Planning Commission Meeting
Regular MeetingMonterey, CA · April 28, 2026
Minutes
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MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
4:00 – 5:30 PM
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 580 PACIFIC STREET
MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA
Commissioners Present: Silva, Latasa, Bluth, Freeman, Palmer (4:03pm), Pauly (4:13pm),
Stocker
Absent: None
Staff Members Present: Planning Manager Hill, Senior Associate Planner Buggert,
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.
2. April 14, 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
AYES: 4 COMMISSIONERS: Latasa, Bluth, Freeman, Stocker
NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Palmer, Pauly
ABSTAIN: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Silva
The Commission requested items 4 and 5 be pulled from Consent.
3. Recommend the City Council Amend the Monterey City Code to Prohibit Roosters (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 Bluth, 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
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4. Recommend the City Council Amend the Monterey City Code to Prohibit Vehicle Storage on
Properties with Both Industrial, Administration, Research (I-R) and Multi-Family Residential
Overlay (MF) Zoning (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under
General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: Approved a Resolution Recommending that the City Council Amend the
Monterey City Code to Prohibit Vehicle Storage on Properties with Both Industrial,
Administration, Research (I-R) and Multi-Family Residential Overlay (MF) Zoning
Staff Presentation/Commissioner Questions
Planning Manager Hill presented the Agenda Report and answered Commissioner’s questions
regarding existing vehicle storage and the three-year urgency ordinance.
Public Comments
Public comment was received from Jeannie Ferrara.
Commissioner Comments
The Commission agreed with staff’s recommendation.
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 amend the Monterey City Code to prohibit vehicle storage on properties with both
industrial, administration, research (I-R) and multi-family residential overlay (MF) zoning:
AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: Silva, Latasa, Bluth, Freeman, Palmer, Stocker
NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSTAIN: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Pauly
5. Recommend the City Council Amend the Monterey City Code to Clarify the City’s Reasonable
Accommodation Regulations. (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and
Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: Approved a Resolution Recommending that the City Council Amend the
Monterey City Code to Clarify the City’s Reasonable Accommodation Regulations
Staff Presentation/Commissioner Questions
Planning Manager Hill presented the Agenda Report and answered Commissioner’s questions
regarding the appeal process.
Public Comments
Public comment was solicited but not received.
Commissioner Comments
The Commission agreed with staff’s recommendation.
On a motion by Commissioner Freeman seconded by Commissioner Palmer, and carried by the
following vote, the Planning Commission approved a resolution recommending that the City
Council amend the Monterey City Code to clarify the city’s reasonable accommodation
regulations:
AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Silva, Latasa, Bluth, Freeman, Palmer, Pauly, Stocker
Planning Commission Minutes
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
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NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
RECUSED: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS
Public comment on non-agendized matters was solicited but not received.
PUBLIC HEARING
Commissioner Stocker announced he had a conflict and recused himself from Item 6.
6. 5 Lower Ragsdale Drive: Deny Sign Permit Application SI-26-0028 for One Roof Sign; Applicant Stephen
Lyon; Owner Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System; Industrial, Administration, and Research
District (I-R-150-D2-ES); Employment General Plan Land Use Designation (Exempt from CEQA per
Article 19, Section 15301, Class 1)
Action: Denied Sign Permit Application SI-26-0028 for One Roof Sign at 5 Lower Ragsdale
Staff Presentation/Commissioner Questions
Senior Associate Planner Buggert presented the Agenda Report and answered Commissioner’s
questions regarding lighting and correspondence with airport staff.
Applicant
Stephen Lyon shared a presentation and explained the purpose of the sign.
Brad McCoy stated that Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare is also advertised at the airport.
Public Comments
Public comments were solicited but not received.
Commissioner Comments
Commissioner Bluth expressed doubt that the sign would be visible from an airplane. The Commission
spoke in favor of denial, citing inconsistencies and precedence.
On a motion by Commissioner Palmer seconded by Commissioner Pauly, and carried by the following
vote, the Planning Commission denied Sign Permit Application SI-26-0028 for one roof sign at 5 Lower
Ragsdale:
AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: Silva, Latasa, Bluth, Freeman, Palmer, Pauly
NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSTAIN: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
RECUSED: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Stocker
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Commissioner Palmer acknowledged the broadcasting system for their updated format. Vice-Chair
Latasa updated the Commission on a recent Resilient Coast Monterey meeting. Commissioner Stocker
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Tuesday, April 28, 2026
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suggested agendizing the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail specific plan and potentially updating
it. Commissioner Pauly suggested updating the approved plant list.
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 5:12 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted, Approved,
Levi Hill Chair
Planning Manager Planning Commission
Planning Commission Minutes
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
4
Agenda
Commissioners
Planning Commission Meeting
Peter Silva (Chair)
Agenda
Terry Latasa (Vice Chair)
Robert Bluth
Tuesday, April 28, 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 on to review the April 28, 2026 PC
meeting agenda. For more information, call (831) 646-3885. Date Posted: April 24, 2026
***Afternoon Session Agenda Only***
4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
1. Meeting Procedures
CONSENT: Approval of Minutes
2. April 14, 2026
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.
3. Recommend the City Council Amend the Monterey City Code to Prohibit
Roosters (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under
General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
4. Recommend the City Council Amend the Monterey City Code to Prohibit
Vehicle Storage on Properties with Both Industrial, Administration, Research
(I-R) and Multi-Family Residential Overlay (MF) Zoning (Not a Project Under
CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section
15061)
5. Recommend the City Council Amend the Monterey City Code to Clarify the
City’s Reasonable Accommodation Regulations. (Not a Project Under CEQA
per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
***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.)
6. 5 Lower Ragsdale Drive: Deny Sign Permit Application SI-26-0028 for One
Roof Sign; Applicant Stephen Lyon; Owner Salinas Valley Memorial
Healthcare System; Industrial, Administration, and Research District (I-R-150-
Planning Commission
4/28/2026 4:00:00 PM
2
D2-ES); Employment General Plan Land Use Designation (Exempt from CEQA
per Article 19, Section 15301, Class 1)
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.
7. 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
4/28/2026 4:00:00 PM
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