Bill Fell, Chief of Planning
City Hall
City of Monterey
Monterey CA 93940

Re: Draft EIR for CHOMP Master Plan Amendment and Forest Pavilion Project

Dear Mr. Fell:

Thank you for sending us the Notice of Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report for the above project, and for the opportunity to comment on the scope and content.

There should be a definition of "the whole action" to be analyzed in the Report. Is it intended to cover just the proposed development of the 97,738 sq.ft., 120-bed Forest Pavilion Project, conversion of storage space to add parking, and creation of scenic easements? Most of the staff findings indicate this is the case, but it is not clear. If so, will new EIR's be required for the future proposed development on two adjacent parcels of a cardiac support campus, residential village, assisted living and skilled nursing facilities?

The proposed overall development will have major cumulative impacts on regional roadways, water supply, and neighborhood traffic, as well as the surrounding forest area. Since these impacts must be considered even for the single project EIR, more specific information is needed about the future projects, in order to provide a reasonably adequate analysis.

The history of the previous environmental analyses of major construction phases of the CHOMP Master Plan to date should be reviewed, in addition to the applicant's Property Data Summary (Attachment 3). This should include mitigation measures which were required, and particularly those traffic and highway improvements which have not yet been implemented. Changes in regional traffic have resulted in increased congestion on the approach routes to the hospital from all directions, and often create a serious situation for emergency vehicles.

The removal of vegetation to permit construction currently in progress on the main campus has affected forest views both from major highways and the surrounding residential neighborhood. Requirements for mitigation and replanting should be explained.

Because of the potential impacts which will occur from any further development on the CHOMP campus, it is particularly important that the EIR should present and analyze reasonable alternatives to the proposed project, including a No Project Alternative.

Sincerely,

Beverly G. Bean, President