Monterey commissioners press for recreation‑trail update, discuss housing‑element work and county 11‑story project

During closing remarks at the Planning Commission meeting, several commissioners urged the city to revisit the recreation‑trail plan and pushed staff for earlier scheduling of pending implementation projects tied to the city’s housing element and sea‑level rise work.

Commissioner David said it has been decades since the rec‑trail plan was reviewed and suggested the commission pursue an update to address signage and speed issues. Commissioners also pressed staff on when housing‑element implementation tasks and sea‑level rise vulnerability analysis would come before the commission.

Planning manager Levi Hill said the city’s housing element was adopted and certified in 2024 and that implementation programs are underway across the seven‑year planning cycle. “We have identified about five to six housing element implementation programs that are being worked on by staff now,” Hill said, adding that staff expects items the commission must review to appear in the summer. He also said a draft sea‑level‑rise vulnerability report is in final stages and planned to be presented to the commission before public release.

Commissioners raised a separate concern about a nearby county project described in local media as an 11‑story housing proposal. Hill said the City Council voted to authorize the mayor to sign and submit a comment letter on that Monterey County Builder’s Remedy project (the Diego Road/7‑Eleven site), and commissioners described multiple concerns including utilities, slope/stability and scenic impacts.

Hill advised commissioners that the city council controls staff resources and work‑program priorities; commissioners may request items be added through council channels or speak during council public comment to advocate for staff time. The meeting closed after routine adjournment.