New Plans for Monarch Cove

Former El Salto Resort Looking to be Expanded

By Noel Smith – Noel@cyber-times.com

Anyone who has been to the end of El Salto Dr. in Capitola can tell you, this is special part of a special place. To the south, the property overlooks Monterey Bay from 40-foot cliffs. To the east it overlooks a eucalyptus grove where Monarch Butterflies winter and where their awakening on warm winter days color the landscape with fluttering orange and black wings.

Currently it is home to the resort known as Monarch Cove with 18 guest rooms, nine in the Victorian style main house and nine in small cottages that dot the rest of the property. Owner Bob Blodgett hired local architectural firm Thacher and Thompson to come up with a new plan for the 1.4 acre site.

The concept for a new Monarch Cove would result in an increase of 23 units for a total of 41 guest rooms. These would include the nine in the main house and 32 in two new buildings replacing the cottages. Parking would total room for 60 vehicles with 56 out of sight underground in two levels and four spaces in front of the main building.

Charles Eadie of Hamilton Swift & Associates described the proposed expansion of Monarch Cove. “Obviously we have a long way to go. There will be an Environmental Impact Report, the Capitola Planning Commission will have to consider the project and the city council and the public will also be heard from. The main concern that we have to consider is the issue of traffic. That is why we have tried to design a facility that has two entrances, one from El Salto Dr. and the other from Escalona Drive.”

Eadie described the two-level parking as taking advantage of the natural slope on the east end of the property. He said besides vehicle parking, there would be secure parking for up to 27 bicycles for guests.

“On-site parking,” Eadie explained, “Is necessary because events such as weddings or anniversary parties are, and will continue be important to the operation of Monarch Cove. We want our guests to have as little impact on our neighbors as possible. The plans also do NOT include a restaurant or swimming pool and in this way we will also be able to limit traffic and noise for our neighbors.”

The plans show the Victorian Inn as being rotated slightly and moved onto a new foundation. The new two-story Bayview Building with 10 guest rooms would be along the western edge of the property. Facing the entrance from El Salto Drive will be the two-story Main Building with the lobby, registration desk and 22 guest rooms. Under the Main Building would be the two-level underground parking.

The grounds along the bluff would have walking paths and gardens and would be open to the public. Eadie explained, “We want to create a destination where people will go to relax. Where they will bike or walk down to the village for shopping, dining or to go to the beach. We want our guests to take advantage of their surroundings and all that Capitola has to offer.”

Then Eadie explained the economics of having an expanded Monarch Cove. “Over 10 years we estimate that the city will collect about $2.5 million in occupancy taxes and that our guests during that 10 years will spend over $110 million locally on meals, services and shopping. In addition, there will be eight full-time employees with possibly 2-3 part-time employees. Also, there are the rental and catering services that Monarch Cove, as an event venue, will contract for. We see this as a real boost to the local economy with minimal impact on the community.”

The Monarch Cove property was first known as “The English Cottages” back in 1895 when it was owned by two English couples James & Ethel Robinson and James & Margaret Rawlins. It was renamed “El Salto” (“The Leap” – possibly due to the fact it is located on a cliff) in 1911 by the new owner, Lewis Hanchett who purchased it as a family retreat. During the 1920s, the Hanchetts added guest cottages, additional staff quarters, fruit orchards, and a four-car garage.

Joseph and Mary Tabacchini bought El Salto from the Hanchetts in 1946. They remodeled the family cottages as summer rental units. Mr. Tabacchini served 11 years on the Capitola City Council. In 1960, Elizabeth Blodgett acquired El Salto and continued to operate the resort until 1998. Her son, Bob, now owns the property and is looking to build the new, expanded Monarch Cove.