We’re avoiding real answers
By Mark Dickson
A few recent articles and letters to the editor touched on
growth. Hollister has grown from a population of about 20,000 in
1990 to almost 40,000 today. Property tax revenues in San Benito
County have risen from $15 million to approximately $50 million
today. San Benito County realizes 11 percent of this back from the
state. Our planners are considering several key developments
outside city limits. Some are labeled small sprawl, others are more
aggressive, and include the proposed college. If one considers
growth a given, the entire valley floor will be houses and some
business, with almost no agriculture.
We’re avoiding real answers
By Mark Dickson
A few recent articles and letters to the editor touched on growth. Hollister has grown from a population of about 20,000 in 1990 to almost 40,000 today. Property tax revenues in San Benito County have risen from $15 million to approximately $50 million today. San Benito County realizes 11 percent of this back from the state. Our planners are considering several key developments outside city limits. Some are labeled small sprawl, others are more aggressive, and include the proposed college. If one considers growth a given, the entire valley floor will be houses and some business, with almost no agriculture.
I wonder what the percent of unutilized space is within current city limits is. Of course one could underestimate this number by not including Leatherback Industries, some of the refrigeration facilities, the cannery, which will leave as agriculture leaves, etc. I would hazard a guess that the open space between Fairview down to Airline Highway to San Juan Road/Meridian Street on the other side of town is astronomical and is probably roughly 50 percent. With all this vast unutilized space, it would seem that infill should be the overriding principle of development for Hollister and shared infrastructure such as sewer, police, fire, schools, roads and other services.
I have a few of questions for the city and county planners.
What benefit has Hollister seen since almost doubling in population with regards to industry and high wage job creation?
What population is envisioned that will bring industry other than low-paying strip mall jobs?
What revenue stream will replace agriculture as it is replaced by development?
Why are we building more housing when this is a net drain on revenues?
Why doesn’t the city sell the airport?
Is high-rise development being considered?
Why does the college need open space if we won’t have any if growth is inevitable?
What mission should the proposed college have if agriculture is no longer part of the community?
If jobs are located in Hollister, do we need four, then eight (growth is inevitable) lane highways exiting Hollister for commuters?
Of course some will not envision agriculture leaving. Some had the same musings about Santa Clara Valley and other such places.
In my opinion, those pining for development outside city limits are only protecting their investment in their holdings at taxpayer expense. Current open space within city limits is beyond current needs and capacity for development for years to come. Some would also argue that the land being proposed for development is marginal land and generates little tax revenue both in terms of property tax and income tax revenue and thus should be converted. I feel some of these developments should start their own townships rather than bleeding Hollister for services.
I would like to see some real numbers regarding development of the city and county from revenues from business that offers jobs other than cashier at Lowe’s or Home Depot and other similar big box stores. Salaries for teachers at the college are generated from tax dollars. I haven’t seen any proposals that generate revenue from a product that can be sold outside the community generating a profit for the community.
Of course I don’t want government as an employer of producers, but as someone who has commuted to the Silicon Valley since 1993, I see little incentive to locate a business in Hollister, and see the airport as a vastly underutilized gem in the rough. Unless we develop infrastructure that encourages makers and not takers, all we will do is pass the ever-shrinking buck to our kids. I guess of course we could just increase taxes. That will solve everything. After all, one should protect revenue streams that generate prosperity for the few. King George III had a problem with protecting his interests. It was called revolution. America is in a similar situation.
Mark Dickson is a Hollister resident
