CORRECTION! The city council meeting is at 4 pm, not 7 pm for deciding the new zoning of single family residences up to six units:
Tuesday, August 19, 2025, 4 pm – Monterey City Council Meeting to have final vote adopting SB9 densification requirements eliminating single-family zoning and adopting further proposal by the city administration eliminating local control. At the August 5 meeting, the council voted 3-2 to approve this measure (with Councilwoman Barber approving and Councilman Smith opposing), which went beyond the state’s SB9 to allow up to SIX units on a residential lot. There was little public comment. If they uphold the vote of August 5, this will become law. SB9 requires cities to allow single family home lots to be split and construction of 2 units per ½ lot (4 units per lot). The city proposal increases this further, to six units. It requires streamlined ministerial approval-over-the-counter permits at city hall. It removes Planning Commission and ARC oversight, discretionary approval and public hearings. Issues with such density in Old Town are increased difficulties with parking, traffic, escape routes, views, and infrastructure. As a charter city, Monterey could join other charter cities that successfully challenged the state mandate and won in court (a ruling currently being appealed by the state). To have your voice heard on this important issue, you may speak in person at the meeting at city hall, join in on Zoom or by phone, or send a letter to cityclerk@monterey.org. Numbers count! To join on Zoom from a computer or smartphone, go to: https://monterey-org.zoomgov.com/j/1607729333. By telephone, dial 833-568-8864 (Toll Free) or 669-254-5252. Enter Webinar ID: 160 772 9333 # If asked for participant ID, press #. To raise your hand (or lower it), dial *9. Once called upon, dial *6 to unmute. This meeting will also stream live for viewing only on youtube.com/cityofmonterey (~10 second delay) and on Comcast Channel 25 (up to 90 second delay). To see the meeting agenda, go to: https://isearchmonterey.org/OnBaseAgendaOnline/Meetings/ViewMeeting?id=6321&doctype=1
Wednesday, August 20, 7:00 pm Old Town Neighborhood Association Meeting at the McCone Building, MIIS, 499 Pierce Street/corner of Jefferson, Community Room. Besides hearing from our committees and getting updates on our social activities, our guest speaker will be Shane Strong presenting the history of the American Legion in Monterey. Come join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://middlebury.zoom.us/j/93041916597?pwd=V9DamFMoXDyLtcxRhnUTJVaGkE15fa.1
Password: 6422
Saturday, August 23-Sunday, August 24 11-7 pm – Turkish Arts and Culture Festival in Custom House Plaza. Free and fun for the whole family with folk and belly dancing performances, whirling dervishes, Turkish music, art exhibits, activities for children (puppet making, face painting, coloring, folk dancing and games). Turkish food and drink to purchase include adana kebap (brochette on skewer), doner kebap (spicy barbecued meat), borek (cheese and spinach filled pastry), baklava, and the wonderful thick, strong Turkish coffee.
Thursdays, August 28- October 23, 6:00-8:30 pm – First City Academy– This inaugural First City Academy will consist of eight, weekly sessions on Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at various locations around the City, culminating in a graduation ceremony on October 23. The course is a chance to explore and learn about the inner workings or California’s First City. Participants will leave with a stronger connection to Monterey and a clearer sense of how they can contribute to creating a higher quality of life, now and for future generations.
The city is primarily looking to interest neighbors and residents over 16 years of age, who have not been part of our City’s boards/commissions/council meetings etc. or who are relatively new to our City’s various programs and opportunities to engage. The link to apply is posted at https://monterey.gov/firstcityacademy.
Thursday, August 28-Monday, September 1 – Monterey County Fair. Aug 28 – Free admission for seniors 62+; Aug 29 – free admission for military and veterans; Sept 1 – Free admission for kids 6-12. Rodeo and rides cost extra. More information at montereycountyfair.com.
Saturday, August 30, 11-4pm – First Theater Fest
Friday, September 5- Sunday, September 7 – Festa Italia! Details to follow.
Sunday, September 21 – Chinese Festival
ANNOUNCEMENTS
LOST AND FOUND: If you left your navy cotton jacket at the July picnic in Veterans Park, please reply to this bulletin.
Rental Registry Compliance – All rental properties must be in compliance with the city rental registry ordinance, and be registered annually. Fees must be received by the city by August 15.
Climate Action Plan Survey – The city is requesting input from residents on their climate action priorities. Please take the survey at: haveyoursaymonterey.org/climate-action-plan.
The Monterey Public Library is now fine-free!
The Monterey Free Trolley is back!
The free MST Trolley operates daily 10:00 am – 6:00 pm starting Memorial day weekend through Labor Day (May 24 through September 1, 2025). The route serves Downtown Monterey, Fisherman’s Wharf, Cannery Row and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Monterey Museum of Art is open FREE on Sundays, 11-5 through the run of their Biennial Celebration.
Annual Residential Parking Passes are available to residents of Monterey and active military for $20, good for two hours at both East and West Downtown Garages, Cannery Row Garage and the Waterfront lot. Bring proof of residency, vehicle registration and ID to Parking office, 340 Tyler Street in the East Garage. See Monterey.org/parking for more information.
WILDFIRE READY Links from February 27 Town Hall Meeting:
Panel Discussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N3njGF6g6c
Tree Standards: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cInp6kC0PP8
Defensible Space Inspections: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDk7zxULL2M
Note to residents: Please clear dry weeds from your property, as they endanger the entire neighborhood.
City of Monterey Accepting Applications for Boards, Committees, and Commissions. For position descriptions and requirements, please go to Monterey.gov/bcc.
MIIS Student Housing Needed! Do you have an extra bedroom in your house or a local rental? Consider renting to a Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS) student! The housing crisis in Monterey is deeply affecting our student population with low inventory and high prices. MIIS is reaching out to our community to form partnerships with local landlords and homeowners. For more information, go to this link: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGb0hGd1Qk/V0hDlFvuILlZKtzRyIWIcQ/view?utm_content=DAGb0hGd1Qk&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hba13c991dc. Still have questions? Contact the MIIS Landlord Coordinator Naomi Braswell at nbraswell@middlebury.edu or at (831) 647-4120.
Free Wharf Walks by Maritime Historian Tim Thomas the first Saturday of every month from 10am to noon. Hear and experience a two hour cultural maritime history tour, with themes changing monthly. Meet at the head of Old Fisherman’s Wharf near the pink Harbor House store. Free, but advance reservations are required and can be made at monterey.gov/library/events or by calling 831-646-3933. This tour is recommended for ages 10 and up with a maximum group of 15 people.
The Presidio Museum of Monterey is open Saturdays and Sundays 10-4 pm – Learn the fascinating history of our Presidio, including the early indigenous settlers, the founding of the fort, the history during three wars, and the history of the Buffalo Soldiers. An interpretive walk with great views of the bay lead up to the Sloat Monument. You can take a short cut from Van Buren over the creek bridge to reach it from Old Town. Free. Please consider volunteering as a docent for this great museum!
Free Public Tours of Ed Ricketts Pacific Biological Laboratories Second Saturdays, 10:00-11:00 and 11:30-12:30 pm subject to availability. Modeled after famed ecologist Ed Ricketts, “Doc” was featured prominently in John Steinbeck’s novels about Cannery Row. The Lab at 800 Cannery Row was also where the idea of the Monterey Jazz Festival was born and welcomed such prominent figures as Louis Armstrong. Reserve in advance at monterey.gov/museums or by calling 831-646-5648. Visitors are also welcome to drop by without a reservation to self-tour this historic site from 12:00-4:00 pm on the second Saturday.
Casa Serano, the historic adobe at 412 Pacific Street, is now open for free visits on Saturday and Sunday 2-4 pm. Docents can help you learn the interesting history of this adobe built in 1843, as you peruse the art and furnishings.
Old Town Neighborhood Association’s website is LIVE! Visit oldtownmonterey.org for the latest on events, issues, and to find the Historic Homes self-guided walk featuring historic homes in our Old Town neighborhood. Photos of the July 13 picnic are now posted on the social page of the website.
COMMUNITY GROUPS AND CLUBS
Are you interested in finding others with your interests? Below are some of the other local organizations that welcome new members:
American Association of University Women – This national organization promotes equity for women in the workplace and in education. In addition to supporting education through scholarships, they have book clubs, social events, monthly speakers, a Romancing the Coast monthly adventure, a hiking/walking group, and other interesting events. See http://mpb-ca.aauw.net for more information.
Monterey Civic Club – Founded in 1906, the club owns and meets monthly at the House of the Four Winds, located at 540 Calle Principal. This beautiful and historic adobe is believed to be the oldest women’s clubhouse in continuous use in the United States. Members meet the first Tuesday of each month for lunch and a social program ($25), often with a speaker of importance to members. Contact (831) 747-1072 for more information.
Gentrain Society is an organization for life-long learners. They generally meet the first and third Wednesdays from 1:30-2:30 at the Monterey Peninsula College Lecture Forum #103. Lectures are free and open to the public (except $3.00 parking fee). Topics range from drama, history, and understanding civilizations and more. Courses are also offered, along with trips organized for special events.
Native Daughters of the Golden West – founded in 1880s, for women born in California. The Monterey Junipero Parlor No 141 meets at 6:30 pm in the Casa Serrano on the second Monday of each month. An added benefit is that members can stay at the NDGW home designed by Julia Morgan on Baker Street in San Francisco. For more information, call or text Jerilynn Crivello at 831-320-2080.
Kiwanis Club of Monterey –founded in 1926, helps support community projects, scholarships, and youth groups in our community. Learn more at http://www.kiwanisclubmonterey.org or by emailing factpath-kiwanis@yahoo.com.
| Not Yet a Member of Old Town Neighborhood Association? Annual membership dues are just $20 for two adults in your household which covers the calendar year in which paid. Your dues help support social events and technical costs of website, Zoom meetings, and newsletter. Members can be renters, owners or landlords of a property in Old Town. Learn how to become a member on our website! If you have any questions, contact us! All residents living above Pacific St between the creek near Madison and the Presidio/DLI are eligible. Checks to OTNA can be mailed, along with your names, address, phone and email to our address below. Old Town Neighborhood Association P O Box 724, Monterey, CA 93942 |
This information is being shared as a service by Old Town Neighborhood Association. Information is presumed accurate, but is not guaranteed, and always subject to change. Visit our website at oldtownmonterey.org.