Backers of Measure S harrumph at majority who defeated Del Webb
measure
Though less then 40 percent of registered San Benito voters
turned out to the polls, those who did cast their ballots may be
saying its time to put more thought into development in the
county.
Backers of Measure S harrumph at majority who defeated Del Webb measure
Though less then 40 percent of registered San Benito voters turned out to the polls, those who did cast their ballots may be saying its time to put more thought into development in the county.
In Hollister, voters clearly came out against a proposed retirement development near the airport with 57 percent of voters casting a no vote on Measure S. The developer of a proposed Sun City Hollister, Pulte-Del Webb, opted not to take their project before the city council or planning commissioners but to take it straight to voters.
While voters were not voting specifically to approve the Pulte-Del Webb project, they would have changed the zoning of the land and changed the city’s general plan to allow projects such as Sun City to receive as many as 650 housing allocations compared to the 244 currently allowed each year.
Though the campaign still held out hope that absentee ballots might sway the vote, Annette Giacomazzi said the developer is ready to move on if the measure fails.
“If measure S fails, Del Webb will be looking for another community outside of San Benito County where they will be received with open arms,” said Giacomazzi, a campaign spokesperson. “Del Webb partners with the community. They become partners and at this point the voters and elected officials have clearly stated that they don’t want Del Webb here.”
The “No on measure S” committee got a late start in the campaign game and ran with less than 1 percent of the funds the opposition had.
“It was a challenge. No question about that,” said Gordon Machado, a county planning commissioner and a supporter of ‘No on S.’ “It boiled down to a grassroots committee against professionals backed by the dollars.”
For Machado, the vote against Measure S is not an anti-growth movement in the city but instead a call for more thoughtful development.
“We are pro-growth, but we want to make sure it is done in the right vein,” he said.
Machado, Tony Ruiz and Christine Breen, fellow committee members, sent out a press release Wednesday calling for the city and county to create general plans that will reflect the values and needs of the community.
“This whole campaign has been a blessing for the community because there has been an edcuation for the community of where we are and where we aren’t,” Machado said. “The 1 percent growth rate we have has to be looked at and readjusted. A lot of concerns came up that have to be addressed and we have to grow.”
In a race where less then 100 votes were cast, voters selected candidates who have been outspoken opponents of a hotel and development project in Tres Pinos to lead the Tres Pinos Water District. Edward Schmidt and Robert Frusetta easily won positions with the water district – an agency that may have some sway over how development proceeds in the rural district.
The campaign for San Benito County District 4 supervisor gave both candidates a run for their money in a race that was still too close to call at press time. Just 40 votes separated Tracie Cone from incumbent Reb Monaco hours after the polls closed in a district where voters have historicallly supported property rights. Cone is a managed-growth advocate and Monaco leans toward the pro-growth camp. Hundreds of ballots remained to be counted Thursday.
Melissa Flores can be reached at mf*****@pi**********.com.
