Sand City · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Sand City public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
El Niño Local Emergency Declaration
The council was to consider proclaiming a threatened local emergency for the developing 2026-2027 El Niño event, positioning the city for storm preparedness and possible state assistance.
Code of Conduct for Council and Committees
A new code of conduct was on the agenda to set behavioral standards for council members and city committee members.
Multi-Use Trail Site Control Agreement with TAMC
The city is set to sign a 30-year agreement with TAMC for the rail right-of-way between La Playa and Contra Costa Avenues — the site control needed to release $1.96 million in federal grant funding and pursue additional state grants for the trail.
Stormwater Control Measures Maintenance
A proposed maintenance agreement with Don Chapin Company (Greenline) for stormwater control measures, costing up to $492,580, keeps the city's drainage and water-quality systems functioning.
Housing Policy Recognition
Sand City has been officially labeled pro-housing by California, a designation that could help unlock state housing programs and signal the city is serious about building more homes. For locals, it mostly means more tools and incentives may be available to move housing projects forward—though actual construction still depends on specific proposals.
Monterey Bay Shores Resort Development Agreement
The city locked in a long-term deal with New Dawn Equity Partners for a resort on 39 acres between Highway 1 and the bay — 184 hotel rooms, 92 condo-hotel units, and 92 residential condos. The agreement freezes land-use rules for the project's seven-year initial term while bringing the city fees and a new Community Facilities District.
General Plan Update Engagement
The city walked the Council through its General Plan Update and how it plans to engage the community — the blueprint that will guide Sand City's growth for years. No action was taken yet.
City Council Vacancy and November Election
Sand City has an empty council seat, and the Council decided to leave it that way until November so voters can choose the new member. That means four members are making decisions until then.
Emergency Operations Plan Update
The city replaced its 2005-era Emergency Operations Plan with Revision 2.0, spelling out who does what in a disaster and how Sand City coordinates with county and regional emergency centers.
Opportunity Zones 2.0 Census Tract Nomination
Sand City is nominating its one qualifying census tract for the new federal Opportunity Zones 2.0 program, which offers tax incentives meant to draw investment into commercial infill and housing near existing city projects.
FY 2026-2027 City Budget
The council adopted next year's budget, funding city services and the capital improvement program for the coming fiscal year.
Police Records System Coverage Partnership
With the Sheriff no longer offering free after-hours coverage, Sand City police will pay Monterey PD per batch of records transactions to keep 24/7 access to the statewide CLETS system.
Monterey Bay Shores Resort Development Agreement
The biggest project on the shoreline in decades — a hotel, spa, condo-hotel, and 92 homes on 39 dune acres — moved through its first reading. The agreement extends the project's approvals past their August 2026 expiration in exchange for new city revenues.
Zero-Emission Beach Patrol UTV
A $13,500 clean-air grant helps replace the rusted-out gasoline beach patrol vehicle with an all-electric Polaris Ranger, part of the city's goal to electrify its fleet by 2035.
November 3, 2026 Municipal Election
The council formally called the November general municipal election and asked Monterey County to run it.
Council Resignation
Sand City councilmember Libby Sofer is resigning because she can't afford to live in the city—a reminder that housing costs aren't just a personal problem, they're shaping who can serve in local government. The council will soon appoint someone or hold an election to fill her seat, so watch for a quick power shift.
Property Ownership Dispute
Sand City still doesn’t know who owns the stalled “eco-resort” property, and the unpaid bills are piling up. That unresolved fight could delay or reshape the city’s waterfront plans, so it’s not just a private legal mess.
Police Misconduct
A Sand City cop is accused of negligently firing a gun while off duty. It’s not just a safety scare—it’s raising questions about how the department handles accountability. For residents, the big issue is whether misconduct gets investigated transparently and who pays for the fallout.
Transit Infrastructure Permitting
Sand City has approved permits for Monterey-Salinas Transit’s SURF! Busway, a dedicated bus lane planned along the Peninsula. If you ride the bus or sit in Highway 1 traffic, this project could eventually affect your commute. The approval moves the proposal forward, but the source doesn’t include a timeline or cost details.
Housing Development
Sand City is seeing apartment construction pick up, though only a few units are done so far and a larger wave is still coming. That could mean more housing choices and more neighbors soon, but also short-term construction and growth pressures.
Coastal Development Permit
Sand City has a beachfront project in the works, and the developer is now working with the California Coastal Commission on the required coastal development permit. If you care about what gets built along the shoreline—and who gets to use it—this is the process to watch.
Mayoral Appointment and Council Retirement
Sand City has a new mayor: Mary Ann Carbone. Councilman Todd Kruper is stepping down, so the council’s balance and priorities could shift. For residents, it means watching who fills the vacancy and how the new mayor sets the agenda.