Four-year effort gets public scrutiny
After nearly four years of development by Vision San Benito, a
clearer picture of what San Benito County could look like in the
future is starting to emerge and local officials are receptive to
the message they are hearing.
Four-year effort gets public scrutiny
After nearly four years of development by Vision San Benito, a clearer picture of what San Benito County could look like in the future is starting to emerge and local officials are receptive to the message they are hearing.
Vision San Benito is a consortium of local citizens that got together in the wake of the turbulence created by Measure G – the 2004 ballot initiative that called for voters to enact three key development restrictions: an annual limit on dwelling permits capped at 1 percent and a transferable development credit system; permanent down zoning of agricultural land to require 20-acre and 160-acre minimums for building new structures; and extensive restrictions for use of agricultural land.
Following the contentious election, citizens felt it was time to get as many stakeholders as were willing to develop shared themes for what everyone would like to see within the county.
Local developer Tod duBois was excited about the process. He belongs to the Business Council and was at a forum held last week to gather further input.
“I think it’s a real challenge in the county and the city to establish a sense of community,” duBois said. “A project like this one should help establish a view of how we want the downtown to look and how we want to grow.”
The members of Vision San Benito are still refining exactly what shape they want their vision to be, but city and county officials are talking with the group and are, for the most part, optimistic and willing to listen to what they have to say.
“I attended their first few meetings,” Hollister Mayor Brad Pike said. “I think that everyone is trying to get on the same page and provide a document that can benefit the city and the county. I think that if people are going to take the time to participate in the process, we need to look at it and take it under advisement. I think it could produce some dynamic ideas.”
City Councilman Doug Emerson is also keeping an open mind and is eager to hear what citizens have to say. He first heard Vision San Benito’s pitch at a Rotary Club meeting, but was out of the area when the group held their forum so he has not seen the document the group has produced.
The members of Vision San Benito recently held another open forum to discuss what San Benito County residents would like to see in the Vision process and for them to express concerns about the city and the county.
The English forum, which was held April 26, had a good attendance with more than 30 people showing up to hear what Vision San Benito is all about.
“I think a lot of work has gone on with the people in the position to know,” said Richard Morris of San Juan Bautista. Morris was one of the people who launched the Vision process. “They’re dealing with complicated issues and dealing with people who are not necessarily on the same side as themselves so they have to do that from common ground. I’m anxious to return and I think that at future meetings they will peel away more of the onion skin and really determine what they want this to be about.”
County Supervisor Pat Loe wasn’t at last week’s forum, nor had she seen Vision San Benito’s draft document, but she is always willing to listen to what the residents of San Benito County have to say, she said. She isn’t opposed to letting an ad hoc committee interject a little fresh thinking into the planning process, especially when it comes from the citizens themselves, she said.
San Benito County Planning Director Art Henriques made sure to invite at least one representative from Vision San Benito to be involved with the stakeholder group for the general plan update meetings, but as he understands it the members do not want to be tied specifically to the city or the county.
Instead they are attempting to encapsulate the concerns of the residents and craft some guiding principals that can benefit both the city and the county, according to Joe Morris, one of the early member’s of Vision San Benito.
Vision statements have worked in other areas such as Santa Clara and Fresno counties.
But what works for Santa Clara County doesn’t necessarily work for San Benito County.
“Still, it could be a good start,” duBois said. “The problem is that several groups all have different thoughts on how San Benito County should be. Vision San Benito could help articulate what is important to the community. The county, the city and the public could potentially all use it as a toolkit, but there is nothing binding in it.”
