DMB Inc. recently sent out fliers inviting people to discuss a
proposal to build a new community near the Santa Clara County line.
It is a refreshing approach to development in a community that is
more used to shouting matches about growth. And it’s a chance to
get involved early in a proposal that could have significant
ramifications for our county.
DMB Inc. recently sent out fliers inviting people to discuss a proposal to build a new community near the Santa Clara County line. It is a refreshing approach to development in a community that is more used to shouting matches about growth. And it’s a chance to get involved early in a proposal that could have significant ramifications for our county.
DMB, of course, is the development company that owns the rights to seven square miles of property formerly known as Ranch San Benito, the same area that was the site of a proposed 10,000-home development in the 1980s.
Little is know about exactly what DMB intends to do on the land because they say they want the community at large to be involved in planning process. What we do know is that other DMB communities are self-contained and include the amenities of a small town like a post office, grocery stores and parks. What we don’t know is how many houses DMB wants to build here.
As the discussion gets underway, there is an importnant question to address: Is there a compelling reason San Benito County should allow leapfrog development, or should we insist on contiguous growth?
Another important piece of the equation will be the economic impact that such a project will have on the county government. How much would a DMB development cost to police and provide fire protection for? How much will it cost to offset the traffic impacts that such a project will create? How many of the services that government typically provides – sewer treatment, road repair, schools – will DMB provide and maintain?
Of course DMB wants to build a project that makes money. That’s what developers do. What has set DMB apart so far is the approach they are taking: Asking for a discourse with residents about what they would like at the project, what they don’t want and how they might be able to win support. In addition – and this is something we will hold them to – Ray Becker, DMB’s representative in Hollister, has said that if it becomes clear that the community doesn’t want a project, they will roll up their blueprints and head for greener pastures.
Taken at face value, this doesn’t seem like a plan to shove a project down our throats whether we want it or not. That’s a good thing because growth is an explosively divisive issue in San Benito County.
DMB is offering another way to go about this debate, and our political leaders should embrace their approach and lead by example. Listen to what DMB has to say and give your input. If you don’t like the results say so. Let this be a civilized discussion on development rather than another shrill debate. We’ve had enough of that.
