It may be a matter of perception, but for many, the County Board
of Supervisors’ revisiting of hillside housing restrictions looks
like they are trying to slip pieces of Measure G through before
they leave office.
It may be a matter of perception, but for many, the County Board of Supervisors’ revisiting of hillside housing restrictions looks like they are trying to slip pieces of Measure G through before they leave office.
Early next month, as the terms of Richard Scagliotti, Ruth Kesler and Bob Cruz grow short, the county supervisors will vote on an ordinance that would have long-lasting effects on our area.
The Hillside Ordinance before supervisors on Dec. 7 would put limits on housing in the county’s hills. It would prevent developments of more than five houses on the peaks, shunting those developments to lower ridgelines.
The merits of such an ordinance are open to debate. Some see it as infringement on property rights. Others see it as vital to preserving county’s natural beauty. The thing is, it has been debated. Measure G contained hillside development restrictions and it was shot down by 69 percent of residents in March.
It’s too bad that supervisors are not trying a different approach to planning for San Benito County’s growth, an approach that incorporates the public into the planning process from the beginning, one that takes a holistic look at the county’s needs and one that can strike a balance between open space and individual property rights.
What Measure G, and the rift in the community it created, showed is that there are competing visions for the county’s future. To reconcile those ideas, supervisors should punt on the Hillside Ordinance on Dec. 7 and instead lay the groundwork for the new Board of Supervisors to overhaul the county’s General Plan. Supervisor Pat Loe, who champions well-planned growth, is a good candidate to lead the charge.
A General Plan is a vital planning tool for local governments. It creates a vision for the future by designating areas for agriculture, industrial and residential developments as well as open space. It can address our economic needs by designating areas ripe for tourism and setting aside other areas for commercial or industrial growth. It can become a roadmap for the future of the county.
And a revision is long overdue. San Benito County has never done a comprehensive update of its General Plan. The last update of the land-use portion of the plan was in 1998.
It’s time that we take a long look at where we are and where we want to go. The Board of Supervisors should muster the courage to chart a new direction for our county rather than make piecemeal changes as their time in office comes to an end.
