Planning Commission approves Ashkar house and Salinas 101 amendment; continues Leonton item to Feb. 11

The Monterey County Planning Commission approved a pair of development matters and continued another to allow staff revisions, the Commission announced during its meeting.

PLN 240369 (Ashkar): Planning staff recommended approval of a combined development permit to construct a 3,750‑square‑foot single‑family dwelling with a 777‑square‑foot attached garage at 2972 Colton Road in Pebble Beach and to remove 12 protected trees (an arborist had identified 7 coast live oaks and 5 Monterey pines within the development footprint). Staff applied Condition 7 requiring on‑site replanting at a 1:1 ratio and recommended the Commission find the project categorically exempt under CEQA. Commissioner Hartsell moved to approve the project as recommended; Commissioner Deal seconded. The motion passed and the Chair announced, "Motion carries unanimously." Applicant Mr. Ashgar, participating by Zoom, told the Commission he was a local resident and had "nothing to add unless there's a question." (PLN 240369 was approved.)

PLN 230339 (Leonton): Staff (McKenna Bowling) recommended a continuance to February 11 to allow updates to the project description and draft resolution. Commissioner Deal moved to continue the item to a date‑certain of February 11; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously.

PLN 180441 (Salinas 101 LLC / Salinas 101): Staff presented a proposed amendment and a two‑year extension to the Nov. 2023 approvals for a 17.5‑acre light‑commercial site at the intersection of Solis Road and Harrison Road. The amendment would reconfigure building footprints, remove a previously approved car wash (saving roughly 4 acre‑feet of water per year), add three truck fueling stations, and modify Harrison Road access and truck bypass lanes. Staff said the changes reduce or do not increase environmental impacts and recommended approval of the amendment and extension. Project owner Brad Sobel said the discussed condition language changes were acceptable; Commissioner Getzelman moved to approve the item with revised conditions and Commissioner Gonzales seconded; the motion carried.

Next steps: Staff will return PLN 230339 on February 11 and will bring PLN 250139 and PLN 190243 back to the Commission in February for further consideration as part of the general plan amendment process. The meeting adjourned at 11:18 a.m.