Pacific Grove Doesn't Want Canterbury Woods Episcopal Senior Community Expansion

Canterbury Woods remains under fire from those which don't want to see the facility expanded from its current level of 144 units.  The Pacific Grove City Council on Wednesday prohibited the company from acquiring more single family homes to fuel its expansion after three private homes nearby were purchased.  The ban was meant to "prevent the continued expansion of uses that may be harming the residential character," said a report by the city council.  This isn't the first time Canterbury Woods has fought with the city.  In 2009, a city hearing officer found Canterbury Woods in violation of zoning laws for off sight use of homes to house seniors, but a judge in 2011 overturned the decision, saying the use was residential, not commercial.  In the more recent case, Canterbury Woods attorney William Tobin wrote in a letter to the city that the proposed ordinance is replete with fatal objections and the city staff "seems to ask the city to thumb its nose" at the court.  The issue may also be related to revenue.  Since Canterbury Woods is a non-profit, it is exempt from paying property taxes on any homes it purchases in the area.