LandWatch State of Monterey County Report 1998
3.9 Agricultural Land

One of the primary responsibilities of the Monterey County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) is preservation of prime agricultural land. Many policies in the 1982 Monterey County General Plan focus on preserving and protecting farmland, as well (Policies 30.0.1 to 30.0.4). The Plan includes about 325,000 acres of designated Farmland and 830,000 acres of Rural and Permanent Grazing. Since 1982, the Board of Supervisors has redesignated 2,176 acres of farmland to urban uses (residential, commercial, and industrial) and 585 acres of urban uses to farmland for a net decrease of 1,591 acres of farmland. During the same period, there was a net increase in Rural and Permanent Grazing of 14,752 acres.(11)

Of the 7,520 dwelling units in the Approved/Unconstructed category, 68% will be built on farmland. All of these units will be on farmland within cities. Some units are Approved/Unconstructed and to be built in the unincorporated area, but none of those will be on farmland. Of the 7,880 dwelling units under consideration but not yet approved (Pending Projects), 61% would be built on farmland with 24% in cities and 37% in the unincorporated area. Close to 4.6 million square feet of commercial/industrial development in both Approved/Unconstructed or Pending categories would be on farmland.