GILROY
– San Martin has crossed one hurdle on its way to potential
cityhood.
GILROY – San Martin has crossed one hurdle on its way to potential cityhood.
The San Martin Neighborhood Alliance announced this week that it raised the $23,500 needed for a study – which has already been completed – to analyze whether San Martin has sufficient monies to incorporate.
In fact, SMNA collected more than the amount necessary. The 10-member group collected $19,500 in community donations, 90 percent of which came from its own members. It also fund raised more than $7,000 at a spaghetti social last spring and community celebration called Hot August 9th.
The community of 5,000 wants to become a city, because they feel they are underrepresented.
“We are such a tiny part of the county that it’s very difficult to have much control over what goes on in our community,” SMNA President Sylvia Hamilton said.
In the study, the Economic Planning Systems consultants reported that San Martin’s tax base is enough to provide the same level of services which are currently provided. The SMNA can now move on in an effort to make San Martin a city.
They are planning town hall meetings and small get-togethers so residents can express concerns and ask questions.
“We want to get the cards on the table, discuss all the issues and see what the community would like to do,” Hamilton said.
Alliance members will attend all of the meetings to answer questions, Hamilton said.
She hopes to clear up the misconception that incorporation will automatically bring development, such as street lights, sidewalks and big business. On the contrary, SMNA supports keeping San Martin rural and wants to ensure residents they will be the ones setting rules and regulations for the city plan.
“We want to take charge of the development or lack thereof in San Martin,” Hamilton said.
If the community shows an interest in incorporating during the upcoming meetings, SMNA will circulate petitions. The Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) will give them six months from the time they request the petitions to gather signatures from 25 percent of registered voters. LAFCO can then move on with the plans, complete another study and turn the decision over to the community. Fifty percent of registered voters must then vote to incorporate.
As one of the largest employers in San Martin, CordeValle Golf Course had a very positive effect on the study, Hamilton said. They initiated contact with SMNA to offer community support and have since worked with the San Martin Planning Advisory Committee to develop and fund new city limit signs.
