OKs noise ordinance, delays RDO overhaul and school
conversion
Gilroy – The planning commission, a seven-member group that reviews development proposals and makes recommendations to city council, voted May 4 on the following items:
Cannery project – South County Housing received commission approval for 78 commercial and residential lots as part of the conversion of the old cannery in downtown Gilroy, a project involving 200 homes and 40,000 square feet of retail space.
Garlic Festival – The city’s nonprofit festival association received commission approval to build condominiums above its future downtown headquarters.
Jump – N – Around – Despite concerns about potential increases in traffic by two commissioners, the planning commission approved a new children’s restaurant off Renz Lane in Pacheco Pass Shopping Center.
Noise Ordinance – Commissioners unanimously approved a new set of regulations empowering officials to fine residents and business owners who persistently make excessive noise.
Housing Grade System – Commissioners postponed until June 1 a vote on proposed revisions to the city’s grading system for housing projects. The changes are intended to give preference to projects that are affordable to low-income families, eco-friendly, or help subsidize “community benefits” such as downtown paseos or sidewalk repairs. City staff asked for the postponement so they can incorporate concerns from the development community. Before voting unanimously for the delay, commissioners agreed that the proposed changes should not apply to this summer’s limited competition for building permits.
McCarthy Ranch – The developers of a future Pacheco Pass industrial park received the first round of approval on the commercial component of their project, a 146,000-square-foot shopping center on the south side of the city’s eastern gateway.
Las Animas School – At the request of the Gilroy Unified School District, the commission postponed discussion of plans to convert Las Animas Elementary School into homes. School officials, who plan to use the land to finance construction of a new elementary school and high school, are crafting a regulatory change that could fast-track the project. The commission will take the matter up again June 1.
The next commission meeting takes place 6pm on June 1 at City Hall, 7351 Rosanna Street.
