Local developer Ken Gimelli confirmed rumors Thursday that he is
negotiating the purchase of San Juan Oaks Golf Club, a project with
homes, golf courses and a hotel that some are hoping will draw
tourists and their money to San Benito County.
Hollister – Local developer Ken Gimelli confirmed rumors Thursday that he is negotiating the purchase of San Juan Oaks Golf Club, a project with homes, golf courses and a hotel that some are hoping will draw tourists and their money to San Benito County.
Gimelli said if the sale goes through, he plans to stay the course on an approved project that will eventually build nearly 200 homes, two more golf courses and a hotel on the club’s property in the San Juan Valley.
“It’s under negotiations,” he said, adding that “a sale is pending.”
Gimelli said he has been negotiating with San Juan Oaks for a few months. He declined to comment on the nature of the negotiations and when the sale may be final.
San Juan Oaks General Manager Scott Fuller declined to comment on the negotiations, and it is not clear why the project could change hands or how much it would sell for.
“No sale has occurred,” he said. “If a sale occurs I will comment.”
Gimelli owns a portion of the Hollister Business Park and Vineyards in the Hollister area, which sells grapes to large-scale wine maker Kendall-Jackson. In January, 2004 he bought the Indian Motorcycle headquarters in Gilroy.
In July, 2004 the San Benito County Board of Supervisors voted to approve San Juan Oak’s plan to sell 186 housing lots around the club’s 18-hole golf course. Also included in the plan is a 200-room hotel, two additional golf courses – another 18-hole private course and a 9-hole course open to the public – and a 60 acre park. Those plans would not change, if the sale occurs.
“Everything planned will continue with the same people,” Gimelli said.
Supervisor Anthony Botelho, who said he had heard rumors of a possible sale, seemed ambivalent about the project. The project, especially the new houses, will change the San Juan Valley, where he lives, he said.
“I think the San Juan Oaks project has always been a significant project to the complexion of the San Juan Valley and the changes it means to it,” he said.
But he was somewhat comforted by the news that Gimelli was buying the club, and not an unknown out-of-town developer.
“I feel comfortable that the Gimellis are well positioned to carry the plan through,” he said.
Supervisor Pat Loe, who was on the board that approved the project, said her only concerns about it were increased traffic resulting from the San Juan Oak’s expansion and fire safety. Those concerns were addressed before the plan was approved, Loe said. According to the plan that San Juan Oaks and the county agreed to, the club will fund a new fire station and build a secondary road.
But a long-time critic of the project, San Juan Bautista resident Rebecca McGovern said the project is not the solution to the county’s budget woes.
“It’s completely, completely out of order,” she said. “People are under the misconception that the answer to all our problems is to grow. Like hell, It doesn’t bring profits, it costs.
Supervisor Don Marcus said that, once complete, the San Juan Oaks project will benefit the San Benito County, which has a $2.6 million budget deficit this year, by drawing tax and tourist revenue into the county.
“It’s very important,” he said. “I believe the hotel and added facilities would infuse the county with tax-base, tourism and activities the county needs for revenue.”
“I hope he continues with the plan that was approved,” he said.
Luke Roney covers politics and the environment for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or at [email protected].
