PC 26-034
LAND USE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (LUAC) MEMBER UPDATES Each Land Use Advisory Committee (LUAC) will be invited to present up to three issues from the past year for general discussion. These may include achievements, challenges or emerging issues. After the presentations are completed there will be a discussion which may result in Planning Commission or staff recommendations or actions. LUAC members discussed the following: Big Sur LUAC: Secretary David Smiley raised the concern that LUAC reviews and decisions are not making significant impacts on finalized projects. Carmel Unincorporated/Highlands LUAC: Stuart Poulter stated they have only recently began resuming meetings due to quorum issues and expresses excitement to address future planning projects. Del Monte Forest LUAC: Rick Verbanec requested that minutes for decision making bodies are shared with LUACs if they include LUAC reviews. Secretary Melanie Beretti clarified that summaries of LUAC reviews are currently provided in staff reports. North County LUAC: Belinda Taluban presented the following: Thanked County staff for trying to put together an ordinance for the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). North County receives red tags at a disproportionate rate. Follow-up on restoration repairs are insufficient, and repairs rarely restore forested areas to their original state. LUAC meetings are not taking place. South Coast LUAC: Constance McCoy presented the following concerns: She noted that there are jurisdictional concerns with Big Sur and South Coast LUAC meetings, stating that projects have been scheduled before the Big Sur LUAC that are really within the South Coast planning area. She also noted that the South Coast and South County LUACs have been conflated on three occasions. A South Coast LUAC meeting occurred, and no County staff was present. Proposition to change LUAC name to Big Sur South Coast LUAC. Toro LUAC: Mike Weaver asserted that more projects should be getting scheduled for LUAC review, including STRs and Administrative Permits. He also raised concerns regarding illegal grading.
- Committee
- County of Monterey Planning Commission
- Requested by
- Housing and Community Development
- Introduced
- February 26, 2026
- On agenda
- March 25, 2026