Members of the San Benito Farm Bureau are making their case
against the county’s growth control initiative.
Members of the San Benito Farm Bureau are making their case against the county’s growth control initiative.
Bureau members have approached the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce and the San Benito County Hispanic Chamber to state their views.
“The proponents felt it wasn’t important to take the input from the folks who have a vested interest in San Benito County,” said Anthony Botelho representing the farm bureau. “This is something being rammed down my throat and I don’t like it.”
President of the Hispanic Chamber Robert Ornales said its board has been asked to look into how chamber members feel about the initiative and how it will effect the business community.
“It is something we need to look at it,” he said. “In the past, our chamber has not taken any stance on political issues, but obviously our membership will dictate what they want us to do.”
The San Benito County Growth Control Initiative includes amendments to the land-use elements of the county’s General Plan that would increase the minimum parcel size for the agricultural productive of five-acre lots to 20-acre parcels and change agricultural rangeland from 40-acre parcel lots to a minimum 160 acres.
Ornales said the chamber may invite proponents of the initiative to state their side of the issue at a luncheon meeting or at a specific event.
“We want to afford them the same opportunity that we gave the farm bureau and we need to make an educated decision,” he said.
After the forum, the Hispanic Chamber will place the issue on its agenda for discussion.
“We are going to be looking at all the materials provided to us and based on facts, the board will decide as to whether we want to take a stance for or against it,” Ornales said.
Theresa Theresa Kiernan, executive director of the SBC Chamber, said after the farm bureau’s presentation, the board voted to poll its membership of more than 500 businesses to find out what they think of the initiative.
“We are still in the process of creating that poll and will be sending out the form as soon as possible,” she said.
Kiernan said the chamber usually stays out of politics, but the initiative has made so much noise, the board had to respect its member (farm bureau) and take a look at its concerns.
“They did a good job giving their information to the board, but where it goes from here, I don’t know. That will be for the board to decide,” she said.
Botelho said the business community needs to know that though Hollister is trying to attract businesses, the initiative will limit the supply of affordable housing.
“Businesses coming into an area look for affordable housing,” he said. “The initiative will put a kibosh on that.”
Botelho said the county’s 1-percent cap limits the number of affordable housing made available.
“Eventually what will happen if this initiative passes is there will be a higher tax burden on the county,” he said. “The county will have to look for other sources to replace that tax revenue to make up for the devaluation of land.”
Farm bureau members will also make a presentation to the San Juan Bautista Chamber of Commerce.
“We do have time to educate the folks,” Botelho said.
