Handcar Tour Company Sues City
The handcar tour company operating in Marina was recently forced to close, but we’ve not heard the last from it. It has sued the city in federal court claiming its First Amendment rights were violated after it spoke out against the bus-lane project that has displaced it.
According to the lawsuit, the Museum of Handcar Technology alleges that defendants City of Marina and the Transportation Agency for Monterey County have been planning on removing rail lines in favor of placing a bus lane along the rail corridor, while at the same time receiving Prop. 116 funds for a rail project.
According to the suit, after the handcar company contacted the Monterey County Transportation Commission and questioned the propriety of all this, the MCTC froze the $25 million grant and the project has been stalled since. As retaliation, the city and TAMC decided not to renew the handcar company’s two-year lease, even stating that the company’s opposition to the bus project basically disqualified them from renewal during a council meeting.
The plaintiff seeks a permanent injunction from TAMC and the city from refusing to permit two-year renewals of the company’s lease and sublease; a judgment prohibiting the use of Prop. 116 funds for the bus lane project, and prohibiting the removal of rail lines; a judgment stating that TAMC is prohibited from funding or participating in any projects that don’t involve improving a rail line; and for actual and punitive damages, along with attorney’s fees.
Housing Market Slows Pace
The housing market overall is slow and locally it’s no different. Just four homes have sold in Marina and East Garrison since Nov. 1, one of them a townhouse for $630,000 and the other three single-family residences averaging out at $995,333.
That’s a sharp decline from previous months, when it looked like the market might be heating up, and less than half the volume of what sold during the same time last year in what was considered a slow market. Nine homes sold during the same time last year. More recently, in September and October, 32 single-family residences were sold in East Garrison and Marina, along with a condo and a townhouse. The 32 homes’ average sale price was $982,549 and were on the market on average of 47 days.
Currently, in Marina and East Garrison, the average condo has been on the market 99 days; the average single-family home has been on the market for 62 days. However, the three single-family homes that just sold were on the market an average of just 7 days. One of them, 3346 Tracy Court, was on the market for just 3 days. It listed for $988,000 and sold for $998,000. The condo that sold was on the market for 32 days.
If you are in the market for a home or would like to sell your home, contact me at (831) 869-2484 or email me at chownbiz@gmail.com. (DRE#02040730)
Commission Seats Open
Want to have an impact in your community? The City of Marina is accepting applications for a wide variety of commission seats that will help determine how neighborhoods are designed, where trees are planted, which cultural events and art projects get funded, and where bicycle lanes will be added. From my experience covering City Councils and Planning Commissions in different communities in California, the best commission members have an open mind, and study the issues.
The most important are probably the three seats that are open on the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission advises the City Council on land use policy, such as how and where new neighborhoods should be designed, and zoning changes. Council members make the final decision, but they generally follow what the Planning Commission recommends.
There are also three open seats on the Public Works Commission, which advises the City Council on city parks and facilities; three seats open on the Recreation and Community Services Commission, which advises the City Council on services to seniors and youths, as well as cultural and public arts programs; and four seats open on the Tree Committee, where candidates should have some experience in planting, landscaping or caring for trees.
Finally, there is one alternate seat for a Marina resident to participate, in the absence of a board member, in the Transportation Agency for Monterey County Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Advisory Committee. For the city’s press release, click here.
Planners Preview Housing Element
The Planning Commission meets Thursday with very little on the agenda. There will be a legislative update on some of the bills passed that will go into effect in 2025 that will impact Marina; an update on Marina’s Objective Design Standards; and a preview of the Housing Element items will come before the commission in 2025.
Hilltop Park Opens
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held to open Hilltop Park. Located at the corner of 4th Avenue and 9th Street, the park was designed to be a passive park with emphasis on native plants, views, places to sit, walking paths, picnic areas and a dog park. It is open daily one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset.
POLICE REPORTS
Nov. 27
• Two men, ages 41 and 38, were arrested and charged with robbery and conspiracy to commit a crime while on Reservation Road.
Nov. 28
• A 37-year-old man was arrested and charged with narcotics offenses while on Seacrest Avenue.
Nov. 30
• Two 21-year-olds, a male and female, were arrested and charged with shoplifting on General Stillwell Drive.
• A 37-year-old woman was arrested and charged with the same at the same location, as well as violating probation and driving on a suspended license.
Dec. 1
• A 36-year-old woman was arrested and charged at the intersection of De Forest Road and Reservation Road with driving without proof of registration or insurance, and possession of cannabis in an open container while driving.
Dec. 2
• A 42-year-old man was arrested and charged with trespassing on Reservation Road, and disorderly conduct.
• A 25-year-old man was charged with driving without proof of insurance or registration on General Stillwell Drive.
• A complaint was filed for assault with a deadly weapon, stalking, and domestic violence.
Dec. 6
• A 32-year-old male was arrested for being drunk in public on Reservation Road.
• A 25-year-old man on Abrams Drive was arrested and charged with vagrancy, being drunk in public, possession of drug paraphernalia.
• On Carmel Avenue, a 59-year-old man was arrested and charged with DUI.
• A man on Del Monte Boulevard, 28, was charged with domestic violence.
Dec. 7
• A 33-year-old man was charged with being drunk in public on Vista Del Camino.
Dec. 8
• A 39-year-old man was arrested on Lake Drive and charged with DUI, resisting arrest and vandalism.
Dec. 9
• A woman, age 32, was arrested near the intersection of Del Monte Boulevard and Palo Verde and charged with evading a police officer on Highway 1.
• A 44-year-old woman was arrested on Beacon Street and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and held for having warrants for her arrest from three other jurisdictions.
• A burglary was reported on Reservation Road.
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This newsletter was created and distributed by Jon Chown of Renee Mello Mello & Assoc. 44 Brennan St. Watsonville, (831) 869-2484. Dre#02040730