Planning commission backs ban on vehicle storage in identified IR/multifamily overlay area

The Monterey Planning Commission voted to recommend the City Council amend the city zoning code to prohibit vehicle storage on properties zoned Industrial Research (IR) that also carry a multifamily residential overlay between Garden Road and Highway 68.

Planning manager Levi Hill said the change implements Housing Element Program 2L and is intended to reserve those sites for potential housing. "The housing element program talks about a three-year urgency ordinance," Hill said, explaining the element had contemplated a three-year urgency approach but the staff proposal removes vehicle storage as a permitted use in the overlay to preserve housing capacity.

Staff emphasized the change applies only to IR parcels that also have the multifamily overlay, not to all IR parcels citywide. Commissioners asked whether the prohibition would affect existing storage uses; Hill said the proposal eliminates the vehicle-storage use in the overlay area going forward and that the housing element had identified the south side of Garden Road as priority infill sites.

A member of the public noted existing "car condominiums" and encouraged the commission to clarify which sites are affected; staff and commissioners clarified that two separate car-storage projects exist elsewhere in the city and are outside the Garden Road overlay. Several commissioners signaled support, saying the prohibition is aimed at aligning zoning with the housing action plan and is not broadly banning industrial uses elsewhere.

The commission adopted a resolution recommending the City Council approve the amendment. By roll call, Chair Silva, Vice Chair Latasa, Commissioners Bluth, Freeman, Palmer and Stoker voted yes; Commissioner Paulie was recorded as abstaining for the item.