Nov 20, 2023

Celebrating 36 Years of Community Service

 


Please squeeze in a "be merry" with old & new Carmel friends & neighbors at our 

Annual CRA Members Holiday Gala 
Saturday, December 2nd, at La Playa Hotel 
Act Now! Only 24 spots remain.
Our Reservation Deadline is Monday November 27th
 
Last year's Holiday Gala "Kilt Gang" & "Grape Gals"

Reception: Mix and mingle with fellow members during the Cocktail Hour beginning at 5:30 pm on the Pacific Terrace where red and white wines are included throughout the reception and dinner. Well drinks will also be available at the Terrace cash bar. 

Dining:
  Our dinner will begin at 6:30 pm in the Pacific Room with a special holiday salad – A Sweet Gem & Roasted Beet Salad with radicchio, frisee, popcorn shoots & goat cheese.

  Followed by your Main Dish Choice: 
   1. Lobster Ravioli with velvet corn soup, roasted mushrooms & fine herb salad 
   2.  Roasted Rosemary Chicken, with rustic whipped potatoes & seasonal vegetables
   3. Caprese Ravioli in a fire roasted tomato sauce (vegetarian)
Concluding with your Desert Choice and Coffee:
    A. Lemon Meringue Tart with Raspberry Coulis
    B. Chocolate Hazelnut Torte with Salted Caramel

To Join Us - CRA Members confirm your participation by registering to attend, with your welcome guest(s*) of 1, 2 or 3, by processing your meal options and $90 per person payment online.  * Your guests can be members or non-members. If you received this email directly - you are welcome to join us!   
Here are more event details, signup options and pictures from prior years Gala!

For Gala Registration & Pay Online Here
You will  be prompted for your CRA Username, which is 


This past week City meeting blitz highlights

Nov. 13th - the Housing Element Ad Hoc Committee met to review Sacramento's HCD response to the draft of our Housing Element supporting RHNA requirements. HERE is the City's Meeting online agenda, HERE is the HDC 9 page response letter. HERE is the YouTube, HERE are the presentation Slides - we highly recommend  viewing these slides or video as your time permits. Timing: Updates to our Housing Element must be approved by HCD by mid April 2024 to be in compliance. This will require two reviews at City Council in advance of our re-submission. Significant analysis must be provided by staff. Anticipate more meetings on these revisions soon. Visit our CRA Housing page for more details and background.

Nov. 14th - a new Ad Hoc Committee Meeting was held to explore considerations for an Outdoor Private Property Wine Tasting program - with Council Members Mayor Dave Potter and Jeff Baron. Directions provided general support for this pending program, while today's policy, code and enforcement have gaps. More work to understand how other towns implement these and it's important for our village to make sure access to these pubic inter-block walkways remain welcoming.

Nov. 15th - a Planning Commission Workshop was held to receive initial feedback on the new draft ADU OrdinanceHERE is the City's online agenda;  HERE is the  Draft Ordinance; HERE is the YouTube; HERE are the meeting slides. This draft addresses total size of ADU's allowed on our small 40x100 lots in alignment with the Coast Act, critical need for objective design standards to be created (an $85K grant was received to fund this), parking considerations, the characteristics of the ADU must align with the primary residence and many other items explored. Visit our CRA  ADU page for more details and background.

Nov. 16th - the Climate Action Committee met to receive reports on the current needs of our City Beach stairs and walls/retentions, long term change analysis and explore tracking City-wide progress on the broader approved Climate Adaptation Plans. HERE is the online agenda and staff report, HERE is the YouTube; HERE are the two consultant report slides reviewed - with important annotations below. 

The first half of the consultant report covered current needs based on a "Coastal Engineering Assessment" in summary includes: 
• 17 coastal armoring structures were assessed including 6 riprap revetments and 11 vertical seawalls. 11 coastal access stairways were also assessed.
• Of the 6 revetments (bolder retention), 4 are in need of repair; one in its entirety and the others in some portions. Two revetments were below the sand so their condition was unknown.
• Of the 11 Stairways inspected, 9 were recommended to be repaired or modified. Three were classified as a high priority, 4 as a medium priority, and 2 as low priority.

The second half of this consultant report covered "Seasonal and Longterm Shoreline Change Analysis" tied to historical patterns and expected Climate changes.

Nov. 17th - the Design Traditions 1.5 Steering Committee met on our Village architecture Design Guidelines open topics and targeted timeline. HERE is the online agenda; HERE is the meeting YouTube video. We reviewed and updated the list of working Guideline open topics, appendix and supplemental items. Brandon's updated timeline targets a revised core document draft in January, when he plans for broader community and Committee input. The full completion (est. Summer 2024) project deliverables will also include Municipal Guidelines, draft Zoning Codes, Process, Check Lists, Recommended Materials and others. 
Visit our CRA Architecture page for more on progress and background. 


Increasing Concerns for the
Forest in Our "Village in the Forest by the Sea" 

a Community Created Petition 
Scan this QR image or click on this QR code to learn more and participate. 

Our Forest-by-the-Sea Trees need our care for their health, safety and preservation, as they help provide the oxygen that we breath, the cover that shades us, the habitat for wildlife, and yes - they also increase the value of our homes. 

These critical, noteworthy and area image defining Monterey Pines, Coastal Oaks, Monterey Cypress and Redwoods need our support for our Village well-being, enjoyment, charm and character. Visit the CRA page on Trees HERE for more and for a new article on the historical and ecological significance of our Monterey Pines.

Signing this petition encourages the City's Forest Master Plan be directed to retain and nurture these significant trees as a critical & significant part of the nature in our Village for generations to come.


Friday Dec 1st, 3:30 to 5:30 PM in front of Devendorf Park on Ocean Avenue
Don't forget our City's Holiday Celebration
with Tree & Menorah Lighting, Singing, Dancing, Santa and more 
or click here for more details

And of course, don't forget all of the great shopping, dining, theatrical, musical and art gallery opportunities throughout town over the holidays.  What a gift - our Camel-by-the-Sea.

Finally - If you made it this far - don't forget to register to attend the Dec 2nd CRA Holiday Gala.  Click Here for more event details, signup options and pictures from prior years Gala!


   Keep your feedback coming anytime! 
And if you have updates, additions or corrections - please let us know.

Carmel Residents Association
PO Box 13, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921
[email protected]     CRA Facebook Page     CRA YouTube Channel