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History and status of Monterey County trails:
Monterra, Tehama, Hidden Hills, etc.

Part 2: History	Back to index

Fred Watson, PhD
(Copyright (C)). With Mike Weaver and Richard H. Rosenthal

• 1914 (rev. 1931) Map of early roads & landowners in Laureles Grade area (and to west) based on 1871 notes.
  
  
   
• 1956 aerial imagery shows the whole area from Monterra to Hidden Hills as undeveloped ranches, scrub, and oak woodland with "jeep trails' that mostly no longer exist.
   
• 1961 aerial imagery shows the construction of the lower part of Boots Rd, as well as Whip and Spur Rd.
   
• 1962, July & 1963, Aug. Earliest (?) signs of development in the Hidden Hills area. Land survey records at future Hidden Hills site, for Edward F. Hogan, eventual developer of Baronette Estates, Hidden Hills, and Mesa Hills.
   
• 1964, Jan. Final map - Hidden Hills, . Includes "Bridle Trails". Final maps for subsequent phases: 1966-1967
   
• 1969, August 26. “Recreation Trails Coordinating Committee for Monterey County” created by Monterey County Board of Supervisors. (Source: 1971 Rec Trails Plan)
   
• 1970 CEQA passed. Projects before this date presumably do not have associated EIRs.
  
  
• 1970, May. Early development in the Mesa Hills area. Land survey record of the west end of Saddle Road for Edward F. Hogan, eventual developer of Baronette Estates, Mesa Hills, and Hidden Hills.
   
• 1971 aerial imagery shows construction of Saddle Rd, Hidden Mesa Rd, Palo Estribo Rd.
   
• 1971, March 30. Monterey County Recreational Trails Master Plan. Adopted by the Board of Supervisors. Outlines a system of proposed horseback riding, hiking, and bicycle trails throughout the entire county. Includes a proposed trail from Jacks Peak to Laureles Grade and Toro County Park. Referred to as having been "adopted" as an "element" of the Monterey County General Plan (referred to by 1982 draft CVMP FEIR).
  
  
  Referenced by subsequent legal documents e.g. 11-May-1994 Canada Woods agreement.
   
• 1971, August. Land survey record for what is now Mesa Hills West, for "Hidden Hills West, Ltd.". Future Lit Ng parcel indicated as being owned by Utah Construction & Mining Co.
   
• 1975. Concept Plan for the Monterra Planned Residential Community approved by Monterey City Planning Commission. (Source: 1986 Monterra FEIR)
   
• 1976, March 16. City of Monterey adopted "Monterey II: A Plan for the Highway 68 Area to the Year 2000" as an element of the city's General Plan, essentially a whole new city near the general area where Monterra is now situated. Repealed in 1982 by referendum.
   
• 1976. Land survey for Hidden Hills Ranch (south of Hidden Hills), with certifications by Standard International Corporation (later, Standex, run by Daniel E. Hogan, brother of Edward F. Hogan, developer of Baronette Estates, Hidden Hills, and Mesa Hills). Includes trail easements.
   
• 1971 aerial imagery is fairly similar to 1971 imagery - most of major roads are present (Saddle Rd, Boots etc.), but very few of the houses in those areas (Mesa Hills, Hidden Hills) haven been built
   
• 1978, Dec. Land survey record indicates Lit Ng now owner of former Utah Constr. & Mining Co. land.
   
• 1982 Feb. & Nov. Monterey II replealed by referendum (Measure M). (Source: 1986 Monterra FEIR)
   
• 1980. Carmel Valley Master Plan. Perhaps never adopted? (Referred to by 1985 CVTP)
  (1986 version of CVMP was adopted. Source: BOS staff report 10-Jan-1995)
   
• 1981, May. Carmel Valley Master Plan DEIR. Perhaps never certified?
  (1986 version of CVMP was adopted? Source: BOS staff report 10-Jan-1995)
  • Discusses a county road between CV and Hwy 68 via Canada del la Segunda (the present-day entrance to Tehama).
  • References the 1971 Recreational Trails Plan.
  • "Trails
    • "The trails portion of the land use map shall constitute a trails plan to be implemented by the County, whenever feasible, within its review and
      approal of development projects. The trails portion of the land use map
      with additional connections, is intended to provide access to all
      neighborhoods (p. 13).
    • "All valley residents should have nearby access to hiking and riding trails
      and small neighborhood open areas or parks (p. 14).
    • "Valley residents should have access to the ridge line of the north side of the
      valley, in conjunction with a ridge line trail (p. 14).
    • "Circulation in the village should emphasize pedestrian access. Walkways
      and paths are to be provided rather than conventional sidewalks.
      Pedestrian walkways should be used to provide access among new or
      remodelled commercial and other higher density uses (p. 18).
      
    • "Whenever feasible, all new development shall include a road system
      adequate not only for its internally generated automobile traffic but also
      for bus (both transit and school), pedestrian and bicycle traffic which
      should logically pass through the development (p. 18).
      
    • "All subdivisions shall dedicate appropriate trail easements for nonvehicular
      traffic. Such trails shall be constructed to county standards by
      the developer during the first increment of the project (p. 13).
    • "Bike routes must be considered in conjunction with all new road
      construction and improvements to existing roods (p. 13).
    • "Carmel Valley rood is the major thoroughfare of the valley. It is assumed
      to require reconstruction during the life of the plan to a four lane facility
      from Via Mollarca to Robinson Canyon Rood with shoulders adequate for
      bicycle use and with separation of east and west bound lanes. The number
      of median openings should be min imized (p. 16).
      
    • "Since Hatton Canyon is currently publicly owned and will probably not be
      developed for at least IO years, the area should be closed to vehic ular
      traffic and trails should be developed for riding and hiking and possibly
      bicycling to provide an alternative access to the High School and relieve
      Highway One from bike traffic (p. 14).
      
    • "The use of bicycle routes by pedestrians should be discouraged and
      adequate pedestrian foci lities provided (p. 13).
      
    • "Excepting emergency and maintenance vehicles, motorized vehicles shall
      be prohibited from all equestrian and hiking trails.
      
    • In addition the Land Use section of the Subdivision Evaluation System states
      "recreational open spaces should be expanded to include a comprehensive trail system throughout the valley. Public access to open space should be expanded. The specific evaluati on criteria that apply are:
      
      • "Trail easements should be established that provide access from all
        neighborhoods to public parks and other facilities, as well as the overall
        public trails system (p. 31).
        
      • "Walkways and paths, rather than conventional sidewalks, should be provided between the commercial area of the Carmel Valley Village and the surrounding neighborhoods and within the commercial area (p. 31).
         
• 1982, June. "Certified Final Carmel Valley Master Plan Environmental Impact Report". Perhaps never certified, despite what it says on the cover?
  (1986 version of CVMP was adopted? Source: BOS staff report 10-Jan-1995)
   
• 1982, Sep 30. Monterey County General Plan. Adopted by the Board of Supervisors. Includes Monterey County Recreational Trails Plan. with bicycle, equestrian, and hiking trails through county. Includes a proposed trail from Jacks Peak to Laureles Grade and Toro County Park.
  
   
• 1983, Jan. 6. Recorded Parcel Map dividing Work Ranch into three parcels, the largest one of which eventually became Monterra (2894 acres).
  
  
   
• 1983.  William Cusack donated a 397-acre parcel to Big Sur Land Trust to be protected with a scenic easement (see below: 11-Apr-1985). The parcel was later sold to Clint Eastwood for $150,000, the easement was reduced by the County in 1995, and the parcel eventually became known as Canada Woods East. (Source: Richard Pitnick, Monterey County Weekly, Jan 29, 1998)
   
• 1983, Dec. 1. Final map for Hidden Hills Estates, with dedications by Standex International Corporation, Daniel E. Hogan Chairman & CEO, brother of Edward F. Hogan who was the original developer of Baronette Estates, Hidden Hills, and Mesa Hills. Includes trail easements.
   
• 1984 May. Application for Subdivision, by Hanover Monterra Investors II, for "Monterra Ranch Subdivision"
   
  
• 1984, December. Greater Monterey Peninsula Area Plan, a part of the Monterey County General Plan. Includes Recreational Trails Plan and a trail from Jacks Peak to Laureles Grade.
  
  (Note: The GMPAP RTP was enforced in a 16-Oct-1987 Condition of Approval #16 for Monterra Ranch Tentative Subdivision Map)
  
  
  
  Relevant plan text:
  
  
  • "In supporting a coordinated areawide trails system, the County should give the
    highest priority to establishing the following trails systems:
    
    a) establish a permanent riding and hiking trail from Roach Canyon to
    Jacks Peak Park;
    
    b) establish an easterly ridgeline trail from Jacks Peak Park to Laureles
    Grade;
    
    c) establish a major trail link which generally traverses in a southeasterly
    direction from Carmel Valley and forms a trail connection with the Los
    Padres National Forest trail system; and
    
    d) establish a connection trail from the Jacks Peak Park/Laureles Grade
    ridgeline trail to the entrance of Laguna Seca Recreation Area to be
    used as a point of departure to Toro Regional Park along Highway 68."
     
• 1984. Carmel Valley trails citizens advisory committee appointed. (Source: 1985 CVTP)
   
• 1985, circa. Carmel Valley Trails Association founding document.
   
• 1985, circa. Carmel Valley Trails Plan. Map on one side; text on the other. Probably never adopted, despite what it says on the back; apparently the 1986 CVMP was adopted, but the Trails Plan element was not adopted (Source: BOS staff report 10-Jan-1995). Intended to be amended to Carmel Valley Master Plan. Includes substantially more-detailed trail mapping than County plan and Greater Monterey Peninsula plan. Includes trail from Jacks Peak to Laureles Grade. Names the trails "Valley Trail", "Road Trail", "Ridge Trail", etc.
  
   
• 1985, March. Cusack parcel survey. See: 1985, April 11 for more details.
   
• 1985, April 11. Scenic Easement recorded by BSLT on "Cusack" parcel that would eventually become Canada Woods East. County records: Survey Map in Vol. 14 of "Surveys", Page 3, was recorded as Document 16645, Book 1828, Page 133). Eventually removed on 22 Aug 1995 in controversial Eastwood swap involving Odello. (Source: BOS Reso. 95-384 and Richard Pitnick, Monterey County Weekly, Jan 29, 1998)
  
  
   
• 1985, May. Final map for Mesa Hills West, includes trail easements along Boots Rd, El Camino Nuevo, & Hidden Mesa Place - connecting to what would eventually (4 Apr. 2005) become a trail easement from the west through the Lit Ng parcel.
   
• 1985 November 4. Carmel Valley Trails Association. Article of incorporation as a non-profit?
   
• 1985, November. DEIR for the Monterra Ranch Subdivision. Reproduced within Feb 1986 FEIR (below). Notes that 115 acres will be dedicated to Jacks Peak Park. References 1982 General Plan policies to do with establishing trails connecting Jacks Peak, Laureles Grade, and Highway 68. Includes trail-related requirements as mitigation measures.
   
• 1986, Jan. Final map for Mesa Hill West No. 2.
   
• 1986, Feb. Final map for Mesa Hills West Townhomes, for Edward F. Hogan.
   
• 1986, Feb. FEIR for the Monterra Ranch Subdivision. 2831 acres.
  
  Includes Tentative Map:
  
   
• 1986, Dec 16. Carmel Valley Master Plan adpoted by Board of Supervisors. Apparently, no trails plan was adopted as an element of this master plan (Source: BOS staff report 10-Jan-1995).
   
• 1987 aerial imagery shows has house pads in Hidden Hills Estates, and houses in Mesa Hills, Hidden Hills, and Hidden Hills Ranch (south of Hidden Hills), as well as along the very west end of Saddle Rd.
   
• 1987, June. Mesa Hills West - Improvement Plans.
   
• 1987, Oct 6. Tentative Subdivision Map for Monterra Ranch approved by Board of Supervisors (Reso. 87-527) including a number of conditions of approval relating to trails (COA 16, 60, 61, 62, 63). COA 16 requires compliance with trail map in 1984 GMPAP RTP.
  Exhibit D of this Resolution is probably either a map or metes and bounds (not obtained yet).
   
• 1990, June 19. Monterra. BOS issued “Board Order” approving request to Modify Conditions relating to trails.
  Exhibit C of this Order is probably either a map or metes & bounds. (Source: OTD 29-Sep-1992)
  
  Describes specific locations of trails named Trail 1, Trail 2, and Trail 3, as shown in the map below based on a combination of precise surveyors metes & bounds and inference from related documents.
  
  
  
  Conditions (as quoted by 1992 OTD) were:
  
  
  • "A. Condition 61
    
    
    • 1. The developer shall offer to dedicate to the County concurrently with the recordation of the first phase of the Final Map, a trail easement for public hiking and equestrian access purposes during the hours of daylight.
      
      
      • a. The trail easement, designated as Trail 1 on the attached Exhibit "C" shall begin at a mutually agreed upon point on the eastern border of the 115- acre park and generally following the "future Camino De La Segunda" road alignment, as illustrated on the Tentative Map, in an easterly direction to a point which logically connects Trail 1 to the Big Sur Land Trust Property on the southern border of the Monterra Ranch near the junction of Phases II and III of the subdivision.
        
        
    • 2. The developer shall offer to dedicate to the County concurrently with the recordation of subsequent phases and their Final Maps, trail easements for public hiking and equestrian access purposes during the hours of daylight.
      
      
      • a. The trail easement designated as Trail 2 on the attached Exhibit "C" shall begin on the easternmost portion of Trail 1 and continue along the aforementioned "future Camino De La Segunda" road alignment, as illustrated on the Tentative Map, to a mutually agreed upon point on the eastern boundary of the Monterra property.
        
        
      • b. The trail easement designated as Trail 3 on the attached Exhibit "C" shall begin at a mutually agreed upon point on the southern border of the Monterra property to a point which, intersects Trail 2 and generally follows the proposed Camino Saucito Road alignment to the northern boundary of the Monterra property near the intersection of Highway 68 and York Road.
        
        
    • B. Condition 62.
      
      
      • 1. All riding and hiking trails within the subdivision shall remain closed to the public until such time as the County accepts said trail easements under the terms of the Offer to Dedicate and prepares a Comprehensive Trails Management Plan.
        
        
      • 2. The developer shall have the sole responsibility for development, maintenance, patrol and liability for the entire riding and hiking trail system within the subdivision boundaries, until such time as the dedicated trails, or any portion thereof, are open to public use.
        
        
      • 3. When the trail system, or any portion thereof, is complete and open to public use, the County, through the Parks Department, shall assume a share of the costs of ongoing maintenance and liability on a ratio determined by the percentage of use of the subdivision trails by the homeowners of the subdivision and by the general public traveling through or over the subdivision trails.
         
    • C. Condition 63. The developer and the County, through the Parks Department, shall enter into a mutual agreement through which all matters relating to the use of designated public trails within the subdivision and open space area are addressed.
       
• 1992 Sep 29
   
  • Doc. 68306. Final Map “Monterra Ranch Phase 1” (62 pages). Subsequent Phases, adjustments, and amendments approved in about 20 documents through 2005-12-01. 1992-Sep-29 Final Map does not include any trails.
     
  • Doc 68308. Irrevocable Offer to Dedicate Nonexclusive Trail Easements and Declaration of Restrictions. Relates to Trail 1, for Phase 1. Offer made by Hanover Monterra Investors II on May 8, 1991, and acknowldeged and accepted by County on 29 Sep 1992.
    
    “Upon the County's acceptance of this offer to dedicate a nonexclusive trail easement over the property described in Exhibit "B," the County and its agents shall have an unrestricted right to enter onto said property and the public shall have an unrestricted right to use the property for hiking and equestrian access during the hours of daylight over the trail alignment.”
    
    Offer superseded by 2001-12-26 document.
    
    Cited and partially superseded by York Highlands Final Map 31 May 2012 (see note on Sheet 2 of that map).
     
  • Doc 68309. Offer to Dedicate 115 acre park parcel.
     
• 1993 or early 1994. Canada Woods RDEIR (partial document). Includes trails south of Carmel Valley Road, but excludes trails north of CVR. Notes that such trails have been a long term goal by others, and that one has been offered by Monterra Ranch developers.
   
• 1994 Feb 22. BOS Staff Report preceding planned certification of Canada Woods FEIR on March 15, 1994.
   
• 1994 March 15.
   
  • FEIR for Canada Woods Subdivision Preliminary Project Review Map. Certified by BOS in Reso. 94-108. Includes comment letters from Monterey County Department of Parks, Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District, and Carmel Valley Trails Association discussing the goal for a trail connection from CVR northward to the ridgeline and offering to help align it. The County Parks letter also note the possibility of a through the BSLT ("Cusack") parcel, but warns that this is not assured. A County Planning letters notes that the BSLT link "has been previously approved by the Board of Supervisors".
    
    As far as I can tell, the trail connection northward from CVR never happened through Canada Woods, which eventually subsumed the BSLT parcel too. The trail connection was, howver, a requirement of the September Ranch subdivision to the west of Canada Woods. I've not yet found the referenced BOS approval of the BSLT trail link.
     
  • Canada Woods Combined Development Permit PC-93142 granted by BOS.
     
• 1994, May 11. Canada Woods - Indemnification Agreement between Monterey County and Canada Woods Trust. Includes detailed discussion of how the parties agree that the Combined Development Permit is consistent with a range of trail plans and policies.
   
• 1990s. Carmel Valley Trails Plan map, with contours. Probably never adopted. Low quality scan. Includes similar trails to other maps around this time.
  
   
• 1994, Sep. 12. Carmel Valley Trails Plan map. Probably never adopted. Contains the text: "Approved 9/12/94". But it is uncertain if how it was "approved". See notes from January 1995. Contains useful information on "deeded easements" and "pending easements" despite probable lack of adoption of "proposed trails".
  
   
• 1995, Jan 10. BOS agenda item to receive CVTP and direct staff to return with an environmental determination. Item was continued to Jan 24.
   
• 1995, Jan 24. BOS item on CVTP continued from 24. BOS voted to “receive” the CVTP, and directed staff to follow-up with liability/environmental/etc issues, AND to record objections from property owners on the map. Apparently, the plan was not approved at this meeting.
   
• 1995, Jan 25. Herald article about previous day's BOS meeting. Summarizes controversy surrounding the proposed CVTP.
   
• 1995/1996. Approximate period of controversial swap involving "Cusack" / BSLT / Canada Woods East parcel and Odello property near Carmel Lagoon. BSLT parcel was apparently purchased by Eastwood, and the scenic easement was reduced by Board of Supervisors (22 Aug 1995). (Source: Richard Pitnick, Monterey County Weekly, Jan 29, 1998)
   
• 1995 June 16. Canada Woods eastern portion. “Expanded Initial Study prepared by Denise Duffy & Associates on June 16, 1995”. File PC-95065. Cited by BOS Reso. 95-384.
  Document not obtained yet by FW; possibly the same document as June 23.
   
• 1995 June 23. “Canada Woods Preliminary Project Review Map & Amended Vesting Tentative Map/Vested Tentative Map, & Coast Ranch Amended Vesting Tentative Map, Expanded Initial Study”. Prepared by DD&A. Partial document obtained. Main purpose of document is perhaps to expand Canada Woods to include former Cusack/BSLT parcel as Canada Woods East. Includes trail conditions relating to trails south of CVR (probably the same as in the 1993/1994 document/s).
   
• 1995 Aug 22. Approvals relating to expansion of Canada Woods to include Canada Woods East e.g. the swapping of residential lots from Coast Ranch (near Carmel Lagoon) to the former Cusack/BSLT area of east of Canada Woods (397.2 acres), the reduction of the scenic easement on the 397.2 acres to allow for new residential lots there. Includes conditions relating to trails south of CVR, but not north of CVR. BOS resolution 95-384.
   
• 1996, June 28. Canada Woods North Vesting Tentative Map - partial document.
  This is the first document I have that mentions Canada Woods North. - i.e. the transfer of some of Monterra to become an extension of Canada Woods (which is now known as Tehama). It includes trail connections, but on different alignments to those that were in the original Monterra documents.
   
• 1996, Sept. Canada Woods North DEIR. 398 pages. By DD&A.
  
  Describes substantial northward realignment of the original Monterra trails, essentially expanding Canada Woods north to include new residences and the future Tehama golf course, and moving the trails north to be completely north of all Canada Woods North development.
   
   
  
  “A hiking trail was previously approved as part of the Monterra Subdivision. The Canada Woods North project proposes to realign and construct this trail around the perimeter of the project site. as shown on Figure 4. The location would extend from the southwestern portion of the site adjacent to Jack's Peak Park to the southeastern portion of the site which would connect to planned trails east of the project site. The trail is planned as 6-feet wide within a 10-foot easement.”
  
  “The trail is proposed to connect to Jack's Peak Park via the 115 acre site dedicated from the Monterra subdivision. The trail would also connect to the planned trail alignment on Highway 68 at York Road which will be coordinated to access future BLM public trails. the Toro Park trail system and inland areas via South Boundary Road on former Fort Ord property. The proposed trail also proposes to access the Hidden Hills area over existing trail easements. However. it is not known if a usable trail link actually exists. This will give limited public access to existing and planned trails in the Laureles Grade Road area.”
   
• 1996 November 5. Carmel Valley Master Plan – updated from 1986 Dec 16 original.
  No trail maps. Text promotes concept of a network of trails.
   
• 1990s. Carmel Valley Master Plan map. Status uncertain. Only includes "deeded easements" and "pending easements" - i.e. no proposed, non-entitled trails. Includes a trail from Jacks Peak to Laureles Grade.
  
  
  
• 1996 November 21. Canada Woods North FEIR.
  Referred to by BOS Reso. 96-518 (17-Dec-1996).
   
• 1996 November 26. Canada Woods North. Planning Commission Reso. 96091.
  “Additionally, the project proponent will dictate a 10 foot easement and construct a trail along the northerly perimeter of the property to be used as a hiking and equestrian purposes”
   
• 1996 Dec 6. Canada Woods North. Appeals heard.
   
• 1996, Dec. 17. Canada Woods North approvals by Board of Supervisors. BOS Reso. 96-518. Includes:
  • Text:
    • “Additionally, the project proponent will dictate a 10 foot easement and construct a trail along the northerly perimeter of the property to be used as a hiking and equestrian purposes”
    • “The project proponent proposes to dedicate and construct a public hiking and equestrian along the northerly property boundary. The trail will extend east from Jacks Peak Park to provide a connection to Highway 68 via York Road. The trail will also traverse the eastern property boundary of the project site to provide for future access the property to the east.”
  • Conditions:
    • “Condition No. 68.
      Prior to the recordation of the Final Map, the applicant and the County shall enter into an agreement which sets forth the terms and conditions for the construction of the public recreation trail within an easement of up to 20' and all matters relating to the trail dedication and subsequent use of the trail by the public. (Parks Department).
      
    • "Condition No. 69.
      When the County accepts the fully constructed public recreational trail, the maintenance, operation, patrol and liability shall be assumed by the County Parks Department or its designated representative. (Parks Dept.)
      
    • "Condition No. 70.
      The entire re-aligned recreational trail shall not be opened to the public for trail purposes until such time as the County accepts the dedication of the public recreational trail from the applicant and assumes responsibility for the trail. (Parks Dept.)”
       
• 1998, Jan. 29. Monterey County Weekly article on Odello / Cusack swap. By: Richard Pitnick, Monterey County Weekly, Jan 29, 1998.
   
• 1999. First lots at Monterra sold. First loans made by Salinas Employee Deferred Compensation Fund. (Source: Julia Reynolds, Monterey Herald, 18-Dec-2012)
   
• 1999, Dec. 28. Canada Woods trail easements south of Carmel Valley Road.
  • Doc. 9994946. Irrevocable Offer to Dedicate a Trail Easement.
  • Doc. 9994940. Final Map showing location of trail easements.
     
• 2000, Feb. 10:
   
  • Doc. 2000008964. Canada Woods North Phase I - Final Map. Doc 2000008964. Vol 21 Page 3. 17 sheets. Has small trail easement sections mid-way along the ridge north of CWN. Trail easements highlighted in red by F. Watson on Sheets 2, 6, 7, 11, & 12.
     
  • Doc. 2000008969. Canada Woods North & Monterra - Offer to Dedicate trail easements made jointly by CWN and Monterra. Perhaps never accepted. Instead, revised and accepted on 26-Dec-2001.
    Cited and superseded by ITD circa 13 Jan 2012.
    Cited and partially superseded by York Highlands Final Map 31 May 2012.
     
    
     
• 2001, Mar. Land survey for Hidden Hills Ranch (south of Hidden Hills). Includes trail easements.
   
• 2001 Dec. 26:
  
  
  • Doc. 2001108507. Final Map “Canada Woods North Phase II”
     
  • Doc. 2001108510. Canada Woods North & Monterra - Offer to Dedicate trail easements made jointly by CWN and Monterra. Includes acceptance of offer. Appears to be the ultimate version of the 2000 Feb 10 doc that was never accepted by county. Map seems to be identical to 2000 version. Color highlighting added by county staff. Supersedes 1992-09-29 offer.Cited and partially superseded by York Highlands Final Map 31- May 2012 (see Sheet 2 of that map).
     
• 2003, June 20. "Trail Map" for MR+CWN+CW produced, apparently depicting a shift of the "ridge" trail further northward down into the gullies west of Monterra Ranch Road. Map later (18-Sep-2003) incorporated into a document entitled "MONTERRA.CCRs V.6 09-18-03.doc". Unclear if this is merely a draft, or if it represents an approved shift from ridge northward into gullies. Absence of mention of it in 2012 YH docs implies that these 2003 docs were never approved. But re-appearance of similar map in 2007 suggests some standing.
  
  County Staff could not substantiate this map after two Public Records Act requests in 2021 and 2022 for them to do so. We twice requested any documents that would indicate whether this map was approved, and the final response was:
  
  "There are no records in the county’s possession responsive to this request."
  
  What is particularly concerning is that this is the map currently (2021 & 2022) being used by county staff to review planning applications in the Monterra area in relation to potential overlap with trail entitlements, and that the map differs substantially from the map for which approving documentation is known to exist.
  
  The question thus remains - are county staff using in 2021 and 2022 an incorrect, unapproved map to review planning applications?
  
  We urge the county to look more deeply into this and provide us when any approving documentation that may be found.
  
  Need supporting docs for this map:
  
   
• 2003, Sep. 2 (revised 2004, Feb. 6). Phasing map - Canada Woods / Monterra.
  
   
   
• 2003, Aug 26. Board of Supervisors approved various actions relating to Monterra Ranch Properties. Need to investigate potential relevance to trails.
  
  
• 2003, Sep 2. Board of Supervisors approved various actions relating to Monterra Ranch Properties. Need to investigate potential relevance to trails.
   
• 2003, Sep 30. Board of Supervisors approved various actions relating to Monterra Ranch Properties. Need to investigate potential relevance to trails.
   
• 2004, May 13. Subdivision of the 410 acre Lit Ng parcel into four parcels. These parcels lie directly east of Monterra. A trail easement was recorded on them in 2005.
   
• 2005, Jan 12. Early version of Lit Ng trail offer (see 4 Apr. 2005 for later version).
   
• 2005, April 4. Lit Ng parcels - Trail easement offered. Connects from existing easements in Monterra Ranch / York Highlands / Walden to an existing (May 1985) road easement for Hidden Mesa Road in Mesa Hills West.
   
• 2005, July 6. Conservation and Scenic Easement Deed from Monterra Ranch Properties LLC to County of Monterey. Seems to be entirely to do with scenic easement, and not conservation easement. Document obtained (SB00826.pdf).
   
• 2005, Nov 8. Final Map for Monterra Ranch Phase IX accepted by BOS. Item 05-585.
  May indicate trail easements that appeared on maps from 2001 and/or 2003.
  Need to acquire this doc.
   
• 2015, April 20. Letter reproducing Lit Ng offer (see 4 Apr. 2005).
   
• 2006, July 20. Greater Monterey Peninsula Area - Trails & Paths. Map produced by Monterey County Planning Department. Nominally but incompletely based on "Greater Monterey Peninsula Area Plan 1984".
   
  
   
• 2007, June 27. "Trail Exhibit, Monterra Ranch Properties" drawn by WWD consultants for Carmel Development Co. Depicts northern gully segments instead of ridge segments - see notes on (original) 2003 version of this map. Status unclear. Map later appeared in file named "BASEMAP_MRP\TRAIL MAP\dwg" dated 22-Oct-2007.
  Need supporting docs.
  
   
• 2007, Jul 12. Tehama (Canada Woods North III) - Final Map. Has trail easements indicated on Sheets 2 & 8. Highlighted in red by F. Watson. Doc. 2007054910 ? (hard to read).
   
• 2010, Oct 26. Adoption of new Monterey County General Plan. Does not include a trails map (as was the case with the 1971, 1982, and 1984 plans) but it includes policies (GMP-3.11-3.13) that specifically address the Jacks/Laureles/68 trails first adopted in 1971, and text addressing trail easements as conditions of a approval for developments in the Greater Monterey Peninsula Planning Area.
  
  
  • "GMP-3.11 Riding and hiking trails should be acquired and developed with the intent of creating a coordinated, area-wide trails system. All motorized vehicles shall be
    prohibited from using these trails. In supporting a coordinated area-wide trails
    system, the highest priority should be given to establishing the following trails
    systems:
    • a) a permanent riding and hiking trail from Roach Canyon to Jacks Peak
      Park;
    • b) an easterly ridgeline trail from Jacks Peak Park to Laureles Grade;
    • c) a major trail link which generally traverses in a southeasterly direction
      from Carmel Valley and forms a trail connection with the Los Padres
      National Forest trail system; and
    • d) a connection trail from the Jacks Peak Park/Laureles Grade ridgeline trail
      to the entrance of Laguna Seca Recreation Area to be used as a point of
      departure to Toro Regional Park along Highway 68.
    • e) Carmel River Parkway Trail within and connecting State Park property at
      Carmel River State Beach and Carmel Hill (Hatton Canyon) with Palo
      Corona Regional Park and Jacks Peak County Park and the Lower Carmel
      River.
       
      
  • GMP-3.12 The County, through the Parks Department, shall address the following
    fundamental elements with regard to trail acquisition, development, and use as
    expeditiously as possible:
    
    
    • a) design standards,
    • b) trail location,
    • c) construction standards,
    • d) liability questions,
    • e) patrol and enforcement,
    • f) restrictions or limitations on types of use appropriate to specific trails or
      trail segments,
    • g) maintenance and operation plan, and
    • h) burden of cost.
       
      
  • GMP-3.13 As development of bike paths and a coordinated, area-wide trails system are essential for circulation, safety, and recreation in the Greater Monterey Peninsula Planning Area, dedication of trail easements may be required as a condition of development approval, notwithstanding Policy OS-1.10(b)."
     
• 2011, March 11. York Highlands - Vesting Tentative Map. This is the first documentation of York Highlands - a new incarnation of parts of Monterra Ranch.
   
• 2011, March 21. York Highlands. Internal county memo, by planning, to parks, requesting trails site plan.
   
• 2011, June 17:
   
  • York Highlands - Trail Illustration Map. Depicts entitled trail alignment at that time, and proposes a relatively small modification. Refers to "Segment 1" and "Segment 2"
    
    
     
  • York Highlands - Letter from developer attorney to county, drawing attention to the trail map.
     
• 2011, Sep. 7. York Highlands negative declaration and vesting tentative map. Includes trail requirements. Inherits requirements 59 and 60 from Monterra Ranch EIR 84-007:
  
  
  • “A comprehensive trail plan should be submitted to the County prior to approval of the tentative map.” (apparently handled by submission of a map)
     
  • “A continuous system of hiking and equestrian trails following fairly level contours should connect the proposed open space and park areas. Also, open space linkages should be provided between the site and the Ryan Ranch. Solid lot line fencing of yards bordering this narrow open space corridor should be avoided to prevent a "walled" appearance.”
  
   
• 2011, Sep. 28. York Highlands approvals before county Planning Commission. (Mis-quotes the document number of the 2001 IOD (2001108510) as 200110850.) Included Conditions 66, 67, 68 (see BOS 18 Oct. 2011) – but had the wrong text for 67 – later fixed in the doc that was before BOS on 18 Oct. 2011.
  • “GMP-3.11 The project is consistent with GMP-3.11 and GMP-3.13, which encourage the acquisition and development of trails with the intent of creating a coordinated, area-wide trails system. Open space parcels within the project area are subject to an irrevocable offer to dedicate a trail and declaration of restrictions recorded at Document 200110850 in the Monterey County Recorder's Office. Additionally, a non-standard condition has been incorporated requiring that the irrevocable offer to dedicate a trail is re-recorded and that under specified conditions, obligating the developer to construct the trail (Condition No. 64).”
  • “59. A comprehensive trail plan should be submitted to the County prior to approval of the tentative map." with "Comments: Irrevocable offer to dedicate land for public trail required as Condition No. 64 for PLN100020. Map showing general location of the trail has been submitted.”
     
• 2011, Sep. 29. York Highlands article in Monterey Herald..
   
• 2011, Oct. 18. Numerous approvals relating to York Highlands - Board of Supervisors Resolution 11-342. PLN100020. Trails mentioned in many places. Trails map included - rough copy of the one from 2011 June 17 letter. Later modified by PLN120024.
   
  
  • “66. The Applicant shall offer to dedicate a twenty (20) foot public recreational trail easement over the subdivided property in accordance with the Greater Monterey Peninsula Plan Policy 3.11 by providing a portion of a connection trail along the Jacks Peak Park / Laureles Grade ridgeline and in conference with Parks Department. The trail easement shall be offered to the County through an Irrevocable Offer to Dedicate Agreement, which shall set forth the terms, conditions, restrictions and subsequent use and location of the public recreational trail. The specific trail alignment shall be located entirely within the trail easement as described and shown on the Applicant's Final Map. The Director of Parks and the Director of Planning shall approve the final alignment for the trail easement. The trail easement shall not be opened to the public for trail access until such time as the County accepts the trail easement under the terms and conditions of the Irrevocable Offer to Dedicate, and thereafter assumes the responsibility for use of the public trail. (Parks and RMA-Planning Departments)”
     
  • “67. The Applicant shall offer to dedicate a twenty (20) foot public recreational trail easement over the subdivided property in accordance with the Greater Monterey Peninsula Plan Policy 3.11 by providing a portion of a connection trail along the Jacks Peak Park / Laureles Grade ridgeline and in conference with Parks Department. The trail easement shall be offered to the County through an Irrevocable Offer to Dedicate Agreement, which shall set forth the terms, conditions, . restrictions and subsequent use and location of the public recreational trail. The specific trail alignment shall be located entirely within the trail easement as described and shown on the Applicant's Final Map. The Director of Parks and the Director of Planning shall approve the final alignment for the trail easement. The trail easement shall not be opened to the public for trail access until such time as the County accepts the trail easement under the terms and conditions of the Irrevocable Offer to Dedicate, and thereafter assumes the responsibility for use of the public trail. (Parks and RMA-Planning Departments)”
     
  • “68. The County shall accept from the Developer the Irrevocable Offer to Dedicate ("IOD") a Trail Easement prior to or within two (2) years from the date of filing the final map for the York Highlands subdivision. The Developer shall be obligated to include in the IOD, an Offer to construct the trail in the general location as illustrated in the Trail Illustration Map dated June 17, 2011, subject to the following conditions: 1. Developer shall provide County with written notice of the Filing of the Final Map, which shall serve to commence the two (2) year time period for County's acceptance of the IOD as well as, but exclusive of, the County's acceptance of the Developer's Offer to construct said trail. 2. The County and Developer, through the Parks Department, shall consider the cost of ongoing maintenance and liability for the use of the Trail, the responsible parties and the Improvements thereon. 3. Should the County accept the Offer to construct said trail in addition to accepting the IOD, the Developer shall have three (3) years within which to construct the trail. 4. Said trail shall consist of a 6- to 8-foot wide path of native materials as available and appropriate or as required for erosion control per engineered plans or County specifications ("Improvements"), as approved by the Parks Department, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. 5. County shall inspect the Improvements upon Developers' completion of it to ensure that the Improvements were constructed pursuant to the approved plans. 6. Upon determining that the Improvements are substantially consistent with the plans, County shall accept the Improvements by an action of the Board of Supervisors. 7. Thereafter, the Improvements shall be deemed complete and open to public use. 8. Should the County fail to accept this Offer to construct the trail within two (2) years from the date of filing the final map, Developer shall be relieved of its obligation to construct said Improvements.”
     
• 2012 Jan 13 – DRAFT Offer to Dedicate Trail Easements on York Highlands, made by “Bankers Development Group, LLC" (manually edited, unsigned). Includes a map. See final accepted and recorded version 2012 May 31.
     
• 2012 Feb 7 - Monterey County approved modification of York Highlands. Res. 12-038. PLN 120024 (a modification of PLN100020). Eliminates York Rd access point off Hwy 1. Contains revised VTM. No mention of trails.
    
• 2012 May 22. "York Highlands" Final Map on BOS Agenda. (Actual recorded Final Map is 2012 May 31) PLN 100020 and PLN 120024 (PLN 120024 reduces the York Rd access). Approved on 4-1 vote by BOS in Order 12-317 No. 19.1. Final Map recorded 31 May 2012 (see below). Attachment N is non-recorded Irrevocable Offer to Dedicate a Trail Easement, made by “UNITED SECURITY BANK AND MONTEREY COUNTY BANK” (i.e. not the same as the Jan 2012 draft that named “BANKERS DEVELOPMENT GROUP LLC” as the offeror). The Board Order directs the clerk to record the Offer to Dedicate. (Recorded offer is a separate document on 2012 May 31, with handwritten acceptance.)
   
• 2012 May 31:
   
  • Final Map recorded “York Highlands Resubdivision”. Doc 2012031806. 24 sheets. Owners statement refers to public use easements, and states that it supersedes (within the YH boundary):
    - 1992 Sep 29 Vol 18 Page 1 – Probably have this. Probably about utilities not trails.
    - 2004 June 16 Vol 22 Page 56 – Have this. Seems to be about utilities not trails.
    - 2005 Sep 14 Vol 23 Page 14 – Probably have this. Probably about utilities not trails.
    - 2005 Dec 1 Vol 23 Page 16 – Probably have this. Probably about utilities not trails.
    Sheet 3 legend refers to trail easement
     
  • York Highlands - Parcel Map
     

  York Highlands - Irrevocable Offer to Dedicate a Nonexclusive Trail Easement.
  Doc 2012031843.

  1. Refers to YH as a “redesign of a portion of Monterra Phase VIII and all of Monterra Phase X of the Monterra Ranch Subdivision”.
  2. Supercedes 1992, 2000, and 2001 offers – within the YH boundary.
  3. Accepted with a handwritten statement on Page 15, and recorded.
  4. Listed as an “Easement” to county in online document search.
      
  • The map bellow illustrates the current (2020) status of the York Highlands trail easements. It is taken directly from the Final Map (recorded 2012 May 31) except for two notes:
    • The spur at the west end of the southern border differs between the Offer To Dedicate and the Final Map (both recorded 2012 May 31). It stems from documents relating to Monterra Ranch and Conada Woods North.
    • The trail easement alongside and parallel to Highway 68 needs more research.
      
      
       
  • Subdivision Improvement Agreement.
    
    
• 2014 Feb 21 – Letter from lawyer for banks requesting 2-year extension to SIA for York Highlands
  
  
• 2014 May 13. York Highlands items on BOS agenda. Extends time to completion until May 22, 2016.
   
• 2016 Mar 22. BOS agenda. Another extension on Subdivision Improvement Agreement (SIA) for York Highlands, for 2 more years. Letter states that the banks still own the properties, but they are in escrow and expected to close in a few weeks.
  
  
• 2016. York Highlands apparently renamed Walden and purchased by Signature Group Investments (Nick Jekogian, CEO).  
   
• 2017 Mar 31. Application to build home on Lot 38. Maps include a pre-existing Trail Easement. PLN160549.
   
• 2017 July 22. SF Chronicle Article on Walden
   
• 2022 Aug 18. Monterey County Weekly article on Walden