Monterey County Land Use & Development Digest

Learn more about the Downtown Specific Plan and Final Environmental Impact Report approved by the Marina City Council in their October 15 meeting.

Capturing and storing carbon underground is a big part of California’s efforts to tackle climate change but community members and environmentalists say it prolongs the life of fossil fuels.

The second phase buildout of the Greenfield Commons affordable housing development is underway and the 200 additional units are expected to be completed in 2025.

The Yes and No on 33 campaigns have collectively spent more than $140 million. CalMatters fact checked some of the more pervasive claims made by both sides.

Learn more about the new Monterey County vacation rental ordinance which went into effect as of October 14.

The Terracina at The Dunes affordable apartment complex with 142 units of housing in Marina celebrated its grand opening on October 10.

Tenant advocates say giving renters 10 days to respond to eviction notices, up from 5, will help those who live in rural areas and have trouble finding legal help. Some landlords argue it will increase their costs.

Following the approval of permits by the California Coastal Commission, the way is clear for Monterey-Salinas Transit to begin construction of the SURF! Busway.

At a CalMatters event, California’s insurance commissioner says the changes he’s making will help homeowners and business owners. One idea: A state grant for those who spend money to protect their property from wildfires.

The Sacramento Bee takes a look at the Proposition 33 rent-control measure on the November ballot.

For five years, California officials responding to the homelessness crisis had to work around one big restriction imposed by the federal courts: Because they didn’t have enough shelter beds, cities generally couldn’t make homeless camps illegal.

California’s inland regions are experiencing dangerous heat waves, exacerbated by rapid population growth. As more people move away from the expensive coastal areas to more affordable inland communities, these regions are seeing significant demographic changes and spiking electricity bills.

The California state goal to conserve 30% of its land and coastal waters has advanced, with conserved lands reaching 25% and coastal waters 16%.

In their August 20 meeting, the Salinas City Council approved development of three new tenent protection ordinances following years of complaints from local renters.

The Legislature is willing to guarantee $500 million annually to affordable housing developers, but with a caveat.

Construction of the 1.5 mile Canyon Del Rey segment of the Fort Ord Regional Trail and Greenway has begun.

Proponents seek a 2% maximum on annual rent increases in a proposal to be considered by the Salinas City Council on August 20.

Backers pulled a $20 billion affordable housing bond off Bay Area ballots today, amid fears that it wouldn’t pass.

Some California agencies are offering incentives and hosting workshops for school districts that want to build affordable housing for teachers.

When California emerged from its colonial beginnings nearly two centuries ago and began coalescing into a distinct society, its towns and villages tended to be located either on navigable rivers, such as Sacramento, or around the 21 missions that Spanish explorer priests had established, such as San Diego.

What happens when voters take to the ballot to thumb their nose at state housing law? Courts haven’t offered a clear answer.

California Forever’s announcement July 22 that it has decided to pull a ballot measure that would have let voters decide on a controversial planned city in rural Solano County drew swift reaction from political leaders and opponents.

On July 22, California Forever announced it was withdrawing its initiative to amend the Solano County General Plan off the November ballot and would instead begin working with the county through the normal, though less expeditious, process.

The City of Marina is working with the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District on plans for improvements to the 17-acre Locke Paddon Park.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held July 11 to celebrate the grand opening of the 66-unit Alfred Diaz-Infante Apartments in the East Garrison.

Nearly every major environmental group in California opposes a bill that would modify the state’s signature environmental law to speed up upgrades to power lines. Supporters say it would help free the state from fossil fuels and make the grid more reliable, but opponents fear it would damage state parks.

The first 1.5 mile segment of the FORTAG project is set to begin construction in Del Rey Oaks later in July.

In their June 25 meeting, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors approved the final phase of the East Garrison housing project.

A push to bolster housing production in California's coastal communities in recent years has led to heated battles over potential state reforms. Below, a veteran elected official believes the debate has created a false choice between housing and protections. The opposing view: A former attorney for the Coastal Commission says the state Coastal Act has failed to deliver on what it envisioned.

On June 19, California YIMBY announced support for the California Forever project going to the Solano County ballot in November.

A new round of litigation began when environmental groups opposed to the Sites reservoir in Colusa County filed an appeal on a ruling which dismissed their suit seeking to halt the project from proceeding.

On June 17, the Transportation Agency for Monterey County applied for a state grant to connect existing trails and bike lanes in the area of Fremont Boulevard and Highway 218 near Seaside.