Monterey Architectural Review Committee Meeting - May 21, 2025
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Monterey Architectural Review Committee Meeting - May 21, 2025
The Architectural Review Committee (ARC) met on May 21, 2025, to consider several items including window replacements, sign permits, an accessory dwelling unit proposal, and a balcony expansion. The meeting was held in the City Council chamber and via Zoom. The committee reordered the agenda to address items efficiently.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Bob Jansen, a neighbor on Watson Street, expressed concerns about the proposed ADUs at 384 Larkin Street, stating they would block 90% of his view and create privacy and noise issues. He suggested a flat roof design to mitigate impacts.
- Molly Erickson, representing client Carol Erickson, argued that the ADU project at 384 Larkin Street is inconsistent with the Old Town Neighborhood Area Plan, citing the open carports, cantilevered second story, and other design elements. She urged the committee to require modifications.
- The property owner of 1099 Del Monte Avenue spoke in support of the sign permit, stating the existing sign is entirely on private property and that lowering it to eight feet with a solid base would create a safety hazard for pedestrians and cyclists exiting the driveway.
Discussion Items
487 Foam Street – Window Replacement
- The applicant proposed color repair and replacement of up to 59 exterior sliding glass balcony doors and windows, changing the color from red/orange to dark bronze. Staff recommended approval, finding the project appropriate and consistent with guidelines. The committee unanimously approved the architectural review permit (ARP 240168).
2102 North Fremont Street – Sign Permit
- The applicant requested a freestanding sign and wall signs for the El Castel Motel. Staff recommended approval with a condition to remove sign number four, as it would detract from architectural features. The committee approved the sign permit (SI240226) with the condition and standard conditions.
384 Larkin Street – Two ADUs Over Carport
- The applicant sought an architectural review permit for two second-story accessory dwelling units above a carport, requiring a height exception (proposed height 23 feet 10 inches; maximum allowed 18 feet, up to 20 feet with matching roof pitch). Staff recommended approval with conditions, including matching siding color.
- Public comments: Bob Jansen and Molly Erickson raised concerns about view impairment, privacy, and consistency with the Old Town plan. The applicant’s architect, Paul Davis, offered to lower the structure by 12 to 18 inches to improve views.
- The committee discussed lowering the roof ridge by 12 inches while maintaining the roof pitch, to mitigate visual impacts. The applicant agreed. The committee voted 4-0 to approve the permit (ARP 230048) with conditions: lower the roof ridge by a minimum of 12 inches, match siding color to the primary dwelling, and standard conditions.
1099 Del Monte Avenue – Sign Face Replacement
- The applicant requested replacement of sign faces on an existing non-conforming pole-mounted sign. Staff recommended denial because the sign does not meet current sign guidelines (height 11.8 feet, visible poles, no full-width base) and its location may be in the city right-of-way; a survey was not provided. The property owner argued safety concerns if the sign is lowered.
- The committee discussed the need for a survey to determine the sign’s location relative to the right-of-way and a traffic engineering review of safety impacts. The committee voted to continue the item to a future date pending receipt of a survey and traffic review.
104 Tide Avenue – Balcony Expansion
- The applicant requested a permit amendment for a side-yard setback variation to expand a second-story balcony that had already been constructed beyond the approved permit. The variation was minimal (0.2 feet). Staff recommended approval, noting no neighbor objections and minimal privacy impacts. The committee approved the permit amendment (PA 250033).
Key Outcomes
- 487 Foam Street: Approved (ARP 240168).
- 2102 North Fremont Street: Approved (SI240226) with condition to remove sign #4.
- 384 Larkin Street: Approved (ARP 230048) with condition to lower roof ridge by 12 inches and match siding color.
- 1099 Del Monte Avenue: Continued to a future date pending survey and traffic engineering review.
- 104 Tide Avenue: Approved (PA 250033) for setback variation.
All decisions are appealable to the Planning Commission within 10 days. Forms are available online and in the planning office.
Meeting Transcript
Sure, and you can refer to me and I mean move at the speed of business. Yes, sir. No pressure. That would our recording folks. Okay. We'll go ahead and uh call this meeting at the architectural review committee to order. There you go. We'll go ahead and call this meeting of the architectural review committee to order. Uh staff can go ahead and do roll call. Committee member Hunter. Present. Vice Chair Ocevar? Here. Chair Polly? Here. Committee member Palmer? Here. And committee member Sanders? We have committee member Turgeon absent. Uh staff present today is Planning Manager Hill, Principal Planner O'Vary, Principal Planner Sabdo, Senior Associate Planner Buggert, and myself recording Secretary Arganwright. Information on participating in this meeting and providing public comment, including remotely by Zoom or telephone, is on this meeting's agenda, which is online at monterey.gov forward slash agendas. Remote commenters will be muted until it is their turn to speak, and a timer will be shown on the screen. If you are connected on Zoom, the timer is accurate with no delay. In the chamber, we recommend keeping phones and devices muted to prevent audio interference with the meeting. Thank you for participating in your city government. All right. All those opposed. And there are no hands raised online. So that will conclude the general public comments, and we will move on to our first public appearance, which is item number three, consider ten ninety-nine Del Monte Avenue sign permit. Did you want to reorder it? Oh, this is the wrong sign permit application. Um I'd like to, we have two um simple items on the agenda of a fairly long agenda, and I believe these ones we could go through pretty quickly. So I was going to reorder the agenda and move um the four eighty-seven film street to number one, which is the window replacement at the hotel. And then for number two, we will consider the 2102 North Fremont Street sign permit application. Sure. Uh I suggest that we also move up three stream item agenda. I think agenda number six. So where would we uh perhaps I had sign and after 487 foam street? So five to six will become first two items. 384 Larkin is a uh many many public speakers on 384 Larkin, I believe. So I would I was thinking having it sooner would allow for more time in case things get bumped tonight. Okay. I personally won't be able to stay past 650. I got you. I got you. Okay, so what we'll do is we'll have our first two, as I mentioned, and then the third item on the agenda will be 384 Larkin. And then from there we'll go in order with the remaining three. Yeah, so just for clarification for those who maybe uh in the audience or viewing at home. I just want to make sure we get this right. So we're gonna be hearing uh the item number five, 487 foam street first, and then we'll be considering item number seven, 2102 North Fremont Street, second, and then item number six, 384 Larkin Street, third.
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