Pacific Grove City Council Regular Meeting - October 1, 2025

The Pacific Grove City Council met on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 6:01 PM at 300 Forest Avenue. Mayor Nick Smith presided, with all council members present except Councilmember Garfield. The meeting covered a proclamation for Women's Small Business Month, consent calendar, building code updates, an encroachment permit for sidewalk dining, a recreation needs assessment, and a proposed drone ordinance to protect wildlife. Several decisions were made, including directing staff to draft a drone ordinance and authorizing a bulb-out project for Hops and Fog Brewing Company.

Presentations

• Mayor Smith read a proclamation declaring October 2025 as National Women's Small Business Month, highlighting the history of women-owned businesses. Women business owners from Artisana Gallery, The Quill, Bookworks, Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce, Whimsy, Bookmark Music (31st birthday), and The French Baker spoke.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved unanimously with no items pulled.

Council and Staff Announcements

• City attorney reported no reportable action from closed session.
• Councilmember Rao announced approved district maps available on the Monterey County elections website.
• Councilmember McDonnell noted Pacific Grove was ranked #10 in HGTV's top 40 most charming small towns in the U.S. and the first in California.
• Staff announced: the Central Fountain and Grand project is underway (expected completion by Thanksgiving), slurry seal project on October 14-16, preschool open house on October 8, and the application window for storefront retail commercial cannabis business license closes on October 15.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Genie Anton and Mark Trevale (Heritage Society) promoted butterfly day events, including historic walks, a birdhouse auction, and a ticketed event at the lighthouse.
• Inga Lawrence praised the HGTV article and emphasized the importance of preserving historic districts.
• Regarding the drone ordinance, multiple speakers expressed strong support. A black oyster catcher monitor with 11 years of experience described recreational drones as unmanageable and urged a ban. A harbor seal monitor of 15 years witnessed escalating disturbances and recommended clear signage. Other residents cited impacts on wildlife including seals, birds, and deer, and requested enforcement.

Discussion Items

• Item 11a: Ordinance Adopting 2025 Building Codes – Chief Building Official John Keel presented the updated codes, noting fewer amendments and a new urban wildland interface code. Council discussed a finding about rocky shorelines and directed staff to correct language on second reading. The ordinance was introduced and passed unanimously.
• Item 11b: Hops and Fog Brewing Company Encroachment Permit – Public Works Director Dan Go presented a bulb-out design for sidewalk dining, which would replace one parking space. The applicant funded the project. Council discussed insurance, engineering (city-performed), and consistency with sidewalk dining guidelines. Public comment raised concerns about process and fairness. The council approved the permit unanimously.
• Item 13b: Recreation Board's Needs Assessment – Mayor Pro Tem Emilio recommended using the 2018 survey rather than hiring a consultant. Staff indicated 20 hours might be insufficient for a full update. Council consensus was not to proceed with a new survey at this time, but staff will work with the recreation board to identify specific gaps from the 2018 survey.
• Item 13c: Proposal to Draft Ordinance Regulating Drones – Councilmember McDonnell presented a detailed proposal to ban recreational drones and permit research/commercial flights with wildlife education. She noted that Pacific Grove is the only area between Santa Cruz and San Simeon without restrictions. Council discussed enforcement challenges, FAA preemption, and potential technology. After public support, a motion was made and seconded to direct staff to bring back a legal analysis and a draft ordinance for first reading, including penalties. The motion passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous approval of the consent agenda.
• Unanimous introduction and first reading of the 2025 building code ordinance (with a direction to correct a finding).
• Unanimous authorization to issue an encroachment permit to Hops and Fog Brewing Company for a sidewalk bulb-out.
• No action on the recreation needs assessment; staff will engage with the recreation board on gaps.
• Unanimous direction to staff to return with a legal analysis and draft ordinance regulating drones, including a ban on recreational flights and enforcement provisions.
• Meeting adjourned in honor of Shelton Verden.