Planning Commission backs map amendment to shift home site at Santa Lucia Preserve to protect oaks

The Monterey County Planning Commission on Feb. 26 recommended that the Board of Supervisors approve a final map amendment and combined development permit allowing a new single-family residence at Lot 38 of the Santa Lucia Preserve, with a reconfigured 1.4-acre home boundary intended to avoid removal of protected oak trees.

Staff said the boundary shift would move the home site from a forested location to an open meadow and save 31 protected oak trees, including 15 landmark oaks, while protecting raptor habitat and other sensitive resources. "Moving the building envelope into the Ruderal Grasslands to the east as has been described will not negatively impact any sensitive natural resources," said Jamieson Watts, executive director of the Santa Lucia Conservancy, which reviewed and supports the conservation-easement swap required for the change.

The project presented by County planner Fiona Johnson and agent Joel Panzer would reconfigure Lot 38's recorded Phase A home boundary and place the former portion into an amended conservation easement. The proposal also includes a 5,441-square-foot single-family dwelling, an 889-square-foot garage and associated site improvements; staff said cut-and-fill for the site is limited and that the development would comply with Title 21 standards and the Santa Lucia Preserve comprehensive development plan.

Staff prepared an addendum to the certified 1996 Santa Lucia Preserve environmental impact report and concluded there are "no substantial changes in the project, no substantial changes in the circumstances and no new information of substantial importance" requiring a EIR revision. Joel Panzer, the applicant's representative, told the commission the reconfiguration was proposed "primarily to save trees" and noted fire-safety considerations for siting the home in a meadow that can be maintained. Panzer said the Santa Lucia Preserve Design Review Board had approved siting and materials; Watts said the Conservancy "supports the protection of 31 oak trees as a result of this project, 15 of which are landmark oaks" and that the Conservancy "approves this project and supports it unequivocally."

Commissioner Diehl moved, and Commissioner Shaw seconded, that the commission recommend the Board of Supervisors consider the CEQA addendum together with the certified EIR and approve the final map amendment and combined development permit as presented. The motion passed during the hearing without recorded opposition.

The Board of Supervisors is the final hearing body for the proposed final map amendment; the planning commission made a recommendation only. Staff noted that any recorded amendments to conservation easements require Conservancy approval before recording and that the Board would record documents and consider the combined development permit should it approve the map amendment.

Proponents and representatives said the reconfigured home boundary would reduce impacts to oak woodland and preserve the visual character of the preserve while improving defensible space for wildfire safety. No public speaker opposed the map amendment during the hearing.

The planning commission packet and staff presentation identified the project as PLN 240004 and included biological studies, a design review board letter and the applicant's requested edits to draft resolution language. The commission's recommendation sends the amended map, the CEQA addendum and the proposed combined development permit to the Board of Supervisors for final action.