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Planning commission approves rehabilitation of Oak Court Commercial Block downtown
Summary
Commission approved design review and use permits for rehabilitation of the Oak Court Commercial Block, allowing conversion of restaurant space to retail and one additional residential unit, with historic‑board findings and standard conditions.
The Carmel-by-the-Sea Planning Commission on Aug. 13 approved a design review and associated use permits for a multi‑building rehabilitation at the Oak Court Commercial Block on Lincoln Street, clearing the way for new retail spaces and one additional apartment within an historic downtown block.
Staff described the project as rehabilitation and site improvements for three connected buildings — two historically significant Colonial Revival buildings facing Lincoln Street and a later 1973 rear building — with no increase in building height or total floor area.
Planner Catherine (staff) told the commission the Historic Resources Board reviewed the project and found it consistent with secretary‑of‑the‑interior standards, with multiple conditions incorporated into the plans. “The project does not include any increase in floor area. It does not include any increase in building height for any of the buildings,” she said during the staff presentation.
Project highlights include converting the former restaurant in Building A into two retail units plus a new apartment accessed from the inter‑block walkway, adding an ADA restroom to Building B, and converting ground‑floor offices to apartments in Building C with reconstructed individual balconies.
Because the site is in the Downtown Conservation District and the historic inventory, the application required planning commission review. Staff reported that parking requirements do not increase with the proposed changes and that the project met municipal findings for both residential and retail use permits.
Commissioners praised the scope and conservatism of the work, noting the buildings’ deteriorated condition and the benefits of restoring active retail frontage and rehabilitating the rear apartments. Commissioner Kerpakoff called the proposal “very conservative” and said the buildings “definitely need a remodel.”
Commissioner Alber (role listed in roll call) moved to approve design review DR24087 and use permit UP25188, and the commission voted in favor in a roll‑call vote: Commissioner Albon — yes; Commissioner Allen — yes; Commissioner Cara Petcoff — yes; Commissioner Lott — yes; Chair LePage — yes.
The approval includes standard conditions (historic‑board recommended fixes, accessibility improvements, and building‑permit reviews). Staff also recommended and the commission accepted CEQA Class 3 exemptions for the rehabilitation work.
The applicant, represented at the hearing, said brick stairs and worn site paving would be replaced and landscaping improved. The project requires subsequent building permits and potential building‑division and fire‑safety reviews before construction begins.
Speakers at the hearing included planning staff, the project manager Joseph Nafto, members of the Historic Resources Board process and several commissioners.
