Planning Commission Meeting
Regular MeetingMonterey, CA · April 14, 2026
Minutes
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MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
4:00 – 5:30 PM
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 580 PACIFIC STREET
MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA
Commissioners Present: Latasa, Bluth, Freeman, Palmer, Stocker
Absent: Silva, Pauly
Staff Members Present: Planning Manager Hill, Principal Planner Roveri, Senior
Associate Planner Schmidt, HCD Coordinator Verania, HCD
Coordinator Abassi, Recording Secretary Barrera
***Afternoon Session Agenda Only***
4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
Vice-Chair Latasa 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
Public comment on the Consent Item was solicited but not received.
2. March 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
On a motion by Commissioner Stocker, seconded by Commissioner Palmer, and carried by the
following vote, the Planning Commission approved the Consent Agenda:
AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Latasa, Bluth, Freeman, Palmer, Stocker
NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Silva, Pauly
ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS
Public comment on non-agendized matters was solicited but not received.
PUBLIC HEARING
3. Recommend that the Planning Commission Conduct a Public Hearing and Receive Public Comments on
the Proposed Draft Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan for the Community Development Block
Grant Program and Adopt a Resolution Recommending that the City Council approve and authorize
submittal to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) (Exempt from NEPA per 24
CFR Part 58 and from CEQA per Article 19, Section 15301, Class1, 15306, Class 6 and 15326, Class
26)
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Action: Approved a Resolution Recommending that the City Council Adopt the Draft Fiscal Year
2026-2027 Action Plan for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) with Revisions and
Authorize Submittal to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Authorize
the City Manager to Make Administrative Changes Requested by HUD, and Authorize Staff to
Amend the Public Services Budget to Meet the CDBG 15% Funding Cap
Staff Presentation/Commissioner Questions
Veronica Tam presented the Agenda Report. HCD Coordinator Verania responded to Commissioners’
questions regarding past and current grant recipients. Planning manager Hill recommended minor
revisions to language included in the Executive Summary.
Public Comments
Public comments were received from: Dr. Dawn Ray Davis, Mel Zaragoza, Korina McKinley, Steve
Wilson, and Justin Loza.
Commissioner Comments
Commissioners expressed gratitude to staff for making necessary changes to the language in the city’s
annual action plan. Commissioner Palmer thanked the community for their participation.
On a motion by Commissioner Palmer seconded by Commissioner Bluth, and carried by the following
vote, the Planning Commission approved a resolution recommending that the City Council adopt the draft
Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Action Plan for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) with recommended
revisions and authorize submittal to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD),
authorize the city manager to make administrative changes requested by HUD, and authorize staff to
amend the public services budget to meet the CDBG 15% funding cap:
AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Latasa, Bluth, Freeman, Palmer, Stocker
NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Silva, Pauly
ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
4. Consider 398 Belden Street: Architectural Review Permit Application ARP-25-0129 and Tree Removal
Permit Application ART-25-0130 for the Construction of a New Two-Story Single-Family Dwelling and
Associated Tree Removals; Applicant Franshisca Delgado, Claudio Ortiz Design Group, Inc.; Owner
Richard and Jacqueline Garza Trust; Residential Medium Density Multifamily (R-3-5) Zoning District;
Medium Density Residential General Plan Designation (Exempt from CEQA per Article 19, Section
15303, Class 3)
Action: Approved Architectural Review Permit Application ARP-25-0129 and Tree Removal Permit
Application ART-25-0130 for the Construction of a New Two-Story Single-Family Dwelling and
Associated Tree Removals at 398 Belden Street
Staff Presentation/Commissioner Questions
Senior Associate Planner Schmidt presented the Agenda Report and answered Commissioner questions
regarding public comments and sewer lines.
Applicant
Owner representative Claudio Ortiz provided more details about the proposed project.
Project arborist Brian Bradford made himself available for questions.
Public Comments
Planning Commission Minutes
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
2
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None.
Commissioner Comments
The Commission spoke in favor of the project.
On a motion by Commissioner Stocker seconded by Commissioner Freeman, and carried by the following
vote, the Planning Commission approved Architectural Review Permit Application ARP-25-0129 and
Tree Removal Permit Application ART-25-0130 for the construction of a new two-story single-family
dwelling and associated tree removals at 398 Belden Street:
AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Latasa, Bluth, Freeman, Palmer, Stocker
NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Silva, Pauly
ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Commissioner Stocker raised concerns about his favorite business on Alvarado Street and its potential
code violations. Commissioner Freeman praised Mr. Hill’s presentation.
INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS
Mr. Hill provided a follow up to the last Council meeting and upcoming items to be presented to the
Planning Commission.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:08 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted, Approved,
Levi Hill Chair
Planning Manager Planning Commission
Planning Commission Minutes
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
3
Agenda
Commissioners
Planning Commission Meeting
Peter Silva (Chair)
Agenda
Terry Latasa (Vice Chair)
Robert Bluth
Tuesday, April 14, 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 April 14, 2026 PC
meeting agenda. For more information, call (831) 646-3885. Date Posted: April 10, 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. March 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. Recommend that the Planning Commission Conduct a Public Hearing and
Receive Public Comments on the Proposed Draft Fiscal Year 2026-2027
Annual Action Plan for the Community Development Block Grant Program
and Adopt a Resolution Recommending that the City Council approve and
authorize submittal to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) (Exempt from NEPA per 24 CFR Part 58 and from CEQA
per Article 19, Section 15301, Class1, 15306, Class 6 and 15326, Class 26)
4. Consider 398 Belden Street: Architectural Review Permit Application ARP-25-
0129 and Tree Removal Permit Application ART-25-0130 for the Construction
of a New Two-Story Single-Family Dwelling and Associated Tree Removals;
Applicant Franshisca Delgado, Claudio Ortiz Design Group, Inc.; Owner
Richard and Jacqueline Garza Trust; Residential Medium Density Multifamily
(R-3-5) Zoning District; Medium Density Residential General Plan Designation
(Exempt from CEQA per Article 19, Section 15303, Class 3)
Planning Commission
4/14/2026 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
4/14/2026 4:00:00 PM
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