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(The following editorial contribution to our Web site was sent in by a Concerned Resident who does not agree with the position of the Del Monte Forest Property Owners Board of Directors on Pebble Beach Company's proposed development plans.)
Feb 21, 2001 Board of Directors Dear Board Members; Pebble Beach Company's Measure "A" was approved by only 18% (70,475) of the County's population (391,300.) Hardly a mandate for a commercial development of the size contemplated, 173 hotel rooms, golf cottages, a new golf course, employee housing and a greatly expanded equestrian center. This in addition to the recently completed state of the art spa complex. Paid solicitors obtained initiative signatures throughout the County. Using a blatant scare tactic they inferred that the alternative would be 890 new residences in Pebble Beach. Many County residents are not familiar with Pebble Beach and many have never visited the Del Monte Forest. Realistically, previous futile efforts of the Company to obtain approval for any residential development, would indicate the possible approval of no more than 200 residential lots, perhaps many less. Probable occupants would be elderly, retired or those desiring a second home. These residents, some only part time, would require only a minimal use of our infrastructure and a little of our precarious water supply. This compared with the major negative environmental effect of the Measure "A" developments on our community. Assuming approval for residential lots, the time required for the lot sales and construction of homes would mean a much needed delay of many years. Valuable time during which a desperately needed water solution could be implemented. Measure "A" developments, you can be sure, would occur in short order with an immediate adverse effect on our infrastructure and water supply. The Company has an enviable record of 90% occupancy for its facilities. Tourists, the primary users of this expanded resort development will have a major detrimental effect on the access to facilities in and out of Pebble Beach and surrounding cities. Additional employees required by this huge expansion of facilities, some using employee housing, will add to the deterioration of our traffic and parking patterns and the pressure on our water supply. Traffic, during special events such as the U.S. Open and the A.T.& T. makes it all but impossible to drive and/or park in Pebble Beach or use the Pebble Beach Post Office, where more than 1300 box holders regularly endeavor to pick up their mail. Residents near the lodge are particularly impacted and are sometimes prisoners in their own home. There are more than 50 "Special Events" listed on the Company's 2001 calendar brochure. The current equestrian center would be replaced by a water hog golf course. The new greatly expanded equestrian center would be on the site of the former sand quarry at the corner of Congress Road and the SFB Morse Drive. This site was formerly approved as a water reservoir for the reclaimed water project. It was to have furnished water suitable for the golf courses and thus free up potable water for our precarious water supply. Although they had guaranteed the financing of the reclamation project, it now appears that the Pebble Beach Company plans to sell the potable water to finance the completion of the reclamation project. This means that the citizens of Monterey County will end up paying a large portion of the additional financing required. After many years without an adequate water storage reservoir that the sand quarry would have provided, the reclamation project is still not able to furnish an adequate supply of water for our golf courses. During a recent tourney the golf courses were without water for two days. Ostensibly to protect this "beautiful but very environmentally sensitive area" and to satisfy the objections of nearby residents the quarry was zoned a "scenic easement" thanks to the efforts of former Supervisor Sam Karas. Thus this essential water storage area was eliminated from the plans for the reclamation project. Subsequent altered plans never included adequate water storage. The project, therefore, has never been able to furnish adequate water. Nearby residents in Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove had erroneously been led to believe that reclaimed water produces a very offending odor. One can imagine the odors, flying pests and traffic associated with the proposed equestrian facilities for public events, training and stabling. It will also eliminate many walking trails used by nearby residents and a still viable location for the reclamation projects essential need for a water reservoir. During previous droughts, citizens responded very well and were very successful in reducing their water usage. Commercial enterprises cooperated in many ways, however, it is impossible for them to police the amount of water used in their hotel/motel rooms and laundries. Your Board's support of Measure "A" was in direct opposition to the purposes expressed fifty years ago by your association and which have remained constant: "To preserve the environment of the Del Monte Forest and retain its unique quality of life." or It seems impossible to believe that more hotel rooms, golf cottages, employee housing, a golf course and a greatly enlarged equestrian center in a highly sensitive ecological area will: "To preserve the environment of the Del Monte Forest and retain its unique quality of life." or It is hoped that after the serious reflection on the various negative aspects of this large commercial development in our beautiful but very ecologically sensitive residential community that you will furnish the members with all of the facts concerning the development and allow them to vote on the future of the Del Monte Forest. Sincerely, /ss/ Robert W. Shepner cc: Concerned Residents
of Pebble Beach and Monterey County |