Council members voted 4-1, with Ray Friend dissenting after
expressing concern about traffic congestion there, to approve the
environmental impact report setting the stage for a February
demolition at the prospective site of the new San Benito County
Courthouse.
HOLLISTER
Council members on Tuesday approved an environmental review for a demolition at the old Fremont School and the removal of a catalpa tree on the site designated as historic.
Council members voted 4-1, with Ray Friend dissenting after expressing concern about traffic congestion there, to approve the environmental impact report setting the stage for a February demolition at the prospective site of the new San Benito County Courthouse.
Councilman Doug Emerson at the meeting said the courthouse’s benefit in that location – local leaders have touted its potential to keep foot traffic downtown – “greatly outweighs” concerns over the tree.
If the city holds off on allowing a courthouse downtown, Emerson quipped, “There won’t be a lot of people down there looking at that tree.”
The Hollister RDA is set to pay about $90,000 for the Fremont School site demolition, scheduled for completion by Feb. 20. The city already has conducted a hazardous materials abatement there as well.
RDA Director Bill Avera pointed out how the city already had torn down parts of the structure during a prior aesbestos removal.
“There’s not a lot of stuff left,” he said.
Avera also noted that the city has agreed to send portions of the removed tile to the Old Mission San Juan Bautista for use there, while pointing out how they won’t be going to waste.
