Morgan Hill officials have voted to send a letter rejecting San
Jose’s vision for Coyote Valley development, citing concerns that
our giant neighbor to the north has failed miserably to address
traffic and education issues.
Morgan Hill officials have voted to send a letter rejecting San Jose’s vision for Coyote Valley development, citing concerns that our giant neighbor to the north has failed miserably to address traffic and education issues. We’d add air pollution to the list of deleterious affects the development will have in South Valley.

It is incumbent upon all South Valley leaders and citizens to remain vigilant in the fight for a Coyote Valley development plan that will not harm South Valley.

So far, led by the empire-building Mayor Ron Gonzales, San Jose officials have ignored input from South Valley and disregarded the plan’s negative impacts on Morgan Hill, San Martin and Gilroy.

But that doesn’t mean it’s time to give up the fight. In fact, now’s the time to step up the battle, perhaps by getting lawyers involved.

Litigation can be expensive, but poorly planned development in the Coyote Valley will negatively impact South Valley for generations, and cost us dearly in the quality-of-life department. From planning for medical services (none) to schools (no representation on the planning task force for Gavilan Community College or Morgan Hill Unified School District, which serve Coyote Valley) to outreach to heavily impacted neighboring communities (no representation for Morgan Hill or Gilroy officials); from traffic (what we’ve seen so far will clog Monterey Road and U.S. 101) to air pollution (air quality will likely decrease in South Valley as a result of Coyote Valley development the news isn’t good.

The only bright light is that some area leaders believe that the long-shuttered, former hospital in Morgan Hill might reopen with Coyote Valley development. There’s no plan in place for that, nor is there unanimous consent that Coyote Valley development will lead to increased medical services or a full-service hospital in Morgan Hill.

So, it’s up to Morgan Hill, San Martin and Gilroy residents and their elected officials to keep the pressure on Gonzales and company. The San Jose mayor, who seems to view Coyote Valley (and so many other things) as a resume-builder for seeking higher office, and the task must be forced to think of their South Valley neighbors now as they plan this development. And it should be clear that if South Valley’s needs aren’t met in the planning stages, we’ll be more than ready to meet San Jose in court.

It’s that important.

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