Meanwhile, supes change growth cap rules to align with state
average
As news came out this week that San Benito County’s population
grew by less than one percent over the past year, the Board of
Supervisors agreed to change the annual growth cap to align with
the state average while exempting large developments from the
restrictions.
Meanwhile, supes change growth cap rules to align with state average
As news came out this week that San Benito County’s population grew by less than one percent over the past year, the Board of Supervisors agreed to change the annual growth cap to align with the state average while exempting large developments from the restrictions.
San Benito County grew by 0.65 percent for a year tracked from July 2008 to the same month of 2009, according to data released by the state Department of Finance this week.
That was slightly less than the statewide trend. Throughout California, there were 354,000 more residents than the prior year for a 0.93 percent increase, according to the figures.
In San Benito County, the estimated population grew from 57,864 to 58,240, for an increase of 376 residents, according to the state. The date also notes there were 821 births during the year and 234 deaths, for a “natural increase” of 587.
One of the main reasons for the statewide flattening of population growth has been employment. California saw a net loss of 800,000 jobs from July 2008 to July 2009, according to the California Department of Labor. During the rest of the decade, it netted an average of 115,000 additional jobs each year.
San Benito County supervisors approved the revised growth management ordinance in the afternoon session of the Dec. 15 meeting. It takes the 1 percent growth cap and changes the number so that it is equal to the state average each year. Developments of 100 or more units – which must gain voter approval – are exempt from the cap figure.
The board voted 4-1, with Supervisor Jaime De La Cruz in opposition because he said he wanted to exempt an area east of Fairview Road from the restrictions.
Supervisors changed the growth cap and are examining whether to drop an affordable housing requirement for developers – both part of an effort to add incentives for builders.
