Large development in Fort Ord will be decided on by Seaside City Council

The Monterey Downs and Horse Park has been in the works for more than four years.

“It’s not un-typical for this large of a project. There’s a lot of issues to be addressed,” said Seaside Contract Project Manager Teri Wissler Adam.

The piece of land the proposed project is on has been identified as a development parcel, which is exactly what Monterey Downs LLC hopes to do.

“The applicant prepared a specific plan which just outlines what types of uses could go here,” said Adam.

The project would include a 225,000 square foot horse training facility, a 6,500 seat sports arena, a 330,00 square foot commercial center, horse park, three hotels, both apartments and homes, a tennis and swim club, habitat preservation area, and still leave more than 70 acres of open space.

“The city’s consultant is finalizing an environmental impact report. And that report needs to be completed before the city can take any action and approve the project,” said Adam.

Those against the project say horses kept at the stables waste lots of water and claim thousands of trees would have to be cut for the project to be completed. The Seaside City Council will make the final decision.