Monterey County presents strict draft coastal-hazard rules for Moss Landing; public comments due April 30

Monterey County staff on a public meeting in Moss Landing presented a draft set of coastal-hazard regulations intended to implement the Moss Landing Community Plan and to meet certification by the California Coastal Commission. County assistant planner Katie Scarry said the draft regulations and slides are available to the public and "all public comment for the draft climate hazard policies are due by the end of the month, which will be April 30." She provided contact information for comments and for staff follow-up, including management specialist Mike Novo’s phone (831-755-5172) and email (novomcountyofmonterey dot gov).

The presentation, led by senior planner Phil Angelo and management specialist Mike Novo, summarized where the new rules would apply, what kinds of projects would trigger a required coastal-hazard report, and two tiers of technical submittals: a full coastal-hazard report prepared by a qualified engineering geologist or coastal geotechnical engineer, and a shorter screening memorandum for lower-risk properties. Angelo noted the Moss Landing Community Plan originally was adopted in 1982 as a chapter of the North County Land Use Plan and said the draft plan policies focus on locating and designing development "to the maximum extent feasible" to avoid coastal hazards.

Why it matters: County staff said the regulations aim to balance local needs with Coastal Commission certification requirements. Mike Novo described the package as "a strict set of regulations"…