• The project applicant is Domain Corporation.
• The project proposal includes the subdivision of the site for 212 residential lots, a 35 acre winery, and a private road through Toro Park.
• The project is governed by the policies of the 1982 Monterey County General Plan.
• The County of Monterey is the lead agency.

• Ag Land Trust strikes deal with Ferrini Ranch developer to conserve the property.
• The Appellate Court ruled in favor of the applicant and the County on July 26, 2019. View the Court Decision. (333K PDF)
• LandWatch Appeals Ferrini Ranch Decision (505K PDF)
  After weighing its options, LandWatch and its legal counsel, decide to appeal the Superior Court decision on Ferrini Ranch. (11.07.17)
• Superior Court Judge Wills ruled in favor of developers and against LandWatch, and upheld Monterey County’s approval of the disastrous Ferrini Ranch subdivision. Download the decision (1.8M PDF).
• LandWatch filed a lawsuit against the County of Monterey for its approval of Ferrini Ranch on January 16, 2015.
• The County of Monterey filed the Notice of Determination (164K PDF) for the project after its approval on December 18, 2014.
• The Monterey County Board of Supervisors (295K PDF) has a second reading for the approval of the Ferrini Ranch project. View the draft Resolutions for approval (389K PDF) for the December 16, 2014 meeting.
• The Monterey County Board of Supervisors approved the Ferrini Ranch project with a 3-2 vote on December 9, 2014.
• The Monterey County Board of Supervisors (241K PDF) guided by the County’s Staff Report (489K PDF) will meet to discuss the Ferrini Ranch project on December 2, 2014.
• The Monterey County Planning Commission recommended approval of the Ferrini Ranch project with a 5-4 vote in November 2014. The Board of Supervisors is set to hear the project December 2.
• The Monterey County Planning Commission (agenda) guided by the County’s Staff Report (8.5 MB PDF) will meet to discuss the Ferrini Ranch project on October 29, 2014.
• The Toro Land Use Advisory Committee (agenda) will meet to discuss the Ferrini Ranch project on October 27, 2014.
• The Planning Commission Staff Report (9.2M PDF) solicits community feedback at the October 8, 2014 Commission hearing.
• The Final Environmental Impact Report was released in October 2014.
• The County Board of Supervisors is expected to decide this project in 2014.
• The Recirculated Draft Environmental Impact Report was released in June 2014. (48.7 MB PDF) The topics that received additional review are: air quality impacts; biological resource impacts; greenhouse gas emissions; and the project alternatives.
• The Draft Environmental Impact Report was completed in August 2012. (54.2M PDF)
• The Notice of Preparation was circulated for 30 days in October 2005.
• The project application was deemed complete in April 2005.

• Viewshed
  Many of the proposed parcels are in the critical viewshed. The Toro Area Plan requires building sites to be outside the critical viewshed, but the DEIR appears to permit them as they are not visible from scenic roadways.
• Traffic
  The DEIR assumes that a number of roadway improvements will be in place by the time the project is built, but fails to demonstrate that they are actually adopted and funded projects. Under California law payment of impact fees is adequate mitigation only if the fees go toward necessary improvements that are actually part of an adopted, funded impact fee program.
• Biological Resources
  There are numerous concerns as it relates to biological resources including: impacts to species and habitats, avoidance feasibility, loss of grassland habitat and oak woodlands, and impacts to wildlife corridors.
• Water
  The project proposes to use water from the already overburdened Salinas Valley Groundwater Basin.

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

• Legal Briefs: The Record of LandWatch Court Documents
  As part of our legal proceedings on the Ferrini Ranch case, we’ve complied the court documents.
  • Writ of Mandate filed by LandWatch (221K PDF) (01.16.15)
  • Opening Brief filed by LandWatch (517K PDF) (09.24.15)
  • Reply Brief filed by LandWatch (329K PDF) (03.01.16)
  • Supplemental Brief filed by LandWatch (173K PDF) (05.23.16)
  • Statement of Decision from the Court (4.1M PDF) (08.03.17)
  • Appeal filed by LandWatch (136K PDF) (11.02.17)
  • Opening Brief for the Appeal filed by LandWatch (217K PDF) (07.10.18)
  • Respondent & Real Parties in Interest Opposition Brief on the Appeal (319 KB PDF) (10.09.18)
  • Reply Brief on the Appeal filed by LandWatch (174 KB PDF) (11.11.18)
• Press Release: LandWatch Appeals Ferrini Ranch Decision (505K PDF)
  After weighing its options, LandWatch and its legal counsel, decide to appeal the Superior Court decision on Ferrini Ranch. (11.07.17)
• Petition: LandWatch Lawsuit on Ferrini Ranch (220K PDF)
  Review the Petition in the LandWatch case against the County of Monterey and developers of the Ferrini Ranch project. (01.16.15)
• Letter: Offers New Information on Water Supply (6.9 MB PDF)
  LandWatch brought to the Board of Supervisors’ attention new information related to water supply issues that became available after the initial close of public comments at the December 2, 2014 Board of Supervisors hearing. (12.15.14)
• Letter: Comments on the Final Environmental Impact Report (916K PDF)
  LandWatch argues that the County cannot legally approve this project because it has
  not conducted an adequate environmental review and because the project is inconsistent with the 1982 General Plan, under which it is reviewed.(12.02.14)
• Letter: Comments on the Recirculated Draft Environmental Impact Report (417K PDF)
  LandWatch provides substantive comments on the project as it relates to wildfire, the project description, mitigation measures, alternatives analysis, and more. (08.18.14)
• Letter: Comments on the Impacts to Fort Ord National Monument (352K PDF)
  LandWatch outlines the aesthetic impacts to the Fort Ord National Monument from the proposed Ferrini Ranch project. (01.17.13)
• Letter: Comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Report (334K PDF)
  LandWatch offers comments on the project description, aesthetics and visual considerations, air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, geology, hazards, population and more. (11.16.12)

• Graphics Released on Development Plans
  LandWatch has created images that represent aerial views of the property, using Google Earth, showing Ferrini Ranch’s relationship to existing communities, roads, parks, and the general area. The red lines represent the development lots within the project boundary and the green area is Toro County Park. (11.20.12)
• Ferrini Ranch Presentation Videos
  LandWatch has released two videos to increase awareness on the Ferrini Ranch development and ensure the project is stopped. The first video is a presentation by Amy White, Executive Director of LandWatch Monterey County on the development. The second video shows an aerial view of the development plans, which are adjacent to Toro Regional Park and Highway 68. (11.07.12)

• Conservation Deal Reached on Ferrini Ranch
  Through a $10 million agricultural easement, the Ferrini Ranch property is now conserved—thanks to the developer’s decision and the offer by the Ag Land Trust. The Strategic Growth Council approved the conservation financing. (12.23.19)
• Development Rights Purchased, Ferrini Ranch Protected
  In an unexpected turn of events, the Ag Land Trust purchased the development rights to Ferrini Ranch and the residential and winery project will no longer be viable. LandWatch’s Michael DeLapa relayed his amazement at the transaction. (12.10.19)
• Lawsuit Appeal Decided on Ferrini Ranch
  LandWatch appealed the lower courts ruling on Ferrini Ranch. The Appellate Court has ruled in favor of the developer and County on the project.  The developers state that there are no immediate plans to begin the project. (08.30.19)
• LandWatch Appeals Lower Court Decision
  Three years after its original approval the Ferrini Ranch project is headed back to court because LandWatch has filed an appeal of the decision. With this decision the group also launched a major fundraising campaign to raise the needed dollars for this round of litigation. (11.08.17)
• Judge Rules in Developer’s Favor
  Judge Willis disagreed with the objections by LandWatch and the Highway 68 Coalition on the Ferrini Ranch project.  His August 3rd ruling allows the development to move forward—unless an appeal is made. (08.23.17)
• Ferrini Ranch Project Okayed by Court
  In early August, Judge Willis outlined his reasoning for retaining the approvals for the Ferrini Ranch project in a 143 page decision.  LandWatch’s key concerns in the lawsuit included traffic, water supply, and aesthetics. (08.17.17)
• Wastewater Study Overturned by Supervisors
  Supervisor Lou Calcagno’s hand-picked successor overturned Calcagno’s requirement to have a wastewater feasibility study conducted for the Ferrini Ranch project. This condition was a way to get Calcagno’s vote for the project in December 2014. The developer even agreed to do it prior to the project’s approvals. Some argue this move undermines efforts to get control of the sewer system issues in the Toro area. (01.26.16)
• Ferrini Ranch Lawsuit Update
  LandWatch’s attorney’s filed the brief for the Ferrini Ranch lawsuit on September 24.  The County and developer filed their briefs in mid-January.  Our reply brief is due in March and we anticipate a hearing in April or May with a decision in June or July.  Thank you to all of our friends who rallied support for this legal challenge. (01.25.16)
• Two Lawsuits Left on Ferrini Ranch
  Of the three filed lawsuits on Ferrini Ranch, one entity has settled: the California Utilities Service. The Service asked that the County “Drop the community services district requirement from the long list of conditions.” This goes before the Board of Supervisors on November 18th. (11.13.15)
• KSBW Highlights LandWatch Lawsuit
  Did you see the interview with LandWatch on KSBW? If not, check it out. During the interview, Executive Director Amy White outlines the infrastructure issues and lack of water supply for the Ferrini Ranch project. LandWatch’s petition contends the County violated its own General Plan. (01.16.15)
• Second Ferrini Suit Pounds Monterey
  And yet another article on the lawsuits filed over the Ferrini Ranch development approval. In this article, the Californian outilnes that if a judge upholds the lawsuits this could bring the project to a grinding halt. Best case scenario would be that it has be reconsidered under the 2010 General Plan, not the 1982 General Plan. (01.16.15)
• Highway 68 Coalition Sues
  Concerned over the use of the 1982 General Plan in the review of the Ferrini Ranch project, the Highway 68 Coalition filed a lawsuit on the approval of the project. Of concern as well, is what the Coalition calls a flawed environmental impact report. (01.15.15)
• Lawsuit Targets Ferrini Ranch
  The Highway 68 Coalition filed a lawsuit over the environmental impact report used to approve the Ferrini Ranch project. Concerns raised include traffic, water and the use of a 1982 General Plan. (01.15.15)
• Ferrini Ranch, CEQA, and the denial of reality
  LandWatch pens this OpEd outlining significant concerns with the County’s approval of the Ferrini Ranch project. Not only did the county not follow its own General Plan, but it also failed to comply with state environmental laws as well. LandWatch filed a lawsuit on the project approvals. (01.04.17)
• Ferrini Ranch Stirs Debate
  Though Ferrini Ranch was approved by the County Board of Supervisors, it still has numerous impacts and community concerns. These concerns range from aesthetics to rural sprawl, water supply to traffic. LandWatch may be considering a lawsuit. (12.26.14)
• Ferrini Ranch Approved, With Sewer Condition
  The Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency (PCA) got the attention of Supervisor Calcagno before the approval of the 185 unit Ferrini Ranch project. It seems waste water treatment is a much needed solution to the overdraft of the Salinas Valley Groundwater Basin. There are several hurdles that need to be overcome to have the project hook up to the system and to fund it. (12.18.14)
• Possible Decision on Ferrini
  The Monterey County Board of Supervisors (252K PDF) guided by the County’s Staff Report (272K PDF) will meet to discuss the Ferrini Ranch project on December 9, 2014. It is anticipated a decision will be made at this meeting.
• County to Review Ferrini Ranch
  It is four decades in the making. Even the developer says the current iteration has been on the books for 10 years. Tuesday, December 2nd, the Board of Supervisors vote to determine if the Ferrini Ranch Environmental Impact Report is adequate or not. (11.28.14)
• Guest Commentary Pounds Ferrini Ranch
  Tom and Becky Jones outlined their concerns about the Ferrini Ranch project in a Guest Commentary. These included: traffic, new street entries, signals, water use, noise and light pollution, loss of visual character and much more. (11.21.14)
• Two Projects Go to Supervisors in December
  Both the Ferrini Ranch and Encina Hills (Harper Canyon) projects go before the Board of Supervisors on December 2nd. Both projects have water supply issues but have received different considerations by the Planning Commission. Ferrini Ranch was recommended for approval, while Harper Canyon was not. (11.16.14)
• Guest Commentary on Ferrini Ranch
  As a guest commentary, Michelle Hill, writes about her concerns on Ferrini Ranch. From pushing school and commuter traffic into the Toro Park Estates neighborhood to converting the scenic Highway 68 to a multi-lane freeway—her concerns are real and get to the heart of this project. (11.14.14)
• Controversial Ferrini Ranch Project Moves Forward
  LandWatch outlined its concerns on the project, including the hydrology study being inadequate. The Monterey County Planning Commission voted to recommend the project for approval. The Board of Supervisors will take the item up in December. (11.12.14)
• Ferrini Ranch Scales Down Project
  The Monterey County Planning Commission will decide to approve or deny a scaled down version of the Ferrini Ranch project along Highway 68. The idea is to remove 27 units from the plan bringing it to 185 units. The Board of Supervisors will hear the project next. (11.12.14)
• Ferrini Ranch Tour for Planning Commission
  A few dozen people attended the Ferrini Ranch public tour yesterday. Concerns were raised about the biological impacts, water supply and the project footprint. This three hour tour prepared Commissioners for the October 8th public hearing. (09.24.14)
• Ferrini Ranch DEIR Comments Due November 16th
  Public comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) are due by 5 PM on Friday, November 16, 2012 to the County on the Ferrini Ranch project. The proposed development includes 212 residential lots, a 35 acre winery, four private roadway parcels and the removal of 921 protected oak trees. (11.08.12)
• Ferrini Ranch DEIR Released
  Developers have submitted an application to the County to subdivide and develop 870 acres in the Toro Area Plan of Monterey. Comments on the draft environmental documents are due to the County by October 22nd. (09.13.12)
• Ferrini Ranch Subdivision and Merrill / Wayland Subdivision are two new proposals located in the Toro Area
  Despite the new general plan that was adopted by the Board of Supervisors in October 2010, many projects are being considered using the 1982 General Plan including the Ferrini Ranch subdivision and the Merrill / Wayland subdivision. LandWatch successfully negotiated restrictions on further subdivision in the Toro area in the new 2010 General Plan, but these two subdivisions get a “pass” from those restrictions. (05.31.11)