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Local Governments Work to Streamline Their Permit Review Process
Continuing a process begun at its August 20, 2025 meeting, the Pacific Grove City Council will vote on November 5, 2025 to provide direction to the City Manager on whether to prepare amendments to the city’s municipal code to combine the city's Architectural Review Board and Historic Resources Commission.
Other cities are doing the same thing. On July 23, 2025, the Monterey City Council voted 5-0 to proceed with dissolving the city’s Architectural Review Committee and consolidating its duties and powers with the city’s Planning Commission.
On July 16, 2020, the Seaside City Council adopted an ordinance amending the Seaside Municipal Code to reassign all responsibilities of the Board of Architectural Review to the Planning Commission.
As noted in staff reports to the Pacific Grove City Council, consolidating the duties of various planning committees helps with governance (fewer meetings, clearer accountability, less discretionary meetings for a project), staffing (consolidated support, lower resource requirements), application processing (unified processing that reduces applicant confusion and supports consistent decision making), policy (harmonized design/preservation standards), and public communication (easier applicant navigation of city processes while pursuing architectural and historic preservation goals). Your Chamber supports consolidation of review committees.
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Roundabouts Continue Adoption as Solution to Local Traffic Issues
The Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) advocates for roundabouts at busy and complex intersections as a way to reduce traffic congestion, improve safety, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Under the leadership of TAMC, the Holman Highway roundabout was completed in 2017 at the intersection of Highway 68, Highway 1 ramps and 17 Mile Drive near the entrance to Pebble Beach and the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula (CHOMP). Imjin Road now has four roundabouts between Highway 1 and Reservation Road. A roundabout is under construction at the intersection of Carmel Valley Road and Los Laureles Grade Road near Carmel Valley Village. A roundabout is planned for the Castroville Boulevard and San Miguel Canyon Road intersection in Prunedale. TAMC is considering installation of as many as nine roundabouts for intersections on Highway 68 between Salinas and Monterey.
Roundabouts are planned at the Cedar Street, Sunset Avenue, and Congress Avenue 5-way intersection in Pacific Grove; the Madison Street, Herrmann Drive, and Larkin Street 5-way intersection in Monterey; Broadway Avenue in Seaside between Fremont Boulevard and General Jim Moore Boulevard; and Playa Avenue and California Avenue in Sand City. The City of Salinas has three constructed roundabouts at East Alisal Street and Skyway Boulevard, East Alisal Street and Bardin Road, and Alisal Road and Sconberg Parkway, plus it is now building four more roundabouts on Boronda Road.
On November 6, the TAMC Technical Advisory Committee will discuss “Quick-Build Roundabouts,” which are designed to be constructed rapidly using permanent or semi-permanent materials such as painted curblines, stripes, delineators, bollards, and signage. These projects can be implemented in weeks or months, rather than years, at a lower cost than traditional roundabout infrastructure projects.
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QUARTERLY BUSINESS INSIGHTS BREAKFAST: "Forgotten Heroes No More: Commemorating 50 Years of the End of the Vietnam War"
Wednesday, November 12| 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM
Monterey Conference Center, Monterey
Please join us in welcoming Secretary Panetta for "Forgotten Heroes No More: Commemorating 50 Years of the End of Vietnam War", a fireside chat with Secretary Panetta, Colonel (Ret.) Fred Meurer, moderated by Dan Green, KSBW.
Register Now >>
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FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Unlocking the Power of AI for Business
Wednesday, November 12 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
MPCC Offices or on Zoom
FREE
AI isn’t just for big corporations. Small and medium businesses can harness it today to cut costs, boost efficiency, and unlock innovation. Pyramidion AI Consulting helps you turn AI into a practical, tailored advantage for your business.
Register Now >>
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RIBBON CUTTING: The Wear-House Deja Vu Couture
Thursday, November 13| 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
2000 Sunset Drive, A1, Pacific Grove
Celebrate 10 Years of style at The Wear-House Fashion House Experience. Meet the stylists, toast to their story, explore the studio, and experience what it means to truly feel at home in your closet.
Register Now >>
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Mixer: Ronbow Monterey
Thursday, November 20| 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
496 Del Monte Center, Monterey
Please join us for the Ronbow Mixer! Check out the showroom, meet the team, enjoy refreshments, bites, and a raffle drawing giveaway.
Register Now >>
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Experience an unforgettable night at Solstice's picturesque Big Sur valley setting, where we'll celebrate the treasures of Monterey Bay waters. Chef Tim Eelman will prepare a three-course feast featuring sustainably harvested, locally caught seafood. He'll be joined by guest chef Zach Ladwig of The Ranch at Rock Creek. This dinner directly benefits the Community Seafood Program, ensuring each dish supports both our local fishing families and community food access. Don't miss this exceptional culinary experience nestled in Big Sur's breathtaking landscape.
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Local Food Assistance Resources
As we enter the holiday season, the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce remains dedicated to informing our members and the broader community about the resources and information that matter most. More than 40% of Monterey County residents are food insecure and many in our community rely on government support programs such as SNAP benefits. We invite you to share this list of local food and nutrition assistance programs with your employees, business networks, and community members who may benefit. Together, we can ensure that support reaches those who need it most this season.
- Food Bank for Monterey County operates over 240 direct distribution sites, covering over 3,700 square miles, making them our community's largest, most comprehensive provider of emergency supplemental food. View their Find Food in Monterey County Map.
- Everyone's Harvest operates 6 Certified Farmers' Markets in Monterey County. When you spend $30 of your CalFresh EBT benefits, you will receive an extra $30 to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables at the market with Market Match.
- Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula empowers seniors, adults with disabilities, veterans, and other underserved populations to remain independent by nourishing their bodies, minds, and spirits, and drive out hunger and isolation in our region.
- Monterey Peninsula United School District proudly partners with and supports several community organizations providing food to students and their families across the district.
- Sabu Shake Sr. Good Samaritan Center in Sand City provides daily hot meals and food boxes.
If you or someone you know are in need of emergency food assistance or want more resources – call 2-1-1 or text your zip code to 898-211 for information via text message.
2-1-1 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week AND is free, confidential, and available in multiple languages.
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Please forward this e-blast to your colleagues, customers, clients, friends, family and fellow community members!
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