Monteray Planning Commission Meeting - December 23, 2025
Monterey Planning Commission Meeting - December 23, 2025
The Monterey Planning Commission convened on December 23, 2025, with a quorum present (Chair Silva, Commissioners Freeman, Polly, and Stoker; Vice Chair Latasa, Commissioner Bluth, and Commissioner Palmer were absent). The meeting focused on routine consent calendar approvals, the first-ever architectural review involving a reasonable accommodation request for a residential elevator, and staff updates regarding the recent dissolution of the Architectural Review Committee (ARC).
Consent Calendar
- Approved the minutes from the October 28, 2025, meeting (Item 2) by unanimous vote.
- Approved the minutes from the November 25, 2025, meeting (Item 3) by unanimous vote.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the Chamber or remote viewers submitted public comments or testimony during the public comment period or regarding the specific project item.
Discussion Items
- 720 Terry Street (ARP 250247): Staff presented an application for a reasonable accommodation request and architectural review permit to install a residential elevator at an existing single-family dwelling. The project aims to address documented mobility impairments of the owners by adding a 30-square-foot elevator footprint.
- Staff Position: Senior Planner Chris Schmidt recommended approval, noting the project complies with state and federal fair housing laws. Staff found that while the project exceeds side yard setback, floor area ratio, and story limit standards, it meets the criteria for a reasonable accommodation without imposing undue burden or changing the single-family use.
- Applicant Position: Architect Eden Asturi confirmed the elevator addition remains within the existing roof overhang footprint and does not visually alter the setback line.
- Commissioner Position: Commissioner Abbott questioned the frequency of using the reasonable accommodation code (Section 3830), confirming with staff that it is rarely utilized (only one or two instances in recent years) and clarifies that it supersedes the need for a variance. The Commissioner noted this approval serves as a potential precedent for homeowners wishing to age in place.
- Commissioner Stoker: Expressed that the project is intriguing and serves as a neat example of accommodating residents in their homes via elevator.
Key Outcomes
- Motion to Approve: Commissioner Stoker moved to approve the 720 Terry Street application with the findings in the staff report; seconded by Commissioner Polly.
- Vote Result: The motion carried with a 4-0 vote (Chair Silva, Commissioners Freeman, Polly, and Stoker all voted in favor).
- Administrative Updates:
- Confirmed the dissolution of the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) following a December 16 City Council ordinance, transferring its duties to the Planning Commission.
- The elevator review proceeded directly to the Planning Commission as a result of this transfer, where it would previously have gone to the ARC.
- Tentative agenda for January 13, 2025, will feature a six-month check-in for 456 Lighthouse Avenue.
- The City Attorney will present a Brown Act update at the January 20, 2025, City Council meeting.
- Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned with holiday wishes for the commissioners and staff.
Meeting Transcript
Progress. Erika, would you uh do a roll call and um introduce staff and um provide members of the public the uh instructions for calling it? I think I can manage that today. Um, I'd like to announce the commissioners that will be absent, and we have our uh vice chair Latasa that will be absent, Commissioner Bluth is absent, Commissioner Palmer is also absent. So today we have Chair Silva. Here, Commissioner Freeman. Commissioner Polly. And Commissioner Stoker. And our staff members in attendance are Principal Planner Fernando Riveri, Senior Associate Planner Chris Schmidt, and myself, recording secretary Erica Brera. Information on participating in this meeting and participating in this meeting and providing public comment, including remotely by Zoom or telephone, is on this meeting's agenda, which is online at monary.gov forward slash agendas. Remote commenters will be muted until it's their turn to speak, and a timer will be shown on the screen. If you're 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. Thank you, Erica. Um let's start with the consent agenda. I would like to split this into two different motions. If anyone in the public wishes to speak before the commission regarding an item on the consent agenda, you may do so. Seeing nobody, are there any hands raised? There are no hands raised. We'll take this back to the commission comments. Well, I did watch the minutes from the previous meeting that we couldn't approve last time. I don't know if enough people did, but if so, I'd like to approve item number two on consent. And did you say I could you want to take that separately? Let's do that first. Okay. Motion. Motion to approve item number two, the October 28th, 2025. Well called then. Chair Silva. Yes. Commissioner Freeman. Yeah. Commissioner Pauly. Yes. Commissioner Stoker. Yes. Great. Those minutes have been approved. Item three, uh, November 25th. I'd like to make a motion to approve the November 25th minutes. Second. Well called. Chair Silva. Yes. Commissioner Freeman. Yes. Commissioner Polly. Yes. Commissioner Stoker.
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