Posted on 03/25/2005 12:48:50 PM PST by NormsRevenge
It's Clint Eastwood's half-billion-dollar baby -- a sweeping development plan for Monterey Peninsula's fabled Del Monte Forest.
So far the ``baby'' is garnering both jeers and plaudits. In one corner: environmental activists and the California Coastal Commission staff. In the other: the Pebble Beach Co. and Monterey County's elected officials. And both sides are digging in for the long haul.
The Pebble Beach Co., owned by Eastwood, golfer Arnold Palmer, ex-baseball commissioner Peter Ueberroth and other investors, wants to build a championship 18-hole golf course and driving range in the area's signature Monterey pine forest. The 150-acre development would also include a new equestrian center, 33 luxury homes and 160 hotel rooms and suites.
In exchange, the company is offering to preserve more than 800 acres as permanent open space -- most of it in Pebble Beach, a 5,200-acre gated community that is home to the 17-Mile Drive, seven 18-hole courses and one nine-hole course.
But many environmentalists are saying no to the quid pro quo -- and urging California coastal commissioners to reject the plan when it reaches them later this year.
``They're taking the heart of one of California's last intact coastal forests,'' said Mark Massara, who directs the Sierra's Club's coastal programs. ``To chop down more than 17,000 Monterey pines for golf is akin to cutting down the Amazon forest for hamburger.''
The Pebble Beach Co. says it's being unfairly maligned by what it called environmental extremists who have never seen a golf course or hotel development they liked. Company officials also point out that the plan was overwhelmingly approved by Monterey County voters as Measure A in November 2000. Seventy percent of Pebble Beach residents voted yes.
(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...
Cannery row would never have been built if you had anything to say about it. Now go read Tortilla Flat.
What do you think Clint Eastwood's position is on this?
Would he object if an eccentric bought one of these lots and started raising pigs, chickens and goats?
Or perhaps he favors some kind of "unconstitutional interference" to prevent this kind of riffraff from moving into the neighborhood???
Are you going to be responsible for that property you wish to own at other's expense?
Thank a logger for your lumber.
Spotted owl tastes like chicken.
I want a chunk of that consulting assignment.
How can they even think about drilling in this pristine area? Oops, wrong thread.
The wonderful folks of Carmel have required that the only water available for watering Clint's golf course has to come from the Carmel sewage treatment plant. He has to provide the equipment to bring the sewage up to their standard so that he can water the golf course.
I believe the term is EXORTION.
..or maybe extortion..
@#$* enjinirs...
I hope Clint and company lose. It's just another gated getaway for the rich. To get away from the problems of California that are caused by the illegal immigration they promote. I'm speaking in broad generalities but that how I see it. I have 100 other public issues I'm more concerned about
BTT!!!!
BTT!!!!!
Okay class, let's start ....
Another way to look at the baloney in all this is just the Single Golf Course they want to build.
Let's stop right there - as the Golf Golf alone is now BIGGER than the whole 150 acre (161,458.5 SF) Development.
Ergo, someone is lying, and I think it's the Sierra Club.
Or very sloppy reporting.
Roger That ~ Private Property Rights ~ Bump!
uhoh There are over 45,000SF in an acre.
43,560 SF / Acre I still don't like the Sierra Club, though.
Excuse me?!?!?!?
I know CA is 'different' but one can't just make up 'new rules' of measurement.
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