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Commission approves Salinas hillside house with reduced slope disturbance and removal of protected oaks
Summary
The Monterey County Planning Commission approved construction of a 3,477-square-foot house on San Venancio Road after the applicant reduced disturbance on slopes over 25% and revised exterior colors; the permit includes a use permit to remove 10 protected oak trees.
The Monterey County Planning Commission on Aug. 13 approved a combined development permit for a two-story house at 103A San Venancio Road in Salinas, after the applicant reduced site disturbance and modified exterior materials to better match the rural neighborhood.
County planner Joe Salmita told commissioners the applicant reduced proposed site coverage from about 4,186 square feet to 3,140 square feet and reduced total ground disturbance from about 12,900 square feet to 11,900 square feet. As a result, the area of development located on slopes steeper than 25% was reduced; county staff concluded the project remains consistent with the Toro Area Plan’s hillside-preservation policies.
The revised project proposes a 3,477-square-foot residence with a 606-square-foot garage, a 369-square-foot deck and associated site improvements, a 320-square-foot driveway and the removal of 10 protected oak trees. Staff stated the project complies with a prepared fuel-management plan and California Public Resources Code §4291, which governs fuel reduction and vegetation management within 100 feet of structures.
Why it matters: The commission’s action allows a large residence to move forward on a property largely composed of steep slopes. Commissioners had previously continued the item to permit design changes to reduce slope impacts and to revise exterior colors per the recommendation of the Toro Land Use Advisory Committee.
Discussion and votes: The applicant’s civil/structural engineer, Jack Camp, told the commission the parcel lacks a gently sloped meadow and that the revised design incorporated commission suggestions to reduce hillside alteration. Commissioner Roberts moved to support staff’s recommendation; Commissioner Mendoza seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Next steps: The county will continue to process building permits; implementation of the fuel management plan and tree-removal mitigation will be reviewed during permitting and inspections.
