GILROY
– The city has granted 33 housing permits to two separate but
neighboring residential developments in the northwest quad, despite
concerns developers surreptitiously planned the projects together
to bypass the city’s strict housing permit process.
GILROY – The city has granted 33 housing permits to two separate but neighboring residential developments in the northwest quad, despite concerns developers surreptitiously planned the projects together to bypass the city’s strict housing permit process.
City Council went against Planning Commission recommendations to deny the projects, unanimously deciding to grant housing permits to both developments. City planning staff had recommended both projects, one a 17-home development and the other a 16-home development, be approved.
Council reached its decision after an inquiry determined there was at least one common owner between the two Rodeo Drive developments. The applicants also are using the same planning firm and architect for the projects.
But city staff said the joint planning would benefit the city since the developments will extend two roads in the area. One of the roads, Rodeo Drive, will be used by residents to more directly access Sunrise Park and Sunrise Drive.
“These are two separate development companies,” Councilman Roland Velasco said. “There are no truly overlapping interests.”
Gilroy resident Chris Coté urged Council to be more strict when granting so-called small project exemptions. Small projects with 12 units or fewer are exempt from the city’s regular housing permit process, which limits the amount of homes that can be built per year.
Often, developers with projects slightly greater than 12 units come in front of Council, asking for the same small project exemption. In this instance, two projects with slightly more than 12 units came to Council at the same time, triggering suspicions the developers were exposing a potential loophole in the small project exemption process.
Coté said the Council should request more of the developer since the developer was requesting more from the city.
“Sometimes we make small projects medium-size projects,” Coté said. “Why is it not possible then to ask developers to contribute more toward city services.”
Coté noted that the developments were nearby the city’s third fire station which remains without firefighters. The budget only has funds to station emergency medical teams on the property now.
City Attorney Linda Callon warned Council that now was not the correct time to ask for additional impact fees or mitigation from the developer. It would be appropriate to consider mitigation when the project goes through its environmental review period.
Council backed away from asking the developer for specific mitigation now.
“I don’t want to equate ‘We give you four more lots, then you give us $50,000,’ ” Mayor Al Pinheiro said.
