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Coastal Commission tours forest

ORVILLE MYERS/The Herald

Nikki Nedoff, left, of the Big Sur Land Trust talks about Monterey pine forest preservation and pine pitch canker disease Wednesday with members of the California Coastal Commission as they look at sites along Convress Road near the Spanish Bay Resort

Proposed development site shown

By AMY ETTINGER
aettinger@montereyherald.com

California Coastal commissioners got a glimpse of one of the most gorgeous areas of the Monterey Peninsula Wednesday with a tour through Del Monte Forest and a quick study of Measure A.

The measure's zoning changes, which could allow the company to build another golf course and expand its hotels, won voter approval in November. The Pebble Beach Co. sponsored the measure, spent about $1 million to ensure its passage, and filed plans with the county for development in April. Coastal Commission approval will be required before anything can be built.

As deer slept lazily in the grass of Spyglass Quarry on Wednesday afternoon, the commissioners toured the proposed site for part of a new 18-hole golf course.

Lee Otter, district chief planner for the commission, explained that hundreds of Monterey Pines would have to be removed to provide access to the course. As commissioners admired the ocean view, Otter spoke about some of the impacts of development at the former quarry.

Other staff members also weighed in. "There needs to be a lot more investigation of how this area ought to be treated," said Tami Grove, deputy director of the coastal commission.

Developer Alan Williams, who is handling the plans for the Pebble Beach Co., was cut off by commission members as he tried to explain the company's vision for the project during the tour.

Plans submitted by the company include building a new equestrian center at the Saw Mill Borrow Site; creating a new golf course at the current equestrian center; adding 63 rooms and underground parking for The Lodge at Pebble Beach; and adding 86 rooms and underground parking garage for the Inn at Spanish Bay. The plans would also increase the amount of open space for forest and recreational use.

It will take between 18 months and two years before Measure A comes before the Coastal Commission, said county supervising planner Jeff Main. Permits will be handled by the county and environmental review will have to be done before Measure A can be reviewed by the commission.

Nicole Nedeff, director of conservation for the Big Sur Land Trust, said commissioners should "look beyond the trees" to understand the habitat in the Del Monte Forest. Small wetland areas abound and a complex layering of soils characterizes the landscape, she said.

The tour led the commissioners into Carmel, where they were shown some of the renovations to homes in the city and some sites of proposed demolition and development.

Earlier in the day, the commission heard a brief report on Carmel's land use plan, which was passed by the City Council in April. The document lays out policies about community character and development, access, recreation and coastal resource protection.

A group of residents spoke out against the Carmel plan Wednesday, saying it doesn't adequately address historical preservation in the city. Preservationist Enid Sales said the city is continuing to demolish older homes, changing the city's character.