Commission approves Set Free Monterey Bay walk permit for Carmel Beach

The Community Activities Commission learned Thursday that a special-event permit for Set Free Monterey Bay's Walk for Freedom at Carmel Beach was found to be in compliance with the city's municipal code and special-event policy guidelines and was approved.

Assistant city administrator Marissa told commissioners the application was reviewed for municipal-code compliance and public-safety considerations and that staff concluded the event met the city's guidelines. She described the event as a one-mile walk along Carmel Beach followed by a reception and wine tasting; the application noted a recreational and educational focus. Marissa said the expected attendance is about 300.

Commissioners asked whether the current applicant was the same benefiting charity as a previously rejected application; staff confirmed the benefiting charity is the same but emphasized the two applications were submitted by different organizations and that the earlier application appeared more commercial in nature. "The way the event was described... was more or less of commercial nature," Marissa said, describing the earlier denial.

Marissa said the permit includes standard conditions: notification to residents within 300 feet of the event, trash and recycling removal, and other site-specific mitigation. Commissioners asked about alcohol at the reception; Marissa said the reception is secondary to the walk and the applicant was made aware of permit conditions.

Staff directed the applicant to Leslie Fenton for special-event permit logistics and follow-up; commissioners did not take additional action beyond acknowledging the permit approval and asking staff to monitor compliance.