The city extended the application, however, because officials kept thinking plans were on their way, Brodeur says.
There was reason to believe that might be the case. Just a couple of weeks before the May expiration date, Domaine and its supporters in Friends of Project Bella scored a major win in a special election election to change the American Tin Cannery’s zoning from retail to hotel.
However, months later there were signs of trouble within the Pacific Grove company, which is owned by Domaine Hospitality Partners, LLC. One of the DHP partners, Michael Crall, resigned his position as development director in November, publicly raising questions about Meer’s management of Project Bella.
At a Jan. 11 City Council meeting, Armanasco told the council that despite Crall’s questions, Project Bella was moving forward. Meer himself made a similar statement to the Weekly just the day before.
Who Remembers “Most Romantic Destination”?
Propaganda piece proclaims P.G. the place for passion while the screening’s location may be a better bet.
The Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce will screen a four-minute music video, “Pacific Grove: A Love Story,” highlighting Pacific Grove as a top romantic destination, on Feb. 24 at its annual membership luncheon.
The luncheon at the Inn at Spanish Bay is $25 for members and $40 for nonmembers.
P.G. Leaders Abandon Hope Of Project Bella Reimbursement
Wednesday night, City Council members admitted the city of Pacific Grove had dropped the ball over a desired reimbursement deal with the developer of the Project Bella hotel project.
Nevertheless, the council members voted unanimously to forgo pursuing reimbursement, much to the consternation of some residents.
As a result, the developer, Domaine Hospitality Partners, LLC, will not have to repay any portion of the city’s costs associated with development of a Local Coastal Program.
Project Bella Permit Yanked
Whole project stinks.
In what seems to be the latest in a string of missteps concerning the development of Pacific Grove’s proposed luxury hotel Project Bella, the city has withdrawn the project’s permit application due to expiration.
In what seems to be the latest in a string of missteps concerning the development of Pacific Grove’s proposed luxury hotel Project Bella, the city has withdrawn the project’s permit application due to expiration.
“The city of Pacific Grove, being either big-hearted or forgetful, depending on how you look at it, was waiting for them to complete the NOIA (Notice of Incomplete Application),” said Brodeur. “We waited over a year.”
Meanwhile, Crall said Domaine has spent millions of dollars, still owes investors upward of $2 million and consultants and engineers at least $200,000.
“I’ve not been hesitant in telling anybody that Meer is sloppy and amateurish and that he cannot do this project,” said Crall.
Project Bella. It Keeps On Giving
Giving sketchy excuses. And Ben Harvey would love for it to be done.
It is one of what has become a series of allegations by a partner in the project about financial wrongdoings and mismanagement on the part of Domaine Pacific Grove, LLC. Despite the accusations of Michael Crall, Domaine spokesman David Armanasco said the project continues to proceed.
At the Pacific Grove City Council meeting on Jan. 11, City Manager Ben Harvey gave council members an update on both the project and its development team and said the city was working to renegotiate a contract with Domaine.
Still, Harvey said that ultimately the city would love the project to come to fruition.
Missing Woman Recovered From Surf In Pebble Beach
One still missing.
The female body recovered Wednesday near Bird Rock may have been one of the two people who were swept into the ocean on Saturday in that same vicinity, according to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office.
According to published reports, one person was swept off the rocks and a second apparently went in to rescue the first near Bird Rock at 17 Mile Drive and Bird Rock Road in Pebble Beach on Saturday.
Waves Take Two People Away At Bird Rock
Rough seas and big waves are best witness from the shore.
One person was swept off rocks into the surf and another is missing after apparently going into the water to rescue the first person, near Bird Rock on Saturday morning.
Tim Berget, Cal Fire San Benito-Monterey Unit information officer, said rescue and law enforcement crews searched for the missing pair for a couple of hours on Saturday after the initial call came in about 9:50 a.m. Berget said the incident occurred near Bird Rock, at 17 Mile Drive and Bird Rock Road.
So Long Fisherman’s Wharf, Was Nice To Know Ya
A visit to the wharf for some KarmelKorn may be in order to see the place before it turns into another tacky tourist trap.
Louie Linguine greeter
The City of Monterey confirmed Friday it is in talks with San Francisco based firm SFO Forecast Inc. to lease Balesteri’s old spot on Fisherman’s Wharf.
Sam Balesteri owned a gift shop at the location for five decades but failed to negotiate a new lease with the city in 2016. In August Balesteri received an eviction notice and in December vacated the property.
SFO Forecast Inc. already manages two properties in Monterey, Louie Linguini’s and After the Quake, both are on Cannery Row.
Project Bella Failing
People resigning, people not paying. Sounds like a failure.
Despite the recent exit of one of its developers and the subsequent controversy that has followed, Pacific Grove officials on Wednesday seemed willing to move forward with Project Bella while they await the project’s plan and application from its developer, Domaine Hospitality.
“The architect hasn’t been paid $100,000 and the civil engineer hasn’t been paid $12,000 — these invoices are outstanding. You cannot start a project unless you have those fundamental documents and basic plans,” said Crall. “I had no clue about their history when I invited them into my project.”
Councilman Rudy Fischer said that despite the recent problems within Domaine’s management, the rezoning of the American Tin Cannery site was the right thing to do. “I still think that it gives the city a lot of flexibility in the future no matter what happens. I think anyone who feels that P.G. is going down the wrong road on this is not looking at it clearly.”
Socialism Comrades To Assemble
Like socialism worked out so well in Venezuela.
A People’s Rally for Unity and Equality will be held at the Window on the Bay, Del Monte Avenue at Camino El Estero, Monterey, January 20 from 1-6 pm. The rally has been called to bring people together to stand up for common values: making our community a safe place for immigrants, LGBTQ people, Muslims, people of color, women and others, protecting women’s right to full reproductive health care, workers’ right to receive fair wages and to organize unions, and our children’s right to a livable world without catastrophic climate change.