Looking at the
”
nuts and bolts
”
or the language of Measure G, I see that on
”
any Tuesday
”
the Board of Supervisors can do just about anything. Instead of
limiting the power of the Board, Measure G increases their
power.
Dear Editor:
Looking at the “nuts and bolts” or the language of Measure G, I see that on “any Tuesday” the Board of Supervisors can do just about anything. Instead of limiting the power of the Board, Measure G increases their power.
For example: Section 3(a) “subject to further relocation deemed proper by county officials.” Development can occur wherever.
Policy 7A: Transfer Development Credits: “The county may differentiate among areas in the number of credits granted… and among grantees according to their willingness to participate…”
My question: Is this favoritism or blackmail – and who and how is “willingness to participate” measured?
Policy 7A(6): “Development credits may be used as the Board of Supervisors authorizes (for) space that otherwise would not be permitted.”
So the Board will decide where development will occur with zero input from you, the taxpayer.
Section 10: Flood Plain Designation: “…Future commercial and industrial uses shall be carefully evaluated on a case by case basis…” by the Board. They can even allow buildings on a flood plain, if they desire “on a case by case basis” that they should. Again, no input from taxpayers and residents.
Policy 7A(f): “Nothing… bans the county from granting credits to areas not included or on a basis other than specified…” Again, your Board of Supervisors are free to develop wherever they want on any Tuesday. No input from the public.
Policy 42: “…A certificate of compliance… creates no right to develop…” Well, what does a certificate of compliance mean? How many hoops do you jump through before you build a house (or even add a room to your existing home)? This is why we have no small developers and no individual homes being built here anymore. Only a large developer can afford the lawyers, the architects and engineers to survive the permit process.
Finally, Section 22: “Severability” states that if one part, paragraph or section is declared invalid as a matter of law, the remaining parts and applications shall remain in effect “unless the clear effect would be to defeat the overall purpose of the measure.”
If the state of California requires that San Benito County accept a larger share of the population growth than allowed under Measure G, that would defeat the 1-2 and a half percent (counting all “low income housing”) section of Measure G. Some zoning experts say this will happen; that the state will insist San Benito County share its fair amount of growth. In that case, we will have all the other sections, which give a lot of discretionary power to the Board, while the stated purpose of Measure G will be lost. A lot can happen on any Tuesday.
Charlotte O’Bannon,
Hollister
