Housing Element Update

She criticized the three-year timeline, said public engagement felt like a checkbox exercise, cited alleged Brown Act issues with the environmental justice element rollout, and urged removal of the Tarpe Flats site.

The Carmel Valley Village resident and Friends of the Village Airfield member urged passage of the housing element to stop builder's remedy projects, and asked for an emergency heliport for isolated communities.

The Midpen Housing project manager supported adoption and specifically backed Site 48 in Las Lomas for affordable family and farmworker housing with the Pajaro disaster recovery alliance.

A Carmel Valley resident urged adoption as-is with no further delay, warning that delay only invites more builder's remedy projects.

The Toro area resident called the notice defective and objected to high-density housing on prime farmland on River Road next to the former sewer ponds, saying the Toro Advisory Committee was never consulted.

The Fisherman's Flats HOA president said wildfire evacuation studies show Highway 68 cannot handle more residents and called the EIR's 'less than significant' wildfire finding for Site 52 wrong and lawsuit bait.

The director of Casa de la Cultura in Pajaro and chair of the Pajaro Disaster Long-Term Recovery Alliance supported adoption and called Site 48 'a blessing' for the community.

Speaking for the Alliance land use committee, she urged support for Site 48, saying the community has worked since day one to bring housing to Pajaro.

The CRLA community worker thanked staff but said the element lacks the required SB 244 disadvantaged-community infrastructure analysis and updated safety element, and asked the board to require completion within six months.

A 43-year Carmel Valley Airport-area resident urged adoption, saying the housing element is needed to stop the builder's remedy from destroying local control.

The Monterey Bay Economic Partnership representative supported adoption, especially the Las Lomas site for farmworker families hit by the Pajaro flooding.

He urged removal of Tarpe Flats, arguing 725 units are far more than needed for the buffer, citing a KLD evacuation study projecting over 6,000 vehicles unable to evacuate and already-overcapacity Highway 68.

The Carmel Valley resident supported approval but said legal notice reaches only about 5% of residents and asked the county to use digital and social media for public notifications.

A self-described wildfire physics expert speaking for Save Tarpe Flats (1,600 residents) said Site 52 is a critical fire break and staging area, and warned high-density development there would create a Sonoma-2017-style hazard.

She said Fort Ord contamination is unresolved and Sites 46, 47, and 53 are inappropriate for housing, and echoed opposition to Tarpe Flats and Carmel Valley densification.

She supported the Las Lomas farmworker housing site, tying it to environmental equity and Dolores Huerta's legacy for farmworker families.

A Carmel Valley resident urged approval to end the builder's remedy and stressed the village's single narrow evacuation route and rising vehicle miles traveled.

Days after a fire destroyed her husband's Carmel Valley Village glass studio, she urged adoption so no more reckless builder's remedy projects threaten the community.

Expressed concerns about emergency coastal development permits and lateral access issues.

Argued against including Site 52 (Tarpee Flats), citing catastrophic wildfire evacuation risks and potential loss of life.

Highlighted significant environmental impacts in the PEIR regarding water, wastewater, and traffic.

Warned that ignoring wildfire evacuation dangers at Tarpee Flats puts public safety at extreme risk.

Criticized the rushed timeline, massive document length, and lack of attention to environmental justice concerns.

Stressed the urgency of passing the housing element to prevent devastating builder's remedy projects.

Urged the commission to adopt the housing element quickly to protect against unrestricted development.

Expressed reluctance but advised passing the imperfect housing element to stop builder's remedy.

Stated that perfection is the enemy of the good and urged moving the plan forward.

Thanked staff and urged pushing the plan through to fight future builder's remedy battles.

Protested the inclusion of Site 52 due to protected plant species, loss of open space, and fire risks.

Shared personal experience as a wildfire survivor and warned against removing natural fire breaks like Tarpee Flats.

Urged approval of the housing element to retain local control against developers.