The Hollister City Council has taken a stand against the
proposed flea market near the airport, while the applicant’s appeal
to the board of supervisors is scheduled for Dec. 7.
The Hollister City Council has taken a stand against the proposed flea market near the airport, while the applicant’s appeal to the board of supervisors is scheduled for Dec. 7.
The San Benito County Planning Commission last month rejected Robert Rodriguez’s application for the flea market at 1771 San Felipe Road. It was denied in a 3-0 vote – with Commissioner Dan DeVries absent and Commissioner Robert Scattini recusing himself from consideration. Commissioners Gordon Machado, Richard Bettencourt and Jeff Culler opposed it, with the two primary concerns being its proximity to the Hollister Municipal Airport and traffic on San Felipe Road.
Hollister council members Monday voted 4-0, with Mayor Victor Gomez absent, to send a resolution to the board in support of the county planning commission’s decision.
The proposal is for a weekend operation with 100 vending booths, parking for 350 or more cars, portable concession areas, chemical toilets, and live and recorded music. The same applicant’s idea for a flea market on Shore Road – denied by supervisors in February largely due to traffic issues – would have included 50 vendors, toilets, a food truck and a beverage stand.
At last month’s planning commission meeting, officials considered a “manufacturing district review” – because the property falls in an industrial zone – but it acted as the ultimate decision for the panel.
Rodriguez has contended it is a safe location and he hopes to open the business in the spring of 2011. Regarding the airport, opponents have argued it is too close to the runway in the event of an accident.
The appeal to the board is set for 1:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at the County Administration Building, 481 Fourth St.
