Article 11

PC PLANNED COMMUNITY DISTRICT

Sections:

• § 38-51. Specific Purposes. § 38-52. Land Use Regulations. § 38-53. Development Regulations. § 38-54. Initiation. § 38-55. Required Plans and Materials. § 38-56. Adoption Procedures. § 38-57. Status of PC Plan. § 38-58. Status of Specific Plan. § 38-59. Zoning Map Designation.

The specific purposes of the PC Planned Community District are to:

A. Establish a procedure for the development of large parcels of land in order to reduce or eliminate the rigidity, delays, and conflicts that otherwise would result from application of zoning standards and procedures designed primarily for small parcels.

• B. Ensure orderly and thorough planning and review procedures that will result in quality urban design.

C. Encourage variety and avoid monotony in large developments by allowing greater freedom in selecting the means to provide access, light, open space, and amenity.

D. Provide a mechanism whereby the City may authorize desirable developments, consistent with the General Plan and applicable area plans or specific plans, without inviting speculative rezoning applications, which, if granted, often could deprive other owners of development opportunities without resulting in construction of the proposed facilities.

E. Encourage allocation and improvement of common open space in residential areas, and provide for maintenance of the open space at the expense of those who will directly benefit from it.

The Monterey City Code is current through Ordinance 3716, passed February 3, 2026.

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F. Encourage the assembly of properties that might otherwise be developed in unrelated increments to the detriment of surrounding neighborhoods.

No use other than an existing use shall be permitted in a PC district, except in accord with a valid PC Plan or Specific Plan. Accessory dwelling units in accord with Section 38-112.6 may also be allowed in a PC zone where single-family or multifamily dwellings are permitted, and junior accessory dwelling units may be permitted in a PC zone where single-family dwellings are permitted. Any permitted or conditional use authorized by this chapter may be included in an approved PC Plan or an adopted Specific Plan, consistent with the General Plan land use designation(s) for land within the PC district. (Ord. 3641 § 16, 2021)

A. Minimum Area. The minimum net area of a PC district shall be ten acres, provided that a PC district may be subdivided in accord with a valid PC Plan or Specific Plan.

B. Residential Unit Density. The total number of dwelling units in a PC Plan shall not exceed the maximum number permitted by the General Plan density for the total developable area of parcels designated for residential use and for open space. In determining the maximum number of units, undevelopable land and land devoted to existing public and private streets shall be excluded.

• C. Performance Standards. The performance standards prescribed by Section 38-111 shall apply.

D. Other Development Regulations. Base district regulations shall be applied to PC districts. There shall be no exceptions to base district height, open space, setbacks from property lines, and intensity standards in PC districts. Other base districts standards may vary and additional standards may be applied, as prescribed by the PC Plan or Specific Plan.

An amendment to reclassify property to PC shall be initiated by a property owner or authorized agent, the Planning Commission, or the City Council. If the property is not under a single ownership, all owners shall join in an application initiated by property owners, and a map showing the extent of ownerships shall be submitted with concept plans and materials.

The Monterey City Code is current through Ordinance 3716, passed February 3, 2026.

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In addition to the plans and materials required to accompany an application for a zoning map amendment by Article 26, an application for rezoning to a PC district shall include a PC Plan or Specific Plan, including the following items:

A. A map showing proposed district boundaries and the relationship of the district to uses and structures within a 300-foot radius of the district boundaries;

B. A map or aerial photo of the proposed district and 100 feet beyond its boundary showing sufficient topographic data to indicate clearly the character of the terrain; ridgelines and creeks; the type, location, and condition of mature trees and other natural vegetation; and the location of existing development;

C. A conceptual site plan showing the proposed pattern of land use with acreage and residential density computation;

D. The proposed land use regulations and physical development standards, including building setbacks, maximum height, lot coverage, landscaping, parking, lot dimensions, and other relevant requirements;

• E. The proposed street and lot pattern; and

F. A three-dimensional model of the proposed development, delineating buildings, open space, and internal circulation.

A. The Planning Commission shall consider an application for rezoning to a PC district under the procedures established in Article 26. The Planning Commission shall consider the proposed PC Plan of Specific Plan

accompanying the application at the same time. A recommendation of the Planning Commission to rezone land to a PC district shall be accompanied by a resolution approving a PC Plan or recommending a Specific Plan. The Planning Commission may require either a PC Plan, a Specific Plan, or both.

1. Required Findings. The Planning Commission shall approve or conditionally approve a PC Plan, or recommend approval of conditional approval of a Specific Plan, upon finding that:

   • a. The PC Plan or Specific Plan is consistent with the General Plan, any applicable area plan, and other applicable policies and is compatible with surrounding development;

   • b. The PC Plan or Specific Plan will enhance the potential for superior urban design in comparison with the development under the base district regulations that would apply if the Plan were not approved;

   • c. Deviations from the base district regulations that otherwise would apply are justified by compensating benefits of the PC Plan of Specific Plan;

The Monterey City Code is current through Ordinance 3716, passed February 3, 2026.

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d. The PC Plan or Specific Plan includes adequate provisions for utilities services, and emergency vehicle access; and

• e. Public service demands will not exceed the capacity of existing and planned systems.

• B. The City Council shall hold a hearing, as provided by Article 26, on any application and plan transmitted to it by the Planning Commission.

C. Following a hearing, the City Council may approve or conditionally approve a PC Plan or a Specific Plan and adopt a PC district for the area described in the application, if the City Council concurs with the findings required by Subsection (A)(1) above.

C. The City Council shall adopt each PC district by ordinance, pursuant to Article 26. The adopting ordinance shall include a reference to the approved PC or Specific Plan for the district, a statement of purposes, and a list of the land use and property development regulations that apply.

A PC Plan shall be effective on the same date as the ordinance creating the PC district for which it was approved and shall expire two years after the effective date, unless a building permit has been issued, construction diligently pursued, and substantial funds invested. An approved PC Plan may specify a development staging program exceeding two years.

The City Council may renew a PC Plan for one or two years, as specified in the decision or renewal, if it finds the renewal consistent with the purposes of this chapter. Application for renewal shall be made in writing to the Community Development Director not less than 30 days nor more than 120 days prior to expiration. An application for approval of a new PC Plan or for a revision of a PC Plan shall be considered by the Planning Commission and City Council at public hearings with notice given, as prescribed for a Use Permit in Article 22. (Ord. 3653 § 19, 2022; Ord. 3472 § 1, 2012; Ord. 3424 § 1, 2009)

A Specific Plan adopted by resolution of the City Council shall be administered as prescribed by the City Council, consistent with the Government Code, Section 65450 et seq.

A PC district shall be noted by the designation “PC,” followed by the number of the PC district, based on the order of adoption.

The Monterey City Code is current through Ordinance 3716, passed February 3, 2026.

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