Supervisors approve redesigned Signal Hill home within Connell footprint with conditions after months-long dispute

The Monterey County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 26 approved a redesigned single-family dwelling for PLN 240077 (Signal Hill Road, Pebble Beach) after months of appeals and public controversy over the earlier demolition of the Connell House, a modernist structure. The boardin a 4-0-1 vote with Chair Lopez abstainingaccepted staffand applicant-proposed revisions that county staff said bring the proposed house within the previously developed footprint and preserve the reduced-height design required under Alternative 6 of the projectenvironmental review.

Why it matters: The site has been the focus of intense community debate. Appellants argued the redesign remained larger and taller than the historic house the county had authorized for demolition; the applicant and county staff said the new design meets the board's prior direction to keep the replacement within the original footprint and below the ridgeline.

What the board approved: Planning staff presented a modified design that removed previously contested elementsincluding about 780 square feet of coverage by removing development in a previous patio area and an exterior stair; it also reduced the garage to two cars and…