Hollister council members Monday reversed an earlier decision and agreed, with provisions, to close part of Nash Road once a bypass is built in an attempt to improve student safety at nearby San Benito High School.
Council members voted 3-2 in favor of the idea.
The Hollister council in January rejected an idea to close part of Nash Road near the high school during the day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Council members at the time voted 3-2 against the idea, which involved the county and high school district as well. Mayor Ignacio Velazquez and Councilman Karson Klauer were in the minority on the January decision. Council members Victor Gomez, Mickie Luna and Ray Friend were in the majority that opposed the idea.
Gomez asked to have the item revisited Monday and became the self-proclaimed “swing vote.”
The idea rejected in January also would have closed the road between West Street and Monterey Street, but until a bypass could be built. As part of the agreement, the high school district would transfer nearby property to the county for its regional park idea. The county board has approved the idea for the joint partnership project.
The precise timing for a Nash Road closure was unclear, but appeared to hinge on the completion of a bypass road for traffic.
Council members have had to weigh concerns from the high school community, with nearly 3,000 students and 250 staff members, and those of neighboring residents.
Gomez indicated in his motion he would support closing Nash Road between West and Monterey streets with some provisions such as the county satisfying all mitigation measures in its environmental review on the arrangement and installing an array of traffic-calming devices in the area and along side streets.
A host of speakers from the high school community and nearby neighborhood spoke Monday.
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