Historic Preservation Commission Adopts Preservation Report for Pacific Biological Laboratories (Feb 12, 2026)
Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - February 12, 2026
The Historic Preservation Commission of Monterey met on February 12, 2026 at 4:01 PM and adjourned at 4:44 PM. The main agenda item was the consideration and adoption of a historic preservation report for the Pacific Biological Laboratories (PBL) at 800 Canary Row. The commission also approved the minutes of a previous meeting and received a planning update.
Consent Calendar
- The commission opened public comment on the consent agenda; none were offered.
- Commissioner Collum moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Commissioner O'Neill. The motion passed unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were made, either in person or online, for any agenda item.
Discussion Items
- Consideration of HP 250268 – Historic Preservation Report for Pacific Biological Laboratories
- Principal Planner Fernanda Roveri presented staff’s recommendation to adopt the historic preservation report, which integrates a 2010 report, a 2019 accessibility study, a 2025 update, and a standards compliance memo. The report is required before any alterations to the H1-zoned, National Register-listed site.
- The report focuses on providing an accessible path of travel via a new platform lift and stairs on the property’s south side (coastal access easement), preserving the original front facade. Option A (cost $1,847,839 present value) uses the easement; Option B ($2,015,078) involves more interior modifications. Staff recommended Option A.
- Library and Museums Director Brian Edwards explained the benefits of Option A: it avoids disturbing the historic front living room, enhances emergency egress, and allows interpretive tours to start at the rear (the lab area) rather than the front (which reflects a later men’s club era). He noted that the site hosts monthly free tours and private group tours.
- Commissioners asked clarifying questions about terminology (e.g., “present value” in cost estimates) and requested that the report better define terms and improve schematic labeling (east/west orientation). They also noted a typographical error (“fight” instead of “flight”) on page 39 of the report.
- Commissioner O'Neill moved to adopt the historic preservation report subject to corrections: clearer definitions of terms (e.g., ESC escalation), improved directional labels on schematics, and correction of the typo. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Vote: The commission unanimously adopted the historic preservation report for Pacific Biological Laboratories, with the condition that staff incorporate the specified editorial corrections before finalizing the resolution.
- Next Steps: The city anticipates funding from the Western Flyer Foundation for design and construction of accessibility upgrades. Detailed drawings and a full standards compliance analysis will be prepared; the project will return to the HPC for a historic permit approval.
- Planning Update: Staff noted the March 12 HPC meeting will include the Certified Local Government (CLG) annual report. Upcoming events: PBL tours on February 14 and the 21st annual Chocolate & Wine Fundraiser on February 21.
Meeting Transcript
How do we give us a hug Okay. It is four oh one, and we're calling to order the uh meeting of February twelfth of the Historic Preservation Commission. Um I want to acknowledge the staff that is present. Thank you. Uh, from from the city. Um, can I trouble you, Spencer, to help me with a roll call. No trouble at all. Thank you. Commissioner Collum. Here. Commissioner O'Neill. Here. Chair Rodriguez. Commissioner Rath. Commissioner Pizza. Here. And Commissioner Smith Corvello. Thank you. Uh Commissioner, rather, Vice Chair Barlow is currently absent. Staff present today are Planning Manager Hill, Principal Planner Rovari, and myself recording Secretary Argentbright. Information on participating in this meeting in providing public comment, including it 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. Thank you for participating in uh your city government. Um, I'll entertain a motion to see if anybody wants to move to approve. We need to check for public comments first. Oh, sorry. Uh see. Uh I'll open it up to public comments uh to discuss issues that are not on the agenda. Um, no, we'll be for the opening up for public comment for the consent agenda. Your lord, okay. I'm sorry. Uh okay. Today I rushed, no excuse, just an explanation. I'm getting in commissioner mode. All right. Let's let's do that again. Um, we're going to open it up for comments on uh issues that relate to the consent agenda. Um, is there anybody online, Spencer, that would want to comment on any of the consent items? Uh there are currently no attendees online. I don't see any hands raised or any eye contact. Well, uh I do, but not that they okay, perfect. All right. So we're gonna close uh public comment on the consent agenda. We move we're moving now to the approval of minutes. Um, did everybody have an opportunity to look at the minutes? Yes. Uh previously, Commissioner Collum made a motion to approve the minutes. All right. Any comments from the commissioners?
openpublica.com