The Pacific Grove City Council voted to advance design and environmental work on the Cedar/Congress/Sunset corridor, approving two amendments to move the Highway 68 corridor roundabout project into Phase 2. The council authorized an increase to the Transportation Agency for Monterey County funding agreement by $137,000 and approved Amendment No. 2 with consultant GHD for $340,000 to develop 30% plans and environmental documents.

The recommendation was presented by the project consultant, who said the work covers the entire corridor from the intersection up to Forest Avenue and includes sidewalks and bike lanes near the high school. “The recommendation tonight is to authorize the execution of amendment number 1 with TMC to increase that funding agreement by $137,000 and authorize the execution of amendment number 2 with GHD in an amount of $340,000,” the consultant stated.

Residents and parents raised concerns about pedestrian safety near Forest Grove Elementary and Pacific Grove High School. Beth Shemas, who lives about four houses from the intersection, urged the council to prioritize students’ safety: “Pedestrian safety is what I’m really concerned about.” Another resident, Susan Goldbeck, urged the council to slow the process and reconsider the roundabout, saying, “I’ve yet to meet 1 person that thought this was a good idea.”

Councilmembers debated the tradeoffs between immediate safety concerns and long-term corridor planning. Councilmember Rao framed the issue as planning for population and housing growth, saying the council should prepare infrastructure rather than wait: the corridor project includes sidewalks, bike lanes and broader traffic-calming measures that supporters contend will improve overall safety. Councilmember WalkingStick moved to disapprove the amendments and discontinue work on the roundabout, but the motion failed for lack of a second.

A roll-call vote followed. The motion to approve the two amendments was seconded by Councilmember Rao and carried six to one, with Councilmember WalkingStick voting no. Mayor Smith and a majority of council members said the phased process and upcoming design and environmental review would allow staff and engineers to resolve detailed pedestrian-safety questions before construction.

What’s next: staff will complete the Phase 2 design and environmental work under the amended agreements; the EIR and detailed design phase will address crosswalk placement, sidewalk connections and other pedestrian-safety engineering. The project remains subject to further design refinements and funding decisions.

Votes and actions: Council approved authorization to execute an amendment with TMC (+$137,000) and Amendment No. 2 with GHD ($340,000) to advance Phase 2 design and environmental work (motion approved 6–1).