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Commission recommends streamlining reasonable-accommodation reviews, adds appeal to disabled access board
Summary
The Planning Commission recommended the City Council amend the zoning code to limit initial review of reasonable accommodation requests to staff and create an appeal route to the Disabled Access Appeals Board, intending to comply with state and federal fair-housing requirements and to streamline process for applicants with disabilities.
The Monterey Planning Commission voted to recommend that the City Council amend the municipal code to clarify reasonable-accommodation procedures for persons with disabilities.
Planning Manager Levi Hill told the commission the city receives about "one to two reasonable accommodation requests each year" and that state and federal law requires a procedure for such requests. He said the proposed amendment would remove provisions that require discretionary hearing-level review and instead limit initial review to staff while creating a formal appeal path to the Disabled Access Appeals Board.
The change removes sections that called for commission- or committee-level review of reasonable-accommodation requests and adds an appeal route if staff denies a request. Commissioners discussed past practice — several said the disabled access board and the building appeals process historically handled similar issues — and noted the amendment is intended to streamline approvals for small accessibility improvements such as wheelchair lifts or ramps.
The commission adopted a resolution recommending the City Council approve the zoning-code clarification. By roll call, Chair Silva, Vice Chair Latasa, Commissioners Bluth, Freeman, Palmer, Paulie and Stoker voted yes.
