Commission hears staff briefing on moratorium option for Big Sur visitor‑serving units; commissioners ask for more data

Monterey County planning staff presented options Jan. 29 for an interim ordinance to temporarily prohibit new visitor‑serving units (VSUs) in the Big Sur Coast planning area, but commissioners expressed reservations about whether the high legal threshold for a moratorium is met and asked that staff continue collecting and evaluating data while the land use plan update proceeds.

Assistant planner Katie Scarry and senior planner Taylor Price told the commission the referral (24.07) asks staff to describe the process and findings that would be required to consider a moratorium. Staff summarized that Government Code section 65858 permits a jurisdiction to adopt an interim ordinance without the usual zoning procedures if the legislative body finds there is a "current and immediate" threat to public health, safety or welfare and finds an interim ordinance would prevent that threat. Staff said an interim ordinance would take effect immediately but requires a four‑fifths vote of the Board…