County supervisors Tuesday unanimously approved an interagency agreement relating to the closure of Nash Road and the Regional Park project.
The inter-agency agreement, previously approved by both the San Benito High School District and Hollister City Council, sets the stage for a closure on part of the busy corridor.
Because Nash Road falls within the jurisdiction of both the City of Hollister and San Benito County, a joint action is required in order to close the street. The school district is responsible for constructing the improvements needed for the closure, in addition to the signs required to notify the public.
Supervisor Margie Barrios said getting three agencies to agree is history in the making.
“At the end of the day, all agencies were protected, but the best thing that came about is that our children are protected,” Barrios said.
The county has worked on the creation of a River Parkway/Regional Park plan for several years. Much of that time has been spent on the environmental impact report, which began in October 2013. Supervisors certified the environmental impact report at the Oct. 25 meeting.
“I have supported this regional park ever since I’ve been on the board of supervisors,” Supervisor Jerry Muenzer said. “I’m very glad we’re moving forward with this agreement.”
Although supervisors OK’d the closure of Nash Road, county staff said the bypass road needs to be constructed and opened to the public before the closure goes into effect.
City council members unanimously approved the interagency agreement and closure of Nash Road during their Monday meeting. City Manager Bill Avera informed both the council and audience of some of the closure details.
“It’s going to be temporarily closed for a period of 99 years,” Avera said. “I know that doesn’t necessarily sound temporary, but it’s temporary in nature from the perspective of right now as being closed from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. That’s the temporary portion of the closure. The length of time is well beyond most of us, so we’ll call that permanent.”
Councilman Karson Klauer received praise from all three agencies for his role in helping the agencies work together. He said it took a lot of effort to get to this point.
“If we don’t move forward with the Nash Road closure, as a city we’re acting negligent,” Klauer said during Monday’s meeting. “We know there’s a safety issue. If we don’t do anything about it, then that’s on us.”
