Current Projects along the Highway 68 Corridor

The Toro Planning Area is located in the north-central area of Monterey County. It lies directly south of the City of Salinas and east of the Monterey Peninsula. Fort Ord property abuts Toro on the northwest; a minor ridgeline defines the south boundary; and the Salinas River forms the northeast boundary. About 74 square miles is included in Toro, most of which is dominated by the mountains and rolling hills of the Sierra de Salinas Range. The Toro Area Plan, as one of eight area plans of Monterey County, will be more definitive than the General Plan because of its size and geographic focus. Development opportunities and constraints and the natural resources of the Toro Planning Area are unlike those in other parts of the County, so the policies for Toro are more precisely adapted to the characteristics of this area than are the more general policies of the General Plan.

The Encina Hills project (also known as the Harper Canyon subdivision) would create 17 lots on 164 acres along Highway 68. Lots would range from 5 acres to over 23 acres.

Project Proposed: 2000
LW Position: Partial Appellate Win
Status: Supervisors to Rescind Project & EIR

State Route 68 is a designated scenic route that connects the Monterey Peninsula to US Highway 101 and the Salinas Valley. SR 68 is a key route commute travel between Salinas and Monterey for 25,000 to 30,000 vehicles each day, as well as tourism and special event traffic. The Monterey-Salinas Scenic Highway 68 Plan will evaluate current and future travel patterns between Salinas and the Monterey Peninsula, the feasibility of affordable mid-term operational and capacity improvements in the SR 68 corridor in context to other planning regional improvements serving the same commute market, and the potential for wildlife connectivity enhancements.

Project Proposed: 2016
LW Position:
 Supports Concept 1 (Roundabouts)
Status: Concept 1 Approved

Archived Projects along the Highway 68 Corridor