by Barbara Bass Evans

A 92,000-square-foot mixed-use project called Ocean View Plaza with 45-foot tall buildings is proposed for Cannery Row between El Torito and the Chart House and reaching from the Recreation Trail to Monterey Bay.

This massive project would be very detrimental to both the coastal zone and the water supply for the Monterey region. Its sole source of water would be a desal plant with a 3- to 6-day backup water supply. The project's desal technology is not reliable and creates impacts to coastal waters. If the plant fails, the huge development would tap into Carmel River water through a Cal Am hookup.

If approved, Ocean View Plaza (OVP) would set a statewide precedent for similar single-site desalination projects, cumulatively inducing growth and precluding a well-planned regional allocation of limited water resources. The California Coastal Act requires that desalination plants be publicly owned and operated. That is why the City of Monterey, on behalf of the OVP project, applied and received approval from LAFCO to form a Community Services District for the sole purpose of conferring "public" status to an on-site desalination plant for a single private developer. If this project is approved, the California coast could be dotted with desal plants in small community service districts.

Strong opposition to OVP project was expressed in the Coastal Commission staff report (available on the CC website), as well as by the Ventana Chapter, the League of Women Voters, Save Our Waterfront Committee, CA Surfrider Foundation, CA Desal Response Group, and many residents.

The Ocean View Plaza developer requested a postponement of the Cannery Row Marketplace project hearing at the March Coastal Commission meeting in Carmel Valley. The hearing will be scheduled for a future meeting. For more information contact Barbara Bass Evans, or 372-8323.

How to help

Please write letters opposing this project and supporting the staff report to: California Coastal Commission, 725 Front Street, Suite 300, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Atten: Susan Craig.

This to-scale overlay shows the configuration and size of the proposed development from the Rec. Trail. Photo credit and overlay to scale by Bob Evans.

Here's the view from the Bay. Photo credit and overlay to scale by Bob Evans.