Hollister
– The City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday night to bring a
temporary halt to conversions of apartments to condominiums.
Hollister – The City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday night to bring a temporary halt to conversions of apartments to condominiums.
According to Planning Manager Mary Paxton, four apartment complexes totaling 44 units were approved for conversion between Nov. 16, 2006, and Jan. 25, 2007, and there have been inquiries about further conversions. Paxton noted that these conversions could displace low-income families, farmworkers, seniors and the disabled.
City staff and councilmembers said the moratorium – which will be in place until March 28 – will give them time to formulate more long-term policies to address the situation.
“We need to make sure there are enough apartments for families,” Councilwoman Eugenia Sanchez said.
If the city allows conversions to continue, Sanchez added, councilmembers would like to make sure owners help tenants find affordable housing elsewhere.
Before the meeting, architect David Huboi said the council definitely needs to take a close look at the issue. Huboi, who sits on the city’s planning commission, said he wants to make certain Hollister does its best to preserve its already small supply of rental housing. However, he added that condos can be a relatively inexpensive way for families to purchase their first homes.
“That’s the driving issue about affordable housing,” he said. “I have a daughter, and I have to wonder: Will the kids living in the community be able to afford a home here?”
The council also will be required to develop permanent policies and issue a report by March 19. City Manager Clint Quilter said the deadline can be extended, although he hopes that won’t happen.
“We want to get a policy for you to put into action,” Quilter said.
The council also voted to re-form the Airport Advisory Commission, which was disbanded last year. At that time, then-Mayor Robert Scattini said the hiring of Airport Manager Bill Gere made the commission unnecessary.
However, a council sub-committee recommended bringing the commission back to life. The new group, which will advise the council on airport policy and long-term planning, will consist of five people, one appointed by each of the councilmembers.
Gordon Machado is the only member of the old commission whose term has not yet expired, and he will continue his term with the new group. Recalling a description of the airport as “Hollister’s unpolished jewel,” Machado praised the council’s decision.
“It’s still not polished,” he said. “It hasn’t even been touched lately.”
A number of speakers complained about new rules requiring that commission members be city residents, because two of the old commission’s five members were county residents.
“Many of the tenants and businesses at the airport do not live within the city of Hollister,” said Ruth Erickson, who leads the Hollister Airmen’s Association. “They will have no opportunity to apply for a position on the commission.”
The council voted to keep the city resident requirement. Councilmembers said that once the commission is re-formed, the commissioners should ensure that airport tenants and county residents are also represented, most likely by adding members to the group.
Anthony Ha covers local government for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or [email protected].
