Board considering additional planning review on controversial
project
Four county board members today voted to delay a repeal to a crucial Spur Hotel decision because Supervisor Anthony Botelho was out of town at a regional government conference in Washington, D.C.
The San Benito County board was set to hold a public hearing and consider repealing an earlier decision to change the Tres Pinos site’s zoning from a residential to commercial designation. The purpose, as proposed, is so the planning commission can go back and conduct a commercial district review it previously had not done.
Supervisor Reb Monaco motioned to delay the public hearing until March 4. He cited the high level of controversy the proposal has provoked.
“I would feel more comfortable if we had the full board here,” Monaco said before supervisors unanimously approved his motion.
The project, meanwhile, faces a lawsuit filed by a group of hotel opponents called Friends of Tres Pinos challenging the level of environmental study called for by a majority of supervisors. The board approved the zoning change while allowing the developers to move forward without a full environmental impact report.
The county staff report states the scheduled hearing should not be interpreted as evidence that the county “concedes error” in the proceedings.
Botelho on Tuesday was representing the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments as the group’s president at a conference for regional municipalities. It’s intended to get local governments caught up on issues relating to federal legislation, Botelho said when reached on a cell phone.
