The designs for 22 inclusionary single-family homes got the green light on July 8 from the Monterey County Planning Commission in a 10-0 vote, 16 years after the homes were approved by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors as a condition of approval for a 73-unit, market-rate luxury home development in Carmel Valley. Previously known as September Ranch, the project has since been renamed ONE Carmel.
Of the 22 in the neighborhood dubbed “ONE Grove,” 15 will be for moderate-income households and seven will be considered workforce/affordable housing. Eligible moderate-income buyers can earn up to 120 percent of the area median income at the time of sale, the workforce housing will be for those earning up to 150 percent of AMI.
Meanwhile, the nearby future luxury homes for “high-net-worth buyers” start at $15 million. “Trophy compounds” start at $25 million. Homesites are available starting at $6 million. Lots range from 2.5 to 12 acres.
Design approval by the Planning Commission put the inclusionary units another step closer to actual construction, bringing much-needed affordable housing to Carmel Valley.
The County only recently gained “statutory compliance” of its housing element from the California Department of Housing and Community Development for the years 2023-2031 and has yet to have a fully certified element more than two years after it was due. The County must plan for a total of more than 3,300 units from very low- to above moderate-income by 2031. The ONE Grove homes fall into the moderate-income category, of which the County has only realized 12 units out of 420, according to the state.
“I move approval of inclusionary housing because I’m thrilled to have it,” said Commissioner Martha Diehl before the vote. “My comment would be how soon can we have it because I would really like to see it happen after all these years.”
How quickly those units come online depends on how fast sales and permitting of the luxury units take place. Each individually designed luxury home will be reviewed and approved by the County’s Housing and Community Development Department.
Housing Program Manager Darby Marshall told commissioners that the development agreement requires that half of all the inclusionary housing building permits must be issued prior to the 12th market-rate building permit being issued. The remaining 11 units must be constructed prior to the 41-st market-rate permit issued.
The farmhouse-inspired inclusionary homes will each come with a covered carport. The development also includes two small parks for younger and older children.
Both ONE Carmel and ONE Grove sit on 891 acres, 90 percent of which will remain permanently protected. The developers are promising a “reimagining” of September Ranch’s public equestrian center. The iconic red barn has been preserved and will be used for equestrian events, art exhibitions, performances and other events.