Developer seeks rezoning of former hospital site
May 2008

Have you seen the festive carnival-like banners on the former Carmel Convalescent Hospital Site at Hwy. 1 and Valley Way in Carmel? These banners are actually what are called story poles, erected to represent the height and size of a proposed development. Imagine 46 condos on this site.

After being turned down unanimously by Carmel's Planning Commission, Developer Bob Leidig and current owners, the McDowells, applied to the County to rezone the Carmel Convalescent Hospital property on Hwy. 1 at Valley Way from single family residential (2 units per acre) to high-density multifamily (12.5 units/acre). This upzoning is in opposition to the County's General Plan and Carmel's Local Plan. The property is in Carmel's "sphere of influence" and the local coastal zone.

Leidig/McDowells propose to build 46 condos on 3.68 acres, cut down half the trees, wall in scenic Hwy. 1 with a 10-foot-high, 260-foot-long soundwall, and construct 35-foot-high buildings next to one-story homes. This development would be larger than the nearby Barnyard Shopping Center. Access would be on Valley Way bringing 500 more cars on Hwy. 1 and Carpenter St. which could add up to nearly 2 miles of bumper-to-bumper traffic from Carmel Valley Road to the Munras St. Exit off Hwy 1.

Water is not an issue for the McDowell/ Leidig plan; the developers are beneficiaries of generous water credits given when the site was a former Community Hospital.

Neighbors have organized to keep the current zoning. To help, please contact:

Save Our Carmel Neighborhood Coalition,
225 Crossroads Blvd, #206,
Carmel, Ca 93923
.

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