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After a decade of environmental review, dozens of hearings, hundreds
of support emails from Toro Area residents, the county supervisors
approved the Corral Village on February 7, 2012.
A month later, a small group of ardent objectors filed a lawsuit in
an effort to further obstruct the shopping village supported by 78%
of local residents.
The Phelps family, who has owned the 11 acre site at the corner of
Corral de Tierra and Highway 68 for 40 years, intends to vigorously
defend the Corral Village. The Phelps had hoped to break ground in
18 months and complete construction within a year. The legal
challenge could delay the start of construction for another year.
Irony abounds
in this recent attempt to delay the Corral Village. First off, the
lawsuit backers don't largely live here. They experience the site as
they drive by it on 68. Extensive measures were taken to preserve
views of the site to the passerby. Local residents want and need the
neighborhood serving shops and services. Without the village, area
residents will have to continue to drive to Monterey and Carmel to
meet daily needs. That means more traffic on Highway 68, more carbon
emissions, and a lower quality of life.
Above: rendering of the proposed, low-lying grocery store in the
Corral Village. Click to Enlarge.
Second, the
obstructionists claim to be concerned about the environment. The
project they aim to block would actually bring local and regional
environmental benefits. Project delays do nothing to solve
environmental problems.
Corral Village would be the county's first, green
LEED new construction commercial project. A rainwater harvesting and
recharge system, combined with intense water conservation measures
incorporated into the village design, mean that the project adds to
groundwater supply.
Because the Corral Village provides local shopping
to an area that has none, it also complies with smart growth,
climate change policies dictated by SB 375. The village EIR found
that the project reduces traffic on 68 and nearby roads by 3,500
vehicle miles traveled every day.
For the local Phelps Family, it’s always been about the community. They will continue to work to build Corral Village to create a community hub that offers places to gather, a community identity and high quality, neighborhood shops and services that allow neighbors to get off of Highway 68.
If you need more information, explore this
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Email us
anytime if you want information or help.
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