Challenges to our Valley's
Rural Character Continue
Our successful appeal of Hilltop's special event venue is behind us, but our lawsuit challenging the approval of the Rancho Cañada subdivision is to be heard later this month (see article below), and our legal defense fund still needs your help.
If you haven't made
a contribution yet,
Or send a check to
Carmel Valley Association
PO Box 157
Carmel Valley CA 92924
Thanks!
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Carmel Valley Angel Project Needs Some Help
It's not too late to donate to the Carmel Valley Angel Project, Camel Valley's very own holiday charity. The Angel Store made the holidays brighter for more than 70 Carmel Valley families in 2017. You can send checks to PO Box 1305, Carmel Valley, CA 93924, or contribute through the website,
thecvap.org. Thank you for your help.
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ARIA - Auditions!
ARIA is announcing auditions for the 2018 Seasons of Jan - March and April - June. We are looking for Amazing Women who want to join together to be in an amazing choir!
ARIA - is a Women's choir in Monterey which is exciting and thrilling from the first note to the last! Conducted by Dr. Sean Boulware and Accompanied by Michelle Galindo, this choir is sure to continue to bring a passionate and unique level of choral music to the Central Coast.
To learn more about this fantastic choir, and see what exciting things are in store, please
click here.
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At Hidden Valley Music
Next Level Recorder Retreats
February 18 - 25, 2018 Presented by: Tibia Adventures in Music, Tibia Recorder Duo, Letitia Berlin and Frances Blaker February 18 - 21, 2018: Retreat for low intermediate players
February 21 - 25, 2018: Retreat for upper intermediate - advanced players Master musicians Frances Blaker and Letitia Berlin have created this four day intensive retreat for intermediate and advanced recorder players who are ready to elevate their craft to the next level. With a very limited enrollment of 16 participants, the retreat offers...
[more]
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From Sunset Center:
This January,
we are happy to announce the Marjorie Evans Gallery's Third Annual Art Auction at Sunset Center! The Gallery silent auction exhibit will begin on January 8 and go through January 31, featuring over 25 works by artists who have exhibited in the Gallery in the recent past or will be exhibiting soon - including Will Bullas, Simon Bull, Kathy Sharpe, Jacquelyn Coleman, Thierry Thompson, Zoya Scholis, Cheryl Kampe and many more.
Auction artwork is being donated by local artists and all auction proceeds support Sunset Center's programs, including the Marjorie Evans Gallery and our Arts Education Program.
Gina Delli-Gatti, Marketing Manager
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Come and Share the Wonders of
Point Lobos
Easy Access Adventures!
Visitors of all abilities are invited to experience the Easy Access Trails at Point Lobos. You are welcome to tour at your own pace, whether you walk fast or slow, are pushing a stroller or walker, using a cane or wheelchair.
We also have a presentation that we can show to your group or staff at your
location.
Wednesday, Feb. 7 - 10am to noon - Sea Lion Point Saturday, Feb 17 - 10am to noon - Sea Lion Point
Wednesday, March 7 - 10am to noon - Sea Lion Point
Saturday, March 17 - 10am to noon - Bird Island
Wednesday, April 4 - 10am to noon - Bird Island
Saturday, April 21 - 10am to noon - Bird Island
Highlights at Sea Lion Point - California Sea Lions, Harbor Seals, Otters,
Pelicans, Gulls and Cormorants - Whales in migration
Highlights at Bird Island - Nesting Brandt's & Pelagic Cormorants, Black-crowned
Night Herons, Pelicans and Gulls, Harbor Seals (pups April & May), Otters,
Whales in migration
or contact Melissa Gobell, Docent Program Coordinator
or 831 625-1470
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Safely Dispose of Your
Sharps and Meds!
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Header photo by
Carmel Valley Photographer
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From CVA Advocacy Chair Dale McCauley:
Introducing the
CVA ADVOCACY PROJECT
Want some help? Here's who to ask -- the CVA ADVOCACY PROJECT. Just go to our website (carmelvalleyassociation.org), and let us know about your problem.
The project started ten weeks ago as a way to help CVA members and the broader community get action and answers. We communicate with the County Resource Management Agency (RMA) and other county agencies on issues of safety and concerns within the valley, on your behalf.
The county currently has a back log of over 1,400 complaints, says Josh Bowling at Code Compliance for the county. They receive about 450 comments each year and each year resolve about the same number. But don't give up hope. This backlog is mostly low-level complaints which have not been closed or can't be closed.
The county continues to suffer with under-staffing and the complexities of issues continue to grow, but we have good news. The county has hired more help and is starting to clear the backlog of low level, lingering complaints as target practice.
CVA continues to track this progress and this is a report on what has been done in the short ten weeks the CVA ADVOCACY PROJECT has run. We developed contacts within agencies that will listen and have authority. We've been given tools to help.
To date, we have reported 12 complaints directly to the county, and they have taken action. We listen and respond to everyone who contacts us. We work to help solve your problems, and we get back to you with what we learn.
We prefer open communications but withhold private contacts, for those wishing to remain anonymous. We understand and respect privacy.
We know there are unresolvable issues that require "cures" that are worse than the problems. But getting traction on smaller problems can help immensely and lead to better understanding the systems.
We know traffic congestion, parking and speeding through the village are problems commonly reported. But did you know that a CHP Sergeant has stepped up to help us? There are answers, and finding them is what we do.
We know noise at night is more than bothersome, it is unhealthy. But did you know there are smart phone applications that are available that record the sound level, time and location and can photograph what you are experiencing?
They are specific to environmental noise and have been tested accurate. We have contacted the Sheriff's Department and they have explained the correct procedure to file a noise complaint.
These are examples of ADVOCACY in action.
We don't always succeed in solving your problems... but we always try. So, if you have been troubled by an issue in the Valley, please let us know. We are here to help.
And, if you would like to join our CVA ADVOCACY TEAM, please let us know that, too. We can use your help in our efforts to help others. To join the team, email us at [email protected].
Thank you!
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Rancho Cañada
Superior Court Hearing
Set for the 26th!
Our lawsuit challenging the approval of the 130 unit Rancho Canada subdivision will be heard January 26th.
The hearing will be in Department 1 of the Salinas Courthouse located at 240 Church Street. That is the new building adjacent to the County Government Building. (Some of you may have reported to jury duty in the basement.). Department 1 is on the top floor; there is an elevator. The Hon. Lydia M. Villarreal is the judge.
We encourage attendance, although of course
there will be no public testimony.
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Cima Collina Sues the County
Over its Denial of Special Events at Hilltop Ranch
After the Monterey County Board of Supervisors re-affirmed 4- 1, the Planning Commission's reversal of the "Administrator's Interpretation" Cima Collina's Hilltop Ranch be allowed Special Events, the winery is suing the County, claiming that opponents waited too long to contest an April approval of events there,
and that neither supervisors nor county planning commissioners had jurisdiction to hear the matter.
As far as we can determine, no court date has yet been set, but we'll keep you informed. Reversal of the Board's ruling, and the precedent set by it, would have an extremely negative impact on our valley!
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CVA's Position on Short Rentals
The Carmel Valley Association recognizes that short-term rentals have the potential to have negative impacts in residential areas, especially when unlimited, concentrated and unregulated. Control of STRs is necessary to ensure that they will be compatible with surrounding residential uses and will not harm or change the residential character of existing neighborhoods. Additionally, we are very concerned about ensuring that STRs do not further increase traffic on our over-burdened roads and intersections.
A review of local and non-local ordinances in other jurisdictions indicates that the following elements are critical to effectively control potential negative impacts of STR's:
- Short-term rentals must have permits and be regulated.
- Rental properties must comply with zoning and building codes.
- Number of occupants must be limited and parking adequate, preferably on site.
- Safety and health codes must be maintained by periodic inspection.
- Wells and septic systems must be inspected, maintained and meet public health standards.
- Density of STRS must be limited in neighborhoods to control their residential character.
- Nuisances must be controlled (such as noise, lights).
- Rentals must be subject to the County's Transient Occupancy Tax and initial fee must be paid in person directly to the County.
- Notice to, and approval by, neighbors of STRS must be required.. Permission of neighbors to use private road or shared driveway must be required.
- Owners/residents must live on site and be available and responsive.
- The ordinance must be enforced and adequate funds provided for that enforcement.
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Val Verde Development Denied
On September 12, the County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a motion of intent to deny the Carmel Rio Road subdivision. The supervisors agreed with CVA and the neighboring residents and businesses that the subdivision project does not fit the site or the county plans.
We thank Supervisor Jane Parker for making the motion to deny, and to Supervisor John Phillips for seconding the motion, and for their perceptive comments about problems with the project.
We also thank Supervisors Mary Adams, Simon Salinas, and Luis Alejo for voting for the motion.
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Sincerely,
Pris Walton, President
Carmel Valley Association
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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 online Calendar, our weekly email Bulletin, which goes to over 900 residents, and our quarterly Newsletter, which is mailed to over 7,000 valley addresses
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