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Planning Commission backs corrections, housing rezones and targeted special‑treatment areas
Summary
The commission recommended that the Board of Supervisors approve four general‑plan amendments: cleanup rezones in South County, a Carmel Valley rezone to enable inclusionary housing, a time‑limited special‑treatment pilot for outdoor cannabis at Cummings Ranch, and a special‑treatment area recognizing historic commercial uses at Highway 68.
At its Feb. 25 meeting the Monterey County Planning Commission voted to recommend four general‑plan amendments to the Board of Supervisors.
South County cleanup: Staff described an apparent map/implementation inconsistency affecting four 5‑acre parcels near Lockwood. While private covenants describe the lots for residential and agricultural use, the parcels remained zoned light commercial under the 2010 plan; staff concluded this appeared to be an error and recommended rezoning to low‑density residential so owners can develop single‑family homes without having to provide an equal amount of commercial square footage. The commission voted to recommend the change to the Board.
Carmel Valley inclusionary housing: At the request of the subdivision applicant for the September Ranch project, staff proposed redesignating a 4.47‑acre parcel from low‑density to high‑density residential so the developer could build 22 inclusionary units required under earlier approvals. Staff said the change was needed to meet conditions of approval; the commission recommended the amendment to the Board.
Central Salinas Valley pilot special treatment (Cummings Ranch): An owner asked to add a special‑treatment area allowing up to roughly 20,000 sq ft of outdoor cannabis canopy for a single 120‑acre parcel. Staff said the property met pilot requirements except that the Central Salinas Valley had been excluded from an earlier outdoor‑cultivation pilot because of pesticide‑drift concerns; staff recommended a narrowly written special‑treatment policy requiring operator notification to neighboring agricultural operations, best‑management practices, and provision of state testing results to county staff on request to evaluate compatibility. Commissioners requested the recommendation include clearer public‑benefit language and a time‑limited approach tied to the pilot review cycle; the commission voted to recommend approval with those clarifications and to have staff return with specific resolution language for the supervisors.
Greater Salinas cleanup (Chapin / Granite Rock): Staff proposed a special‑treatment area over three parcels near Highway 68 to formally recognize long‑running commercial activities — aggregate sales, equipment rental, a market and seasonal events — even though the parcels remain designated farmland. Staff and the applicant said the change would "clean up" the plan to acknowledge existing, non‑expanding commercial uses while avoiding a full commercial rezoning that could allow more intensive uses. The commission recommended the amendment to the Board.
What happens next: Each recommendation will be transmitted to the Board of Supervisors for their review. Staff said they will continue outreach with affected local advisory committees before the Board hearings.
Votes at a glance: the commission recorded motions and seconds and approved staff recommendations on all four items during the meeting.
