Carmel-by-the-Sea
COMMUNITY SURVEY
General Plan Revisions Project
June 2008
RBF CONSULTING
The General Plan Revisions Project
Community Survey
CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
The Urban Forest
The predominant trees in Carmel’s urban forest are Monterey Pines and Coast Live Oaks, but there are also several other species present. The forested character of Carmel can change over time depending how many trees are planted and what species are planted. By answering the following questions, you can help make choices about the future character of Carmel’s urban forest.
CS-1: More trees should be planted:
CS-1a In residential neighborhoods on public property
Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Disagree or Strongly Disagree
CS-1b In residential neighborhoods on private property
Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Disagree or Strongly Disagree
CS-1c Near the beach along the pedestrian pathway
Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Disagree or Strongly Disagree
CS-1d In City parks
Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Disagree or Strongly Disagree
CS-1e In the commercial district
Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Disagree or Strongly Disagree
CS-1f Only when an existing tree dies or is removed
Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Disagree or Strongly Disagree
CS-1g: Other. (Please specify):______________________
CS-1h Nowhere. We don’t need more trees. (Mark an X in the last box)
CS-2: When new trees are planted they should be:
CS-2a Mostly tall (upper canopy) trees like Monterey Pines
Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Disagree or Strongly Disagree
CS-2b Mostly short (low canopy) trees like Coast Live Oaks
Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Disagree or Strongly Disagree
CS-2c An equal mix of both upper and lower canopy trees
Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Disagree or Strongly Disagree
CS-2d Only trees that are native to the Central Coast
Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Disagree or Strongly Disagree
CS-2e A mix of both native and non-native trees
Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Disagree or Strongly Disagree
CS-2f Only drought-tolerant trees
Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Disagree or Strongly Disagree
CS-2g The City needs trees but the height and species don’t matter to me
Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Disagree or Strongly Disagree
CS-2h None of the above. The City shouldn’t plant new trees. (Mark an X in the last box)
Water Supply
The amount of water currently used on the Monterey Peninsula exceeds environmental limits set by the State. New water supply projects are now in the planning stages to restore the balance between the total water supply, existing uses and the environment. These projects also may provide water for new development. Your answers to the question on the following page will help the City make decisions on how to allocate any additional water.
CS-3: Setting Priorities: If water becomes available for development, the City should allocate it for:
CS-3a: New homes on existing vacant lots
Highest Priority to Lowest Priority (1 to 8)
CS-3b: Upgrading existing homes (more bathrooms, guest houses, etc)
Highest Priority to Lowest Priority (1 to 8)
CS-3c: Subdividing existing lots into more lots
Highest Priority to Lowest Priority (1 to 8)
CS-3d: New affordable and/or workforce housing
Highest Priority to Lowest Priority (1 to 8)
CS-3e: New apartments in the commercial district
Highest Priority to Lowest Priority (1 to 8)
CS-3f: New condominiums in the commercial district
Highest Priority to Lowest Priority (1 to 8)
CS-3g: New commercial development
Highest Priority to Lowest Priority (1 to 8)
CS-3h: Environmental uses (open space, etc)
Highest Priority to Lowest Priority (1 to 8)
Environmental Sustainability:
Environmental sustainability programs replace exhaustible resources like oil, gas and minerals with renewable resources like solar energy and organic materials that can be replenished. These programs usually include a “green building” ordinance to promote using the sun to hear and light buildings, recycled materials, solar panels and lumber from sustainably-managed forests. Environmental sustainability programs also reduce the emission of carbon dioxide and other gases associated with global warming and climate change.
CS-4: Carmel-by-the-Sea should:
CS-4a Not be involved in this issue.
Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Disagree or Strongly Disagree
CS-4b Be a leader in environmental sustainability.
Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Disagree or Strongly Disagree
CS-4c Adopt an environmental sustainability program for its own municipal operations.
Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Disagree or Strongly Disagree
CS-4d Adopt an environmental sustainability program involving residents.
Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Disagree or Strongly Disagree
CS-4e Adopt an environmental sustainability program involving businesses.
Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Disagree or Strongly Disagree
CS-4f Set long-term, citywide goals to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Disagree or Strongly Disagree
CS-5: The City should promote green building design and sustainable materials by taking the following actions:
CS-5a Adopt local standards that require green building practices and sustainable materials when permits are issued to construct new buildings.
Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Disagree or Strongly Disagree
CS-5b Adopt local standards that require green building practices and sustainable materials when permits for remodeling existing structures.
Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Disagree or Strongly Disagree
CS-5c Adopt local standards that require green building practices and sustainable materials when the City’s municipal buildings are constructed or remodeled.
Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Disagree or Strongly Disagree
CS-5d Provide education materials only. Do not adopt green building requirements for building permits.
Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Disagree or Strongly Disagree
CS-5e Do nothing. The City should not be involved in this issue beyond what is required by State and Federal regulations.
Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Disagree or Strongly Disagree
CS-5f Other: ____________________
CS-6: Does your home or business in Carmel-by-the-Sea use any of the following energy-saving features?
CS-6a: Energy-efficient lighting (compact fluorescents or LEDs)
Yes, No or Don’t Know
CS-6b: Increased insulation (beyond State standards)
Yes, No or Don’t Know
CS-6c: Double-pane or triple-pane windows
Yes, No or Don’t Know
CS-6d: Tankless water heater
Yes, No or Don’t Know
CS-6e: Solar improvements-solar electricity and/or solar hot water
Yes, No or Don’t Know
CS-6f: Recycled construction materials
Yes, No or Don’t Know
CS-6g: Other: _________________
Yes, No or Don’t Know
This question is for business owners.
CS-7: Do your customers ask if you are a “green business” or if you carry “green products?”
CS-7a: No, I don’t get questions about this.
CS-7b: Yes, a few customers ask about this.
CS-7c: Yes, I frequently get questions about this (or an increasing number of customers are asking about this).
CS-7d: I would like to know more about this topic.
CS-7e: I am familiar with this topic and would participate in a program to help Carmel businesses become more green.
CS-8: What is the single most important issue related to trees, water, or environmental sustainability that you would like to see addressed first? __________________________________
CS-9: Additional Comments: In the space below, you may provide additional comments related to conservation, trees, water allocations and environmental sustainability.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
1 comment:
The city council likes to endorse green building now as if they were the first city to discover such practices. Wow! But green in the carmel sense also means keeping up with the planting of trees which have been removed and the city cannot seem to even do that, much less plant more trees than they are cutting down.
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