Title
REFERRAL 24.7 - PROCESS TO CONSIDER A MORATORIUM FOR NEW VISITOR SERVING UNITS IN THE BIG SUR COAST PLANNING AREA
a. Consider receiving a report from staff regarding the process and findings necessary to consider a moratorium for new Visitor Serving Units in the Big Sur Coast Planning Area.
b. Provide direction to staff.
Project Location: Big Sur Coast Land Use Plan
Proposed CEQA action: Statutory Exemption pursuant to Section 15262 of the CEQA.
Body
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Planning Commission:
a. Receive a report from staff on the process to consider a moratorium for new Visitor Serving Units in the Big Sur Coast Planning Area; and
b. Provide direction to staff.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Referral No. 2024.07 is a request from the Planning Commission for staff to provide a report explaining the process and findings required for the County to consider a moratorium for new Visitor Serving Units (VSUs) in the Big Sur Coast Planning Area. This referral came in response to concerns raised to the Planning Commission by members of the Big Sur community related to housing and visitor serving uses and accompanying request that the County place a moratorium on issuing permits for new VSUs in the Big Sur pending the certification of an update to the Big Sur Coast Land Use Plan (BSLUP).
The County of Monterey Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) has been working with the Big Sur community and Planning Commission Ad Hoc Committee to update the BSLUP. The updated BSLUP will return to the Planning Commission for review and will be an opportunity for the public to provide feedback to the County, including consideration of the appropriate categories and quantity of allowable new VSUs that may be permitted in the Big Sur Coast Planning Area moving forward.
Visitor Serving Units in Big Sur
The County’s November 27, 2023 Memorandum on Visitor Accommodations and Campgrounds identified 600 VSU in the Big Sur Coast Planning Area, of which a total...
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