LandWatch State of Monterey County Report 1999
1.2 Findings

1. Monterey County's growth rate is the third highest in the state.
   Monterey County's population is projected to rise dramatically in the next 20 years, increasing by 39%. In 1997 alone, Monterey County's population grew approximately 4.7%, making it one of the fastest growing counties in California.
   
   
2. Monterey County will experience dramatic growth even if no new projects are approved.
   New data provided by local governments reveal even more projected growth than estimated in State of Monterey County 1998. Even if no new projects were approved, already-approved and unconstructed projects in Monterey County will add 8,167 dwelling units, 4.98 million square feet of commercial and industrial space, and 701 hotel and motel rooms. Pending projects, if approved, would almost double these numbers. The traffic, water supply, and school impacts from approved and pending development projects will degrade Monterey County's quality of life, lead to significant losses of agricultural land, and threaten its long-term economic vitality.
   
   
3. Growth is very poorly planned and will increasingly lead to urban sprawl.
   Current development patterns are resulting in an increasingly inefficient use of land. New data show that the expansion of urban land is occurring at a rate of 159 acres per 1,000 new residents. If current trends continue through the year 2020, urban land uses will consume an additional 23,800 acres.
   
   
4. Housing needs are not being met.
   The rapid growth occurring in Monterey County is not leading to the production of housing that can be afforded by ordinary working families, much less by persons who have low or very low incomes. Very little progress has been made in addressing housing needs over the past year.
   
   

New developments will significantly worsen already inadequate infrastructure, particularly roads.
Current infrastructure cannot support existing levels of development in many parts of Monterey County. In particular, there is a serious lack of road and highway capacity, water supply, and schools. Consequently, it becomes increasingly important for land use decisions to recognize funding constraints. If current growth trends continue, existing problems will significantly worsen.

Of the funds available for capacity-increasing road and highway projects in the next 20 years, the Transportation Agency for Monterey County has programmed 88% for the Prunedale Bypass and Route 101 interchanges as well as operational improvements near Prunedale. There is no funding for improvements to Route 1 north of Castroville, Route 1 near Seaside, Route 68 west and east of Highway 1, Route 183 north of Salinas, Route 218 from Highway 1 to Fremont, as well as Fremont Boulevard, Blanco Road and Reservation Road. All these roads are at Level of Service (LOS) D or below.