12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY OCTOBER 22-28, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com In 2023, the Monterey City Council established four cannabis retail zones on North Fremont Street, downtown, in the Wave Street area, and in the Lighthouse/Foam Street area. Since then, two dispensaries have opened: Off the Charts on Lighthouse Avenue and Element 7 in downtown Monterey. A third dispensary, operated by Monterey Organics LLC, is slated to open at 845 Wave St., once permits are finalized and construction on the building is complete. Despite the Wave Street property’s location in the cannabis retail zoning district, neighbors are pushing back. Brent Waldman, property manager for the building next door, which houses Bistro Moulin, filed a lawsuit on Oct. 15 against the City of Monterey, claiming that it improperly issued zoning clearances and building approvals for the project. As part of the lawsuit, Waldman sought a temporary restraining order to immediately halt construction and commercial development of the property as the case continues through the court system. One of Waldman’s primary arguments against the establishment of a dispensary at that location is its proximity to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which Waldman argues is “a primary youth educational, enrichment and cultural facility.” According to city code, “No cannabis business may be located within a 600-foot radius measured from property line to property line of a school, day care center, or youth center.” Waldman reports the property is about 450 feet from the Monterey Bay Aquarium. At the Oct. 20 hearing regarding the temporary restraining order, Judge Ian Rivamonte was not convinced that the Aquarium is legally considered a school or youth center because it is not primarily used to host recreational or social activities for minors, per the legal definition. Waldman argued that the Aquarium meets the legal definition because of its robust youth programming and said he is currently conferring with state officials to home in on the definition. In the City’s defense, Monterey City Attorney Christine Davi highlighted a years-long public process that began in 2020 to establish the four cannabis retail zones, including Wave Street. Rivamonte said he recognized the Aquarium has educational programming and activities for children and teens, but “the same can be said for Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm.” He denied the temporary restraining order. The next hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 17. Most school bonds are focused on raising money for facilities, including classrooms, HVAC and athletic fields. Monterey County voters will decide on four school bonds Nov. 3. Pacific Grove Unified School District’s Measure K is the only bond measure focused on instruction and direct student services— including English and math programming, services for students with disabilities and mental health services. The measure would add an $85-per-parcel tax for five years, raising an estimated $800,000 annually. Superintendent Linda Adamson says that if Measure K passes, it would keep before- and afterschool programs affordable. There are 200 elementary students enrolled in these programs and the rates increased from $7 to $8 per hour this school year. “The challenge is that these fees do not cover the full cost of operations. To keep the program running, we must subsidize it each year with a significant contribution from our unrestricted general fund,” Adamson notes. For two years in a row, PGUSD has faced a budget shortfall and made cuts to address them. This year, the board eliminated four teacher positions and a school librarian. Adamson says these reductions weren’t enough and the district is looking for other options. The PGUSD board will also see two new members, since Elliott Hazen (Area 3) and Laura Ottmar (Area 1) aren’t seeking reelection. (In Area 5, incumbent Jennifer McNary will be reappointed with no challengers. Likewise in Area 3, where parent Nicole Rivera is the only candidate.) There are three parent candidates for Area 1: Charles Brinker, a small business owner; Dan Miller, a former P.G. City Council member; and Stephen Bennett, an electronic systems technician who served in the Navy. Miller, who was periodically combative during his time on council, is campaigning on a promise to reverse PGUSD’s shrinking and cutting trend. PGUSD hosts a forum to discuss Measure K on Monday, Oct. 26 from 5-6:30pm at the district office, 435 Hillcrest Ave. Smoke Out Property manager sues to stop cannabis dispensary on Wave Street in Monterey. By Aric Sleeper NEWS BALLOT BOXES Monterey County Elections host a series of “Books & Ballots” events to offer pop-up voting locations. 1-5:45pm Thursday, Oct. 22 at Greenfield library, 315 El Camino Real. 1-6pm Friday, Oct. 23 at King City library, 402 Broadway St. 1-5:45pm Tuesday, Oct. 27 at Carmel Valley library, 65 West Carmel Valley Road. 1-6pm Wednesday, Oct. 28 at CVS, 17579 Vierra Canyon Road, Prunedale. Free. (831) 796-1499, countyofmonterey.gov/elections. EMERGENCY ROOM Pajaro Valley Health Care District holds a town hall about the future of Watsonville Community Hospital. District officials warn the hospital could close within a year if its financial situation is not addressed. 5:30-6:30pm Thursday, Oct. 22. Watsonville Civic Plaza, Community Room, 275 Main St., Watsonville. Free. (831) 724-4741, pvhcd.org. GET VACCINATED Salinas Valley Health offers a community flu clinic. The clinic is open to all. Noon-3pm Sunday, Oct. 25. Castroville Elementary School, 11161 Merritt St., Castroville. Free. (831) 759-1890, salinasvalleyhealth.com/flu. WINTER IS COMING City of Salinas hosts a panel discussion and emergency readiness fair about how to prepare for winter storms. 6-8pm Monday, Oct. 26. Sherwood Hall, 940 North Main St., Salinas. Free. (831) 758-7381, salinas.gov/Events/ Emergency-Readiness-Expo. PARK OF THE PROCESS Salinas City Councilmember Jose Luis Barajas and the Public Works Department host a meeting on the Preferential Parking Program. Residents are encouraged to ask questions about the program that may affect residential parking. 6-8pm Wednesday, Oct. 28. Alisal High School, multipurpose room, 777 Williams Road, Salinas. Free. (831) 758-7381, salinas.gov. AROUND AROMAS Monterey County Supervisor Glenn Church joins San Benito County Supervisor Kollin Kosmicki and guests from local agencies for an update on issues in Aromas. 5:30-7pm Thursday, Oct. 29. Aromas Grange Hall, 361 Rose Ave. Free. (831) 755-5022, glennchurch.com. NAME OF THE GAME Help name three parks in Marina: City Park at the Dunes, City Park at Sea Haven and Hilltop Park. The City of Marina is taking submissions from residents. Submissions accepted through Dec. 31. Free. (831) 844-1253, bit.ly/ MarinaParkNaming. Tuition Rate Pacific Grove Unified seeks to raise funds for student programming with Measure K. By Celia Jiménez Monterey Organics LLC has filed for a permit to open at 845 Wave St., next door to restaurant Bistro Moulin and a block up from the Monterey Bay Aquarium entrance. E-MAIL: publiccitizen@montereycountynow.com PUBLIC CITIZEN “The same can be said for Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm.” DANIEL DREIFUSS
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