Western Railroad Discussion > Monterey Branch saga continues

Some of you that have been following our Monterey Branch Line saga here the latest.   Two weeks ago the Marina City Planning Commission unanimously approved the Coastal Development Permit for the busway since 600 feet of it proceed through the protected coastal zone within the City's jurisdiction. Among the issues in the City is the track on this segment will be removed and they are pulling out a crossing that provides direct access to the beach.  Replacing our railroad activity results in reduced coastal access since we bring thousands of people to the coast. The local coastal plan that they are checking the bus project against states recreational uses have priority over other uses. We carry more than the Del Monte did in its final years.

The local news gave the bus agency some airtime to explain how great their project is. Kevin Dayton interviewed in the segment makes it out like he is just a regular concerned citizen. He is a known lobbyist that showed up at City Council meetings around the state to lobby for construction interests.  They don't mention that he sits as a director on two advisory boards for the bus agency and also the transportation agency. He was given our appeal on the deadline closing date and then got the news to cover it.  Somehow they think this news piece helps them.

Local TV News piece:
https://kion546.com/news/2024/04/23/two-local-groups-appealing-city-of-marinas-planning-commission-approval-of-mst-surf-project/

We expect the Marina City Council to choose the busway over our popular recreational activity. However, we can appeal to the California Coastal Commission which will follow coastal plan policies without local political interference. 
 

Todd Clark
Canyon Country, CA
Trainorders.com

Bureaucratic nightmare. 

Welcome to what California has become.

Out 

Hopefully the end result is a favorable one for the branch line! These morons never seen to learn (or care) that when tracks get torn out, they don't ever get put back in. I've said it a thousand times, the peninsula doesn't need another bus, the ones in use now are hardly used.

Dave 

Is the traffic that bad that they need a bus lane only?
Dennis

Posted from iPhone

cajon Wrote:
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> Is the traffic that bad that they need a bus lane
> only?
> Dennis

The population of the Monterey Penninsula is about 100,000 people. It is served by a six lane (3 and 3) freeway that has traffic for about an hour in the morning that maybe delays travelers 10-15 minutes. Traffic backs up on Saturdays and Sunday midday which the originally planned intercity train service would have addressed well.  It is all about housing. In California put a mass transit stop and you get unlimited housing density within 1/2 mile of the stop. 

Todd Clark
Canyon Country, CA
Trainorders.com

callum_out Wrote:
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> Welcome to what California has become.
>
> Out 

How would this be handled in Missouri?

You probably carried more passengers in your short time than the Del Monte carried in its last 5 years

WAF Wrote:
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> You probably carried more passengers in your short
> time than the Del Monte carried in its last 5
> years

There is a difference between ridership numbers (Todd's service), which I think Amtrak takes advantage of in featuring the NEC (numbers) as opposed to their LD service, where business tends to be, or at least once was, expressed in passenger miles, as was done with the Del Monte, and I think pretty much all of the railroads pre - Amtrak.

AA

Stanford White
Carmel Valley, CA

portlander Wrote:
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> callum_out Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Welcome to what California has become.
> >
> > Out 
>
> How would this be handled in Missouri?

Sorry to read of these shenanigans. Happens everywhere and it is our task as citizens to fight it. I have colleagues in C.O.'s state who deal with it there too.

Don't know about Missouri, I don't live there, might check with the P'Burg Xtra Board on that one.

Out 

webmaster Wrote:
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> We expect the Marina City Council to choose the
> busway over our popular recreational activity.
> However, we can appeal to the California Coastal
> Commission which will follow coastal plan policies
> without local political interference. 

So, just to clarify this, you are basically waiting for a legal process to run its course whereby the higher authority will likely grant you relief from some local (lower) interference, thus allowing your operation to keep moving forward? TIA...

JG

Sorry to hear about the latest crap from Marina.  Take heart, though, the California Coastal Commission is an unelected body that is answerable to no one.  Whatever their decision on the busway, it will likely stand if you and others decide to appeal. I'd wager that you'll come out on top.  Process with CCC usually takes a loooooong time and mucho dinero if lawyers get involved.  I'd be happy to contribute to a Go Fund Me effort if you consider such a strategy.

Wishing you good luck if you proceed!

-John

Good luck Todd!  Can't believe they are going for a bus after all the years of talking about a train.  And as with anything in California now, follow the money.  Rules are only for us regular schmucks.

Nathan

atsf121 Wrote:
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> Good luck Todd!  Can't believe they are going for
> a bus after all the years of talking about a
> train.  And as with anything in California now,
> follow the money.  Rules are only for us regular
> schmucks.
>
> Nathan

Ain't just California, they follow the money pretty good in places like Texas, Florida, New York and Utah too.