The 6,800-unit El Rancho San Benito project survived an
attempted policy maneuver this week that would have shelved that
large development and others for years until a new general plan is
finished.
The 6,800-unit El Rancho San Benito project survived an attempted policy maneuver this week that would have shelved that large development and others for years until a new general plan is finished.
Four of five supervisors Tuesday rejected a proposal that would have postponed anymore work on DMB Associates’ project until the general plan update gets done, expected to take around two to three years.
Supervisor Pat Loe spurred the idea for a moratorium of sorts on major developments, including El Rancho San Benito, while contending they should be processed under the guise of the coming general plan update that will address such projects for many years to come.
“I don’t understand then why we’re going to move forward with a new general plan,” Loe said.
DMB’s representative at the meeting, however, argued that it should continue on under the current general plan because it’s still a valid document and one he asserted should maintain flexibility for piecemeal change.
Loe’s proposal also would have forced DMB to start the application processing – two to three years of that as well – from the beginning once supervisors approve a new general plan, noted Ray Becker, representing DMB in arguing against the idea.
DMB has been planning the community since 2004 and the company first announced its intentions in January 2005. According to the specific plan, El Rancho San Benito would encompass 5,792 acres in northern San Benito County, including 127 acres for shopping and employers and 3,491 acres set aside as open space.
On Tuesday, facing a crowd of many residents on both sides of the debate, Loe argued that it doesn’t make sense to follow the current general plan in processing DMB’s project when, she contended, the county’s planning guide would be outdated by the time El Rancho San Benito gets built.
Becker and others supported its continued progress in the planning process under the current general plan to see the already completed work to fruition before voters presumably approve or reject it.
Becker noted to supervisors how DMB, more than other developers, has been engaged with the community since coming here four years ago.
Becker, referring to Loe’s argument, said a general plan should not be “worshiped” and that it should be constantly adapted. Becker compared it to a business plan in its openness for flexibility.
Without that ability for change, he said: “Then it’s not a business plan anymore. It’s that set of stone tablets sitting on the shelf.”
Supervisors Anthony Botelho, Jaime De La Cruz, Don Marcus and Reb Monaco sided to direct staff to continue on the project after listening to 15 residents speak, eight in favor of Loe’s proposal and seven against it.
Many advocates of the postponement spoke about why they dislike El Rancho San Benito while contending it would harm the area’s beauty and lead to sprawl. Some argued it’s unfeasible considering the high number of foreclosures among existing homes here.
“I’m opposed to urban and suburban sprawl,” said Natasha Wist of Hollister.
Shooting back some criticism to those critics, though, Hollister resident Marty Richman told supervisors many of the project opponents at Tuesday’s meeting had their own interests in mind in fighting against its ultimate approval.
“They want the development that suits them,” said Richman, a Free Lance columnist.
Marilyn Ferreira, a local Realtor and developer, told supervisors two words citizens around here are tired of hearing are “moratorium” – referring to Loe’s proposed delay and the city’s building ban – and “recession.”
