Land Use Policy - Affordable Housing |
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Dave Potter |
| What is your position on affordable housing? Please be specific with regards to policies you support or oppose. |
In Carmel-by-the-Sea, we supported affordable housing in the downtown area by putting a moratorium on short term rentals - to preserve our limited affordable housing units. Additionally, as requested by the State, ADU's could be considered on a case by case basis to add to our limited affordable housing stock. |
| 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 need sound policies that are consistent with the General Plan and the Local Area Plans and applicable zoning to ensure that we protect and preserve what is so special about this area. |
| Do you support requiring developers to actually build inclusionary units instead of paying an "in lieu" fee? |
Yes. |
| Do you support requiring that "inclusionary housing" units be made permanently affordable, even upon resale? If not, please explain. |
Yes. |
| 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? |
Only if it meets all CEQA requirements and does not compromise local zoning ordinances. |
| What other housing policies do you support or oppose? |
Everyone needs to do what they can to help with our affordable housing stock on the Monterey Peninsula. With that said, we need to make sure it's consistent with local zoning ordinances and does not compromise the CEQA process. |
Water Supplies |
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Dave Potter |
| 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? |
The public spoke loud and clear through Measure J that they are interested in the acquisition of CalAm, and as an implementer of public policy, I will vote to support what the public wants. I served on the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District for many years, and gained a great understanding of the water issues impacting this area. We have to work together to solve the State Water Resources Agency Order 95-10 and solve the issues that arise with the cease and desist order of the over-pumping of the Carmel River. I have always supported a multi-pronged approach to solving our water issues including conservation, recycled water and aquifer storage and recovery. I also support Pure Water Monterey and I want to see us continue to work on deliverable water projects. We need to continue to work on deliverable water projects that are drought proof, long-term, sustainable solutions. |
| Do you support expansion of Pure Water Monterey as an alternative to building a desalination plant? |
As I stated above, I support a multi-pronged approach and support expansion of Pure Water Monterey as an additional resource. |
Sprawl Reduction |
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Dave Potter |
| 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 is only one mile by one mile, so we are already bound by a very tight boundary. But in general, I support urban growth boundaries. |
Transportation |
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Dave Potter |
| 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? |
You can't pave your way out of a solution to gridlock. Both good planning and transit oriented development are good solutions where housing is supported near transit centers. And again, more affordable housing will allow people to live closer to where they work, and help with road congestion. Inclusionary doesn't mean exclusionary. |
| Do you support roundabouts on Highway 68 and other roads? What other transportation policies or practices have you seen that local governments should incorporate? |
As the most senior member of TAMC, I continue to advocate for projects that help alleviate congestion for the City and the entire Monterey Peninsula. Traffic is a very serious issue in this region and it greatly reduces the quality of life and safety of our residents. I think roundabouts have been a good solution, such as the one at Highway 68/Highway 1. As far as transportation policies, again, transit oriented development, and solutions like the climbing lane on the Carmel hill which was a classic example of a simple solution versus a multi-lane freeway. |
Leadership |
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Dave Potter |
| If you are elected, what will be your top three priorities? |
Over the past two years we have accomplished a great deal together in Carmel-by-the-Sea. The past six months have been unprecedented, and our village has pulled together in this incredibly difficult time. It is more important now, than ever, that we have strong experienced leadership as we deal with this constantly changing crisis. I will continue to work to make sure that decision making in our local government is transparent, collaborative and effective and I remain committed to preserving and protecting our village, to making services more efficient and accessible, ensuring fiscal responsibility, and making sure that we continue to respect the public process. |
| What land use policies would you champion for the community? |
Protection of our coastal resources, concerns with sea rise and addressing climate change. |
| What accomplishments in your career or public service are you most proud of? |
The preservation of Rippling River in Carmel Valley – an affordable housing project for mentally or physically disabled and elderly persons. I'm also proud of the climbing lane on Carmel Hill instead of a freeway, the turn-around of Natividad Hospital, and the work we did many years ago on the Coast Highway Management Plan with the Big Sur Community. And most recently, as Mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea, working together to restore and ensure an inclusive public process in our governance. |
Background |
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Dave Potter |
| Occupation |
Small Business Owner |
| Years Lived in Area |
50 |
| Education |
Attended Allegheny College |
| Experience |
I began my public service in 1986 as a member of the City of Monterey's Architectural Review Committee, as a Planning Commissioner and then on the Monterey City Council. From 1996 - 2016, I served on the Monterey County Board of Supervisors in District Five, representing Carmel, Carmel Valley, Big Sur, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach and parts of the Salinas Valley. I served as Chair of the Board four times and participated on the Legislative Committee, Natividad Medical Center Joint Leadership Committee, Economic Development Committee, Capital Improvement Committee, and the Fort Ord Committee.
I was also the longest serving government appointee to the California Coastal Commission from 1997 to 2009, and as Commissioner participated in the certification of the Local Coastal Plan that allowed Carmel-by-the-Sea to issue its own Coastal Development Permits, as well as helping to ensure the successful renovation of the Sunset Center.
For 20 years, I served on the Natividad Medical Center Board of Trustees, the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District, the Fort Ord Reuse Authority, and the Transportation Agency of Monterey County. I was also an alternate to the Arts Council for Monterey County, on the Carmel Chamber of Commerce Board and on the California [response ended here because it exceeded the 200 word count limit] |