The KUSP Land Use Report #15: Fort Ord Land Transfers

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The following Land Use Report is presented by Gary Patton, Executive Director of LandWatch Monterey County. The opinions expressed by Mr. Patton are not necessarily those of KUSP Radio, nor of any of our sponsors.

The Fort Ord Reuse Authority, or FORA, will soon receive title to Fort Ord lands. These lands will then be passed on to local governments. Some of the finest real estate in the world will be given, in fee simple, to the cities of Seaside, Marina, Del Rey Oaks, and to the County of Monterey. This land isn’t going to cost the local governments anything.

What the local governments do with the land, once they have legal title, is more or less up to them. The only significant requirement is that the land be used for <quote> "economic development uses" <unquote>.

Congress Member Sam Farr has recently suggested an additional requirement. Since these Fort Ord lands are a gift to the local community, wouldn’t it be fair for at least 50% of the housing constructed to be broadly affordable to the working families of Monterey County? Figures from FORA demonstrate that 50% of the new units constructed on Fort Ord could be sold for prices from $245,000 to $175,000. In today’s market, that’s broadly affordable.

Nothing would be better for "economic development" than to address the critical housing problems faced by local businesses—which need a supply of permanently affordable housing, to help them attract and retain workers. The Farr suggestion would help out business—and help out workers, too!

For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.

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