Monterey City Council to Approve Zoning for Bicycle Rental Businesses

Tonight (March 4, 2025), the Monterey City Council votes on a recommendation from the Monterey Planning Commission to add Bicycle/Equipment Rental as a principally permitted use in the Community Commercial and Cannery Row zoning districts. (See Item 6 for details.) The City of Monterey expects this zoning change will benefit residents and visitors by encouraging and promoting transportation and commercial recreation activities that involve bicycles and electric bicycles. At a meeting on May 17, 2022, the City Council had created a new land use in the Zoning Code for Bicycle/Equipment Rentals.

Bicycle opportunities abound and continue to expand in the Monterey Bay region. The region already enjoys the 18-mile Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail between Castroville and Pacific Grove, which will eventually come a segment of the larger Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail Network in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties. There are also existing bicycle paths in the Ford Ord National Monument and other area locations, as identified by See Monterey in Top 10 Monterey Bike Rides and by the Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) in the latest Monterey County Bicycle Map.

In addition, construction continues under TAMC authority on the Del Rey Oaks first segment of what will be the 28-mile Fort Ord Regional Trail & Greenway (FORTAG). That project is funded by the Measure X sales tax, which was supported by your Chamber and approved by Monterey County voters in November 2016.

Your Chamber of Commerce expects the future regional network of dedicated bicycle and pedestrian routes will attract visitors, reduce commuter traffic, and benefit the economy.

TAMC Monterey Peninsula Bicycle Map

Monterey Peninsula Takes Wildfire Preparation Seriously

Public attendance was strong at the City of Monterey City of Monterey Wildfire Ready Town Hall Meeting Ready Town Hall Meeting on February 27, 2025. The City has posted videos from the event: watch the Town Hall Panel Discussion, Tree Standards and Process Breakout Session 1, and Defensible Space Inspections Breakout Session 2.

In collaboration with the California Office of the State Fire Marshal's Community Wildfire Preparedness and Mitigation Division, a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) has been completed for reducing fire risk on the Monterey Peninsula. See the plan at Community Wildfire Protection Plan for the Cities of Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea, and Pacific Grove.

Below is a map of City of Monterey Emergency Evacuation Routes, found at Evacuation Planning: Monterey Emergency Evacuation Routes. This map is meant to serve as an overview of various evacuation routes, so residents and workers can become familiar with them. During an actual evacuation, specific routes would be communicated based on the conditions and variables of the event (extent of the hazard, evacuation zones affected, wind conditions, time of day, etc.).

City of Monterey Emergency Evacuation Routes

montereychamber.com

RIBBON CUTTING: Breakthrough Men's Community

Tuesday, March 11| 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

248 Pearl Street, Monterey

Join as Breakthrough Men's Community celebrates 38 years of service. View their new office space and learn about their 2025 curriculum and workshop series.

Register Now >>

RIBBON CUTTING: Wellspring Psychological Services, Inc.

Thursday, March 13| 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

9829 Blue Larkspur Lane, Suite 2, Monterey

Please join us in celebrating Wellspring Psychological Service's 10-year milestone with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Enjoy lite bites and refreshments, tour the facilities and meet the team.

Register Now >>

Annual Awards Dinner presented by Monterey County Bank

Saturday, March 29| 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Portola Hotel & Spa, Monterey

The Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce will honor several distinguished citizens and one yet to be named business at the 116th Annual Awards Dinner. This elegant annual event provides excellent exposure to a wide array of business, elected and community leaders while recognizing the contribution of individuals who have made a lasting impact to our region. This signature event is expected to sell out.

Register Now >>

In Celebration of:

2024 Citizen of the Year

Jeff Davi

The Monterey Peninsula Home Team

and A.G. Davi, Ltd.

2024 Community Impact Award

Sandra Button

Chairman, Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

2024 Ruth Vreeland Memorial

Public Official of the Year

Mary Ann Carbone

Mayor City of Sand City

2024 Robert C. Littlefield Award

for Lifetime Achievement

Shawn Adams

Owner, Monterey Signs

Business of the Year Award

To Be Announced During The Event

Sponsorship Opportunities Available! View Sponsorship Form or contact Monica Lal at monica@montereychamber.com

Del Monte Shopping Center Sells for $123.5 Million

Del Monte Shopping Center, the 674,000-square-foot, 47-acre center in Monterey, has been sold for $123.5 million. San Diego-based American Assets Trust, which purchased the shopping center in 2004, announced the sale on Feb. 25 to Maryland-based Federal Realty Investment Trust.

Federal Realty, which has properties throughout the country, owns Santana Row in San Jose and other high-end developments in Santa Clara County, and has a history of serving “affluent customers,” according to a company statement.

The Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce “has been aware that previous (Del Monte Center) ownership was considering a sale,” said Chamber CEO Monica Lal. “The new owners, Federal Realty, own and manage other significant properties in the region, some with mixed use. We are glad the new owners have chosen to continue working with the current general manager and (Chamber) Director, Anne Sierra, whose extensive retail and local background will help inform the vision for this locally-loved asset.”

Resources for Fire Safety & Prevention Information:

• County of Monterey - Fire Prevention
• Monterey County Regional Fire District - Fire Prevention
• Fire Safe Council for Monterey County
• Ready.gov - Wildfires

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