Old Capitol Site Plan Project

In 2019, the Pebble Beach Company dedicated and transferred the 135-acre Old Capitol Site property to the City of Monterey for parkland purposes. The Old Capitol Site permanently preserves one of the few remaining Monterey Pine Forests, a critically important ecological resource. One of the Monterey City Council’s Value Drivers is to “protect and preserve our natural environment by addressing climate change through ecologically responsible and pragmatic solutions. The City Council recognizes the necessity of bold, pragmatic, and thoughtful solutions to protect our natural environment for future generations. Community decisions on transportation, land use, sea level rise, coastal protection, forestry, and city government operations can have a positive impact on our environment locally, regionally, and globally.”

The City has begun the process to develop an open space and parkland plan for the Old Capitol Site with BFS Landscape. The Old Capitol Site property is comprised of three parcels and is generally located south of Highway 1. Several streets bisect the property, including Viejo, Sylvan, Barnet Segal and Iris Canyon Roads. Upon the transfer, the City re-designated the property in the General Plan Map from Very Low Density Residential to Parks and Open Space, and the Zoning Map designation from Planned Community to Open Space. Since the transfer, the City of Monterey has overseen clean-ups and fuel removal efforts on the property. Included in the transfer agreement are two Special Attention Areas (SAAs) providing permanent preservation and management of Monterey Pine forest, Yadon’s piperia and supported habitat in perpetuity. In addition to the SAAs listed above, other areas of the property may have limited development potential due to, but not limited to, the topography, protected plants found on the property and limited water access.

The Old Capitol Site Plan process will be divided into four main phases; PHASE I: Project Kickoff and Familiarity with Site, PHASE II: Public Engagement, PHASE III: Design Options and Cost and PHASE IV: Final Presentations.

It is important to the City that the park plan design represents a general consensus of the community regarding a shared vision and goals for open space and natural parkland. It is equally important that the plan engages with community members who are not typically well-represented in public forums and discussions.

The Old Capitol Site Plan will include design options, which can include elements such as walking/hiking trails, dry camping area, camping area with limited access to water through wells, picnic area, nature discovery, community garden, etc. Design options would include minimal traditional park space and take into consideration the Special Attention Areas, as well as natural barriers such as ravines and lack of access to water. Each design would include an estimated cost for implementation and annual ongoing maintenance costs.

Successful site park plans will integrate with the 2016 City of Monterey Parks and Recreation Master Plan and take into consideration the best use of the space to complement existing parks and recreation services. Following the selection of the preferred design, the BFS Landscape will prepare a final plan document, which would include accurate implementation and ongoing costs be presented to the community during Parks and Recreation Commission and the City Council meetings.

Funding for the Old Capitol Site Park Plan was provided by the City of Monterey's Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program.