C i r c u l a t i o n E l e m e n t
General Plan/Coastal Land Use Plan
Circulation Element
Carmel-by-the-Sea
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C I R C U L A T I O N E L E M E N T
Introduction and Purpose
The overall purpose of the Circulation Element, as outlined by the State of California
General Plan Guidelines is to:
• coordinate the transportation and circulation system with planned land uses;
• promote the efficient transport of goods and the safe and effective movement of all
segments of the population;
• make efficient use of existing transportation facilities;
• protect environmental quality and promote the wise and equitable use of economic
and natural resources.
As a developed community with a centralized commercial core surrounded by residential
land uses, Carmel experiences many unique situations relating to traffic, circulation,
parking and pedestrian safety. The Monterey Peninsula has served as a recreational area
for many years. Large numbers of people are attracted annually to the golf courses,
coastal setting, historical landmarks, restaurants, specialty shops, and cultural events that
take place in the Carmel-Monterey area. It has been estimated that approximately 9.7
million visitors come to the Monterey Peninsula annually (AMBAG). Many of these
visitors can be considered short-term or “day visitors”; they travel by auto from other
areas to Carmel and the Monterey Peninsula for the day and often return to their point of
origin in the same day. It is this phenomenon that places a burden on Carmel's circulation
and parking facilities. This Element will describe historic and existing conditions and will
offer specific policies that can give direction over the coming years to control traffic
volume and reduce traffic congestion in Carmel. As noted in the Introduction, many of
the policies in this Element are also part of the Local Coastal Land Use Plan.
Issues of Local Significance
This Element addresses the following issues of local signific