Planning Commission Meeting
Regular MeetingMonterey, CA · February 24, 2026
Minutes
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MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
4:00 – 5:30 PM
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 580 PACIFIC STREET
MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA
Commissioners Present: Silva, Latasa, Bluth, Freeman, Palmer, Stocker
Absent: Pauly
Staff Members Present: Planning Manager Hill, Principal Planner Roveri, Principal
Planner Sabdo, Senior Associate Planner Schmidt, Property
Manager Aldrete, 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
Public comment on the Consent Items was solicited but not received. The Commissioners
requested Item #4 be pulled from the Consent Agenda.
On a motion by Commissioner Stocker, seconded by Vice-Chair Latasa, and carried by the following
vote, the Planning Commission approved the Consent Agenda:
AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: Silva, Latasa, Bluth, Freeman, Palmer, Stocker
NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Pauly
ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
CONSENT: APPROVAL OF MINUTES
2. February 10, 2026 Meeting Minutes (Not a project under CEQA per Article 20 Section 15378
and under General Rule Article 5 Section 15061)
Action: Approved as submitted
CONSENT: OTHER
3. Recommend to the City Council that the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025/26 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 (Not a Project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5,
Section 15061; Exempt from CEQA Article 19, Sections 15301 and 15306, Classes 1 and 3;
and Final IS-MNDs)
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Action: Approved a Resolution Recommending that the City Council Approve that the
Fiscal Year (FY) 2025/26 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
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS
Public comment on non-agendized matters was solicited but not received.
PUBLIC APPEARANCE
4. Consider 30 Wharf #1: Architectural Review Permit Application ARP-25-0222 for Exterior
Alterations to an Existing Commercial Building; Applicant Josephine Trusela, 30 Fisherman’s
Wharf, LLC., San Pedro Fish Market; Owner City of Monterey; Public/Institutional General Plan
Designation (Exempt from CEQA per Article 19, Section 15301, Class 1)
Action: Approved Architectural Review Permit Application ARP-25-0222 for Exterior
Alterations to an Existing Commercial Building at 30 Wharf #1
Staff Presentation/Commissioner Questions
Senior Associate Planner Schmidt presented the Agenda Report and responded to
Commissioners’ questions regarding restaurant seating and water permitting. Property
Manager Aldrete answered questions regarding lease conditions.
Applicant
Architect Jason McCarthy shared additional information about the project design and proposed
materials.
Public Comments
Public comment was solicited but not received.
Commissioner Comments
Commissioners spoke in support of the project, complimenting the proposed design.
On a motion by Commissioner Freeman, seconded by Commissioner Bluth, and carried by the
following vote, the Planning Commission approved Architectural Review Permit Application
ARP-25-0222 for exterior alterations to an existing commercial building at 30 Wharf #1:
AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: Silva, Latasa, Bluth, Freeman, Palmer, Stocker
NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Pauly
ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Commissioner Stocker asked about potential work program items and suggested updating the
Recreation Trail Plan, noting a desire for more projects for the Commission to work on.
Planning Commission Minutes
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
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Chair Silva commented on the use of subjective findings in staff reports and discussed advisory
language regarding potential denial of projects under the California Housing Accountability Act,
expressing concern that denials based on subjective findings could violate the Act.
Commissioner Freeman followed up on an inquiry regarding the City’s relationship with
Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, including property ownership and
potential changes when operations cease.
Commissioner Bluth raised concerns about a missing garage door at the Marriott.
Commissioner Palmer thanked members of the public for participating in the NCIP discussion
and expressed appreciation to Property Manager Aldrete.
INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS
Mr. Hill gave an update on a recent council meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:41 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted, Approved,
Levi Hill Vice-Chair
Planning Manager Planning Commission
Planning Commission Minutes
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
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Agenda
Commissioners
Planning Commission
Peter Silva (Chair)
Meeting Agenda
Terry Latasa (Vice Chair)
Robert Bluth
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Sandra Freeman
Eric Palmer
4:00 PM – 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 trip to review the February 24, 2026 PC
meeting agenda. For more information, call (831) 646-3885. Date Posted: February 20, 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. February 10, 2026
OTHER CONSENT ITEMS
3. Recommend to the City Council that the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025/26
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 (Not a Project under
CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section
15061; Exempt from CEQA Article 19, Sections 15301 and 15306, Classes 1
and 3; and Final IS-MNDs)
4. Consider 30 Wharf #1: Architectural Review Permit Application ARP-25-0222
for Exterior Alterations to an Existing Commercial Building; Applicant
Josephine Trusela, 30 Fishermans Wharf, LLC., San Pedro Fish Market;
Owner City of Monterey; Public/Institutional General Plan Designation
(Exempt from CEQA per Article 19, Section 15301, Class 1)
***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.
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
2/24/2026 4:00:00 PM
2
INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS
Staff may make announcements and may request clarification or direction regarding the
scheduling of meetings and study sessions.
5. 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
2/24/2026 4:00:00 PM
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