HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE
MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County has officially submitted the second draft of its Sixth Cycle Housing Element (2023-2031) to the California Department of Housing and Community Development. This submission marks the beginning of a 60-day review process, which is scheduled to conclude in late August. The County encourages residents to review the draft and share their feedback during this period. The draft document and additional information are available on the County’s website at CountyOfMonterey.gov/GeneralPlanUpdates. This review process is a vital part of the County’s efforts to plan for affordable housing and community development, in accordance with state law.
GROUNDWATER FEE MAP
SALINAS VALLEY — The Groundwater Sustainability Fee Map is now live, offering an interactive overview of the annual fees paid by groundwater users in the Salinas Valley. Managed by the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency, these fees help fund sustainable groundwater management projects and future planning efforts to protect this vital resource. Learn more at svbgsa.org and explore the map directly at tinyurl.com/25u2x6fp.
SLIDE REPAIRS
BIG SUR — Crews are continuing with repairs to Regent’s Slide, which closed Highway 1 on Feb. 9, 2024. Crews at Regent’s Slide resumed full-scale excavation activities in mid-July following the installation of 2,000 shear dowels, which have been drilled and grouted into the cut slope, above the active work area, to stabilize slope movement identified in late-April. An array of monitoring equipment has confirmed that the shear dowels are having the intended effect of mitigating further slide activity. As the top-down excavation advances, crews will continue to install shear dowels in the cut slope behind them, providing immediate and long-term reinforcement of the slope. To date, the installation of 2,000 shear dowels has included almost 23 miles of steel and 900 tons of cement. Excavation work is continuing with the combined use of both conventional and remote-controlled equipment. The remote-controlled equipment, including two large bulldozers and one excavator, remain an integral component to the advancement of excavation and removal of slide material. “Crews continue to work seven days a week and extended hours on these repair efforts,” stated Caltrans. “With the resumption of full-scale excavation work, Caltrans will be in a position to provide an updated estimate on the full reopening of Highway 1 at Regent’s Slide in mid-September.”
BONUS BRIEF: MONTHLY MEETING
KING CITY — Southern Monterey County Republican Women Federated will host its monthly meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 5, at 5:30 p.m. at Cork and Plough restaurant, 200 Broadway, in King City. The club’s scholarship winners will be honored at the meeting and the guest speaker will be Rob Bernosky, former Regional Vice Chair of California Republican Party. Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting. For reservations and further information, call 831-385-1333 or email ka************@***il.com.
