Fort Ord Reuse Authority: member agencies: land use and zoning: dissolution.
The bill will formally dissolve the Fort Ord Reuse Authority by 2023, shifting responsibilities for land use and development planning back to local agencies. It will authorize the Monterey County Local Agency Formation Commission to oversee the orderly dissolution. The revenue generated from remaining property taxes allocated to the authority will transition to Monterey County for appropriate division among local jurisdictions, clarifying financial obligations.
Senate Bill No. 189, introduced by Senator Monning, addresses the dissolution of the Fort Ord Reuse Authority and revises the manner in which the authority functions. This bill significantly reduces the governing board from 13 members to 5 and eliminates representation from certain cities, which has sparked varying opinions among stakeholders regarding concentration of power. It mandates that a majority vote is necessary for the board to act on any matters and prohibits future addition to the reuse plan after a specified date, reinforcing the finality of decisions made during the operation of the authority.
The sentiment surrounding SB 189 is mixed. Supporters believe reducing the size of the authority will streamline decision-making, making it more efficient as the authority transitions out of operation. Meanwhile, detractors argue that the removal of certain members from the board undermines representation and local input, posing risks to tailored development strategies suited to specific community needs. The balance between efficiency and local representation remains contentious among legislators and community representatives.
Part of the contention lies in concerns about local governance and land use autonomy in Monterey County. Critics of the bill argue that reducing the authority's voice strips communities of necessary representation in decisions regarding the reuse of the formerly military-occupied land. Additionally, the prohibition against adding to the capital improvement plan raises apprehensions about the ability to address evolving community needs as the area develops post-dissolution.