Planning Commission allows larger Ryan Ranch monument sign after split vote

The Monterey Planning Commission voted to approve a freestanding monument sign at 31 Upper Ragsdale Drive that exceeds the planning division’s 50‑square‑foot guideline for individual vehicle‑oriented signs. The motion to approve without staff’s recommended size reduction carried by a 4‑vote majority.

Senior associate planner Matthew Bugert told the commission the application proposed a 78.22‑square‑foot monument structure and that staff recommended resizing it to 50 square feet to conform with the sign ordinance, while noting the code grants the commission discretion for unique site circumstances. The applicant, identifying himself as Matt and representing the property owner Monterey Office Group LLC, said the actual face panels total about 32 square feet and argued the larger structural form is needed for tenant wayfinding in a vehicle‑oriented office park setting.

Commission discussion centered on context and precedent: some commissioners said Ryan Ranch is vehicle‑oriented and that larger signs are necessary for visibility, while others warned approving an oversized sign could set a precedent and pointed to alternative approaches — such as multiple 50‑square‑foot monuments or more building‑mounted tenant signage. Staff noted other oversized signs exist in the city but recommended caution to avoid proliferation of nonconforming signage.

After discussion the commission approved the applicant’s request to retain the larger monument structure; the motion carried with a split roll call and one recorded “no” vote. The decision is appealable to the City Council within 10 days.