Planning Commission approves Pebble Beach single‑story house with conditions after tree‑removal debate

The Monterey County Planning Commission on Jan. 29 approved a design approval and use permit for a one‑story single‑family dwelling proposed at 1187 Lookout Road in Pebble Beach, approving the project with revised construction management and tree‑protection conditions.

County planner Marlena Garcia told the commission the applicant seeks a design approval for a single‑story residence with a basement‑level three‑car garage and a use permit to remove six coast live oaks and nine Monterey pines; two of the trees meet the county's landmark size threshold. Garcia said staff recommends the commission find the project categorically exempt under CEQA Guideline section 15303 and approve the permits based on the findings and evidence in the staff report.

The commission's deliberations focused on construction staging, parking, haul routes and protection of nearby trees. Commissioners pressed staff and the applicant's agent about whether materials and contractor parking would be confined to the property and asked for clear, enforceable language requiring staging and storage on site where feasible, plus…