Fort Ord Issues & Actions

The future of land use planning in Monterey County should revolve around the creative reuse and redevelopment of the former Fort Ord. The fact that these federally-owned lands are being turned over to local control, and to public ownership, gives local communities an unprecedented opportunity to do creative planning, and to provide truly affordable housing. Unfortunately, the opportunities on Fort Ord have not yet been realized, and could be lost!

FORA Report To Be Discussed at Sept. 14th Meeting
The Fort Ord Reuse Authority (FORA) will meet Friday, September 14th to discuss the Draft Scoping Plan and comments submitted on the plan.

In June of 2012, LandWatch submitted comments to the FORA Board advising them about important topics to analyze, review and include in the Draft Scoping Plan. Contained within the letter were comments requesting an analysis of the habitat conservation plan, Capital Improvement Project Program, removal of urban blight, and the impact of approved but unconstructed projects on the Monterey Peninsula among other things.

Download LandWatch’s Comments on the Draft Scoping Report – June 2012 (110K PDF file)

The FORA Board released the Draft Scoping Plan on August 15, 2012 and allowed the public and agencies to review the Plan and provide comments, which were due in early September.

View the Draft Scoping Report Released by FORA – August 2012

Again, LandWatch submitted comments on the Draft Plan that were in need of update or inclusion in the plan. Comments included a review of important policies affecting natural resources, requesting a schedule for completion of stormwater detention and we disagreed with the findings on the water availability and salt water intrusion, among other topics.

Download LandWatch’s Comments on the Draft Scoping Report – September 2012 (115K PDF file)

The FORA Board will meet on Friday, September 14, 2012 at 3:30 PM to discuss the Draft Scoping Plan and the comments received. Meetings are held in the Carpenters Union Hall on the former Fort Ord, 910 Second Avenue, Marina, CA 93933.

Attend Aug. 29th FORA Meeting to comment on Draft Scoping Report
Attend Aug. 29th FORA Meeting to comment on Draft Scoping ReportThe Fort Ord Reuse Authority has until January 2013 to reassess the progress on the Fort Ord Base Reuse Plan adopted in 1997. The August 29th meeting is an opportunity for the FORA Board to receive comments from the public about the draft scoping report which is the precursor to the mandatory reassessment of the Fort Ord Base Reuse Plan. (08.26.12)

Around the County Series Video: The Reuse of Fort Ord and Cleanup Efforts
The 2012 Around the County series focused on the reuse of the former Fort Ord military base. While LandWatch has worked on issues related to Fort Ord for some time, the topic became particularly relevant after the MST / Whispering Oaks project on the former fort was overturned on February 14th, 2012. These videos show the speakers from the second Around the County workshop on May 14, 2012. (07.11.12)

Around the County Series Video: The Reuse of Fort Ord and Meet the Community Groups Involved
The 2012 Around the County series focused on the reuse of the former Fort Ord military base. While LandWatch has worked on issues related to Fort Ord for some time, the topic became particularly relevant after the MST / Whispering Oaks project on the former fort was overturned on February 14th, 2012. These videos show the speakers from the final Around the County workshop on June 11, 2012. (07.11.12)

MST/Whispering Oaks To Be Open Space?
The Board of Supervisors unanimously directed staff to pursue the re-designation of the MST/Whispering Oaks site as permanent open space. Though not a final decision, this is a great first step with an incredibly positive potential outcome. (07-11-12)

Around the County Series Successful
LandWatch hosted three Around the County workshops to educate, inform and empower members, residents, and stakeholders about issues related to Fort Ord. The events were well attended and have received positive feedback. (07-11-12)

FORA Bill Before Senate Committee
A bill designed to extend the sunset date for the Fort Ord Reuse Authority to June 2025 is up for its third read in the Senate Government and Finance Committee. LandWatch has opposed the bill unless specific conditions are met. To date, only one of the five conditions has been incorporated into the bill language. (07-10-12)

Around the County Series Video: The Reuse of Fort Ord FORA Background and Current Plan
The 2012 Around the County series focused on the reuse of the former Fort Ord military base. While LandWatch has worked on issues related to Fort Ord for some time, the topic became particularly relevant after the MST / Whispering Oaks project on the former fort was overturned on February 14th, 2012. These videos show the speakers from the first Around the County workshop on April 9, 2012. (07.11.12)

Supervisors Should Designate Whispering Oaks as Open Space
The County Board of Supervisors will consider re-designating the Whispering Oaks site as permanent open space at its June 26th meeting. LandWatch encourages you to ask the Supervisors to support the site’s preservation as open space and recreation. (06-21-12)

Calls Needed to Legislators Immediately
AB 1614 proposes to extend the sunset date of the Fort Ord Reuse Authority to 2025. LandWatch offers conditional support. Contact decision makers by June 11th 7th to voice your opinion about the extension of FORA. Download the Factsheet. (1.33M PDF file) (06-06-12)

FORA Workshops Provide Input Opportunity
The Fort Ord Reuse Authority has hired a consultant to host a series of workshops allowing community input on the reassessment of the Base Reuse Plan. LandWatch encourages you to get informed and participate at the workshops. (05-29-12)

Around The County Series Begins on Fort Ord
Looking specifically at the reuse of Fort Ord, LandWatch launches a three part series of meetings covering everything from the site’s background to clean up efforts, AB 1614 to Fort Ord’s future. We hope you’ll join us. (03-24-12)

FORA Extension Proposed, LandWatch’s Support comes with Conditions
AB 1614 proposes to extend the sunset date of the Fort Ord Reuse Authority to 2025. LandWatch offers conditional support. Contact decision makers by March 21st to encourage conditions are added to the legislation. (03-08-12)

Supervisors Rescind approval of MST/Whispering Oaks Project
On February 14th the Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 - a complete reversal - to rescind its approval of the re-zoning and EIR for the MST/Whispering Oaks Project. The Supervisors changed course after a successful referendum petition with 18,000 signatures and a LandWatch lawsuit. (02.22.12)

Supervisors to decide on MST / Whispering Oaks project Tuesday, Feb. 14th
Please join the many activists who fought hard to stop the MST / Whispering Oaks project. The hearing begins at 1:30pm at the Supervisors’ Chambers and we need your support! (02.12.12)

Marina Coast Water District Seeks To Annex All Of Fort Ord (144K PDF file)
Marina Coast Water District is proposing to annex the entire Fort Ord area. LandWatch sent a letter to both MCWD and LAFCO on November 17, 2011 questioning this proposal. We reviewed the Draft Initial Study/Negative Declaration for proposed changes to the MCWD jurisdictional boundaries. The project would amend MCWD’s Sphere of Influence and expand its Service Area to include all of the former Fort Ord including lands within the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army. MCWD currently provides service to this area as outlined in the 1998 Water/Wastewater Facilities Agreement between FORA and MCWD which expires when FORA sunsets in 2014. The proposed project would allow water and wastewater service to continue beyond the FORA expiration and provide customers the right to vote for MCWD Board of Directors. We asked a variety of questions about the proposal and LandWatch outlined these questions at the LAFCO hearing on December 5th. (02.02.12)

FORA forum this Thursday, December 1st, please attend!
FORA is set to sunset June 30, 2014. This forum, sponsored by the League of Women Voters, intends to explore the issues around the possible extension of FORA. (11.29.11)

Supporters submitted 18,000 signatures to overturn the decision on the MST / Whispering Oaks Project
Thanks to the many organizations including LandWatch, the Fort Ord Recreational Users, Sustainable Marina and Seaside, over 18,000 signatures were gathered in hopes to overturn the Monterey County Board of Supervisors' July 12th decision to approve the MST/Whispering Oaks project. (08.11.11)

MST and Corral Mall final votes this Tuesday, July 12th
This Tuesday, July 12th, the Board of Supervisors will decide on two major projects in Monterey County Blurb for homepage: July 12th is an important day for Monterey County! Two major projects will be decided by the Board of Supervisors: the MST / Whispering Oaks project in Fort Ord and the Corral de Tierra Shopping Center with a new 100,000 square foot proposal. (07.07.11)

LandWatch Responds to Supervisors on the MST / Whispering Oaks Appeal. The final hearing is July 12th
On June 14th the Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 their “intent to approve” the project and closed the public hearing despite: the Planning Commission’s unanimous denial; strong opposition from the community; and an 80-page letter from LandWatch outlining myriad concerns with the project. The Board will consider adopting the findings of approval of the project on July 12th. (06.24.11)

The Board of Supervisors will consider the MST / Whispering Oaks projects on June 14th
This project, denied unanimously by the Planning Commission, proposes to cut down 4,400 oak trees despite the fact that alternative sites exist. (05.31.11)

Fort Ord Developer Fee Reduction Proposal
On April 8th, LandWatch submitted technical comments to the Fort Ord Re-Use Authority (FORA) on the proposal to reduce fees for developers in the former Fort Ord area.  At the April 8th meeting, the FORA Board voted to lower fees while continuing to fund the habitat mitigation program at the current level.  LandWatch recommended an environmental review of any possible fee reduction and mentioned the concern that such a reduction could significantly impact on-site improvement projects. (05.05.11)

FORA Design Guidelines Are Too Weak
FORA should protect the views of Fort Ord from Highway One. Unfortunately, the proposed “Design Guidelines" make no commitment to viewshed protection, and will let each city “make their own rules." This LandWatch letter supports the efforts of Congress Member Sam Farr and Carmel Mayor Sue McCloud to have FORA adopt stronger guidelines. (11.22.04)

Fort Ord Demands A Different Approach
Because the public owns the lands on the former Fort Ord, development proposals should be handled differently. LandWatch Executive Director Gary Patton makes the case in this article from the Monterey County Herald. (posted 08.26.03)

It's Time To Contact FORA Board Members
The Board of Directors of the Fort Ord Reuse Authority will vote on July 11th on a set of affordable housing policies that could have an incredibly positive impact, if adopted. Here's how to contact FORA Board Members by phone, email, or regular mail. (posted 07.06.03)

LandWatch Supports Farr Affordable Housing Recommendations
This long letter provides a detailed legal and policy justification for the affordable housing policies that the FORA Board will consider on July 11, 2003. (posted 07.05.03)

Farr Recommendations Would Mandate Affordable Housing on Fort Ord
Currently, FORA makes no specific requirement that affordable housing be constructed on the Former Fort Ord. That's left up to the local jurisdictions. Sam Farr's recommendations would change all that! (posted 07.05.03)

Applications Are Open For Fort Ord "Community Advisory Group"
The California State Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) is establishing a "Community Advisory Group" for Fort Ord, to monitor toxic cleanup issues on Fort Ord. Applications from interested persons are being received now, but they must be postmarked by May 30, 2003! (posted 05.21.03)

Town Hall Meetings on Affordable Housing
The Fort Ord Reuse Authority will soon be holding two Town Hall Meetings, to focus on affordable housing opportunities at the former Fort Ord. (posted 05.05.03)

Affordable Housing Opportunities on Fort Ord
Fort Ord provides an outstanding opportunity for Monterey County communities to build the kind of affordable housing that the community truly needs. The Fort Ord Reuse Authority (FORA) is expected to make some important decisions at its May 9, 2003 meeting. Read the Clark Group report that FORA will consider, as it takes action on affordable housing issues. (03.30.03)

Option Agreement Gives Up Future Public Discretion Over Fort Ord
The Option Agreement approved by the Board of Supervisors on February 4, 2003, cedes broad authority to a private developer, with few guarantees for the public. A letter from LandWatch outlines the problems. (02/05/03)

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