Hacienda owner is hopeful about a resolution with the County and restoring events.

Hacienda, the popular Carmel Valley gathering spot that suspended events last month amid county compliance concerns, is looking for a path forward.

The County of Monterey issued an administrative citation on April 12, with several violations including an unpermitted coffee bar and market, paid gatherings, use of shipping containers and unpermitted construction.

Fines were set to begin accruing on May 14, but as talks continue, County officials are delaying collection.

“The property owner and tenant are moving forward to clear the violations and the fines will be stayed while they diligently pursue correcting the violations,” County spokesperson Maia Carroll writes by email.

The majority of the issues are already resolved; hosting events remains an open question.

Owner Nile Estep says he has requested clarification on the meaning of “historic usage” at this long-time establishment, an animal feed store that was also permitted to hold “holiday events and attractions.”

Monterey County Supervisor Kate Daniels, who represents District 5 where Hacienda is located, says she has been engaged with the County Department of Housing and Community Development staff working on the matter. “We all very much love Hacienda,” Daniels says. “It’s so important to have venues that cater to locals, especially when we have so many visitor-serving destinations.”

Daniels acknowledges that while some violations are administrative in nature and likely straightforward to resolve, the thornier question involves the interpretation of the property’s historic use – a distinction that could determine whether programming like line dancing can continue. “There is perhaps a different interpretation of the historic usage of the space, and that is possibly the space for negotiations,” she says.

Daniels urged Estep to build a robust historical record – drawing on local historical societies, old newspaper clippings, advertisements and community memory – to document what activities took place on the property over the decades. That documentation, she says, could prove critical in preserving those uses going forward.

The Carmel Valley Association also issued a letter of support for continued entertainment at the property.

For the moment, Hacienda’s beloved line dancing events are taking place at nearby Folktale Winery.