12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JUNE 12-18, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com Concerned that Carmel could be losing out on up to $1 million a year in sales and hotel tax revenue due to a lack of parking downtown, Mayor Dale Byrne asked the City Council on June 2 to make finding solutions a priority. Calling the possible tax revenue losses “really scary,” Byrne said people are getting frustrated and leaving the town when they can’t find parking. “It may be time to test some creative, cost-effective alternatives,” he said. Ideas presented by Byrne and a small volunteer team he convened—Andrew Hooks of Flaherty’s Restaurant and Steven Summers, owner of National Parking & Valet— include repealing some parts of the “daylighting law,” stemming from California Assembly Bill 413, which requires banning parking within 20 feet of an intersection. Hooks told council they estimated that they lost 45 spots in the downtown area, costing the city potentially over $4.8 million a year, using an estimate that each parking spot generates nearly $97,000 in economic impact to the city. Under the law it is possible for Carmel to establish a shorter distance from curbs, Hooks said, if the city can justify it. Reducing the speed in the downtown area from 25 to 15 could help in that effort. Summers, whose company is a longtime contractor for the city, laid out how they could create a valet loading zone at Junipero and Ocean avenues. He said they identified 70-100 spots on city-owned land, including the Public Works parking lot, the Forest Theater and a ramp at Sunset Center. There would be an hourly charge for parking, with the city and National Parking sharing in the proceeds. Councilmembers agreed that employee parking is likely the biggest issue. Hooks suggested creating programs for employees to carpool, or a shuttle. He also said the city could then create an enforcement program that would fine employees for repeatedly parking downtown. One idea the council wasn’t willing to pursue is imposing paid parking in the Del Mar parking lot at the base of Ocean Avenue by Carmel Beach. They feared it would push vehicles into surrounding neighborhoods. Byrne said he would create a working group with the Carmel Chamber of Commerce and others to continue to research ideas. City Administrator Chip Rerig will work with City Attorney Brian Pierik to look at the idea of a valet pilot program, which would last three to four months. Two days after Salinas City Council voted 5-2 to repeal four housing-related ordinances, including a rent stabilization cap of 2.75 percent annually, Mayor Dennis Donohue laid out his next steps moving forward. “The ordinances that were put in place, which were well intended, would have exacerbated the problem,” Donohue said at a press conference in City Hall on Thursday, June 5. “The real solution is to build more housing.” He laid out a four-step plan. It includes creating a multi-year rental assistance program for renters in need. He called for expanding tenant-mediation services and a tenant rights and resources communication campaign. He also said the city will host a housing summit this fall. “We heard clearly that people do need help right now, and we want to respond to that need,” Donohue said. He appointed himself and two colleagues on council to serve on an ad hoc committee to advance the housing plan. All members—Donohue, Gloria De La Rosa and José Luis Barajas—voted to repeal the ordinances. The ad hoc committee is expected to begin meeting “in a timely fashion,” and Donohue expects at least some of its meetings will be open to the public. John Silva, from the group Protect Salinas Renters, says there is no need for an ad hoc committee since the city already has a Housing and Land Use Committee. “I worry that it won’t be subject to the Brown Act and other protections that the Housing Committee does have to go through,” he says. The committee will develop recommendations for a rental assistance program, drawing on landlord resources and potential philanthropic support. It could be designed to help tenants pay a deposit or a few months of rent. As this process gets underway, a group is working to bring back the overturned ordinances. Protect Salinas Renters launched a referendum initiative June 3, just after the vote, hoping to gather enough signatures to potentially overturn council’s decision. No Parking Carmel’s mayor puts parking on the priority list, citing lost revenue potential. By Pam Marino NEWS HOUSING PLAN The County of Monterey has amended its Permanent Local Housing Allocation Plan, which outlines how state funding will be used for housing. The draft plan is available for public input. Public review ends Monday, June 16. Board of Supervisors public hearing 1:30pm Tuesday, June 17. Board of Supervisors chambers, 168 W. Alisal St., first floor, Salinas. Free. 755-5025, countyofmonterey.gov. TALKING BUDGET The Castroville Community Services District Board of Directors will consider adopting its proposed budget for the next fiscal year. Public comment is accepted. 4:30pm Tuesday, June 17. Castroville Community Services District Office, 11499 Geil St., Castroville. Free. 6332560, castrovillecsd.org. ON THE DAIS Sand City Council meets to consider a permit allowing an Elder Avenue business to store materials outside in containers, among other city business. Public comment is accepted. 5:30pm Tuesday, June 17. City Hall Council Chamber, 1 Pendergrass Way, Sand City. Free. 394-3054, sandcity. org. BEAUTY BARBECUE The public is invited to an annual Beautification Week celebration and hamburger barbecue hosted by the King City Chamber of Commerce and King City Rotary Club. Awards will be handed out, and guest speakers will talk about beautification efforts in the past year. Noon Wednesday, June 18. San Lorenzo Park, DeAnza building, 1160 Broadway, King City. Free. RSVP by June 16 to 385-3814 or kcchambermanager@ kingcitychamber.com. PLAN FOR THE FUTURE The City of Monterey hosts a workshop to help develop a plan that comes up with ways to combat climate change. The public is encouraged to share feedback. 6-8pm Wednesday, June 18. MIIS Irvine Auditorium, 499 Pierce St., Monterey. Free. 646-5662, haveyoursaymonterey. org/climate-action-plan. WHALE WATCHERS The Monterey Bay Chapter of the American Cetacean Society welcomes guest speaker Ted Cheeseman, the co-founder of Happywhale, a citizen science web platform that tracks whales around the globe.. 7-9pm Wednesday, June 18. Hopkins Marine Station, 120 Ocean View Blvd., Pacific Grove. Free, donations appreciated. acsmb.org. Home Build After repealing ordinances, Salinas mayor announces alternatives to address the rental crisis. By Celia Jiménez Street parking in Carmel is often crowded, especially on weekends. Mayor Dale Byrne has directed a pilot program to test a variety of options. E-MAIL: toolbox@montereycountynow.com TOOLBOX Employee parking is likely the biggest issue. DANIEL DREIFUSS
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