Commission approves large Carmel Valley house and limited tree removals despite packet discrepancy

On Nov. 12 the Monterey County Planning Commission approved a combined development permit for a proposed single‑family residence at 577 Holland Road (PLN 0240352) that includes construction of a multi‑level house and removal of 19 protected trees, staff reported.

Staff presenter McKenna Bowling summarized that the project proposes a 6,796 sq ft dwelling including a large garage and associated site improvements and removal of 19 protected trees (12 coast live oaks and seven Monterey pines). Staff recommended a CEQA categorical exemption pursuant to Guidelines §15303 and included conditions requiring replacement planting—13 Monterey pines and 12 coast live oaks in 5‑gallon containers—and a one‑year monitoring period for replanted trees.

Commissioner Diehl flagged a discrepancy in the staff packet that listed a different square footage for another project; staff confirmed the correct house size for this file in the record and the hearing proceeded. Designer Darren Davis described the design (Spanish/California revival) and said the house footprint and site constraints informed tree removals; Davis estimated the habitable area at roughly 5,400 sq ft and said lot tree counts exceed 150 in total but the arborist inventory identified about 50 on the immediate lot.

Commissioner Diehl moved to approve staff’s recommendation, with the deletion of duplicate conditions and revisions to condition numbering; Commissioner Mosabe seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

Next steps: the applicant must comply with tree‑replacement and monitoring conditions prior to work, and obtain building permits.