County planning director says rezoning, water allocation and SB 330 site advance housing goals

Craig Spencer, director of Housing and Community Development, reported progress on several long-running planning matters aimed at increasing housing supply in Monterey County.

Spencer said the Board approved a rezoning for phase one of September Ranch in Carmel Valley to accommodate up to 22 affordable units. He added that the county presented a water-allocation policy for the Cal-Am service area that will return to the planning commission on Wednesday, May 13; "That will free up water for new housing development and other types of development of the Monterey Peninsula," he said.

Spencer also described a builder-remedy application approved under Senate Bill 330 for a housing opportunity site off Valverde Road that proposes about 74 units, including roughly 15 affordable units. "We're happy to report we're making progress on our regional housing needs," he said.

Fiona Jensen, principal planner, said the packages reflect about 18 months of planning staff work and that the combined projects will provide meaningful low-income and affordable housing in the county. "I think this was just about 18 months of a lot of dedication of planning staff to get it to a point where staff felt that it was appropriate meaningful housing while meeting all the various county and state regulations," she said.

On short-term and vacation rentals, Spencer said the county has received more than 200 applications across the new permit categories and has processed dozens of homestay and limited permits over the counter, with close to 40 commercial vacation rentals approved through the zoning-administrator hearing process. He directed residents to the county's vacation-rental website and the permit center for details.