This Week on the Central Coast…
Monterey County makes progress on housing issues, water sources, and school improvements.
Monterey
Greater Victory Temple to Become First Church with Affordable Housing
Later this year, Greater Victory Temple Church of God in Christ in Seaside will become the first church in the area to add affordable housing to its property. The units will be exclusively for very-low income residents.
The church plans to build up to 36 units and the project will contribute to Campus Town's obligation to meet Seaside’s inclusionary housing requirements.
The Campus Town project aims to turn acres of unused land into a mixed-use urban village with green spaces and affordable housing and is being funded and constructed by KB Bakewell.
County Trying, Again, to Set Regulations on Short Term Rentals
For over a decade, Monterey county has been trying to set regulations on short term rentals. Now, a new set of proposed regulations would set limits on short term rental occupancy.
Occupants would be allowed to stay for no fewer than seven days and no more than thirty days. Hosts would be required to pay a 10.5% transient occupancy tax on top of a permit. Occupancy would also be limited to two people per bedroom, and a maximum occupancy of ten people.
Limiting short term rentals would hopefully discourage their use and increase the amount of long term housing for locals.
Monterey High is Finally Moving Forward with Stadium Improvements
Monterey High School has also been waiting a few years for improvements to be approved. The school first proposed its stadium project in 2019. Ever since, construction has been stalled by complaints by locals about the impact of the lights on surrounding neighborhoods.
The project includes several improvements to the existing stadium:
Four 70-foot stadium lights so night games can be played at the school.
Construction of a new softball field and gym, as well as a press box.
Improvements to the existing track and field.
The addition of new bleachers and renovations to comply with ADA regulations.
While there are still a couple pending lawsuits against the project, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District Superintendent PK Diffenbaugh says they won’t impede their ability to continue with the project. The estimated completion time is one year.
Recycled Water Project at El Estero Lake
A new water project at El Estero Lake was approved by the Monterey City Council last week. The Olivier Street Stormwater Diversion Project was also approved.
Currently, when heavy rains come to the county, excess water at the lake is pumped out and dumped into the ocean, wasting it. This new project will divert excess water from El Estero Lake to Monterey Water One’s water treatment facility in Marina. Once there, the water will be treated and then sent back into the county to be used in households. The amount of water captured will, of course, vary with the amount of rain.
The Olivier Street Stormwater Diversion Project will follow the same procedure with an existing stormwater drain.
The pair of projects will help the county with its struggling water supply and benefit the environment.
Forest Produce Market adding Middle Eastern Food
Forest Produce Market is located on Forest Avenue across the street from Trader Joe’s in Pacific Grove. Over the past few weeks, the market has been hosting a buffet on Saturdays. However, those were merely a trial for something bigger. Now, the market is hoping to start a food truck that will serve traditional Middle Eastern Cuisine.
Test-runs of the menu included dishes such as “kebabs, slow cooked stews, rice perfumed with saffron, kufteh and other favorites—perhaps even the breakfast wake up call, kaleh pacheh,” which is described as a Middle Eastern version of menudo.
Once the food truck is permitted, the menu will be available daily. Owner Sal Rona hopes to have the food truck ready by the end of the month, but a more exact date will come soon.
Donate to Monterey’s Sister City in Japan
Last week, I reported on Monterey assisting its sister city, Nanao, in Japan, which was struck by a devastating earthquake. If you would like to make a donation to help, The Community Foundation for Monterey County has set up a relief fund on their website. Follow the link to help!
Salinas
Local Schools are Working to Make Healthier Meal
Schools all across Monterey County are making key changes to their lunch menus. Nutrition and health have been more of a focus since grants have been awarded for improving those programs.
Multiple grants have made it easier for schools to cut processed and sugary foods from their menus and replace it with nutritious, culturally diverse options. Schools are also working with our many local agriculture producers to ensure fresher ingredients.
Improved meals include teriyaki chicken bowls, crispy chicken sandwiches with coleslaw, and salad bars, all with the option for fresh fruit or veggies as a side.
MPUSD says they are proud to offer all these improvements at no cost to students.