Gilroy
– A development proposal critical to the future of Bonfante
Gardens will go before City Council Monday night, along with
controversial proposals to ban parking along First Street and lower
age requirements to access Village Green Estates, an affordable
senior housing community off Santa Teresa Bou
levard.
Gilroy – A development proposal critical to the future of Bonfante Gardens will go before City Council Monday night, along with controversial proposals to ban parking along First Street and lower age requirements to access Village Green Estates, an affordable senior housing community off Santa Teresa Boulevard.
The Bonfante plan involves transferring 32.9 acres of property on the horticultural park’s eastern edge to Shapell Industries.
The development company’s proposal to build 118 new homes as a northern adjunct to its Eagle Ridge community met with quick approval from the Planning Commission earlier in the month.
City Council members also indicated their desire to see the plan pass through the regulatory process quickly by scheduling a special session April 11 for a second reading of the ordinance – the final regulatory step assuming approval of the plan Monday night.
The development project will help Bonfante reduce its current $70 million debt-load to a more-manageable $14-million in the long term. Quick approval, meanwhile, means the park will be able to make good on its November interest payment to bond investors, the second of two annual payments.
On the same night, City Council members will also vote on a proposal to ban parking along much of First Street. The ordinance was inspired by complaints that the area in front of Safeway has turned into a used-car lot on weekends, with people often double-parking to view vehicles and endangering motorists trying to leaving the shopping center.
The parking ban, which would affect both sides of First Street between the intersections of Miller Avenue and Santa Teresa Boulevard, has strong support among council members.
Less clear is the fate of a proposal to lower the age restriction at Village Green Estates from 62 to 55. A number of residents within the community have joined a disabled Hollister man in a campaign to lower the age limit, but officials have not indicated much support for the idea. All the affordable housing units and apartments at the senior housing community have been leased or sold; more than a dozen market-rate homes remain unoccupied.
What:
City Council meeting
When:
Monday, 7pm
Where:
City Council Chambers, City Hall, 7351 Rosanna St.
Source: City of Gilroy
