Monterey, CA Pebble Beach Company Under Fire For Affordable Housing Plan

View From A Nonprofit Serving Carmel, Carmel Valley, Gonzalez, Greenfield, King City, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Salinas, Seaside And Soledad California

Pebble Beach has some of the most expensive real estate in the entire nation and squabbles amongst neighbors are not uncommon, particularly when someone is building a new structure or changing an existing structure.  It's all about preserving the view and the serenity of living in such a beautiful place.  However, the debate over the 24 two and three bedroom condos which are to be built by the Pebble Beach Company (PBC) on Congress and S.F.B Morse Drive is reaching record heated levels.  At a recent Pebble Beach Land Use Advisory Committee so many people showed up they couldn't fit them all inside.  It was mostly neighbors complaining about the affordable housing project that is a requirement for PBC in order to build their new resort.  They may build outside of Pebble Beach, but if they do so they will have to pay a $5 million fee.  Neighbors were not at a loss for words at the meeting.  The one closest to the project is James McClure, who said it will be a general nuisance.  According to the Carmel Pine Cone, he said, "Right now, I have the smell of pines in the morning and quiet.  I'm going to have cars parked at my back fence, it's going to smell like a meth lab and be as noisy as a drag strip."  Another resident, Jon Pariser, said, "I believe the Pebble Beach Company has the humanity to stop this project from happening and causing a new urban environment, another New York City."  I wouldn't count on it.  This is the last major resort that is being allowed to be built in the Del Monte Forest and there is a huge amount of money at stake.  There's a dearth of affordable housing on the Peninsula, and I doubt if there is any in Pebble Beach.

Please note that this blog reflects my personal opinion and may or may not reflect the opinion of Hands to Help Seniors and the individual members comprising the Board of Governors.