February 14, 2011

PRESS RELEASE

Traffic congestion is projected to become a way of life in Monterey County! For example, the new General Plan (GP2010) drastically weakens the traffic metric used for Carmel Valley Road, and exponentially increases ‘acceptable’ traffic levels. Under GP2010 the same metric can be applied to any and all two-lane roads – more than 90% of County roadways! A direct result would be further degradation of already constrained access for emergency vehicles. Residents will want to understand how significantly the County would change under the new policy.

A community-wide forum, titled
Fighting Traffic Congestion, What Can WE Do?
is scheduled for

Thursday, February 24

7:00-8:30pm

Carmel Middle School gym

Moderator: Amy Funt (CUSD School Board member)

Speakers: Julie Engell, Community Land Use Activist

Tim Sanders, Physicist and Former Advisor to L.A. Planning Department

Chris Fitz, Consultant, LandWatch Board Member

By raising levels of traffic that are defined as ‘acceptable’, the County strongly favors increased road congestion and eases approval of new subdivision development. At the same time, GP2010 removes a moratorium on Carmel Valley subdivisions, which was based on excessive existing traffic.

GP2010’s additional elimination of the prohibition against development on slopes of 30% or more, combined with these changes, sets the stage for future large development even in the hilly rural areas; thus it indirectly could place further stress on our roadways.

The upcoming traffic forum provides critical information County residents will need, to help prevent the “look and feel” of Monterey County from being turned on its head by these new policies. A coalition of groups has sued the County over these and related issues.

###

For more information or to schedule an interview contact Christine Williams, 659-1307.