Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - March 12, 2026
Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - March 12, 2026
On March 12, 2026, the Monterey Historic Preservation Commission held a regular meeting. The commission approved the consent calendar, received updates on the Lower Presidio Historic Park, accepted the Certified Local Government (CLG) annual report, and discussed upcoming events. All commissioners were present.
Consent Calendar
- Unanimously approved the minutes from the February 12, 2026 meeting as written.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were made in person or online.
Discussion Items
- Lower Presidio Historic Park Update: Planning Manager Levi Hill presented an overview of the park's history, current lease with the U.S. Army (expiring 2046), and challenges including erosion on the hillside. The Army has secured federal funding to build a retaining wall or soil management system on its property. The city is considering options such as seeking national monument or historic site designation, exploring federal management, or continuing the lease. The commission discussed the importance of public access, volunteer docent programs, and the need for sensitive treatment of archaeological sites. Commissioner questions focused on the Army's future plans, the process for event permits, and the potential for a National Park Service takeover.
- Certified Local Government (CLG) 2024-25 Annual Report: Principal Planner Fernando Boveri presented the annual report required by the State Office of Historic Preservation. Highlights included a fully staffed commission with good attendance, three major projects reviewed (1078 West Franklin, La Aida Cafe, and Hellam House), and commissioners exceeding the required one hour of training. Commissioner Corvello requested a correction to add his M.A. in history to the commission membership list. The commission voted to accept the report with the suggested change.
- Planning Update: Staff reported that no items are currently scheduled for the April 9 meeting, but that could change. Upcoming events were noted, including the Neurodiversity and Disabilities Awareness Month art show, Monterey Parts Cutting Day, and the Rhythms and Resistance concert.
Key Outcomes
- Vote: Unanimously approved the consent calendar (minutes).
- Vote: Unanimously accepted the CLG annual report with the correction to Commissioner Corvello's credentials.
- No action: The Lower Presidio Historic Park update and planning update were informational only.
- Next steps: Staff will continue to work with the Army on erosion mitigation and pursue federal legislation for a special resource study. The commission will be notified if any new items appear on the April agenda.
Meeting Transcript
Present. Spencer, can I uh trouble you uh for a roll call? Pardon me. Commissioner Collin? Commissioner O'Neill. Here. Vice Chair Barlow. Here. Chair Rodriguez. Here. Commissioner Rath. Here. Commissioner Paisel? Here. Commissioner Smith Corvello. That is no absences. Um planning staff present today are planning manager Levi Hill, Principal Planner Fernando Boveri, and myself recording Secretary Spencer Argentwright. 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. If you are connected on Zoom, the timer is accurate. And the channel in the chamber, we recommend keeping phones and devices needed to prevent audio interference at the meeting. Thank you for participating in your city government. Thank you very much. Spencer, um, I'm going to open up the consent agenda. We're gonna we only have one item, which are the approval of minutes item number two, February twelfth, twenty twenty-six. Uh I see a member of city staff who is also a member of the public and a many public member besides, but I see not no one wants to participate in person. Spencer, is there anybody uh online that wants to participate? Uh, there are currently no attendees online. All right, perfect. So we're gonna take it back to the commissioners. Did uh is anybody want to make a motion or have a comment regarding the minutes of last meeting? I'll move to approve the minutes as written. We have perfect. We have a uh motion and a second. All those in f Sorry, you have a question, Spencer? No, okay, sorry about that. Uh all right, we have a uh motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? I wasn't there, but I think I could still vote on the meeting. So I think you can. So you're still in aye? Sure. Perfect. All right. So we're going to end the consent agenda and we're going to open it up for general public comments. Here present. I don't see any hands raised or anybody approaching uh to speak.
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