The Free Lance should be commended for placing Measure G in its
electronic archives. It makes it possible to obtain a hard copy to
study in detail. It is recommended everyone read the measure in its
entirety. The following is one person’s interpretation.
Dear Editor:
The Free Lance should be commended for placing Measure G in its electronic archives. It makes it possible to obtain a hard copy to study in detail. It is recommended everyone read the measure in its entirety. The following is one person’s interpretation.
The proposed ordinance starts with “Section 1. Purpose – The purpose of this ordnance is to protect San Benito County, its agricultural lands and other valuable open spaces and natural resources, from excessive and harmful development.” This set off alarm bells in the back of my head. It seems to paraphrase Karl Marx’s economic theory where people are to serve the State. This is counter to the 225 year old experiment in the USA where the State serves the people. Remember “OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE?”
The remainder of Section 1 lists the qualities we all cherish about San Benito County. Section 2 lists many of the negatives of San Benito County that the ordnance wants to correct. Section 3 addressed where the ordnance fits into the General Plan.
Section 4 is rather apologetic. It seems to say something to the effect that provisions of the Initiative that are unconstitutional do not apply if you take them to court. If there are unconstitutional provisions, why include them? Section 5 says to obey state laws while slipping in a quota system for low-cost housing. Section 6 expands the quota system to total housing permits per year.
“Section 7. Transferable Development Credits Program” is frightening. It requires the County to establish a bureaucracy that will administer “Transferable Development Credits” to “property owners (that) may choose to participate in this program.” A property owner participates by yielding solvency over the use of their own land to the County and to a land trust. The present, and all future land owners, “shall retain exclusive occupancy and use” rights. That is big of the County. They will let you to continue to live on and use your own property.
Section 7 (f) is the most ominous of all. “Nothing in the initiative bars the County from granting development credits for areas not included or on bases other than specified in this Policy.” That is, on any given Tuesday, the County Board of Supervisors can designate any property in the County to be covered by this initiative, even yours, regardless of where you live.
Sections 8, 9, and 10 address changes in particle size and designations.
“Section 11 Certificate of Compliance” says even if a property owner complies with the ordnance, “The County may not grant certificates of compliance except as required by State law.” Wow. Talk about control by the County.
Section 12 addresses how land can be used, the County’s way or not at all.
There is no question that growth in San Benito County need to be better regulated. The past practice of Hollister granting building permits while annexing the land to be developed into the City has not worked. Measure G is no better. It appears to be a power grab where the County Board of Supervisors wants to control all aspects of land use in San Benito County.
If I have read Measure G other than what the framers intended, It should be defeated for being ambiguous. If my interpretation is even remotely close, Measure G and any Supervisor that voted for it should be defeated.
Marvin L. Jones,
Hollister
