Cal-Am cease-and-desist order modification
Summary
Multiple public commenters urged the council to allocate water to support housing projects and pursue desalination, raising the issue during the General Plan annual report discussion.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 4
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed Jul 7, 2026.
Impact analysis
Withheld water is delaying housing projects that would add tax base and affordable homes; one developer said a six-unit affordable project needs just 25 water credits.
Prospective residents and developers if more housing becomes feasible.
Residents waiting years for water meters and developers who say the city is Monterey's own barrier to housing.
Mentions & discussions (4)
Council Regular Meeting — July 7, 2026
The city will formally support the water district's state hearing to loosen the 2009 order blocking new water meters — the biggest barrier to housing and business growth on the Peninsula. Briefs are due July 20.
Planning Commission Meeting — April 14, 2026
Commissioners noted the approved Belden Street project can't get a building permit yet because the lot has no water meter or allocation, and the state cease-and-desist on Cal Am is still in place. Multiple Monterey projects are stuck waiting.
Council Regular Meeting — March 17, 2026
Multiple public commenters urged the council to allocate water to support housing projects and pursue desalination, raising the issue during the General Plan annual report discussion.
Planning Commission Meeting — March 10, 2026
The City Council's November 2025 decision to delay distributing 141 acre-feet of Pure Water Monterey water until the state cease-and-desist order is lifted is stalling housing projects, including affordable units. Public testimony and most commissioners argued the city could release water now, and the Commission attached a formal statement of concern.
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