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Marks Ranch property in danger of intense development
Bulldozers and heavy graders have already knocked down stately oaks and prepared housing sites right up to the border of the Marks Ranch property adjacent to Toro Park. And now the Marks Ranch itself may suffer a similar fate.
Incredibly, this property was willed to St. Johns College for a college and open space and, if not used for that purpose, to the California State University for the same purpose. Instead, the land has been optioned to southern California developers who sit poised to continue the destruction now underway at neighboring Las Palmas Ranch.
In the 1960s as Herman Marks gazed out of his hacienda window and admired the rugged canyon and oak-studded hills beyond, he decided to create Toro Park. In deeding 5,000 acres for Toro Park, Marks looked into the future and saw our need for open space. Herman, Agnes and Andrew Marks also honored their beloved mother, Nisene by creating the 10,000 acre Forest of Nisene Marks State Park in Aptos. For his generosity, Herman Marks was honored with the State of California Golden Bear Lifetime Conservation Award.
But now, some beneficiaries of this generosity have chosen to betray the trust. St John's College and the California State University have decided to sell the property rather than use it for education and open space as intended.
Ed Demars, retired as Monterey County Planning Director, spent many afternoons walking the hills of the Ranch with Marks. "Herman would be rolling over in his grave if he knew what was going on with the college and the Marks Ranch," he noted sadly. "I am very disappointed in St. John's College."
Zoning change required for residential development
Currently most of the Marks property is zoned Public/Quasi-Public--the same zoning as Toro Park itself. One small sliver of land on the northern edge of the property is zoned 2 acres/unit. In order to be developed for housing, the zoning would have to be changed to residential.
The developers and the current owners are working to achieve that rezoning as part of the update of the Monterey County General Plan. Concerned citizens are working to retain the open space attributes of the property.
At a Monterey County general plan update meeting in Spreckles on May 16, the Committee to Save Marks Ranch and an estimated crowd of 300 neighbors voiced their opposition to rezoning Marks Ranch. Ventana Chapter vice-chair, Robin Way, created four photo panoramas of the property which were displayed at the hearing.
Las Palmas developers, brothers Mike and Jim Fletcher, defended their proposed project against the largely unfriendly crowd. Old-timers who knew Herman Marks testified that Marks' intention was for public use for the land, not residential development. Other speakers brought up the concerns of traffic congestion, limited water resources, and the need for a buffer between Toro Park and the existing Las Palmas residential development, views of which already impinge upon Toro Park.
It would be a tragedy if the dream of Herman Marks is allowed to be destroyed.
How you can help:
> If you are a graduate of either St. John's College or California State University, write their administration to oppose the sale of the property for urban sprawl. John Balkom, President, St. John's College, 1160 Camino De La Cruz, Santa Fe, NM 87501 and Chancellor Charles B. Reed, California State University, 401 Golden Shore, Long Beach, CA 90802.
> Contact your State Representatives. It is absurd that the state on the one hand is purchasing park land with bond money while at the same time selling property and compromising a large intact ecosystem adjacent to an existing park.
> Write a letter to your Monterey County Supervisor. If you are not sure who your Supervisor is or need the address, call Citizens to Save Marks Ranch, 484-1339.
> For more information, contact Citizens to Save Marks Ranch, 484-1339.
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