Monterey City Council to Examine Massive Housing Project

City of Monterey staff is asking the Monterey City Council to authorize a letter to the County of Monterey outlining concerns about proposed construction of an eleven-story, 386,510 square-foot residential building with 239 units (191 market rate units and 48 low income units). It would be located at 711 Viejo Road, Assessor Parcel Number APN 103-011-015-000. This site is a sloping hillside overlooking Monterey on the east side of Highway 1 between the Soledad Drive/Munras Avenue exits and the Holman Highway exit. The mysterious applicant uses an address that appears to be a mailbox rental office in Fullerton, in Orange County, California.

This project, obviously out of character with typical Monterey Peninsula housing developments, is advancing because the County of Monterey failed to submit a credible 2023-2031 6th Cycle Housing Element to the State of California by the deadline of December 15, 2023. As a penalty for non-compliance, developers now can exercise a provision in state law commonly called “builder’s remedy” that circumvents permitting requirements often used to derail housing projects.

Ironically, insistent objections of some Monterey Peninsula residents to any new housing near them has now opened the possibility of a housing colossus in their midst. Your Chamber will have a representative at the Monterey City Council meeting tonight (Tuesday, February 17) to observe the proceedings and report back to Chamber leadership. See meeting agenda item #16: 711 Viejo Road Development.

Seaside City Council Votes on Exclusive Negotiating Agreement with Local Company for Long-Delayed Main Gate Property

An area of the former Fort Ord that has long awaited transformation is the Main Gate property in the City of Seaside, bounded by Highway 1, Lightfighter Drive, Divarty Street, and Second Street (Assessor Parcel Number APN 031-151-013-000). The state Judicial Council of California will soon build a new Fort Ord Courthouse for Monterey Superior Court on part of the site.

At its meeting on Thursday, February 19, the Seaside City Council will vote on negotiating with KB Bakewell for development of other parts of the property. KB Bakewell is experienced with the challenges of developing former Fort Ord property in the City of Seaside, as it is now developing Campus Town and also built the Seaside Highlands residential development in the early 2000s. See meeting agenda item #10a: Main Gate private development.

Another Swathe of Fort Ord Blight May Soon Be Gone

In 2020, Marina Community Partners/Shea Homes demolished a large complex of deteriorated yellow World War II barracks at the intersection of Imjin Parkway and Second Avenue (near the Imjin/Highway 1 interchange). A gas station is now under construction at that site, and the local Dadwal Management Group, which built the nearby SpringHill Suites and Home2 Suites hotels, will soon build two hotels there.

But six blighted barracks remain in that area, in Assessor Parcel Number (APN) 031-251-005-000, behind the Imjin Office Park (where Bureau of Land Management and Marina Coast Water District are located) and across 13th Street from one of the remaining Fort Ord World War II chapels, now owned by Monterey Peninsula College (MPC).

MPC obtained this specific parcel in 2004 from the U.S. Army as part of a larger Public Benefit Conveyance but transferred the land to the City of Marina (technically, the now-dissolved Marina Redevelopment Agency) in 2010. (MPC has retained its neighboring parcels for significant expansion of its Marina Education Center facilities.)

At its meeting on Wednesday, February 18, the Marina City Council will vote to declare this parcel of blighted barracks as surplus land, with no current or planned city use, and sell it under the guidelines of the California Surplus Land Act. State law does give priority in the disposition of property to developers building housing that’s at least 25 percent affordable units for very low-income or low-income households. See meeting agenda item #13e: Surplus Land.

Seaside City Council Continues to Discuss a Vacancy Tax

Members of the Seaside City Council have been asking staff for reports on vacant properties in the City of Seaside and the potential for voter approval of a vacant property tax as a way to prod property owners into activating their chronically empty buildings. Downtown Seaside continues to struggle with vacancy and blight that hinders downtown revitalization and vibrancy. Your Chamber of Commerce will monitor these proposals, while noting that the Salinas Downtown Community Benefit District seems to be effective in limiting vacancies in downtown Salinas. See meeting agenda items 11b and 8a (February 5, 2026 minutes): Vacant Properties.

montereychamber.com

Pictured: 2024 Business of the Year LanguageLine Solutions

Last Chance to Vote for Business of the Year! 

We’re calling on MPCC members to cast their vote and help recognize an outstanding local business that truly goes above and beyond. Members are invited to help select the 2025 Business of the Year from last year’s Business Excellence Award winners — finalists who represent the very best of our local business community.

The winner will be revealed and celebrated at our Annual Awards Dinner on March 14 at the Monterey Conference Center. Cast your vote and be part of the celebration!

Coastal Roots Hospitality Announces 2026 Pick It Up — Pay It Forward Nonprofit Partners

In advance of its sixth year of community investment — with more than $400,000 donated to local organizations — Coastal Roots Hospitality has announced additional nonprofit partners for its 2026 Pick It Up — Pay It Forward program.

Through the program, 10 percent of every to-go order from CRH’s flagship restaurants — Montrio, Tarpy’s and Rio Grill — is donated directly to nonprofit partners on a rotating, two-month basis.

2026 Pick It Up — Pay It Forward Partners

• January/February: The Bridge Restoration Ministry
• March/April: CASA of Monterey County
• May/June: Monterey County Film Commission
• July/August: Community Partnership for Youth
• September/October: Monterey County Youth Museum (MY Museum)
• November/December: Seneca Kinship Center

Each organization will receive funds generated during its designated giving period, allowing nonprofits to plan ahead and rely on predictable support rather than one-time donations.



Unlike traditional fundraising campaigns or annual check presentations, Pick It Up — Pay It Forward is embedded into Coastal Roots Hospitality’s daily operations. Every takeout order becomes a micro-investment in the community, creating a steady funding stream that helps nonprofits meet ongoing needs — from housing and youth advocacy to family stabilization and cultural enrichment.

For more information about Coastal Roots Hospitality and its commitment to community engagement, visit www.coastalrootshospitality.com or call (831) 647-1085.

Winter storms continue throughout the Central Coast. Stay safe. Stay prepared.

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