ABSTRACT: With the City Council determined to place the question “Shall discontinuance and abandonment of the Flanders Mansion Property (APN 010-061-005) as public parkland, and authorization to sell the Flanders Mansion Property "with Conservation Easements and Mitigation" as passed on May 12, 2009 by the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea City Council by Resolutions No. 2009-30 through 2009-33, be approved?” on the ballot for the 3 November 2009 General Election and the Flanders Foundation lawsuit against the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea, et al. proceeding in Monterey County Superior Court, a Summary of the SALIENT POINTS AGAINST THE SALE OF THE FLANDERS MANSION PROPERTY and SALIENT POINTS FOR THE SALE OF THE FLANDERS MANSION PROPERTY gleaned from Letters to the Editor and Editorials will be compiled and presented.
SALIENT POINTS AGAINST THE SALE OF THE FLANDERS MANSION PROPERTY:
• Sale of parkland in the “heart of the park” “will damage the park irrevocably." (3/13/2009)
• City cites reason to sell Flanders Mansion Property based on need of “significant” repairs, yet the City had failed to apply for grants and meet with local groups during the last 10 years. (3/13/2009)
• Comparison made between what Flanders Mansion and Mission Trail Nature Preserve could be and Villa Montalvo, Gamble House, Filoli, Steinbeck House and La Mirada. (3/13/2009)
• Urges city government representatives and Carmelites in favor of selling the Flanders Mansion Property to meet with Carmelites opposed to selling the Flanders Mansion Property and “work out a solution that keeps this priceless property in the community’s hands.” (4/16/2009)
• Flanders Mansion is “a beautiful mansion situated in spectacular park setting.” (4/16/2009)
• “...once Flanders is gone, it is gone forever.” (4/16/2009)
• “Win-win proposition” of a resident curatorship; City leases Flanders Mansion Property to an individual for life and upon death property reverts to the City. Resident curator restores Flanders Mansion at his/her expense and allows public access to Flanders Mansion Property at specified times. (5/8/2009)
• Flanders Mansion a “jewel in the crown of Carmel;” it “could be as well-known and visited as the Carmel Beach and Ocean Avenue." (6/24/2009)
• Senses “some ulterior motive for the city not putting energy and foresight into Flanders.” (6/24/2009)
• Encourages “all of good faith to join the committee to preserve and enhance Flanders Mansion, instead of selling it to a rich party-developer for personal gain.” (6/24/2009)
• “No reason to sell” Flanders Mansion Property, a 1.25 acre parcel in the “heart of the park.” (7/13/2009)
• City does not lack money to maintain or rehabilitate Flanders Mansion; City reserves $10 million, FY 2008/09 budget “$1.2 million in the black.” (07/13/2009)
• City has rejected offers to “lease and refurbish” Flanders Mansion from “numerous individuals and organizations” and City has failed to “avail itself of public or private grants.” (07/13/2009)
• “Once parkland is sold, it is gone forever.” (07/13/2009)
REFERENCES:
The Carmel Pine Cone March 13, 2009 (‘Enrich our lives,’ Shirley Humann, Carmel) 26A
The Monterey County Herald, 04/16/2009 (Flanders priceless property, Richard Stiles, Carmel)
The Carmel Pine Cone May 8, 2009 (‘Resident curatorship,’ Virginia Connelly, Carmel) 26A
The Monterey County Herald, 06/24/2009 (Invest in Flanders Mansion, JoAnn Vincent, Carmel)
The Monterey County Herald, 07/13/2009 (No reason to sell Flanders Mansion, Brie Tripp, Carmel)
SALIENT POINTS FOR THE SALE OF THE FLANDERS MANSION PROPERTY:
• Claims “no public use that’s suitable” for the Flanders Mansion; cites committee proposal for use as a culinary academy voted down by City Council under Mayor Ken White. (3/27/2009)
• Claims, if polled, neighbors want private residence “compatible with the area.” (5/08/2009)
• Wants “objectors” to purchase Flanders Mansion Property and pay for restoration rather that waste “taxpayers money with legal obstructions.” (5/08/2009)
• Claims the Flanders Mansion is “unsuitable” for any “worthy public use” “due to its location in a quiet, residential neighborhood.” (7/03/2009)
REFERENCES:
Carmel Pine Cone March 27, 2009 (‘Here we go again,’ Rita Holloway, Carmel Valley) 22A
The Carmel Pine Cone May 8, 2009 (‘Get rid of Flanders now,’ P. S. Chase, Carmel) 26A
The Carmel Pine Cone July 3, 2009 (Editorial: The power of one)
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