Excuse the long post, but I was sent this letter and it is important to understand the background to this workshop. Of course, this missive presents one point of view, and there are others. This workshop will take place during/after a Board of Supervisors Meeting that begins at 9 am, which can be attended by zoom (links provided below letter). It is anticipated that the workshop will begin at 1:30 pm. The public comment deadline is Monday, January 5th by 5:00 pm.

I am writing to inform you of an upcoming Monterey County Board of Supervisors meeting that may have important implications for housing protections and land-use policy in Big Sur.

The Board will be holding a workshop on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, beginning at 1:30 p.m., to consider possible amendments to Monterey County’s Vacation (Short-Term) Rental Ordinances.

At this meeting, County staff will ask the Board to provide direction on potential changes to several sections of the Monterey County Code, including the Coastal Zoning Ordinance (Title 20), the Inland Zoning Ordinance (Title 21), and business licensing regulations (Title 7). These ordinances regulate vacation rentals and homestays countywide, including within the Big Sur coastal zone.

This workshop is being held in the context of ongoing litigation challenging portions of the County’s vacation rental regulations. As a result of that lawsuit, the County has temporarily paused enforcement of certain ownership-related provisions while the court review is underway. County staff is now seeking guidance from the Board on how the ordinances might be amended moving forward.

Although the item is framed as a countywide policy discussion, Big Sur is uniquely affected. Our community has extremely limited housing, much of it in guesthouses and secondary units that function as workforce housing. Changes that allow or expand vacation rental or homestay use in these units risk permanently removing housing that is essential to the people who live and work here. Countywide approaches do not always reflect Big Sur’s distinct land-use policies, environmental constraints, and housing realities.

The January 6 meeting is a direction-setting workshop, not a final vote. However, the guidance given to staff at this meeting will shape draft ordinance amendments that could move quickly to the Planning Commission later this month and return to the Board as early as February or March. Any changes affecting the coastal zone would also require certification by the California Coastal Commission.

We all should continue to follow this process closely and present a public comment in writing soon as well as testify at the meeting. We want to ensure that our community is aware of this meeting and the issues under discussion, given their potential impact on Big Sur.

Can’t attend, but would like your voice to be heard, write to … (deadline Monday 1/5 at 5 pm)

cob@countyofmonterey.gov

Subject Line:  Public Comment – Vacation Rental Workshop, January 6, 2026

Attached you will find the Final Meeting Agendas for the County of Monterey Board of Supervisors Meeting onTuesday, January 6, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.

The agenda(s) and agenda packet(s) can be found online by visiting the following link:https://monterey.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

Due to the size limitations the agenda packet could not be attached to this e-mail, but can be found by visiting the followinglink.

Once there, you can navigate to the agenda packet by:

1. Locating the correct legislative meeting body followed by date.
2. On the same row, you will find a list of available options be sure to select “Agenda Packet”
3. If the option is not presented, the packet may be located by selecting “Searchable Meeting Details.”
4. You will be taken to a separate page and the packet may be found under the header entitled, “attachments”

You may participate through ZOOM. For ZOOM participation please join by computer audio at:

https://montereycty.zoom.us/j/224397747

OR to participate by phone call any of these numbers below:

+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)

+1 253 215 8782 US

+1 301 715 8592 US

Enter this Meeting ID number: 224397747 when prompted. Please note there is no Participant

Code, you will just hit # again after the recording prompts you.

This is very long and I couldn’t figure out which, if any, road status reports I should/could remove as people travel from throughout the county to get to Big Sur for work, home, or pleasure, so here it is in its totality, and yes, Regent’s is still closed.

Date:        January 2, 2026  

District:      05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties  

Contact:    Theresa Wright, (TAMC)   

Phone:       (831) 775-0903 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

Road and Lane Closures Scheduled for January 4 – January 10, 2026  

NEWEST INFORMATION IS IN THE BOLD BLACK TEXT  

MONTEREY COUNTY – Here are the major scheduled road and lane closures for Monterey County from Sunday, January 4, through Saturday, January 10 – newest information is in bold text. Please keep in mind that construction work is weather-dependent. 

Highway 1: Turnout South of Vicente Creek – Turnout South of Lime Creek:  Long – Term   

There will be full closure of northbound and southbound Highway 1 between the turnout south of Vicente Creek and the turnout south of Lime Creek due to emergency repair work.  

Highway 1: South end of Limekiln Creek Bridge – Rain Rocks:  January 6 – January 10   

One lane and shoulder closure will occur along northbound and southbound Highway 1 between the south end of Limekiln Creek Bridge, start of Limekiln Creek State Park and Rain Rocks for core drilling work from 8 am to 4 pm. Travelers may encounter 10-minute delays. 

State Route 68: Torero Drive & Portola Drive: August 6 – June 2026  

There will be an early morning partial closure on westbound Portola Drive from 6 am to 9 am, Monday through Friday.  

Westbound traffic will be blocked at the driveway of Toro Elementary School, between the intersections of Torero Drive and Portola Drive, and Davenrich Street and Portola Drive. Vehicles will not be able to enter Highway 68 from Torero Drive at 9:00 am; the road will reopen to regular traffic. The weekday partial closures will continue through June 2026. 

The Toro Park Cut Through Traffic Pilot Project is designed to re-route traffic that diverts from Reservation Road and Highway 68 into Serra Village and Toro Park during commute hours to avoid traffic congestion on Highway 68. The project is also designed to address safety concerns and congestion in the residential Toro Park communities, inundated with aggressive drivers who take Portola Drive as an alternate route and speed through a school zone to re-enter Highway 68 at Torero Drive. 

State Route 68: San Benancio Road: January 7 – January 9 

There will be closure of the right shoulder along eastbound and westbound State Route 68 at San Benancio Road for utility work from 8 am to 4 pm.  

Highway 101: Crazy Horse Road – Dunbarton Road (North): January 4 – 10     

There will be lane, median, and shoulder closures along northbound and southbound Highway 101 between Crazy Horse Road and Dunbarton Road (North) for drainage work from 7 pm to 5 am. Travelers may encounter a 20-minute delay.  

Highway 101: Jolon Road (Bradley) – Alvarado/San Bernardo: January 6 – January 8 

There will be one lane and shoulder closure along northbound Highway 101 between Jolon Road (Bradley) and Alvarado/San Bernardo for guardrail repair work from 8 am to 2 pm. Travelers may encounter a 5-minute delay.  

Highway 101: San Ardo – Los Lobos Road: January 6 – January 7 

There will be one lane and shoulder closure along southbound Highway 101 between San Ardo and Los Lobos Road for guardrail repair work from 7 am to 3 pm. Travelers may encounter a 3-minute delay. 

State Route 218: Carlton Drive – Via Verde: January 5 – January 9 

There will be intermittent closures of eastbound and westbound State Route 218 between Carlton Drive and Via Verde for grinding and paving work from 9 am to 4 pm. Travelers may encounter a 10-minute delay.  

Marina: Imjin Parkway: Long – Term 

The roadway is now open in its full and final configuration! Stripping and markings to install on the multi-use path/trail will occur but this will not impact the roadways.  

 Delivery and installation of the roundabout artwork is anticipated to occur in March of 2026.  

TIPS FOR DRIVING ROUNDABOUTS:  

1. Vehicles in the roundabout have the right of way.  
2. Vehicles merging into the roundabout:  

• Check for crossing pedestrians!  
• Yield to vehicles in the roundabout and merge safely  

Visit the project website at www.imjinparkway.com for the most current information or to view the live camera feeds for traffic conditions. 

Marina: Del Monte Boulevard from Palm Avenue to Reindollar Avenue 

One southbound lane of Del Monte Boulevard between Palm Avenue and Reindollar Avenue in Marina will be closed until early January 2026.  

Visit MST SURF! To sign up for updates: https://mst.org/about-mst/planning-development/surf-updates/ 

Carmel Valley Road and Laureles Grade Roundabout: Carmel Valley Road at Laureles Grade: Long-Term  

Construction on the second stage of the Roundabout project at Carmel Valley Road and Laureles Grade continues from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm.  

In the event of an emergency, emergency responders will be afforded priority through the work zone. During this time, flaggers will be used to direct traffic. Once complete, temporary traffic signals will direct traffic. 

During construction, commuters will experience roadway delays. Stay up to date on the most recent construction efforts, changes in traffic control or additional traffic impacts on the Monterey County’s Facebook or X (Twitter) or visit  https://www.countyofmonterey.gov/government/departments-i-z/public-works-facilities-parks/public- works/current-major-projects 

Salinas: Roosevelt Street: Kern Street – North Pearl Street: October  –  December 

There will be partial road closures along Roosevelt Street, between Kern and North Pearl Street for main water replacement work by California Water Service from 8 am to 4 pm, Monday- Friday.  

Salinas: Laurel Road: Davis Road – Bardin Way: September  –  December 

The City of Salinas will conduct roadway (demolition, paving, striping, and pavement marking) improvements on Laurel Rd from Davis to Constitution & Wiren Rd, Sky Pl, Green St, Cortez St, Acosta St & Bardin Way. 

Daytime work hours are 8:30 am – 4 pm, Monday – Friday. Nighttime work hours are 6 pm to 7 am, Sunday-Thursday. During work hours, access to driveways and/or streets may be limited, and delays may be experienced. Emergency access will be maintained at all times. 

All work zones will be secured at the end of each shift for safety. During non-working hours, the road will be open to two-way traffic. Please respect No Parking signs and barricades as parking will be limited in the work zones. Please follow signs indicating any changes or detours for vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle traffic. 

Monterey County Road Closures:  

There are short-term and long-term road closures in Monterey County due to poor road conditions and debris on the roadways. For information about road conditions, contact Monterey County RMA-Public Works & Facilities at 831-755-4925 or https://www.co.monterey.ca.us/government/departments-i-z/public-works-facilitiesparks/public-works/road-closures-information  

                                                                    # # #   

The Cone Zone Report is published weekly by the Transportation Agency for Monterey County. It can be found on the agency’s website at: https://www.tamcmonterey.org/tamc–cone–zone–report  

Caltrans and CHP remind motorists to drive safely and to share the road. To assist you with your travel, you can view Caltrans network of roadside traffic cameras at: http://video.dot.ca.gov/  or the statewide highway network for current conditions at: http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ or the automated California Highway Information Network (CHIN) @ 800-GAS-ROAD. In addition, the CHP has real time traffic incident information at: http://cad.chp.ca.gov/  

Highway 1 remains closed 40 miles south of Carmel due to the Regent’s Slide. Highway 1 at Regent’s Slide is expected to reopen to through traffic by the end of March 2026.  

Road information and updates can also be found on Caltrans District 5 Social Media platforms: X/Twitter at: CaltransD5, Facebook at: Caltrans Central Coast (District 5) and Instagram at: Caltrans_D5.  

Saturday’s sunrise on Cone Peak…so very welcome as I hadn’t seen the sun in a week or eight days. Of course the usual cloud formed on my mountain as the wet ground warmed up, but hey, I got to see it for a few hours. That helps my mental health.

And sunset last night…

One of the Best Mushroom Years in Recent Memory       If you’ve ever wanted to experience Big Sur at its most abundant, this is the year. Early rains, cool temperatures, and ideal forest conditions are creating exceptional mushroom growth, making the upcoming Big Sur Foragers Festival one of the most anticipated yet. The festival returns January 22–25, 2026, with immersive culinary events and expert-led foraging hikes — all benefiting the Big Sur Health Center.  Tickets are on sale now via Eventbrite.Fungus Face-OffSaturday, January 24 | 12–3 p.m. | Big Sur Lodge     An afternoon tasting event featuring mushroom-inspired creations from top regional chefs, paired with Monterey County wines and brews.$125 per ticketLimited to 200 guestsHistorically sells out Purchase tickets now on EventbritePURCHASE TICKETS    Wild Foraging Walk & Talks HikesJanuary 24–25, 2026Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park    Join expert foragers for guided mushroom hikes through one of California’s most dynamic ecosystems. With conditions shaping up to be outstanding this season, these hikes are expected to fill quickly. • $75 per hiker• Limited to 30 participants per hike Walk & Talk tickets are available now on Eventbrite — advance purchase required. PURCHASE TICKETS Participating Restaurants & Beverage PartnersFernwood, Big Sur Lodge, The Pocket, Julia’s Vegetarian, Terry’s Restaurant + Lounge, Post RanchWrath, Morgan, El Vaquero, Flywheel, Scheid, Joyce Wine CompanyBitter Ginger, Martha’s Hopyard Edible Monterey Bay returns as media sponsor and judge panel, with Jeff White of KRML serving as emcee. This is a limited-capacity weekend — and one of the best mushroom years Big Sur has seen in some time. Secure your tickets now on Eventbrite before events sell out.PURCHASE TICKETS The Foragers Festival has traditionally served as a fundraiser for the Big Sur Health Center.  The community’s non-profit health center will receive the proceeds from the foraging events to continue to support the presence of local health care services in the Big Sur area.  Thank you for your support!www.bigsurforagersfestival.orgThe presence of the Big Sur Health Center’s facility on theSanta Lucia Chapel and Campground property is made possible through the generosity of All Saints Episcopal Church, Carmel-by-the-Sea.  Visit Our Website    View as Webpage

Big Sur Health Center | 46896 Hwy One| Big Sur, CA 93920 USUnsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice

I have never seen a model predict an arc of supercell thunderstorms making landfall in California like this before.

The severe weather setup we will see tonight is something you might only experience in this part of the world once a decade, or even less often.

The @NWSBayArea discussion puts it into perspective: “In fact, our next shift just walked in and one of the meteorologists said it feels like Kansas in May out there.”

The most dangerous line of severe storms, with the highest tornado threat, will make landfall after midnight along the coast from the Central Coast up to the North Coast.

However, lines of strong storms will begin making landfall after 7 PM. Expect widespread wind gusts of 50+ mph, with isolated gusts over 70 mph tonight.

this was primarily for last night, but it is not over.

As is usual, South Coast of Big Sur got the highest amount of rain. Winds were pretty horrific, too. One resident of almost 40-50 years said it was the worst he had ever seen. Another said it was like a bomb went off. From my perch, I have experienced worst, at least twice I can remember, but this is not yet over, expecting to go on through Friday.

For power outages in Monterey County, here are two of the PG&E maps:

For San Luis Obispo, the Tribune reports:

Rain and wind is expected all day Wednesday as well as Christmas Day, according to the forecast.

In total, the storm is projected to bring around 3 to 5 inches of rain in coastal valleys, with as much as 8 inches of rain in more mountainous parts of SLO County, according to the National Weather Service’s forecast discussion.

On Tuesday at 1:28 a.m. the NWS San Francisco CA issued an updated high wind warning valid from 4 p.m. until Wednesday 4 a.m. The warning is for Marin Coastal Range, Sonoma Coastal Range, Coastal North Bay Including Point Reyes National Seashore, San Francisco Peninsula Coast, Santa Lucia Mountains and Los Padres National Forest and Big Sur.

The NWS states, “Southeast winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph expected. Isolated areas along the coast may see a few gusts up to 75 mph.”

by Thomas Hamel