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Commission approves Monterey Park tentative map with traffic-calming condition
Summary
The planning commission approved Tentative Map 24-02 to subdivide a parcel into 11 lots for Monterey Park, conditioning approval on the developer working with the city to implement traffic-calming measures following resident concerns about speed and access.
The Imperial City Planning Commission voted 3-0 to approve Tentative Map 24-02 for the Monterey Park subdivision, authorizing subdivision of the subject parcel into 11 lots and adding 11 homes, with a condition that the developer, Jupiter, work with city staff to implement traffic-calming measures.
Staff reported the request is consistent with a previously certified negative declaration under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and recommended forwarding the project to the airport land use commission for a land-use-compatibility review before City Council consideration. The city attorney reiterated that the airport land use commission provides recommendations on airport compatibility because of the parcel's location within the airport sphere of influence.
Several residents spoke at the public hearing raising traffic and speeding concerns. Resident Omar Savals, who lives at 2015 By Verdi Lane, said, “I'm just here because I'm concerned about the traffic,” and noted the neighborhood has a single primary entrance and pocket parks where children play. Another resident said she did not receive a mailed notice and raised questions about when traffic studies were conducted.
Developers and staff told the commission a traffic study was included in the original environmental review and that the study encompassed the parcel. A developer participating by Zoom said the team deliberately chose a low-impact use — 11 single-family lots — over higher-traffic alternatives such as multiunit apartments or commercial storage. The developer said, “we were very conscious about the impact that the use would have,” and that the chosen layout adds minimal traffic compared with previously analyzed scenarios.
Staff and the developer acknowledged recent resident complaints about speeding and suggested stop-sign placement and other calming measures; staff recommended making traffic calming a condition of approval and determining precise locations after further field review. The developer said it would work with staff on signage and striping and was open to implementing measures near the subdivision's pocket parks.
The commission moved to approve the tentative map with the traffic-calming condition and recorded the vote as 3-0. Staff recommended forwarding the project to the airport land use commission before the item advances to the City Council.
