August 12, 2004

Sharon Parsons, Chair
Monterey County Planning Commission
c/o Scott Hennessy
P.O. Box 1208
Salinas, CA 93902

SUBJECT:  POTRERO CREEK SUBDIVISION

Dear Chair Parsons and Members of the Planning Commission:

The League of Women Voters of the Monterey Peninsula would like to take this opportunity to comment on the proposed project which would allow removal of up to 295 protected trees and development on slopes of 30 percent or greater.

We are concerned that the cumulative impact of the project will further exacerbate water conditions on Garzas Creek, a tributary of the Carmel River and valuable habitat for steelhead and red legged frogs. The Final EIR found that there was disagreement among experts regarding the condition of the Creek and reasons for the lack of summer flow. Based on this disagreement, the project should be continued until this issue is fully resolved.

The removal of up to 295 protected trees for a 29 lot subdivision on 1,286 acres is excessive. The subdivision should be redesigned to avoid cutting protected trees. While 295 trees represent a small portion of the forest habitat on Rancho San Carlos, the loss of these trees along with hundreds of others lost in Carmel Valley for other projects represents a significant cumulative impact.

Finally, since this appears to be the final major land use entitlement needed for the completion of Rancho San Carlos, it is important that the County verify in a written report to the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors that previous conditions and mitigation measures placed on the overall project are being implemented as required.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Beverly G. Bean, VMD
President, League of Women Voters of the Monterey Peninsula