Carmel-by-the-Sea Weekly Meeting Roundup: Housing Element, Design Reviews, and Historic Resources on the Docket
Carmel-by-the-Sea's city boards and commissions covered a wide range of topics in the week of July 6–14, from a state-mandated Housing Element amendment to residential design reviews and a proposed tree fine policy. Because minutes have not yet been published for any of these meetings, this roundup reports what was on each agenda — not what was decided. Residents should watch for posted minutes to confirm outcomes.
City Council — July 6 (Special Session)
The Council's special session agenda included a public hearing on an appeal of a coastal development permit for an accessory dwelling unit on Scenic Road (APN 010-312-012), with a recommended continuance to August 3. Orders of business included discussion on funding for See Monterey marketing services and adoption of Resolution 2026-052 amending the FY 2026/27 budget. The agenda also listed a lease agreement with Church of the Wayfarer for a temporary library location during the Harrison Memorial Library Restoration, approval of street projects for the FY 2026/27 Capital Improvement Plan funded by SB1, and a closed session on lease negotiations for Sunset Center (San Carlos Street between 8th and 10th Avenues).
City Council — July 7
The Council scheduled public hearings on adopting the 6th Cycle 2023–2031 Housing Element Amendment (Resolution 2026-053/054, including an Addendum to a Mitigated Negative Declaration) and on updating the FY 2026-2027 Fee Schedule for citywide, planning, public safety, and public works fees, with a fee waiver policy discussion. Also on the agenda: discussion and approval of primary arguments for ballot measures on Transient Occupancy Tax and Transactions and Use Tax, a discussion on a Financial Stewardship Workgroup ad hoc, and an update and direction on architectural services for the new Police and Public Works Facilities Project.
Planning Commission — July 8
Commissioners were set to tour project sites at 2:30 p.m. before reconvening at 4:00 p.m. for public hearings on several design studies and coastal development permits:
- **DS 26081 (P&T 2024 LLC):** Final Design Study and Coastal Development Permit for demolition of an existing single-family residence and construction of a new 3,523-sq-ft residence with attached garage at 11th Avenue 2 NE of Torres Street.
- **DS 25019 (McWhorter):** Final Design Study and Coastal Development Permit for demolition and construction of a 1,555-sq-ft two-story residence with attached garage at Carmelo Street 2 NE of Ocean Avenue.
- **DS 26084 (Britannia California):** Combined Concept and Final Design Study and Coastal Development Permit for substantial alterations to a single-family residence at San Antonio Avenue 2 SW of 11th Street.
- **DS 26117 (Louth):** Concept Design Study for demolition of an existing residence and construction of a new 1,797-sq-ft two-story dwelling with garage at Lincoln Street 3 NE of 12th Avenue.
- **UP 26131 (VIN by the Sea):** Use Permit Amendment and Design Review to expand the VIN by the Sea restaurant into a separate unit at Su Vecino Court (Dolores Street 2 NW of 6th Avenue).
Forest and Beach Commission — July 9
The agenda called for adopting June 2026 meeting minutes, reviewing the June 2026 Foresters Report, discussing a tree fine, hearing the June 2026 Public Works Director's Report, and considering future agenda items.
Community Activities Commission — July 14
The commission was scheduled to approve minutes from the June 9, 2026 meeting, conduct the annual election of a Chair and Vice-Chair for 2026, review past events, discuss upcoming events, and receive reports from its Ad Hoc Committees.
Coming Up
- **July 20 — Historic Resources Board:** Consent agenda includes adopting June 15, 2026 minutes. Public hearings cover a National Register nomination for Stonehouse Terrace (APN 010-145-018-000), a removal request for the Isabel Winslow House from the Carmel Inventory of Historic Resources (APN 010-171-005-000), and a consistency determination for additions to the John L. Hinds House (APN 010-184-004-000). The board will also give direction on including "A Visual History of Carmel" in the Draft Residential Design Guidelines.
- **July 21 — Traffic Safety Committee:** Feedback on a proposed parking bulb-out on 6th Avenue between Lincoln and Dolores, tied to the Harrison Memorial Library Centennial Restoration Project, and review of a request to change 10-minute parking enforcement on 5th Avenue between Dolores Street and San Carlos Street from 24-hour coverage to 8 AM–7 PM. Public comment accepted in person and via Zoom.
Note: All recent meetings listed above are marked "agenda only" — minutes have not yet been published. Outcomes reported here reflect what was scheduled for discussion or action, not confirmed decisions.