LandWatch works for land use policies that put jobs and housing close together, to minimize traffic and congestion problems. We need to make sure that new development doesn’t go forward unless necessary transportation infrastructure is already in place, and that taxpayers aren’t asked to finance growth-inducing transportation projects that subsidize urban sprawl

In addition to the multi-jurisdictional topics below we’ve also commented on transportation issues in other areas. You can find more on the following pages:

• Growth & Development (Monterey County)
• Carmel Valley Roundabout (Carmel Valley)
• State Route 68 – Scenic Highway Plan (Highway 68 Corridor)
• Sustainable Transportation Plan (Sand City)
• MST SURF! (Seaside)
• Lighthouse Avenue Closure (Pacific Grove)

• Letter: LandWatch Comments on Airport Plan (533K PDF)
  The Monterey County Airport is circulating its proposed Airport Master Plan and while it should focus on Federal Aviation Administration requirements—the Plan extends well past that by including non-aviation related development. (10.22.18)

• LandWatch Comments on Groundwater Pumping (6.3M PDF)
  Due to projected sea level rise between the cities of Monterey and Santa Cruz, Highway One will be affected in the following areas: Elkhorn Slough, Watsonville, Moss Landing south of Dolan Road and Castroville. Since the goal of the Resiliency Study is to maintain a coastal connection between Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties, what are the plans for addressing the segments other than the one for Elkhorn Slough? (05.22.20)

• Monterey Could Make Groundbreaking Switch
  The 15 mile stretch of rural roadway in Monterey County could look a little different soon due to the installation of roundabouts. LandWatch strongly supports TAMC’s efforts to reduce traffic congestion and make Highway 68 safer by installing roundabouts. (11.04.17)
• Learn more at the Highway 68 Corridor Issues & Actions.

• Groups Agree to MST Plan for Bus Rapid Transit
  LandWatch, CHISPA, the Monterey Peninsula and Salinas Valley Chambers of Commerce are all on board to support the Monterey-Salinas Transit project on Highway 1 to add a bus rapid transit project that gets people out of their cars. (07.22.21)
• Letter: LandWatch Comments on the Surf Busway and Bus Rapid Transit (476K PDF)
  LandWatch supports the proposed project, which is a six-mile bus-only corridor from Marina to Sand City and Seaside along a publicly owned corridor parallel to Highway 1. Further, LandWatch recommends the Mitigated Negative Declaration be revised to provide an estimate on greenhouse gas emissions from reduce vehicle trips. (04.09.21)
• Slides from MST Presentation (3.5M PDF)
  LandWatch and its supporters had a virtual meeting with the Monterey-Salinas Transit staff on the SURF! Busway and Bus Rapid Transit proposal. MST has provided a PDF copy of its slide deck to keep the public informed. (09.25.20)
• Letter: LandWatch supports AB 2766 Grant Application (521K PDF)
  LandWatch’s comments in strong support of FY19 AB 2766 Emission Reduction Grant Application – Monterey-Salinas Transit: PARK IT! Point Lobos Area Shuttle. (06.26.18)

Sales Tax Measure Exceeds Revenues
Voters approved a transportation sales tax measure to fund local projects. The 3/8-cent tax began collecting in April 2017 and has brought in 33% more revenues than expected.  Some believe this could be an anomaly, but the Transportation Agency of Monterey County may move projects forward earlier. (06.30.18)

Parks and Transportation Tax Passed by Voters
Peninsula residents overwhelmingly expressed their support for keeping the parks and wildlands managed by the District adequately funded. Measure E passed with a, more than comfortable, 71% of the vote. While Monterey County residents also passed Measure X by a margin of 67.36%, this measure includes $20 million for a bike and pedestrian trail to be built on the former Fort Ord, and includes other funds to fix potholes. (11.10.16)

30 Year Measure on Monterey County Ballot
For the third time in 10 years a transportation sales tax initiative will go before Monterey County voters.  Funding through local sources allows the transportation agency to get matching dollars from state and federal sources.  LandWatch Monterey County supports Measure X. (10.10.16)

Measure X Campaign Roll Out
A Labor Day campaign rollout is expected for proponents of the Transportation Agency for Monterey County sales tax measure—Measure X.  This 3/8-cent sales tax measure would fund $600 million in Monterey County road projects over the next 30 years. LandWatch supports this measure. (08.24.16)

Transportation Measure Goes to Supervisors
The Transportation Agency of Monterey County is asking the Board of Supervisors to place the 3/8 cent sales tax measure on the November ballot. Both the Board and all 12 cities have voted to support the measure.  The Agency has been doing robust outreach to the public and community groups. (06.23.16)

Coalition Supports Transportation Measure
A coalition of strange bedfellows, LandWatch included, have all united to support the Transportation Agency of Monterey County and it attempts to receive enough votes for a sales tax measure. Tourists, farmers, school buses, families and transit operators all use Monterey County transportation facilities—they need to be cared for. (06.16.16)

LandWatch Board Supports Transportation Measure
LandWatch now lends its support to the Transportation Agency of Monterey County for its upcoming ballot measure.  Through a 3/8 cent sales tax local transportation projects will be completed and improve the local infrastructure. (05.16.16)

Transportation Expenditure Plan Approved
A 30 year, $600 million plan was unanimously approved by the Transportation Agency of Monterey County. Next steps include going to the County and 12 cities for concurrence before the plan goes to the ballot in November. Some say not enough is being spent on active transportation, others say not enough is being spent on resolving congestion issues. (03.23.16)

TAMC Outlines Expenditure Plan
The Transportation Agency for Monterey County divvied up the expenditures for the transportation sales tax measure late last month. Here is a quick overview of the regional project list:

• Monterey-Salinas Highway improvements ($45 million),
• Highway 101 South County frontage roads ($30 million),
• Highway 156-Castroville Boulevard interchange ($30 million), and
• Imjin Road multimodal corridor improvements ($25 million),
• Highway 1 busway ($15 million), boosted by $10 million shifted to Highway 1 bus rapid transit from the Del Monte-Lighthouse corridor as requested by Smith,
• And, $5 million for habitat preservation and mitigation. (02.24.16)

• Polls Indicate Support for Measure
  Recent polls indicate more than two-thirds of Monterey County voters would support a 3/8-cent transportation sales tax measure. It appears voters are more positive and optimistic than before. Land use and transportation are inextricably tied to one another. (01.08.16)
• Editorial on Transportation Sales Tax
  TAMC, the Transportation Agency for Monterey County, is analyzing the county transportation needs for a 3/8% sales tax measure. This measure would be on the November 2016 ballot. This funding source would generate $600 million over a 30 year life. The public can weigh in on the various projects. (12.19.15)
• Monterey County Considers Transportation Sales Tax
  Monterey County’s roads only fair about a 50 on a scale of 100 in terms of pavement condition. That’s why the Transportation Agency for Monterey County is considering a sales tax to fund transportation projects. Do think this would be a worthwhile investment? (07.30.15)