10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY NOVEMBER 12-18, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com For years, fall brings a familiar kind of smell in Marina. Sometimes it’s the essence of a hot, starchy vegetable wafting through the neighborhoods, sometimes it’s a water holding pond that turned septic. Over the years, Marina Mayor Bruce Delgado and County Supervisor Wendy Root Askew have hosted multiple town hall meetings to discuss the issue, which trends during fall and winter as wind patterns and temperatures trap the smells closer to the ground. “As complaints come in, the sources of those odors are doing their level best to address those issues,” Richard Stedman of Monterey Bay Air Resources District said at a July 7 town hall meeting. “What we’ve seen is [the smell] gets worse when the weather gets really bad or we get warm, humid weather.” While not all odors can be controlled, some can. ReGen Monterey, which operates a landfill, recycling and composting facility, is one of many industrial operations in the area that contribute to the stench. The agency is investing $8.7 million in a new composting system, partially supported by a $3 million CalRecycle grant and an additional $1 million investment from compost operator Keith Day. The project will transition its composting operation to a system known as CASP, or Covered Aerated Static Pile. The new system aims to reduce both odors and emissions while shortening ReGen’s composting process (for residential green waste) from 90-120 days to approximately 30 days. For decades, ReGen has used a process called windrow composting, which involves separating the organic material into long rows (windrows), and using heavy machinery to turn the rows every few days. The new system will cover the organic material with a membrane and use automated technology to manage airflow, temperature and irrigation simultaneously. This process will help materials break down more efficiently, and capture gases and odors before they release, and cut down the need for diesel-powered equipment. Construction began in May and is expected to be completed by year-end. “Composting operations have increased due to state requirements to divert organics out of landfills, so there is potential for composting odors to increase,” Delgado says. “This all makes it important and timely to take action to reduce compost odors that can affect Marina residents. CASP is an expensive but needed project.” More landscaping and a better parking plan was what the Carmel City Council asked for last fall from a proposed JB Pastor mixeduse building on Dolores Street, the vision of Monaco developer Patrice Pastor, who named the building after his father. Over a year later, Pastor’s company, Esperanza Carmel, delivered on the landscaping and parking, as well as adding three affordable units. The Carmel Planning Commission approved the 13,887-square-foot, two-story project in a 5-0 vote on Nov. 4, giving it high marks, especially for the affordable one-bedroom apartments, each under 500 square feet, joining eight market-rate units. Esperanza representative Christopher Mitchell told commissioners they added the affordable units because “we know there is a lot of pressure” on the city to add affordable housing. Commissioner Stephanie Locke called the units “a big bonus” that “everyone should be extremely happy about.” Not everyone was happy. Former commissioner Julie Wendt called them “shameful,” contending the developer was clustering three “inferior” apartments at the rear, creating “economic segregation.” (Assembly Bill 491, adopted in 2021, states that developers “shall not isolate” lower-income units to a specific area of a mixed-income development.) Commissioner Michael LePage said the opponents’ argument was “missing the point.” The addition of the affordable units demonstrated what providing housing downtown would look like, he said. Commissioner Stefan Karapetkov only requested that Esperanza add more natural light to the units. It’s the second approval of the project by the Planning Commission. In 2025, commissioners approved an earlier version that was appealed by 11 residents to the City Council, which in turn sent it back to the Planning Commission asking for more parking and landscaping. The new plan puts parking underground and increases spaces from 12 to 19. The public has until Nov. 19 to appeal the Planning Commission’s decision. Sniff Test A new composting project at ReGen Monterey aims to reduce odors and emissions. By Katie Rodriguez NEWS BE PREPARED The Monterey County Department of Emergency Management hosts a winter storm preparedness town hall meeting for Pajaro residents. 5:30pm Thursday, Nov. 12. Pajaro Middle School, 250 Salinas Road, Pajaro. Free. readymontereycounty.org. RENTAL RIGHTS The City of Monterey and ECHO Housing host a virtual meeting on the Tenant Protection Act of 2019. Learn about your rights as a renter. 2-3pm Friday, Nov. 13. Via Zoom at bit. ly/MontereyTenantsNov13. Free. (831) 646-3995, monterey.gov/housing. SCAM SHIELD Learn how to protect yourself from financial scams. The talk is presented by cybersecurity expert Francisco Rodriguez and hosted by Monterey City Councilmember Jean Rasch and Monterey Vista Neighborhood Association. 10:15-11:30am Saturday, Nov. 14. Monterey Public Library, 625 Pacific St., Monterey. Free. bit.ly/ MontereyScamTalkNov14. PUBLIC PROCESS The Monterey County Board of Supervisors meets to consider various agenda items. Public input is accepted. 9am Tuesday, Nov. 17. Board of Supervisors’ chambers, 168 West Alisal St., Salinas. Free. (831) 755-5066, countyofmonterey.gov. FIRE WISE North County Fire Protection District Board of Directors meets to consider various district business. Public comment is accepted. 10am Tuesday, Nov. 17. Castroville Library, 11160 Speegle St., Castroville. Free. (831) 633-2578, ncfpd.org. POINT MADE Salinas Valley Health offers a community flu clinic, open to all. 2-6pm Tuesday, Nov. 17. Hartnell College Student Center, 411 Central Ave., Salinas. Free. (831) 759-1890, salinasvalleyhealth.com/flu. GATHER THE POSSE Monterey County Planning Commission meets to consider allowing the Monterey County Sheriff’s Posse to host eight concerts a year, among other projects. Public input is accepted. 9am Wednesday, Nov. 18. Board of Supervisors’ Chambers, 168 West Alisal St., Salinas. Free. (831) 7555025, countyofmonterey.gov. FUTURE TEACHERS Learn about pathways to get into teaching or advance an existing career at this discussion over pizza. 5:30-6:30pm Thursday, Nov. 17. Monterey County Office of Education, 901 Blanco Circle, Salinas. Free. (831) 755-0300, montereycoe.org. Hard Fought The JB Pastor building in Carmel wins approval for a second time after years of struggle. By Pam Marino A compost turner (above) regularly turns the material to help manage heat and moisture levels. CASP will reduce the frequency of turning, as oxygen will be piped in. E-MAIL: publiccitizen@montereycountynow.com PUBLIC CITIZEN “CASP is an expensive but needed project.” REGEN MONTEREY
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