Monterey Historic Preservation Commission Meeting – July 10, 2025

The Historic Preservation Commission met on July 10, 2025, to consider two public hearing items: a permit amendment for a roof deck expansion and alterations to accessory structures at 581 Scott Street, and a Mills Act contract and historic zoning application for 817 Martin Street. The commission also approved the consent calendar and continued the annual vice chair appointment. Commissioners expressed concerns about scope creep, privacy impacts, and historic compatibility, leading to a continuance for the first item and approval with conditions for the second.

Consent Calendar

• The minutes of the previous meeting were unanimously approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• 581 Scott Street:
  • Elizabeth Atkinson (neighbor, 236 Larkin Street) opposed the skylights on the tobacco barn, stating they would destroy its historic character, and questioned the safety of a spiral stairwell as an egress.
  • Sandra Carnazzo (neighbor, 218 Larkin Street) expressed concerns about privacy and noise from the proposed rooftop deck, fearing it would overlook her property.
  • John Bailey (representing neighbor at 211 Larkin) argued the deck expansion would further intrude on his clients’ privacy, noted the project represented “scope creep” from a previous Mills Act approval, and raised an unaddressed environmental issue regarding a sewer lateral on the site.
• 817 Martin Street:
  • No public comments were received.
• No online attendees commented on any item.

Discussion Items

• 581 Scott Street – Historic Permit Amendment (Deck Expansion) and Alterations to Garage & Tobacco Barn:

  • Planning Manager Chris Schmidt presented the staff recommendation to approve a 68-square-foot expansion of an already-approved roof deck and restoration of the tobacco barn and garage, including new foundations, roof framing, skylights, and repairs. The property is the historically designated Hellam House.
  • The project architect explained that the deck expansion was a later aesthetic decision—to avoid a membrane roof—and that the existing roof framing made the extension simple. He argued the expansion is not visible from public views and does not increase occupancy.
  • Commissioners questioned the scope creep (the deck was not part of the original approval), privacy impacts on neighbors, the appropriateness of skylights on the historic barn, and the lack of a landscape plan. Several commissioners noted they could not visualize the impacts from plans alone and requested a field trip.
  • After public comment, the commission voted unanimously to continue the item to a date uncertain to allow a site visit when construction conditions permit.

• 817 Martin Street – Mills Act Contract and H2 Historic Zoning:

  • Principal Planner Fernando Roveri presented the staff recommendation to approve the Mills Act contract and rezone the property to H2 (local historic overlay). The property qualifies under Criterion 2 (association with significant persons—the Bruggier, Macaulay, Snook, and Powers families) and Criterion 3 (collectic architecture reflecting vernacular and Monterey Colonial elements).
  • The historian (Kent Seavey) provided detailed background on the families and their contributions to Monterey.
  • The applicant, Gregory Bernard, spoke about his family’s stewardship and the discoveries made during renovation, including original flooring and fixtures.
  • Commissioners praised the historical research and supported the application. Commissioner Barlow suggested revising the maintenance schedule to remove items not directly historic (e.g., fencing, driveway, tree trimming) to be consistent with past practice. Staff noted that such items could be retained if they are part of the historic environment.
  • The commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the H2 zoning and Mills Act contract to the Planning Commission and City Council, with a condition that the applicant work with planning staff to refine the maintenance schedule.

• Annual Vice Chair Appointment:

  • The item was continued to the next regular meeting because Commissioner Juan Rodriguez (the nominee) was absent. The motion to continue passed unanimously.

• Planning Update:

  • Staff noted that no items are currently scheduled for the August 14, 2025 meeting, so it will likely be cancelled. The continued item for 581 Scott Street will be scheduled once a field trip can be arranged. Upcoming historic and cultural events were announced.

Key Outcomes

• Consent calendar: Approved unanimously.
• 581 Scott Street: Continued to a date uncertain for a field trip; no action taken.
• 817 Martin Street: Motion passed (7–0) to recommend approval of H2 zoning and a Mills Act contract, with a condition to revise the maintenance schedule.
• Vice Chair Appointment: Continued to the next regular meeting.