El Rancho San Benito would add 6,800 townhouses, condos and
single-family homes just south of Gilroy
Hollister – Nearly 7,000 housing units, a new road connecting highways 25 and 101 and new public safety facilities are planned for 4,500 acres just south of Gilroy, according to developer DMB Associates, Inc., which gave residents an early look at plans for its proposed mini-city Friday.
At the same time, the company announced that it has made a successful bid to buy nearly 7,000 more acres in San Benito.
But Gilroy Mayor Al Pinheiro said things still need to be discussed.
“They’re in the business of development and we’re in the business of being at the table to make sure we mitigate the impacts to our region,” Pinheiro said about any plans for development. The plan will build nearly a third of Gilroy’s current stock of about 13,000 single-family homes.
DMB, which has built communities in California, Arizona, Utah and Hawaii, owns about 4,500 acres just south of the Santa Clara County line, along Highway 25 near the Pajaro River. It has spent the last year talking to local groups and individuals about the type of community residents would like to see built on the property.
The plan for El Rancho San Benito released Friday is the product of the community input process, according to Ray Becker, DMB’s local representative. It is not a final proposal, however, and could change depending on feedback from another round of local input, he said.
Throughout the past year, the concept of El Rancho San Benito has been received well by the people who have attended the many meetings and forums hosted by DMB. Even some who describe themselves as “slow growth” have said that they think DMB can build a project that works. County supervisors, however, said they are still waiting for more details before they develop opinions of their own about El Rancho San Benito.
“I’m still very interested in seeing specifics about the project,” said Supervisor Don Marcus. “I’m looking out for the long-term effects it will have on San Benito County.”
While it’s not final, the plan does give a good idea of what DMB has in mind for the area. It includes specifics about housing, transportation, infrastructure and land use.
Homes on the Range
Throughout DMB’s public outreach period, county residents made it clear that they want to see a variety of housing options at El Rancho San Benito, including affordable housing and rental units. Of the 6,800 units DMB is proposing, 5,400 will be sold at market-rate. Housing options will range from condominiums and townhomes to small and mid-size single family homes. A limited number of larger lots will also be created for custom homes.
More than 1,300 units will be sold at below market-rate, including 200 rental units for those who have a very low income; 300 houses for buyers with low incomes; 400 homes for buyers with moderate incomes; and 460 units to be sold to “workforce” buyers, such as teachers and those who work in public safety.
DMB also has pledged to give $2.7 million to county farmworker programs, the county homeless shelter and the local shelter for battered women. Also, 10 home sites at El Rancho San Benito will be donated to Habitat for Humanity, an organization that builds homes for those in need.
Creating Necessary Infrastructure
In response to local concerns about how a major development might affect San Benito County’s already over-taxed roads and water system, DMB proposes a number of measures that Becker says will benefit the county.
A major concern raised by residents has been the impact the development would bring to Highway 25. To address the issue, DMB proposes to build a four-lane, $62-million road through its property that will connect Highway 25 and U.S. 101. Also, DMB would pay $170 million in traffic impact fees to the San Benito County Council of Governments in hopes that the agency would put the money toward an existing project to widen Highway 25.
As far as South Santa Clara County’s needs, $170 million is a “drop in the bucket,” the mayor said.
“I think there’s a lot to be said about the impacts on our 101 corridor and what mitigations need to be in place before that project moves forward,” he said.
DMB is also proposing alternative ways to get around the county, such as a shuttle fleet that will take riders to and from El Rancho San Benito, Hollister and San Juan Bautista.
The plan also addresses wastewater treatment and disposal – an ever-present since Hollister was slapped by the state with a sewer moratorium in 2002 after 15 million gallons of untreated sewage spilled into the San Benito River. DMB will build and fund a water and wastewater treatment plant for El Rancho San Benito and use recycled water for landscaping and agriculture on the site.
Providing Services for a New Town
The construction of new public-safety facilities – including a new fire station and a sheriff’s substation – at El Rancho San Benito is included in the DMB plan, as well as the hiring of new firefighters and about 30 new sheriff’s deputies. DMB also proposes creating a new county library branch on the site.
Building an Economy
To spur economic activity, DMB pledges to work with San Benito County to attract businesses. Also, according to DMB, commercial and light industrial space included in El Rancho San Benito will create nearly 9,000 permanent jobs in the county. Construction on the project will create about 1,800 construction jobs per year for the 10 to 12 year’s it will take to complete the development.
The Long Road Ahead
DMB still has a long way to go before it can actually get started on construction of El Rancho San Benito. County voters will have to approve a zoning change for the property – which can currently include only one house per five acres – and county supervisors will have to allow an exception to the county’s 1 percent growth cap.
Becker said that if all goes well, DMB might have a land plan to the county by the end of the year. Then environmental studies and various reviews will likely take about two years, he said, putting the start of construction at 2008.
El Rancho San Benito at a Glance
– 6,800 homes, including 1,360 affordable units
– Commercial and light industrial space
– A new road through El Rancho San Benito connecting highways 25 and 101
– New sewage treatment plant for the development, which will use recycled water for local landscaping
– New public safety facilities in the
development for fire and sheriff’s department
– 1,800 construction jobs per year during the 10- to 12-year construction period
