Planning commission approves lot merger in Carmel Highlands (PLN 250008)

The Monterey County Planning Commission on Wednesday approved a coastal development permit to merge three legal lots in the Carmel Highlands into a single 1.56-acre parcel, the commission confirmed after a brief public hearing.

Jordan Evans Polaco, presenting staff’s report, said the proposal (PLN 250008) would combine three existing lots — one of which contains a single-family dwelling and another that provides driveway access — into a single parcel that meets the minimum building-site size for the zoning district. "The proposed project consists of a coastal development permit to allow a lot merger between three legal lots of record, resulting in one parcel 1.56 acres in size," Polaco said, and recommended the commission find the project categorically exempt under CEQA Guidelines section 15305.

Commissioners asked several practical questions about the parcels: Commissioner Deal pressed whether the smallest lot (about 0.02 acres) had been created for infrastructure, and Polaco said staff had not found evidence explaining why that parcel was so small. Commissioner Ward asked whether the merger reduced housing potential; staff replied that steep slopes on much of the combined property (greater than 30 percent in places) would limit development potential, though an accessory dwelling unit could be possible on the currently developed parcel.

Architect Braden Sterling, representing the applicants and Sterling Hudson Architecture, confirmed the applicants accepted the conditions of approval and said he was available for questions. Staff clarified an errata to the conditions: the added indemnification is self-executing (it does not require the applicant to record a separate agreement unless county counsel specifically requests one), a difference staff said does not change the substantive outcome.

Commissioner Deal moved to approve staff’s recommendation with the indemnification errata; Commissioner Hartzell seconded. The commission approved the permit by voice vote, with the motion passing unanimously.

The approved permit allows the lot merger only; staff and commissioners noted no new building is proposed as part of this application and any future development would still have to meet zoning and site-development standards. The project record lists Clark Wesley and Shayda Clark Wesley Allen as the property owners and Sterling Hudson Architecture as the applicant representative.

The commission then moved on to other agenda items.