It is a project that may or may not (depending on who is telling the story) "...consolidate City Departments, divisions, and employees in one location..."  It is to be located at 450 Madison Street, behind the current City Hall.

The City of Monterey will be preparing an "Environmental Impact Report" (EIR) because they have determined that the project MAY have a significant effect on the environment, potentially affecting the following factors:

• Aesthetics (visual character of surroundings)
• Biological Resources (will remove significant trees)
• Cultural Resources (may change a significant historic resource)
• Transportation / Traffic (traffic increase, reduced parking)
• Other "Mandatory Findings of Significance" (cumulative project effects)

Application is to amend the City General Plan from Residential -Medium Density (8-30 Dwellings/Acre) to Public/Semi-Public use, Rezone from R-3-6 (Medium Density Multi-Family Residential) to C-O (Office and Professional) to allow Government Office use and approve construction of a 57 ,624 square foot, two story Public Service Center building with basement. The project will provide work space currently for 232 City employees and ultimately accommodate 319 employees.

The project will result in the removal of 7 buildings, 90 parking spaces and 16 trees including the removal of 3 large mature Monterey Cypress and 1 large mature Coastal Live Oak.

The project requires approval of a use permit for the building size and height over 25'. Variances are required for 0' setback along Van Buren and 6'8" on Madison Streets.

The purpose of the new building is to consolidate City Departments, divisions and employees in one location to enhance service to the public. The buildings housing the Modular Office (399 Madison Street), Housing and Property Management Office (669 Van Buren) and construction Management Office (353 Camino El Estero) will be vacated. The specific reuse of these buildings has not been determined at this time. There is no project, and no project has been proposed to change or alter the use of those buildings.

Thirty-six parking spaces will be constructed with the new building. The project will result in the closure of Dutra Street between Madison Street and King Street. Based on the City's current number of employees, a parking shortage of 69 spaces will result. A Parking Study has been completed indicating how parking spaces will be replaced. All 69 spaces will be provided in nearby public lots including El Cuartellot, Fire Department lot and Lot 18 (Jefferson and Van Buren) through termination of permits, restriping and relocation of City vehicles. A City Employee Transportation Management Program will be implemented including Van Pool, Car Pool, Bus Passes, Bike Lockers, Park and Ride City Vehicles, Telecommute and Flow Work Schedules to create additional parking supply to meet the buildout  population.

A Tree Study of the 54 existing trees has been completed. The project will result in the loss of 16 trees. Three trees will be relocated on site.  A landscaping plan will show which trees will be preserved and the location of replacement trees.

A Historic Study has been completed to assess the project's historic impace on the Southern Monterey National Historic District.

The project will be reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission, Architectural Review Committee, Planning Commission, and City Council.