October 3, 2024

preserving, protecting, and defending the rural character

and natural resources of Carmel Valley since 1949


Carmel Valley Association

Weekly Bulletin

Amy Anderson for Water Management Board!


The CVA board of directors enthusiastically endorses the candidacy of Carmel Valley resident Amy Anderson for a second term as Division 5 director for Monterey Peninsula Water Management District. Over the past four years Amy has immersed herself in shaping the district’s policy decisions, water resource management strategies and financial oversight with the goal of developing an affordable, environmentally responsible and sustainable water supply for the Peninsula. The “environmentally responsible” portion of the puzzle includes promoting the health of the Carmel River and its ecosystem.


Amy’s leadership has contributed to the significant progress MPWMD has made in pursuit of the goal of an affordable and sustainable water supply, including the 2250 acre-feet of water that will be forthcoming with the completion of Pure Water Monterey expansion. We are grateful that Amy is willing to devote her analytical and management skills to our water supply challenges for another term. Read more about Amy’s passion for water and her impressive resume at: https://dev.mpwmd.net/who-we-are/board-of-directors/division-5-amy-anderson/

Please Support

Our Efforts to Preserve

Carmel Valley!


Please join us in expressing gratitude for the magnificent place where we reside, Carmel Valley!


Stewardship of this region is vital to its survival. Become a member of the Carmel Valley Association or make a contribution to support the preservation of our community's rustic beauty.


CLICK HERE to join or contribute online

or mail your check to

CVA

P.O. Box 157

Carmel Valley, CA 93924

THANK YOU!

Marianne Gawain, President

Carmel Valley Association

Mark Your Calendar!

Annual CVA Fall Picnic

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27 

11:30 A.M. TO 2:30 P.M.

CV TRAIL & SADDLE CLUB

85 E. GARZAS


CATERING by CHEF TIM WOOD

of WOODY’S AT THE AIRPORT

& DEL MESA


WINES COMPLIMENTS of HUBERT FABRE

of VINEYARD BRANDS


MUSIC BY RICK CHELEW & NICK LEAHY

TICKETS

in advance: $35

at the door: $45

Age 10 and under free


CLICK TO PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE!

Or by phone 831 320-9914

Deadline October 20

Public Welcome!

Mid-Valley Storage Proposal Referred to the Planning Commission


On Thursday, September 26, the Zoning Administrator accepted the applicants' request to take their application for a self-storage facility before the Planning Commission on October 30th. As proposed, the project violates the letter and spirit of the Carmel Valley Master Plan and raises numerous red flags regarding access, pedestrian safety in the adjacent neighborhood, flooding, water, construction density and more. The parcel in question sits between Carmel Valley Road and Center Street, between the bank and the existing Storage-Pro facility.


The proposal consists of a cluster of storage buildings that would be highly visible from the Carmel Valley Road. Notably, the density of construction on the site (FAR) would greatly exceed that granted to the existing storage facility.


Among many potential problems, the site plan shows the project potentially blocking access to an adjacent parcel to the south which has been designated as an “opportunity site” under RHNA. In addition this project could cut off the long-established pedestrian trail running between the Robinson Canyon Bridge and the shopping center.  


Read the details in CVA’s letter to the Zoning Administrator HERE. Please remember that citizen comments on such applications make all the difference! If you are aware of a zoning or planning application that affects you, the CVA strongly encourages you to submit written and/or oral testimony. You may participate in planning commission hearings either in person or by Zoom. We will provide a ZOOM link to the meeting when it becomes available.

Update - Carmel Valley Road Resurfacing Project

Valley Greens Drive to Miramonte Road

This project, which started on September 5th, originally was planned for the road segment from Via del Cinco Road to Miramonte Road at Garland Park. CVA, however, was concerned that the condition of the road segment distressed by the recent CV Manor sewer project deserved higher priority for repaving. To her credit, Supervisor Mary Adams responded by securing funding so that Public Works could extend the project west to Valley Greens Drive at Quail Lodge. The project is now expected to be completed in late November.

Traffic delays are the price of progress. According to the County, work will be between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday, with traffic control measures such as lane closure and one lane reversible traffic control.

The next priority for CV Road is the 4-lane segment. Public Works now plans for the project work to start in Spring 2025.

For more information, please contact:

Alberto Mejia-Ceja, Project Manager at 831-755-4770 or by email at

mejia-cejaa@countyofmonterey.gov

Monterey County Creates Web Page

Concerning Short-Term ("Vacation") Rentals


The page has a link to the new ordinance which limits commercial STRs in Carmel Valley to commercial and agricultural zones and creates many other requirements and limitations. You can read CVA's comments on the ordinance HERE.


The county's new page has application information.


Link to the County's New Page.

Final Approval of County Housing Plan

by the Board of Supervisors.

Next Stop, the State!


ON June 11th, the Board of Supervisors approved the county plan to increase affordable housing. The revised plan was forwarded it to the California Department of Housing and Community Development August 19 for final review. The state will have 90 days to review and hopefully approve it.


Here is a map of proposed county sites.

(note: map is extremely slow to load. Be patient!)


Here is an Excel file of Carmel Valley sites.

Dark Skies in Carmel Valley


The Carmel Valley Association (CVA) works with residents, businesses and government agencies to preserve the rural nature of Carmel Valley. Inevitably, that goal has guided CVA’s efforts to preserve and celebrate our naturally dark and starry skies. Through community education and adoption of simple best practices for outdoor lighting, CVA seeks to reduce excessive nighttime lighting that spills glare into the community and obscures our treasured night sky. In many cases, simply turning off lights at night by timer or motion sensor can meet these goals.

Image from Light Pollution Map

(Click see entire map)

CVA’s long-term effort has taken many forms, ranging from working toward recognition of Garland Ranch Regional Park as a Dark Sky Place or Reserve under the auspices of Dark Sky International (DSI) to the installation of dark-sky-friendly lighting fixtures in local areas. Our work intends to ensure that the Carmel Valley doesn’t lose its naturally dark and starry skies.


Read more about our efforts.

Carmel Valley History Center Museum

Now Open Both Saturdays & Sundays: 1 – 4

Knowledgeable Docents & Kid Friendly!

77 E. Carmel Valley Road

831-659-5715

Review this GREAT EVACUATION PLANNING SUMMARY

from the Monterey County Department of Emergency Management

 

The Monterey County Department of Emergency Management has developed an excellent and easy-to-follow guide for how to prepare for emergency evacuations. You can access and download the guide through this link.

 

It includes practical guidance on assembling supplies, creating an evacuation plan, signing up for alerts, when and how to evacuate, and when and how to return to your home after an evacuation order has been lifted. It also includes links to many useful online resources.

 

Of particular importance: To receive area-specific emergency information, including evacuation orders and street closures, you can register for alerts by signing up through this link (Alert Monterey County, the county’s official emergency alert and warning system) or by texting your zip code to 65513. The guide also includes QR Codes that you can scan to sign up for alerts

When Fun Isn’t Fun, Let CVA Know!


Many residents have been contacting CVA for help with problems, including special events, short-terms rentals, out-of-compliance lighting at night, noise, traffic, and road conditions. 


CVA is here to help see that your concerns make it to the appropriate county representative and get attention. 


You can report incidents or areas of concern by


CLICKING THIS LINK.

Monterey Peninsula Water Management District,

California American Water, and

Water Awareness Committee

Landscape Webinars


This series of webinars sponsored by Monterey Peninsula Water Management District, California American Water, and Water Awareness Committee helps you design, install, and manage your landscape using the Watershed Approach. The result is a gorgeous living space that functions as a healthy mini-watershed: sequestering atmospheric carbon, preventing water and air pollution, restoring the hydration and life of the soil, and attracting essential life into the garden. Making your landscape Watershed Wise is no more expensive or difficult than making any landscape; it just takes a little know-how and practice. In these webinars, you will learn about these four principles:


  1. Build Healthy Living Soil
  2. Capture Rainwater As A Resource
  3. Select Local, Climate-Appropriate Plants
  4. Use Highly Efficient Irrigation Only When Necessary

10/10/2024 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Compost: Building the Soil Sponge -


10/22/2024 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Landscape Myth Busters


11/14/2024 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Permeable Everywhere


CLICK TO REGISTER

Native vegetation thinned, trimmed, and pruned


Conservation Fuel Management Handbook

Best Management Practices for Defensible Space


Conservation fuel management is a

collaborative community endeavor!


LEARN THE MANY WAYS

YOU CAN PROTECT YOUR HOME:


Read the Manual in English

or in Spanish

Removing Invasive Genista?


CVA has two weed wrenches to loan -

making the work of removing genista much easier.


Contact:


Paola Berthoin

25440 Telarana Way

Carmel, CA 93923

 

RisingLeaf Restoration Consulting

www.paolafiorelleberthoin.com

www.passion4place.net

 

831.624.9467

Here's a web site to check to see
 if your area is scheduled for a power outage:

Issues of Concern to Residents of Carmel Valley

Affordable Housing Mandate for Carmel Valley


Dark Skies


Rancho Cañada Village


Carmel River Floodplain Restoration

and Environmental Enhancement Project (Carmel River FREE)


Short-Term Rentals in Carmel Valley


September Ranch


Carmel Valley Village Development Criteria


Link to the Santa Lucia Conservancy Invasive Plant handbook

Make sure you are signed up to receive emergency alerts!
Curious About CVA?

Carmel Valley Association is one of the oldest, largest, and most successful community organizations in Monterey County. We are entirely volunteer, with no paid employees. Our mission is to defend the beauty, resources and rural character of our beautiful valley. We do that by working with residents, businesses, and government.

 

CVA was instrumental in the adoption of the Carmel Valley Master Plan and recently settled a lawsuit with Monterey County regarding traffic measurement and capping future development on very favorable terms for our valley. Our volunteer experts represent Carmel Valley's interest, testifying before governmental bodies concerning development, water, traffic, road signs, and other quality of life issues.


We keep valley residents informed about important issues and events with our weekly email Bulletin, which goes to over 1650 residents, and our quarterly Newsletter, which is mailed to over 7,000 valley addresses.


president@carmelvalleyassociation.org

or reply to this email 


Click to Join Us Today!


Learn About Our Activities and Goals


 Meet Our Board Members


Visit Our Web Site



Publicize Your Valley Event in Our Email Bulletin

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Header photo by
Carmel Valley Photographer 
Douglas Steakley www.douglassteakley.com