GILROY
– Eagle Ridge homeowners are a commodity worth wooing these
days.
GILROY – Eagle Ridge homeowners are a commodity worth wooing these days.
Within a short period of time, residents in the gated golf community were invited by Bonfante Gardens to a free day at the theme park and by development firm Glen Loma Group to a free dessert.
They’ve also been sent a four-page letter addressing their concerns over the mega real estate deal between the park and Shapell Industries, the developer of Eagle Ridge.
“It all seems like strategic planning to me,” said Annete Diresta, an Eagle Ridge homeowner who has been watchdogging the land deal between Bonfante Gardens and Shapell.
To reduce its $70 million debt to $14 million, Bonfante Gardens is trying to sell 33 acres of mostly unused park land to Shapell.
Shapell wants to build 118 luxury homes on the 33 acres, along with certain long-sought amenities such as a swimming pool and tennis courts.
For the deal to go through, homeowners of Eagle Ridge – who have long felt neglected by Shapell – must support an annexation of the land.
“Now that the worm has turned, we’re getting invited to do a lot of hobnobbing,” said Joe Lomeli, a disgruntled Eagle Ridge resident.
Bob Kraemer, the president of the Bonfante Gardens board of directors, says people can – and will – interpret the gestures any way they want.
However, Kraemer acknowledged the day at the park – Sunday, March 28 – served two purposes: a chance for Eagle Ridge residents to see what they’d be losing if they don’t approve the land deal, and an opportunity for residents to speak individually with Bonfante Gardens officials.
Kraemer , Mayor Al Pinheiro and Greg Martinez – all directors on Bonfante Gardens’ board – were expected to be at the park Sunday.
As for the free dessert at the Eagle Ridge clubhouse March 31, Glen Loma Group – which owns a portion of the golf course and club – wants to hear from residents how it can improve its product.
“This is an invitation to residents from the Filice family to express their ideas about how to meet their needs and expectations,” said Katherine Filice of the Glen Loma Group.
Filice said the event was less about marketing the club and more about making sure the desire of the residents were being met.
“We’ve been talking about holding events like father and daughter dances,” Filice said. “This doesn’t have anything to do with Bonfante Gardens or the (Shapell) project.”
Some residents think Glen Loma Group’s interest is more about the bottom line. Lomeli says the company is losing money and wants to find ways to attract more golfers.
Bonfante Gardens opened for their fourth season Saturday.
