Residents tell city to get more information from developer
before initial environmental report concludes
GILROY
Before the city considers the environmental repercussions of re-zoning land east of the city for mostly commercial purposes, a handful of residents want the land’s likely developer to provide more information on what exactly it plans to build out there.
The Westfield Group wants to construct a 1.5-million-square-foot mall on land that is partially outside of the city, east of the Gilroy Premium Outlets. In order to do that, the city must first modify its long-term plan so it can re-zone land for the potential mall, then create a specific plan for the larger farmland area outside the city and then process Westfield’s expected application.
State law requires an Environmental Impact Report for each step. EIRs analyze impacts on traffic, air quality, public services, utilities and global warming, and about 25 residents went to City Hall Thursday evening to share their concerns on the first report that is under way.
The city has contracted with EMC Planning Group to perform the first EIR. Because Westfield initiated the matter, the Australian-based, multi-billion-dollar company is paying EMC through the city. This is part of about $1 million it will use to pay city planners working on its project and to create the East Gilroy Specific Plan Task Force.
A handful of residents said that without an actual application from Westfield, it is difficult to anticipate exactly what it will build. But EMC anticipates department stores, a movie theater, retail, restaurants, and hotel and office space: These uses are not allowed under the land’s current zoning that calls for high-paying industrial jobs, but they would be allowed if the city decides to re-zone the area.
David Colliers from Save Open Spaces Gilroy acknowledged that there will be subsequent EIRs – including one that will look specifically at Westfield if the company files an application – but he and others said knowing as much as possible as early as possible will improve EMC’s first report, which will set the tone for those to follow.
Westfield has not yet applied because it wants to gauge the likelihood that its project will succeed through the specific plan and subsequent EIRs, according to city officials. EMS Principal Teri Wissley Adam also implied as much Thursday night when she told residents that this is not their last chance to evaluate the land.
During the two hour meeting, Tom Kruse, a former Santa Clara County planning commissioner who owns a vineyard east of Gilroy, asked Westfield representatives to explain their potential project in more detail. After Kruse’s fourth request for a representative to stand up, though, Westfield Representative Nadia Costa cleared her throat and addressed residents.
“We’re just here to listen to the community to make sure this EIR covers all the very valid points being raised today,” Costa said. “We don’t have specifics for development, but we will provide them in the future to make sure this project is one that the community is excited about.”
This did not satisfy Kruse.
“This is the largest retail company in the world with $66 billion in assets. They have a lot more in mind that we know at this point,” Kruse said. “I’m just trying to find out as much as I can.”
