Proposed ‘Casa Boronda’ project to be determined at a later date
Monterey, Calif. (KION) A proposed events venue, Casa Boronda, in Monterey has been tabled for a later date.
The City of Monterey's Planning Office has determined that the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines. The City's historic preservation committee was sent to discuss the project yet pushed any decision to a later date. Casa Boronda would be located south of Perry Lane at the end of Boronda Lane and between Mesa Road and Major Sherman Lane. The site is right behind Monterey's Mercedes Benz dealership on Fremont Street.
Neighbors raised environmental concerns included noise, traffic, and historic preservation. The area is low in residential density. Surrounding neighbors are worried about the noise levels on weekends and traffic because of the limited parking spaces.
“We would not like these large events, because of the traffic and because of the noise,” said neighbor, Richard Carr.
Richard Carr is the owner of the Casa Buelna, another historical home just right up the street from Casa Boronda. This isn’t the first time they’ve objected, he said.
"Now ten years later, they're coming back with essentially the same request to have amplified music, large wedding events for 250 people with amplified sound, and parking for all those people here," said Carr. "And well, we objected again.”
The application for 'Casa Boronda' includes 24 private events with up to 250 people per event and 12 public events per year. Carr was notified of the resolution about a week ago and not everyone received one. This is why he felt it important to inform his neighbors.
"There are 15 apartments right next door, on the same border," he said. "They share a fence with the Casa Boronda and got no notice. So we had to go and try to talk to those people to tell them about this. The city is not very good about notifying the people that would be affected.”
The owner of Ravens Path, LLC, Blake Matheson says:
"Casa Boronda is the oldest residence in Monterey - 1817- the first built outside the presidio walls, and sits the original 4-acres granted by the Spanish king. We’re trying to come up with a blend of public and private events that will increase public access and open it as a venue for a limited number of private events annually."
Still, neighbors also argue that there may be other ways to preserve the historic property. The Mills Act is one way as it helps and encourages people to maintain large or significant historical properties by signing a contract and receiving a tax deduction.
According to Carr, Casa Boronda already receives an $18,000 yearly tax credit, which is another concern for neighbors. However this information still needs to be verified,
