Land Use Policy - Affordable Housing |
|
Karen Ferlito |
Robert Joseph Richards {Bobby} |
| What is your position on affordable housing? Please be specific with regards to policies you support or oppose. |
Affordable housing in Carmel is virtually non-existent and that is a problem. Teachers, policeman, fireman and other staff cannot afford to live here. I support the building of ADU's on private property. Unfortunately, our lots are very small and few property owners are building ADU's and when they do, they like to reserve them for friends, or family members rather than offering them as affordable rentals. I support organizations that match up seniors with people needing an affordable place to live. In the future, I would likely support City purchase of some of the hotels that may go out of business and conversion of them to affordable apartments. I believe that some surplus city owned buildings or lots could be converted to affordable housing. Below Vista Lobos might be an opportunity for a few below market townhouses and above the Police and Public Works Building might be another. If a parking garage were built on the North lot of Sunset Center it could be artist live/work studios. There are several parking lots as well that could be converted. Workforce housing in the greater Carmel area could help alleviate some of the traffic congestion on Highway 1 and should be part of [response ended here because it exceeded the 200 word count limit] |
I support affordable housing for many reasons. I have been in the hospitality industry most of my life. These people desperately need safe, respectable and clean places to live and raise families. I do not support rent control. I believe that to be counter productive to workforce housing. I do believe in smaller houses, credits for higher density and mixed use projects. |
| Do you support modifying city policies or regulations to make it easier and cheaper to build housing? If so, what specific policy changes do you support? |
We do not have large developments of housing that would benefit from modification of policies. I believe our permitting fees are already reasonable and we need to enhance requirements to make homes more fire safe. We actually may need to increase those requirements in the urban/wildlife corridors |
I would support any sort of multi-unit dwelling or mixed use building as long as some sort of affordable living components were offered. The more units with conditions supporting workforce housing the more incentives would be offered. |
| Do you support requiring developers to actually build inclusionary units instead of paying an "in lieu" fee? |
Yes, I do. Unfortunately, there is little opportunity for this in Carmel as we do not have large developments very often. This might change in the future if there were hotels converted to apartments. |
Absolutely. I first realized my concern for wasted livable space when the Seaside Highlands project was being built. Multiple seaside cottages could have taken the place of the few palatial homes that were built. Many with only two or three people living there now. |
| Do you support requiring that "inclusionary housing" units be made permanently affordable, even upon resale? If not, please explain. |
Yes, especially if they were given special permit consideration as inclusionary units. They should remain affordable with a small percentage of equity gain in order to give owners the incentive to keep the property in good repair. |
Yes of course. I believe in todays world we need to move forward not backwards. I am strongly in favor of landowners retaining the property the way it was purchased. However, if the owner wants to take advantage of credits or incentives to create more housing, the right becomes part of the property and it may not have the ability to be changed again to suit a personal desire. |
| Do you support requiring developers of hospitality, commercial and industrial projects that significantly increase demand for already scarce housing resources to also build workforce housing? |
If there are ever developments like this built in Carmel, workforce housing should be considered. Workforce housing needs to be considered throughout the Peninsula cities to alleviate traffic congestion. |
It should be a requirement. Especially if they will be employing significant amount of the workforce. Without proper planning for employees we will see an increase in traffic and gridlock. Including emissions and furthering commutes. |
| What other housing policies do you support or oppose? |
I would support special housing for City employees so that they can live where they work. |
I am vehemently against short term rentals. For many reasons; they destroy the rental market. Long term housing becomes scare and expensive. Hotels suffer, in turn staff suffers with loss of hours. More guest traffic leads to more cars on the road which leads to staff challenged with the commute times and distance. |
Water Supplies |
|
Karen Ferlito |
Robert Joseph Richards {Bobby} |
| What specific proposals do you support to ensure your community can meet its water demands without increasing the overdraft of the County's groundwater aquifers or violating the SWRCB's Cease and Desist Order regarding taking water from the Carmel River? |
I support requiring the changing out existing water fixtures for water saving devices for all properties as well as incentives for reducing use of water. I support the use of reclaimed water like Pure Water Monterey and Public Water Now. |
Reclaimed water makes absolute sense. We need to get in line with our cease and desist order. All opportunities need to be vetted and understood by all. I do not want to limit workforce housing due to a lack of water. The lack of affordable housing is creating cramped and unhealthy living situations for many of my fellow workers. We have to come up with a solution. Currently water always seems to be the stopping point. We must fix that. |
| Do you support expansion of Pure Water Monterey as an alternative to building a desalination plant? |
Yes |
I support the expansion. I do not believe they are mutually exclusive. |
Sprawl Reduction |
|
Karen Ferlito |
Robert Joseph Richards {Bobby} |
| Do you support the creation of "urban growth boundaries" or expansion of the existing boundary as a way to prevent urban sprawl, and to insure that future growth is compact, efficient, and protective of the environment? If not, what measures would you support to prevent urban sprawl? If yes, will you sponsor an urban growth boundary in the upcoming year, and make it one of your top three priorities? |
Carmel by the Sea is fortunate to have natural urban growth boundaries. Pescadero Canyon to the North, Mission Trail Nature Preserve to the East and the Carmel River to the South make up these boundaries. I think that other Peninsula cities should consider urban growth boundaries to protect agricultural lands and natural resources that are important for recreation. I think shopping centers should support infill development and affordable housing should be considered as part of any new development. Housing above retail is both beneficial for workers and can be successfully implemented as in San Jose's Santana Row. |
No. We need our open space. I would like to see smaller homes on smaller lots. I would be against lot mergers. I would make multi-unit and mixed use attractive to the developer and affordable to the renter or buyer. I would understand the need for both to be happy and not forced. Not forced to build and not forced to live.
Our open space is what attracts and maintains a healthy and happy living environment. |
Transportation |
|
Karen Ferlito |
Robert Joseph Richards {Bobby} |
| Poorly planned, non-infill commercial developments and hotels create more trips and additional vehicle miles traveled on already overcrowded roads and highways. Both residents and visitors pay the price of delay and increased pollution. What specific traffic congestion relief solutions do you support? |
I support ride share programs, bus routes and shuttles for visitors to use to connect our Monterey Bay cities to each other and service the Fort Ord recreation lands, Carmel Valley Point Lobos and Big Sur. The buses and shuttles should accommodate bicycles. TAMC Highway 1 Busway and Bus Rapid Transit Project is on a list of projects that would connect 6 miles between Marina and Seaside and include 5 stations. |
I am on the Board of Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments. We are dedicated to reducing emissions, commute times, public transportation and housing. I support the expansion of 156, I support the bus lane through the Moss Landing corridor. |
| Do you support roundabouts on Highway 68 and other roads? What other transportation policies or practices have you seen that local governments should incorporate? |
People were very skeptical about the roundabout on Holman Highway and it has proved to be a success . I would support reviewing opportunities for some more roundabouts on Highway 68 between Monterey and Salinas. I think they are being used successfully in Marina. Keeping cars moving instead of stop and go traffic reduces emissions. Safe bike lanes should be installed all over the Peninsula to facilitate traveling from one city to the next. Walkability is important to the health and safety of a community and improving walkability should be considered in every situation. |
Yes. They are 'brilliant.' |
Leadership |
|
Karen Ferlito |
Robert Joseph Richards {Bobby} |
| If you are elected, what will be your top three priorities? |
I want to see the City emerge from the economic challenges with as many business and restaurants intact so that we can regain our ability to care for our village. I will support a new process that will reimagine our village streets downtown as part of planning for a vibrant and renewed natural environment that enhances walkability and bicycling. I want to have our City work with other cities in the Region to achieve common goals with regard to Climate Change, affordable housing, transportation solutions and sustainable tourism. |
Stop illegal STRs 100% in Carmel by the Sea. Hire an enforcement officer to deal with only that particular issue. Create safe attractive outdoor dining areas, which embrace the character of our village.
Encourage developers and owners to understand the benefits a city will have by mixed use buildings in the downtown area. |
| What land use policies would you champion for the community? |
I will support a renewed focus on actual planning for the future rather than just reacting to permits for construction. We have a lot of challenges ahead of us with regard to Climate Change, tourism impacts on the region and renewal of our natural resources that have been allowed to deteriorate. We should explore fees to offset the incremental loss of open space in our community as houses get larger on small lots. We should continue to enforce requirements for replacement tree planting on private property to ensure we continue to live in an urban forest. Fees or taxes on unused properties to support the community similar to what Vancouver, BC has imposed should be investigated. It will take planning for success to achieve it. |
Mixed use, high density. |
| What accomplishments in your career or public service are you most proud of? |
I have been a Community Volunteer for 31 years. Serving on Forest and Beach Commission, Friends of Carmel Forest, Friends of Mission Trail Nature Preserve, the Big Sur Land Trust and Monterey County Land Watch have been very rewarding and worthwhile. I am proud to have been part of the Conservation, Planning and Renewal of our Natural Resources here in the Monterey Peninsula and Carmel Area for most of these years. I am also very proud of launching the Zero Waste Program for the Big Sur International Marathon, working with MRWMD to make it a success and seeing the Zero Waste Program spread to other large events in the Region. |
I have never been in favor or against a motion for popularity. I have always had a sound reason and proud of for every vote I have ever made. |
Background |
|
Karen Ferlito |
Robert Joseph Richards {Bobby} |
| Occupation |
Community Volunteer, Retired |
Vice Mayor, Realtor, Restauranteur |
| Years Lived in Area |
31 |
35 |
| Education |
BS in Education from The Ohio State University |
Coast Guard, Associates degree, Bachelor of Arts in Ethics |
| Experience |
Educator, Flight Attendant, Dental Office Manager, Community Volunteer, and Retail Sales. I have also served on and at times chaired several local not for profit boards including Big Sur Land Trust, Big Sur Marathon, Carmel Forest and Beach Commission, Friends of Carmel Forest, Friends of Mission Trail Nature Preserve, Monterey Pine Forest Watch, and Monterey County LandWatch. I have also attended and participated in most Carmel City Council meetings over the past many years. |
Currently serving as Vice Mayor, Board member AMBAG, Advisor MCCVB, |