Many are excited about the prospect of a new hotel in Tres
Pinos, but nearby residents say it will create an unsafe traffic
situation
Hollister – Boosters hope The Spur, a proposed hotel in Tres Pinos, will draw more tourists – and their money – into the county.
But the people who live near the project say it will bring increased traffic and congestion in their rural neighborhood.
Earlier this year Hollister residents John and Jae Eade bought a few acres in Tres Pinos at the intersection of Southside road and Highway 25 with plans to build a two-story, 44-room boutique hotel, which would include a small conference room that can accommodate about 40 people.
“It’s going to bring a lot of jobs,” Jae Eade said. “And the county is really short of places to stay.”
Business owners are excited by the prospect of more lodging.
“It looks great. We need more lodging in San Benito County,” Leal Vineyards owner Frank Leal said. “Now we can go from day trippers to weekend trippers.”
Leal is not alone in his support. Many Tres Pinos business owners have submitted letters supporting the project to the San Benito County Board of Supervisors.
“I think it has a great deal of support. They (supporters) see it as something vitalizing that area,” said Supervisor Reb Monaco, who represents Tres Pinos. “I certainly think it’s a good idea. But the devil’s always in the details.”
While business owners might be happy with the plan, some residents don’t think that a hotel fits in their neighborhood. A major concern is increased traffic.
“We’re not in favor of it,” said Sheila Throp, who lives in a home adjacent to the site of the proposed hotel. “This is already a dangerous corner. How is it going to affect residents?”
Throp said she thinks traffic resulting from a hotel will make it dangerous for children to walk and ride their bicycles in the area.
Monaco said he’s heard from the hotel’s detractors. And while he said he sees many positive aspects about having a hotel in Tres Pinos, he agrees that such development could cause traffic problems. But he doesn’t think the issue is serious enough to kill the deal.
Eade said there is already a lot of traffic zooming through Tres Pinos, and that the hotel will likely get them to stop and stay in the county and patronize local businesses.
“I understand, change is hard,” she said, “but sometimes it’s a good thing, and I think this is one of those.”
The project is currently on hold because the Tres Pinos Water District does not have the capacity to deliver water to the site. The Eades hope to open their hotel early in 2007.
