Planning Commission Meeting
Regular MeetingMonterey, CA · March 10, 2026
Minutes
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MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
4:00 – 5:30 PM
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 580 PACIFIC STREET
MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA
Commissioners Present: Silva, Latasa, Bluth, Freeman, Pauly, Stocker
Absent: Palmer
Staff Members Present: Planning Manager Hill, Principal Planner Roveri, Principal
Planner Sabdo, Senior Associate Planner Schmidt, Deputy
Public Works Director & City Engineer Easterling, 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. Chair Silva announced to the public that he had
received a request to reorder the agenda and stated that item 4 would be the first public hearing
item to be considered.
CONSENT AGENDA
Public comment on the Consent Item was solicited but not received.
On a motion by Commissioner Stocker, seconded by Commissioner Freeman, and carried by the
following vote, the Planning Commission approved the Consent Agenda:
AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: Silva, Latasa, Bluth, Freeman, Pauly, Stocker
NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Palmer
ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
CONSENT: APPROVAL OF MINUTES
2. February 24, 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
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS
Public comment on non-agendized matters was solicited but not received.
The Commission requested to switch items 3 and 4.
PUBLIC HEARING
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4. Recommend the City Council Find the 5-Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for Fiscal Year
2026/27 Consistent with the General Plan, Area Plans, Master Plans, Specific Plans, Coastal Plans,
Traffic Calming Plans, and Move Monterey Multimodal Plan (Exempt from CEQA per Article 19, Section
15301, 15302, 15306; Not a Project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule
Article 5, Section 15061; or Initial Study Mitigated Negative Previously Prepared and Certified)
Action: Approved a Resolution Recommending that the City Council Find the 5-Year Capital
Improvement Program (CIP) for Fiscal Year 2026/27 Consistent with the General Plan, Area Plans,
Master Plans, Specific Plans, Coastal Plans, Traffic Calming Plans, and Move Monterey
Multimodal Plan
Staff Presentation/Commissioner Questions
Principal Planner Sabdo presented the Agenda Report and Deputy Public Works Director and City
Engineer Easterling responded to Commissioners’ questions regarding the location of cooling towers.
Public Comments
Public comment was solicited but not received.
Commissioner Comments
None.
On a motion by Commissioner Stocker seconded by Vice-Chair Latasa, and carried by the following vote,
the Planning Commission 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:
AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: Silva, Latasa, Bluth, Freeman, Pauly, Stocker
NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Palmer
ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
3. Accepting the 2025 General Plan Annual Report for Review and Comment (Not a Project Under CEQA
per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: Accepted the 2025 General Plan Annual Report with Concern that Water is Not Being
Released for Development Until the Cease and Desist Order is Modified and Directed Staff to
Dialogue with the City Attorney About the Issue
Staff Presentation/Commissioner Questions
Principal Planner Sabdo presented the Agenda Report and Planning Manager Hill answered
Commissioner’s questions regarding the state’s cease and desist order, Middlebury Institute of
International Studies (MIIS) upcoming housing plans, and the adoption process of the Local Coastal
Program (LCP).
Public Comments
Public comment was received from: Laura Davis, Gabriel Saunders, Diane Coward, Melodie Chrislock,
and Monique Olson.
Commissioner Comments
Planning Commission Minutes
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
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The Commission discussion centered around the water issue as well and the general concern that water
is not being released for development until the Cease and Desist Order is lifted or modified.
Mr. Hill advised that reconsideration of the Council-adopted water policy was not part of the General Plan
annual report review. Ultimately, the Planning Commission adopted a resolution accepting the 2025
General Plan Annual Report for review and public comment. The Planning Commission motion included
a statement that the Commission is concerned about what the Commissioners characterized as the “hold-
up” in the release of water allocations and directed staff to dialogue with the City Attorney about the issue.
On a motion by Vice-Chair Latasa seconded by Commissioner Bluth, and carried by the following vote,
the Planning Commission accepted the 2025 General Plan Annual Report with concern that water is
not being released for development until the cease and desist order is modified and directed staff to
dialogue with the city attorney about the issue:
AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Silva, Latasa, Bluth, Freeman, Pauly
NOES: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Stocker
ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Palmer
ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Vice-Chair Latasa request staff agendize a discussion about water.
INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS
Mr. Hill provided an update.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted, Approved,
Levi Hill Chair
Planning Manager Planning Commission
Planning Commission Minutes
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
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Agenda
Commissioners
Planning Commission
Peter Silva (Chair)
Meeting Agenda
Terry Latasa (Vice Chair)
Robert Bluth
Tuesday, March 10, 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 March 10, 2026 PC
meeting agenda. For more information, call (831) 646-3885. Date Posted: March 6, 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 24, 2026
***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. Accepting the 2025 General Plan Annual Report for Review and Comment
(Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General
Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
4. Recommend the City Council Find the 5-Year Capital Improvement Program
(CIP) for Fiscal Year 2026/27 Consistent with the General Plan, Area Plans,
Master Plans, Specific Plans, Coastal Plans, Traffic Calming Plans, and Move
Monterey Multimodal Plan (Exempt from CEQA per Article 19, Section 15301,
15302, 15306; Not a Project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under
General Rule Article 5, Section 15061; or Initial Study Mitigated Negative
Previously Prepared and Certified)
Planning Commission
3/10/2026 4:00:00 PM
2
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).)
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
3/10/2026 4:00:00 PM
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