Last year there was a great deal of concern on the part of parents, and discussion on the part of the School Board about overcrowding at Carmel River School, one of the three elementary schools in the district. One option under discussion was moving the River School Boundary. The Board of the Carmel School District reviewed a collection of options and arrived at a strategy to deal with the increased student load at River School.

In the end, no boundary changes were made partly because of California budget issues. Prior to this current crisis there was a state program that allocated “class-size reduction funds” to schools that maintain class ratio of just over 20 students per teacher. With those funds not available at the moment, the financial impact of having more than 20 students per class became negligible and the hardship of shifting the boundary on the community was such that no change was made.

In 2012/2013 the state funds are expected to again become available. Current classes at River School range from 21 to 25 students per teacher. Enrollement at the moment is 506 kids, up from 480 kids last year and 460 in 2008/2009.

The school board is slated to discuss the issue, and long term plans to address overcrowding, at their October 6th meeting.

Awhile back we had the wonderful experience of  Pebble Beach hosting the US open. And we just finished enjoying the Pebble Beach Concourse De’ Elegance. One of the worlds’ premier annual car shows.  Not only did people come-in droves- but many brought their fancy new (or very old) cars for the rest of us to admire. Quite an experience when there are a dozen Ferrari masterpieces parked in front of the local Italian restaurants.

My boys love cars so there is no better way to spend a Sunday than walking around the 18^th hole on the Pebble Beach golf course, looking at and reading about beautiful old cars. Not only did they have cars, but they had motorcycles and bicycles and even a few campers too.

Not only did we have the car show in town, but in the same week Carmel Realty opened a new office on Ocean Avenue.  I say “new” in that we haven’t had an office on Ocean Avenue in quite a while, having been at our Dolores location for dozens of years. We opened in the same building where we had offices in the 1920s. We opened during the chaos of the car show to a great reception from locals and visitors alike. The office is set up as a gallery of fine homes rather than a traditional real estate office with a line of agent desks. It is a great place to drop in and learn about the market, what is happening in town, and get a few restaurant recommendations as well.

So maybe after Labor Day, this little town will feel like a little town again, but for now we still have the small town feeling….with a a bit of “big town” energy as well.

• Cal-Am, the local water company, is violating a number of orders/laws/regulations by “over pumping” the Carmel River. Most of the restrictions have to do with protecting the Steel Head breading that occurs in the river.
• This over pumping/water shortage is the basis for the existence of the Monterey County Water Management District.
• This agency is a “super” agency that has authority above the authority of cities or the county when it comes to water usage.
  • For example, you can receive a permit from a city to install a third bathroom which is allowed under the zoning rules of a given property but NOT be allowed to add the bathroom because you have insufficient water credits (or fixture units) and the Water District won’t stamp the permit.
• To get more of an explanation of how the credit process works, visit www.malonehodges.com/water for an explanation.

So, in November a state wide agency known as the California State Water Resources Control Board issued a Cease and Desist Order that put extreme rationing on the table and ordered Cal Am to not install any new water meters or enlarge water meters for remodel projects.

This was clearly a catastrophe for anyone on the verge of getting a permit to build a home.

Immediately after the issuance of the order a Monterey County Judge issued a stay.

The State Resources board moved to transfer the case to a judge in another county in hopes of getting more sympathy. They succeeded. A Santa Clara county judge this week lifted the stay.

Effectively immediately Cal-Am is under orders to not install new meters. The rationing hasn’t kicked in because our water consumption so far this year is below the limits that trigger rationing.

If you have ever heard of “The Onion” a satirical online newspaper, this story could appear on their pages. Our area uses water well below the national average and well below the average water usage in California. We are extremely sensitive to water usage. There are a number of possible solutions to the water problem, including desalination plants and water reclamation projects. All of which require state approval….from the same state that is inflicting the cease and desist order but has dragged its feet on approving any of the solutions.

If you are considering buying a home in Carmel, Pebble Beach, Carmel Valley or the other peninsula communities and think you might want to add or modify your water fixtures please make sure you understand the water credit system during your contingency period. Request, and understand, what the water fixture report says about your property.

By the way, Pebble Beach has a bit of a unique side story. The Pebble Beach Company has been able to sell water credits from its “bank” for years meaning you could add that third bath, if your home was in Pebble Beach and you could afford to buy the credits. The original intent of the Water Resources Board was to include Pebble Beach but it was “carved out” so those purchased water credits are still valid (and valuable) for the time being at least.

Malone
malone@malonehodges.com
831-601-4740