Canine Sports Facility

The Canine Sports Facility and Event Center would include daily member usage and up to “24 event days” per year. In addition to several trailers for use as an office, and for members, storage and restrooms, there would also be a fenced field, parking area and walking paths.

Quick Facts

  • The project applicant is Wolter Properties LP.
  • The project requires a combined development permit for the canine training/sports facility and design approval.
  • The project site is governed by the 2010 Monterey County General Plan and the Carmel Valley Master Plan.
  • The County of Monterey is the lead agency.

Project Status

Project Location Map

The Canine Sports Center will be
located off Valley Greens Drive.

Full Size Map (360K PDF)
Credit: County of Monterey, Canine Sports Center MND (December 2013).

Resources at Risk

  • Use of a Riparian Area
    Staff stated the project applicant had not agreed to the mitigation measures limiting use of a sensitive riparian area, but the project clearly states the riparian area will be used.
  • Inconsistent Use of Site
    Monterey County Zoning restricts use of a site in a Low Density Residential setting to 10 events per year and this project proposes 24 per year.
  • Increases Regional Traffic
    The regional roadways impacted by the project are not identified in the document and therefore without identification the impacts can’t be mitigated below a level of significance.

LandWatch Involvement

LandWatch engages in the public process in a variety of ways. For this project, here is a list of our engagement strategies.

  • Letter: Comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Report (182K PDF)
    LandWatch outlined concerns about the project on topics related to: cumulative impacts, aesthetics, agricultural land, air quality, biological resources, hydrology, land use and planning, and more. (05.05.15)
  • Letter: Comments on the Mitigated Negative Declaration (97K PDF)
    LandWatch finds that based on the review of the mitigation, the project should be revised and a new environmental document prepared. If the project is not revised, preparation of an environmental impact report should be undertaken. (01.13.14)

Project History

  • Canine Sports Center Denied by Board
    In an unprecedented move the Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to deny the Canine Sports Center. LandWatch wants to congratulate the Friends of Quail and the Carmel Valley Association for their commitment to overturning this poorly planned project. (10.27.15)
  • Board Votes to Deny Canine Club
    Citing traffic concerns, water issues, and poor planning; the Board of Supervisors granted the appeal and denied the Canine Sports Center. The project was proposed on 47 acres of lands that used to be organically farmed. (10.27.15)
  • Public Testimony Last Hours, Pays Off
    After three hours of public comment, the Board of Supervisors voted to deny the Canine Sports Center. Several Supervisors noted their process-based concerns. The second reading is December 15. (10.27.15)
  • Residents Concerned about Traffic, Process
    Residents raised concerns about traffic, noise and location, while others relayed their concerns are mainly about process. One concern was that the Planning Commission found a public benefit over the environmental impacts even though the project will include fees and limited memberships. (10.24.15)
  • Canine Center Appealed to Board of Supervisors
    An attorney representing Quail Lodge and Friends of Quail have appealed the unanimous decision by the Planning Commission to approve the Carmel Canine Center. Petitioners contend, it is the wrong project for the wrong location. Check out the article on the Pine Cone’s front page. (09.18.15)
  • Canine Center Gets Approval
    Many are displeased with the decision to approve the Canine Center in Carmel. It remains to be seen if any of the leading opponents of the project will appeal the decision. (09.01.15)
  • CA Department of Fish and Wildlife Recommends MND Withdrawal (540K PDF)
    The Department recommends that the MND be withdrawn, and a revised CEQA document be prepared and circulated for review once adequate surveys and impact analyses have been completed, and after a water right for the project has been identified and perfected by the project proponent. (01.24.14)