Whoa, Nellie. Let’s stop right now and place a moratorium on any
planning steps leading to land annexations into the city of Gilroy
until there’s a firm handle on the future, both in terms of the
economy and how it relates to housing development and, more
importantly, a clear vision for city growth.
Whoa, Nellie. Let’s stop right now and place a moratorium on any planning steps leading to land annexations into the city of Gilroy until there’s a firm handle on the future, both in terms of the economy and how it relates to housing development and, more importantly, a clear vision for city growth.
What’s clear right now is that there’s no reason on Gilroy’s green earth that potential housing annexation proposals should move forward. There are huge, already-approved projects in the pipeline – particularly the Glen-Loma Ranch and Hecker Pass projects – that can fill up Gilroy housing allotments far into the future. When those will be built and go to market is uncertain, of course. Which begs the question: Why is the planning commission sending any city-border inclusive proposals on to the Council?
Beats us, and we couldn’t disagree more with Senior Planner Stan Ketchum who says the city should approve proposals to avoid construction bottlenecks and ensure seamless development when the housing market begins to recover later this year. Glen Loma Ranch alone will add some 1,600 homes to Gilroy over a 10-year period from the point it begins.
To consider adding land that would mean 2,250 new homes is, at this point, ludicrous. Are we simply salivating over development fees? Will Gilroy repeat the same mistakes of the past on residential development that it made in its thirst for retail sales tax dollars?
Residential development doesn’t pay for public safety services now. Nor does it pay or provide for new schools. The proposals – Shapell Industries, 300 acres north of Santa Teresa Boulevard for 1,626 homes east of Thomas Road and west of Monterey Road; the Lucky Day Partnership, 285 acres straddling Burchell Road north of Hecker Pass Highway for up to 193 homes; and Wren Investors, 48 acres near Christopher High School south of Vickery Avenue, east of Kern and west of Wren Avenue for 430 homes – should be summarily shelved. To do otherwise is to send a promising message. Sure, there are many other “steps” before a single house gets built. But any approval is akin to the city cooing, “Come hither.”
The planning commission should be the gatekeepers in this process and the gate is not being tended to. During this development slowdown, the City of Gilroy should take time to examine the past and prepare for this community’s future. Impact fees should be scrutinized: Should they be the same for all densities? Provisions for new schools should be made: What can the city do to assist the school district? We can’t just keep passing bond after bond. And the “big picture” should be made clear – which brings us squarely to the problem: There is no big picture.
A project here (Cherry Orchard Ranch), a project there (Gavilan College housing), an expansion there (Eagle Ridge by Gilroy Gardens) and what we’ll end up with is a mish-mash that we neither like nor have the ability to support.
Whoa, city, the time to plan is right now so Gilroyans have a wonderful future to enjoy in a well-planned, well-thought-out community.
