GILROY
– A six-acre subdivision typically doesn’t ruffle the feathers
of Gilroy’s City Council or planning staff. But a proposal to build
48 homes in the city’s northwest quad has helped trigger a special
study session on whether Gilroy should ban developments that build
private roads.
GILROY – A six-acre subdivision typically doesn’t ruffle the feathers of Gilroy’s City Council or planning staff. But a proposal to build 48 homes in the city’s northwest quad has helped trigger a special study session on whether Gilroy should ban developments that build private roads.
On a split vote, City Council approved plans Monday night for the Carriage Drive project, despite opposition from Gilroy’s Planning Commission and two Council members. Critics of the project want the developer to make streets and sidewalks consistent with city standards. However, the developer – Kirk Benson of Santa Clara County New Communities – wants to cut costs by constructing them to his own specifications.
“We need to move in the direction of having all streets meet our city standard,” Councilman Craig Gartman said. “I’m willing to draw a line in the sand. We’re inviting the same problems we’re having at Eagle Ridge to happen elsewhere in town.”
Eagle Ridge is the ritzy west side development at Santa Teresa Boulevard and Club Drive. Its developer, Shapell Industries, saved hundreds of thousands of dollars by constructing roads that did not meet city standards.
Now, as Eagle Ridge residents complain about speeding and other traffic concerns, the city is unwilling to provide police enforcement. Gilroy’s policy is to provide no traffic enforcement on streets that were not built to public standards.
Eagle Ridge residents have lobbied Mayor Al Pinheiro to fight for traffic enforcement on their roads.
The mayor has taken a compromise approach where Eagle Ridge would get traffic enforcement services, potentially at a cost.
The study session on private versus public roads will likely happen this summer at the Council’s annual mini-retreat.
And, Council members do not appear to be on the same page regarding what direction the city should go.
“It’s a little unfair to say that now all streets have to meet city standards when we haven’t said that before,” Councilman Roland Velasco said.
