THE MONTEREY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HAVE DELAYED THEIR RECONSIDERATION OF WHISPERING OAKS BUSINESS PARK…..WHICH WAS INITIALLY APPROVED FOR A SITE ON THE FORMER FORT ORD. THE DELAY IS DUE TO ONGOING SETTLEMENT TALKS BETWEEN BUS TRANSIT OFFICIALS (WHO WANT TO CONSTRUCT THE NEW MONTEREY-SALINAS TRANSIT HEADQUARTERS THERE); OFFICIALS WITH LANDWATCH; AND MEMBERS OF THE MONTEREY COUNTY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY. MONTEREY COUNTY SUPERVISORS ARE NOW SET TO CONSIDER SCHEDULING THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR FEBRUARY 14TH.
THE PROJECT, WHICH WAS INITIALLY APPROVED LAST SUMMER PROMPTED A REFERENDUM PETITION. MORE THAN 18 THOUSAND SIGNATURES WERE GATHERED IN HOPES OF SAVING THE VALUABLE RECREATIONAL SPACE, AS WELL AS THE 34 HUNDRED OAK TREES SLATED FOR REMOVAL. THE PETITION WAS CERTIFIED, AND THE BOARD HAS UNTIL MARCH TO ACT.
