A housing project proposed in Carmel Valley causes an uproar among neighbors.

Celia Jiménez here. One topic that continues to come up when covering local government is the lack of housing in the state and Monterey County.

Various factors have contributed to it, such as high construction costs, policy decisions and NIMBY or “Not In My Back Yard” attitudes held by many. 

To combat the housing crisis in California, the state has implemented laws over the years to streamline and facilitate housing production and to limit the grounds on which local governments can oppose projects.

An example can be found in this week’s edition of the Weekly, where staff writer Pam Marino reported on a proposed housing project in Carmel Valley that would bring 90 units to the former Carmel Valley airfield, which is causing an uproar among neighbors. 

The number of units proposed by Monterey-based developer Orosco Group exceeds what the current zoning allows. The Carmel Valley Master Plan permits 24 units, but since the county’s housing element is over two years late to be certified by the state, this density no longer stands, as the state’s Builder’s Remedy law is now in effect. 

Marino tells me that not many large projects have come to fruition in Carmel Valley in recent years. She says lengthy processes, various county policies and residents' opposition make that challenging. 

The fight is no longer about preserving the spirit of the area, but about what is the best approach to growth. This includes having a housing element in place and being part of the solution.