One of the reasons I call this column the “Mobile Skeptic” is that I spend a lot of time driving, during which I come up with a lot of my ideas. My car gets about 30 miles to the gallon, and that’s how I rationalize driving 90 miles a day round trip to work, even in this time of heightened concern about auto emissions and dependence on foreign oil.
But as New Year’s resolution time approaches, I’m starting to wish I could cut my driving way back. I would save time and gas money. If I could limit the driving by working closer to or in Hollister, I would get to spend more time here, which might improve the relevance of this column and would fit the reason why we moved here in the first place: to be able to spend time here.
These thoughts were on my mind as I looked at the DMB-El Rancho San Benito Web site recently when they published their vision framework plan and map. I have been paying attention to this project since they came to town several years ago, although I haven’t been able to attend as many of their meetings as I would have liked.
All along, I have thought that while their other projects (visible on their Web site) seemed somewhat artificial and plastic, they were orders of magnitude better than the typical housing development that contains only houses and no planning. DMB’s projects are researched and planned to fit the existing community, and include town centers, recreational facilities, schools and mixed housing. They are planned for walkability and include commercial and light industrial areas.
Even so, all along I felt that San Benito County didn’t need a new community, no matter how well-planned or environment-friendly. What we needed was to bolster the community we already have, including downtown Hollister and the growers and ranchers who have long been important economic engines here.
Well, it appears that other people voiced a similar concern, and DMB listened. In addition to the plan map on the Web site there’s an invitation to visit the “Gateway Partnership,” a fledgling partnership of DMB with local business leaders to address the county’s need for improved infrastructure and economic revitalization.
Realizing the attractiveness of the location of El Rancho San Benito, near the 101-25 junction as well as a to-be-developed gateway farther south on 101, their idea is to capitalize on this and make the development an inviting gateway for visitors as well as an “economic gateway” to foster other businesses’ interest in coming to San Benito County.
So the biggest obstacle to my being wholeheartedly in favor of El Rancho San Benito looks like it may be resolved with the Gateway Partnership.
It shouldn’t replace any of the other efforts currently under way, like that of the HDA and the city to revitalize downtown, or the effort to put the new courthouse in a logical spot, or the efforts of county leaders to create a new general plan.
But ideally, the involvement of DMB-El Rancho San Benito will serve as a catalyst to the overall revitalization project, and San Benito County will eventually lose fewer people (including ol’ mobile me) to other counties to work each day.
Elizabeth Gage is a Hollister resident. Her column appears Thursdays. Reach her at [email protected].
