While the Ridgemark owners proposing a commercial center Monday
appealed a recent denial from the county planning commission, some
of the supervisors who will make the final decision shared their
thoughts about the project and what occurred at the Aug. 3 panel
meeting.
While the Ridgemark owners proposing a commercial center Monday appealed a recent denial from the county planning commission, some of the supervisors who will make the final decision shared their thoughts about the project and what occurred at the Aug. 3 panel meeting.
John and Alex Kehriotis, from JMK Investments that owns the Ridgemark property, filed the appeal Monday with the county for a future board of supervisors meeting, confirmed Rich Inman, county administrative officer.
Planning commissioners nearly two weeks ago unanimously rejected the idea after clashing with the elder John Kehriotis over the proposed 19,500-square-foot commercial structure’s location. Commissioners had requested that the developers consider moving the building to the northwest part of the lot bordering the golf course. Kehriotis told planning commissioners he wouldn’t consider moving the site, and the panel denied the project.
The Ridgemark developers, though, had 10 days after the commission meeting to appeal. Alex Kehriotis last week told the Free Lance they had been “50-50” on the prospect.
Some of the supervisors who will hear the appeal presentation responded about the issue Monday as well.
District 2 Supervisor Anthony Botelho said he feels that “emotions got in the way of good reasoning” at the commission meeting.
“I have always felt this is a real beneficial project to that Ridgemark community, if it’s done correctly,” Botelho said, going on later, “We’ll just work toward resolving concerns.”
Before confirmation of the appeal had come through, Supervisor Margie Barrios said she was aware of what transpired at the commission meeting, but had not read minutes from it yet.
“If he does appeal it, going to the next step, I think the project would be good for San Benito County,” she said, adding, “There always has to be compromise in any kind of development.”
Supervisor Robert Rivas said he plans to review details of the proposal.
“What I can tell you, without knowing much about the project, I do support creating jobs near Hollister,” he said. “And this appears to do just that.”
Another supervisor reached Monday, Jaime De La Cruz, declined to comment “because I’m going to be a judge very soon” on the proposal.
Supervisor Jerry Muenzer, who represents the Ridgemark area, did not immediately return a call.
The Ridgemark owners from JMK Investments have long planned some type of commercial venture for the property. There was initial talk of building a shopping center near the entrance along Airline Highway, but that idea appeared too costly, especially considering environmental issues related to a pond there, Kehriotis said.
The project at 151 Ridgemark Drive would act primarily as a neighborhood shopping destination and would include parking, landscaping and an outdoor patio “with its primary purpose being to serve the neighborhood community by providing retail/office space,” according to a county report.
The commercial building could house one larger business or multiple tenants with smaller spaces.
