Zoning Administrator Meeting
Regular MeetingMonterey, CA · July 21, 2022
Minutes
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1623BD37-D61D-4E52-B42B-BEFCEDAEEF91
MINUTES
ZONING ADMINISTRATOR
Thursday, July 21, 2022
3:00 PM
COUNCIL CHAMBER AND
ZOOMGOV TELECONFERENCE
MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA
Staff Members Present: Principal Planner Roveri, Senior Associate Planner Schmidt,
Associate Planner Sabdo, Associate Planner Buggert, Recording
Secretary Cleary
This meeting was held with a combination of in-person and teleconference attendance,
pursuant to the Ralph M. Brown Act, Calif. Government Code section 54953(e)(1)(C) and the
Monterey City Council’s Resolution authorizing virtual participation in public meetings given the
COVID-19 pandemic.
CALL TO ORDER
Principal Planner Roveri, serving as Zoning Administrator, called the meeting to order at 3:00
p.m. and Recording Secretary Cleary explained to the public how to participate and provide
public comment live during the meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None.
CONSENT ITEMS
Approval of Minutes
2. June 16, 2022
ACTION: Approved as submitted
Zoning Administrator Roveri approved the June 16, 2022 Zoning Administrator meeting minutes.
***End of Consent Agenda***
PUBLIC HEARING
3. Consider 74 Via Descanso; Variance Application VA-22-0092 to Allow Rear Yard Setback
Variance (20’ Required, 17.5’ Proposed) and 2nd-Story Side Yard Setback Variance (15’
Required, 7.5’ Proposed) to Enclose Existing Deck with Solarium; Applicant/Property
Owner Yvonne and Jose Rafael Ramos; R-1-20 Zoning (Residential Single-Family)
District; Low Density Residential General Plan Designation; Exempt from CEQA
Requirements per Article 19, Section 15301, Class 1
ACTION: Approved Variance application VA-22-0092 to allow rear yard setback variance
(20’ required, 17.5’ proposed) and 2nd-story side yard setback variance (15’
required, 7.5’ proposed) to enclose existing deck with solarium at 74 Via
Descanso
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1623BD37-D61D-4E52-B42B-BEFCEDAEEF91
Zoning Administrator Minutes Thursday July 21, 2022
Staff Presentation/Zoning Administrator Questions
Senior Associate Planner Schmidt presented the Agenda Report.
Applicant
Applicant and Property Owners Yvonne and Jose Rafael Ramos were present to answer
questions.
Public Comments
None.
Zoning Administrator Comments
Zoning Administrator Roveri approved the proposal based on special circumstances of the site’s
topography and lack of view or privacy impacts.
4. Consider 1015 Cass Street; Use Permit Application UP-21-0081 to Allow Conversion of
Existing Commercial Office Space to Six Residential Units; Applicant Glenn E. Warner;
Property Owner Don Desai; CO-ES Zoning District (Office and Professional District with
Emergency Shelter Overlay); Commercial General Plan Land Use Designation; Exempt
from CEQA Requirements per Article 19, Section 15303, Class 3
ACTION: Approved Use Permit application UP-21-0081 to allow conversion of existing
commercial office space to seven residential units at 1015 Cass Street, with an
added Condition of Approval to correct references of six units with the accurate
amount of seven units
Staff Presentation/Zoning Administrator Questions
Senior Associate Planner Schmidt presented the Agenda Report and answered Zoning
Administrator questions.
Zoning Administrator Roveri asked clarifying questions regarding the floor plan, number of units,
and proposed versus existing parking. Mr. Schmidt provided details and stated there are seven
units proposed. Zoning Administrator Roveri made an inquiry regarding the accessible parking
spot.
Applicant
Glen Warner, the project architect explained the handicap space was removed to accommodate
posts for the carport but added that the end space could be made accessible.
Public Comments
None.
Zoning Administrator Comments
Zoning Administrator Roveri agreed that the proposal is consistent with the Zoning Ordinance
and General Plan, would not have a detrimental impact to the public or the City, is within the
allowable density, and meets all required parking. Zoning Administrator Roveri approved the
proposal with the added Condition of Approval that the Resolution be amended throughout to
reflect the proposed number of units is seven, not six, and explained that if there is not enough
space for the required parking, the project may need to return to the Zoning Administrator for
review.
Zoning Administrator Meeting Minutes
Thursday July 21, 2022
2
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1623BD37-D61D-4E52-B42B-BEFCEDAEEF91
Zoning Administrator Minutes Thursday July 21, 2022
5. Consider 532 Encina Avenue; Variance Application VA-22-0066 to Allow Fencing to
Exceed 4-Foot Height Limit within the Front Yard Setback (Maximum 6-feet Proposed);
Applicant/Property Owner Thomas Dowson; R-1-6 Zoning (Residential Single-Family)
District; Low Density Residential General Plan Designation; Exempt from CEQA
Requirements per Article 19, Section 15301, Class 1
ACTION: Approved Variance application VA-22-0066 to allow fencing to exceed 4-foot
height limit within the front yard setback (maximum 6-feet proposed) at 532
Encina Avenue
Staff Presentation/Zoning Administrator Questions
Zoning Administrator Roveri recused from the item due to owning property within 1,000 feet of
the project site. Associate Planner Sabdo, filling in as Zoning Administrator, introduced the item
and Associate Planner Buggert presented the Agenda Report.
Zoning Administrator Sabdo asked whether nearby properties with similarly high fences due to
this condition have variances. Mr. Buggert stated that one site around the corner does have a
variance and added there is a six-foot fence on a nearby property’s side yard.
Applicant
Applicant Thomas Dowson was present to answer questions.
Public Comments
Neighbor Susan Allen said they own the house with a variance and encroachment permit at 516
Encina Avenue, and spoke in support of the proposal based on child safety and privacy.
Zoning Administrator Comments
Zoning Administrator Sabdo supported staff findings and explained the proposed variance meets
the general variance findings, fence variance findings, and requirements outlined in Monterey’s
City Code. Zoning Administrator Sabdo approved the proposal with an amended Finding #3:
remove “and nearby property have similarly higher fences due to this condition” because Staff
is not certain that this is true.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:43 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Zoning Administrator
Zoning Administrator Meeting Minutes
Thursday July 21, 2022
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Agenda
Zoning Administrator
Meeting Agenda
Thursday, July 21, 2022
3:00 PM
Council Chamber, 580 Pacific
St. and Zoom Teleconference
Monterey, California
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Pursuant to California Government Code section 54953(e)(1)(A) and
(C) and the Monterey City Council’s resolution authorizing virtual participation in public
meetings given the COVID-19 pandemic, meetings of the Monterey City Council and its
Boards, Commissions, and Committees are being conducted with a hybrid format
providing both in-person and virtual (electronic and telephone) participation to promote
social distancing and protect the health and safety of attendees.
Details for Public Participation in this Meeting:
BEFORE THIS MEETING, members of the public may submit comment(s) to
planning@monterey.org until ½ hour before the start of the meeting. These messages are
shared with the Zoning Administrator prior to the start of the meeting but are not read
aloud. All comments become part of the record and are made available online at
monterey.org/submitted-comments.
DURING THIS MEETING, members of the public may attend and participate:
In-person (location listed above), with masks strongly encouraged for all,
regardless of vaccination status, except those who are younger than two years old
or have a medical condition that prevents wearing a mask.
Online via ZoomGov Webinar live (no time delay):
On a computer or smartphone: https://monterey-org.zoomgov.com/j/1606665889
Or join by telephone: Dial 833-568-8864 (Toll Free), 669-254-5252 (Campbell,
Calif.) or 646-828-7666 (New York, NY). If one number does not work, please try
another.
Enter Webinar ID: 160 666 5889 #
If prompted to enter a participant ID, press #
To “raise your hand” dial *9. Once called upon, dial *6 to unmute.
Need more help or seeking guidance on making public comments? Read our
ZoomGov Meeting Instructions.
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).
CALL TO ORDER
1. Meeting Procedures
CONSENT ITEMS
Approval of Minutes
2. June 16, 2022
***End of Consent Agenda***
PUBLIC COMMENTS
PUBLIC COMMENTS. At this time, the public may speak for a maximum of three minutes
on any subject which is within the jurisdiction of the Monterey Zoning Administrator and
which is not on the agenda. Any person or group desiring to bring an item to the attention
of the Zoning Administrator may do so during Public Comments or by addressing a letter
of explanation to the Zoning Administrator, City Hall, Monterey, CA 93940.
PUBLIC HEARING
PUBLIC HEARINGS are required by law for certain actions. You are welcome to offer
your comments after being recognized by the Zoning Administrator. The Zoning
Administrator may limit the time allocated to each speaker. Project representation is
encouraged.
3. Consider 74 Via Descanso; Variance Application VA-22-0092 to Allow Rear
Yard Setback Variance (20’ Required, 17.5’ Proposed) and 2nd-Story Side
Yard Setback Variance (15’ Required, 7.5’ Proposed) to Enclose Existing Deck
with Solarium; Applicant/Property Owner Yvonne and Jose Rafael Ramos; R-
1-20 Zoning (Residential Single-Family) District; Low Density Residential
General Plan Designation; Exempt from CEQA Requirements per Article 19,
Section 15301, Class 1
4. Consider 1015 Cass Street; Use Permit Application UP-21-0081 to Allow
Conversion of Existing Commercial Office Space to Six Residential Units;
Applicant Glenn E. Warner; Property Owner Don Desai; CO-ES Zoning District
(Office and Professional District with Emergency Shelter Overlay);
Commercial General Plan Land Use Designation; Exempt from CEQA
Requirements per Article 19, Section 15303, Class 3
5. Consider 532 Encina Avenue; Variance Application VA-22-0066 to Allow
Fencing to Exceed 4-Foot Height Limit within the Front Yard Setback
(Maximum 6-feet Proposed); Applicant/Property Owner Thomas Dowson; R-1-
6 Zoning (Residential Single-Family) District; Low Density Residential General
Plan Designation; Exempt from CEQA Requirements per Article 19, Section
15301, Class 1
ADJOURNMENT
ADJOURNMENT— The general policy of the Zoning Administrator is that the meeting will end no
later than 4:00 p.m. Any public agenda items that have not been completed within the designated
adjournment time may be formally extended by the Administrator, or continued to the next
regularly scheduled Zoning Administrator Meeting, or continued to a Special Meeting.
The Zoning Administrator agenda may be reviewed by the public at the Planning Office, on the
City Clerk’s bulletin board, or on the web at www.monterey.org beginning late Friday afternoon
prior to the date of the meeting.
Members of the public have the right to address the Zoning Administrator on any item on the
Agenda. The Zoning Administrator will formally open the floor for public comment on items listed
under “Public Hearings.”
Information distributed to the Zoning Administrator at the meeting becomes part of the public
record. A copy of written material, pictures, etc. should be provided to the Administrator for this
purpose.
Zoning Administrator
7/21/2022 3:00:00 PM
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Zoning Administrator 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. For more agenda information, call the Planning Office at 831-
646-3885.
CITY OF MONTEREY'S 24-HOUR SUGGESTION HOTLINES:
Voicemail: 831-646-3799
FAX: 831-646-3793
Email: suggest@monterey.org
WebPage: http://www.monterey.org
The City of Monterey is committed to including the disabled 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, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (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. If you require a hearing amplification device to attend a meeting, dial 711 to use
CRS to talk to the City Clerk's Office at (831) 646-3935 to coordinate use of a device.
MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE BY CALLING 646-3885
Zoning Administrator
7/21/2022 3:00:00 PM
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