Monterey County staff seek direction on 2025–26 long‑range work program after housing element, pipeline update

Monterey County planning staff presented the county’s 2024 annual progress reports for the general plan and the 2024–31 housing element at the April 9 planning commission meeting, reviewed accomplishments from the prior year, summarized an updated housing pipeline for the unincorporated county and asked commissioners to provide direction on priorities for the 2025–26 long‑range planning work program.

Melanie Barretti, chief of planning, said the county completed 28 work‑program tasks in the prior year, including acceptance of the Salinas Valley Zone 2C groundwater basin investigation and finalization of certain East Garrison amendments. Staff emphasized the housing element and rezoning implementation, permit‑process streamlining, and several community plans (Castroville, Moss Landing, Chualar/Pajaro) as major ongoing efforts.

Housing pipeline and affordability shortfalls

Darby Marshall, the county’s housing program manager, reported that the county saw 89 low‑income units and 92 above‑moderate units permitted in the reporting year and that most permitted production consisted of single‑family detached homes. She said employer‑sponsored multifamily housing (H‑2A/employer‑sponsored units) accounted for the new multifamily production in unincorporated areas. ADU production was also noted, with a large share of detached or junior ADUs in Castroville likely intended for rental use.

Staff briefed commissioners on the pipeline of approved…