 13, 2026 PC meeting
agenda. For more information, call (831) 646-3885. Date Posted: 1/9/2026
***Afternoon Session Agenda Only***
4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
1. Meeting Procedures
CONSENT AGENDA
All matters listed under Consent Agenda are routine and will be adopted by one motion
unless a member of the Planning Commission or the public requests discussion or a separate
vote.
Approval of Minutes
2. December 23, 2025
***End of Consent Agenda***
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS
The public may speak to any item that is not on the agenda and that is in the City of
Monterey’s subject matter jurisdiction.
PUBLIC HEARING
Public Hearings are held to receive a staff presentation and public comment on certain items
prior to Planning Commission action. NOTICE CONCERNING YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS: If you
challenge the Planning Commission’s zoning, planning, or land use decision in court, you may
be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing on the
matter, or in written correspondence delivered to the City at the time of or prior to the public
hearing. (Government Code section 65009.)
3. Consider 456 Lighthouse Avenue: Six-Month Trial Period Review and
Amendment to Use Permit Application (UP-23-0072) Allowing an Assembly
Major Use and Amplified Music at 456 Lighthouse Avenue and a Request for
an Four Additional Private, Auto-Related Events Per Year (10 Total Per Year);
Applicant Samuel Pitnick, Samuel Pitnick Architects; Owner 456 Properties
LLC; Planned Community – Lighthouse Specific Plan (PC-LH-CB1) Zoning
District; Mixed Use Neighborhood General Plan Designation (Adopted Is-ND
SCH# 2024091088)
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Commissioners may ask a question for clarification, make a brief announcement, or make a
brief report on their activities. In addition, a Commissioner or the Planning Commission may
provide a referral to staff or other resources for factual information. (Government Code
section 54954.2(a)(3).)
Planning Commission
1/13/2026 4:00:00 PM
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INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS
Staff may make announcements and may request clarification or direction regarding the
scheduling of meetings and study sessions.
4. Planning Office Update
ADJOURNMENT
Writings distributed for discussion or consideration on these matters within 72 hours prior to the
meeting, pursuant to Government Code § 54957.5, are available at: monterey.org/submitted-comments
and in the Planning Office at 570 Pacific St., Monterey, CA 93940 during regular business hours.
Information distributed to the Planning Commission at the Planning Commission meeting becomes part
of the public record.
Planning Commission decisions may be appealed within ten (10) days from the date of the decision on
forms available in the Planning Division during business hours. When the tenth day falls on a weekend
or a holiday, the appeal deadline date is the next working day following the holiday or weekend. An
appeal fee will apply.
CITY OF MONTEREY'S 24-HOUR SUGGESTION HOTLINES:
Voicemail: (831) 646-3799 Fax: (831) 646-3793
Email: suggest@monterey.gov WebPage: http://www.monterey.gov
INTERPRETATION: The Planning Commission invites and encourages public participation at its
meetings. Requests for language interpretation may be made by contacting the City Clerk at
cityclerk@monterey.gov or 831-646-3935. The City Clerk will make every effort to accommodate
requests for interpreter assistance. Requests should be made as soon as possible in advance of any
meeting of the Planning Commission. The City is committed to addressing language interpretation
requests swiftly in order to maximize public participation.
ACCESSIBILITY: The City of Monterey is committed to including people with disabilities in all of
its services, programs and activities. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if
you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, including to coordinate the use of a
hearing device, please contact cityclerk@monterey.gov or (831) 646-3935. Notification 30+
hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to
this meeting [28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title II]. Later requests will be accommodated to the extent
feasible. For communication-related assistance, dial 711 to use the California Relay Service (CRS) to
speak to City offices. CRS offers free text-to-speech, speech-to-speech, and Spanish-language services
24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
CITY OF MONTEREY 24-HOUR SUGGESTION HOTLINES: (831) 646-3799 or suggest@monterey.gov
Upcoming city meetings are listed at monterey.gov/agendas For more information, call (831) 646-3885
Planning Commission
1/13/2026 4:00:00 PM
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