Planning commission approves Leighton lot-line adjustment, restoration and after-the-fact shed permit

The Monterey County Planning Commission unanimously approved PLN 230339 on Feb. 11, 2026, a combined development permit to resolve code-enforcement case 23CE00194. The project — located at 58 Mount Devon Road in Carmel — includes a lot-line adjustment between two legal lots of record, a restoration permit to replant six Monterey pines and restore development on slopes exceeding 30%, and an after-the-fact design approval to legalize an existing 320-square-foot detached garden shed.

McKenna Bolling, the project presenter, told the commission the owner applied for permits to abate the May 2023 code-enforcement violation and that the proposed lot-line adjustment reconfigures parcel boundaries so the accessory structure conforms to minimum setbacks. Staff recommended categorical CEQA exemptions (Classes 1, 5 and 33) and approval with conditions, including replanting and monitoring of trees and an indemnification condition.

The applicant’s representative, Matthew Sundt, said the owner will implement the replanting within six months and agreed to monitoring checks at one and three years to verify tree survival. Sundt also agreed to the added indemnification condition staff proposed during the hearing.

Commissioner Gomez moved to approve the combined development permit with the updated conditions; Commissioner Hartsell seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Staff will track implementation of the conditions through the standard permit-compliance process, including documentation of tree planting and survival checks and recordation of the lot-line adjustment.