After an evening spent listening to nearly 50 local
residents
– many of them unhappy – regarding the proposed site for a
Gavilan College satellite campus near Hwy. 156, trustees agreed to
form an ad hoc committee designed to work closely with residents in
determining the future of the college in Hollister.
Hollister – After an evening spent listening to nearly 50 local residents – many of them unhappy – regarding the proposed site for a Gavilan College satellite campus near Hwy. 156, trustees agreed to form an ad hoc committee designed to work closely with residents in determining the future of the college in Hollister.
“I’m really sorry we didn’t have this earlier … If a better site were to come up for both the campus and the community, we’d look at it – though I don’t know what our attorneys would say about that,” said Trustee Laura Perry. “But it’s not going to be the consultant’s decision, it’s not going to be President Kinsella’s decision, it’s going to be the board’s decision, because that’s what we were elected to do, and we want to keep that faith.”
Between 50 and 60 people turned out for the meeting, filling the San Benito County Office of Education’s board room to capacity. Though the tone remained civil throughout the evening, it became clear within a matter of minutes that, while no one debated the merits of a local community college, many of those in attendance were opposed to a Gavilan campus near the city airport.
“All of us were delighted when we learned (that Gavilan was coming to Hollister), what an absolute boon in the abstract,” said smart growth advocate Joe Morris. “But the proposed reality is a disaster.”
Moreover, residents expressed dismay that the college had not held a meeting in San Benito County to discuss possible sites before the airport parcel had been voted on, though the matter had been agendized and publicized in the local newspapers –a sentiment which many board members eventually echoed.
“We failed to communicate,” said self-described “neophyte” Trustee Kent Child. “I used to teach communications, but maybe some of the theories I used to proselytize to my students should have been used by myself.”
The board voted in January to go ahead with the purchase of an 85-acre parcel situated adjacent to the Hollister airport, using $4 million of a $12.7 million Measure E earmark set aside for land acquisition and possible beginning construction of a San Benito County campus.
Since the announcement, however, several arguments have been presented against the site, ranging from zoning and safety issues to the wealth of cultural resources local residents will be missing out on if a college isn’t centered closer to downtown Hollister.
Not everyone present, however, attended solely to slam the proposed campus site. County Superintendent of Schools Tim Foley in particular sympathized with the board’s dilemma in finding a suitable space.
“It took us four years to find a place for the YMCA,” he said. “And now that we have, it’s seven acres instead of 10 and it’s on the outskirts of town…we had some of the most successful people in the local real estate business working with us, but it’s hard to pull everything together.”
While everyone present certainly had an opinion about where the campus belongs and what it should entail, nobody stepped forward offering a new alternative site that the college had not already considered and dismissed.
“People are always saying ‘Oh, I know so-and-so has some land that might work,'” said Gavilan College President Steve Kinsella. “Well, now is the time for So-and-so to step forward and identify themselves, because frankly we’ve been looking for a long time.”
But while one or two residents spoke in defense of the college’s choice in sites, virtually every aspect of the proposed campus was critiqued.
“We live right near Cabrillo College, and our daughter uses the performing arts space there,” said Gary Byrne of the San Benito County Community Foundation at Thursday’s meeting. “Our neighbors use the swimming pool. I use the tennis courts. Everyone goes to the farmers market – it’s really the heart of the community, and that would be wonderful for Hollister.”
Several people also raised the concern that a campus located four miles out of town might cause sprawl.
“This is an exclusive community college because you need a car to get there, and the people who need a community college the most may not own a car,” said Morris. “And this site may not be on prime ag land, but there is a heck of a lot of prime ag land between 156 and downtown – what happens to that?”
According to Jim Gooddall, a hired consultant for Gavilan College, Gavilan must purchase at least 80 acres of land if it hopes to one day be recognized as a full-service campus by the state of California – which prompted the question of whether such a large campus would be suitable for San Benito County.
“I have real reservations about whether we need a full-service campus,” said resident Tony Ruiz. “We have our ‘Balers, we don’t need another football team.”
Ultimately, the trustees were impressed enough with the arguments of those present to promise the formation of an ad-hoc committee charged with working closer with the people of San Benito County in search of some sort of compromise. Such a committee could not be formed, though, until the entire board is able to meet and discuss the Hollister forum at length. While the college is in the midst of its due diligence process with the airport parcel, the contract is not yet binding, and should a feasible alternative arise the Board would be able to pursue it.
It was clear by the end of the two-hour meeting that both defenders and opponents of the present campus site have a lot of work to do before further progress can be made, but the majority of those present left the meeting with positive feelings.
“I heard one thing that night that I personally really needed to hear,” said Kinsella. “That people really do want Gavilan College in San Benito County. It was encouraging.”
“We all want the same thing. My sense is maybe what you’re suggesting is too small, and it’s time to think bigger,” said County Planning Commissioner Mike Smith. “If you’re willing to come back to the table you will get more than what you’re asking for.”
The next Gavilan College Board meeting will be held on March 9 at the Gavilan College Student Union. For more information or to suggest a piece of property for a new site, call the Office of the President at 408-848-4711.
Danielle Smith covers education for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or ds****@fr***********.com.
