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Friday, September 7, 2012
California Department of Transportation
Developers are proposing to build a major new subdivision outside the City of Salinas, along the scenic Highway 68 corridor. The proposed development is called the Ferrini Ranch Subdivision. If you care about Highway 68 traffic, or the scenic quality of that highway, or perhaps the new fiscal demands that such unincorporated development places on hard-pressed county governments, you will probably want to get involved in the process.
A Draft Environmental Impact Report, or EIR, was just released for public comment. The comment deadline is October 22nd. You can find a link at kusp.org/landuse.
CEQA, the California Environmental Quality Act, gives members of the public an opportunity to review proposed project plans well in advance, and CEQA requires that public comments be taken seriously. Monterey County is required to provide specific responses to each and every public comment received. This is how CEQA works! It’s a three-stage process: first, a draft report on expected impacts; then, public comments; then, a response to each comment. At the end, the Board of Supervisors should have really good information on which to base its decision – but the process does depend on public involvement.
The developers are proposing 212 new residential units. Your time to comment begins now.
More Information:
News Article on Ferrini Ranch Subdivision Environmental Review
Planning Documents on Proposed Ferrini Ranch Subdivision
Project Description for the Ferrini Ranch Subdivision
LandWatch Monterey County Resources
If you’d like to get involved, contact the Highway 68 coalition – (831) 484-6659
Former Santa Cruz County Supervisor Gary Patton talks about land use, and land use decisions, with an emphasis on public participation and how the land use process works.