The KUSP Land Use Report #5: "Wineries and Land Use"

"Listen Live"

This is Gary Patton, Executive Director of LandWatch Monterey County, with a Land Use Report for KUSP.The wine industry is receiving particular attention in the Monterey County General Plan Update. A special committee is focusing on issues of economic opportunity.

Of all the grapes grown in Monterey County, 80% are processed elsewhere. Doing the processing locally could provide a real economic boost. Wine-related tourism also means economic growth. Monterey County could become more like Napa or Sonoma County—where wineries are a big business. An increase in the acres devoted to grape growing may also be in the wings. Gallo Wineries is considering a major new expansion in Monterey County.

Expansion of the wine industry can lead to some pretty impressive economic gains—but there are impacts. Carmel Valley has already experienced traffic impacts, as new wineries and tasting rooms have been constructed. Wineries can turn into "event centers" with neighborhood and growth inducing effects. Expanding grape acreage can overtax water supplies, and can eliminate the oak woodlands that provide critical wildlife habitat and wildlife corridors.

Good planning, in other words, is absolutely required, to balance economic gains with potential environmental and infrastructure impacts. Luckily, there is a way for you to get involved. The next meeting of the Wine Industry Committee will be held on Thursday, September 13th. Contact the Monterey County Planning Department for details.

For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.

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