It takes a Village.
- Fova 911
- May 11
- 3 min read
Over the past few weeks, many of you have asked: "What is FOVA doing behind the scenes?"
The short answer is: a great deal.
But first: THANK YOU! The response from this community has been extraordinary. Many residents have reached out offering expertise, ideas, encouragement, and support. You are already making a difference.
Where things stand
Developer Patrick Orosco and airfield owner Ken Griggs have not backed down. Their plan to build 90 housing units on the historic Carmel Valley Vintage Airfield remains active.
We have been advised by county officials that July 28 is the deadline for the developers to complete their application to the planning department. Currently, their plans still call for 20 (or less) deed-restricted “affordable” duplex units, and 70 market rate houses.
However, Builder's Remedy is not a free pass. We hope Patrick Orosco spends as much time addressing wildfire evacuation, water, sewage, and runoff concerns as he does campaigning for approval on Facebook and Nextdoor.
FOVA volunteers, meanwhile, have been spending countless hours researching existing standards, reviewing county requirements, hearing your concerns and speaking directly with county officials.
Stronger together: maximizing our impact
The FOVA steering committee has agreed with CVA, the Carmel Valley Association, to coordinate a joint resistance to the proposed development of the airstrip. CVA will lead the environmental review, retain qualified consultants and serve as the principal fundraiser. FOVA will help identify specific codes and agency requirements in key areas, and support citizens’ efforts to be informed and constructive in their public comments.
This may be the most difficult fight against development that CVA has ever faced. The law and the pressure on Monterey County to provide new housing weigh heavily against us.
Last week, the Monterey County Planning Commission approved a Builder's Remedy project on Val Verde Drive - very reluctantly. The commission's own representative for Carmel Valley said she didn't know "why there is even a hearing" given how limited her options were. (The Carmel Pine Cone, May 2026).
While we agree that affordable housing is desperately needed in Monterey County, we feel strongly that placing this high density single-family housing project in a severely high-risk wildfire zone, with just one 2-lane road for egress, is not the appropriate location.
So, how do we fight it?
FUNDRAISING
We will be announcing several fundraising events in the coming weeks, including one hosted by Walter Georis, generous friend of this community and proprietor of Georis Winery, the Corkscrew Café, and Casanova restaurant.
Details on date, location, and how to reserve your spot are coming very soon.
BUILDING ON PAST EFFORTS
Many villagers will remember donating money to Carmel Valley Save Open Space (CVSOS) with the hope of purchasing the vintage airstrip from the Delfino family. The effort was unfortunately unsuccessful and after the sale to Ken Griggs was completed, CVSOS dissolved in 2023. The amount of money remaining has now been transferred to CVA's Airfield Defense Fund, almost $9,000! So, your CVSOS donations are still working for the cause! Thank you!
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Want to help organize a family-friendly community celebration at the Community Park? We'd love your help! Please email us at contact@fova911.com
READY TO DONATE?
You can donate to the CV Airfield Defense Fund through the Carmel Valley Association(CVA) by clicking on the button below, or mail check to CVA, PO BOX 157, Carmel Valley CA 93924.
Your full donation goes straight to the CV Airfield Defense Fund. Donors who are not yet CVA members will be given a free one-year membership.
Note: CVA is a 501(c)(4) organization; donations are not tax-deductible.
Preliminary work on the airfield
In recent weeks, according to workcrews on the field, the developers began the process of finding a site on the eastern portion of the airfield to drill a new well. They also set pipes in the ground on the west side of the property for percolation testing.
The Monterey County Environmental Health Department and the County Housing and Community Development office told FOVA they are waiting for the results.
As for archeological sensitivity, the county stated that at this time, there is no need for a tribal monitor to be on site.
We are committed to accuracy. We will report back on any findings once they are published.
Together we can make an impact
Our voices DO matter. In September 2025, Santa Clara County denied two Builder's Remedy development appeals after determining the applications lacked critical information required by fire, environmental health, and geotechnical officials. These projects are not automatically approved simply because "Builder's Remedy" is invoked. Read the full story here:
With gratitude,
The FOVA Team
Resident of Carmel Valley and I am very concerned about the proposed addition of 90 new homes in our community Carmel Valley. Roads are already heavily impacted it with daily congestion, especially during commute hours. We can tourist season emergencies adding this many homes will significantly increase traffic on roads that are already over compass capacity and we’re not designed to handle this level of growth. My concerns include increased traffic, congestion, and longer travel times reduce emergency response X access and evacuation safety during fires or natural disasters before approving this project I strongly urge the county to require a full traffic and safety analysis, including evacuation planning, and in fracture impacts the community deserves clear answers about how…