Developers considering appeal after clashing with commission
Ridgemark Golf
&
amp; Country Club’s owners had envisioned building a commercial
center in the gated development on the spot formerly used for
tennis courts, but it’s facing grim prospects after a 5-0 denial by
county planning commissioners.
Developers considering appeal after clashing with commission
Ridgemark Golf & Country Club’s owners had envisioned building a commercial center in the gated development on the spot formerly used for tennis courts, but it’s facing grim prospects after a 5-0 denial by county planning commissioners.
The San Benito County Planning Commission last week held a special meeting to consider the project proposed by the father-son duo of developers, John and Alex Kehriotis, who own the golf club property. They unanimously rejected the idea after clashing with John Kehriotis over the 19,500-square-foot commercial structure’s location.
After hearing from public speakers expressing their concerns – largely about traffic and the building’s placement close to the street – commissioners requested that the developers consider moving the building to the northwest part of the lot bordering the golf course. The elder Kehriotis told planning commissioners he wouldn’t consider moving the site, and the panel denied the project.
The Ridgemark developers, though, can appeal the decision to the San Benito County Board of Supervisors. They have 10 days after the commission meeting, which was Aug. 3, to appeal. Alex Kehriotis on Tuesday told the Pinnacle they had not decided whether to appeal it and remain “50-50” on the prospect.
“We’re considering doing it,” he said. “Things didn’t necessarily go the way we wanted in the meeting. There’s a difference of opinion on the layout of the center. It didn’t make sense for us as developers to move the layout of the building to a different part of the lot.”
The Ridgemark owners from JMK Investments have long planned some type of commercial venture for the property. There was initial talk of building a shopping center near the entrance along Airline Highway, but that idea appeared too costly, especially considering environmental issues related to a pond there, Kehriotis said.
The project at 151 Ridgemark Drive would act primarily as a neighborhood shopping destination and would include parking, landscaping and an outdoor patio “with its primary purpose being to serve the neighborhood community by providing retail/office space,” according to a county report. Planning Director Gary Armstrong said some examples of inappropriate uses would be Trader Joe’s or a Chevy’s, while appropriate uses would be a coffee shop, beauty salon or dry cleaner.
Armstrong pointed out that the commercial building could house one larger business or multiple tenants with smaller spaces.
“All in all it’s a good project,” Armstrong said. “I think it would be good for the community. It’s supposed to be serving a neighborhood there and not creating a whole lot of trips from outside the community.”
Armstrong’s staff recommended approval of the proposal as presented last week, but he acknowledged the approach John Kehriotis took likely affected commissioners. He paraphrased the developer’s stance at the meeting. “Mr. Kehriotis said either approve it as it’s designed or proposed, or we’re going to let the ground lay dormant,” Armstrong said. “So the planning commission, I don’t think appreciated the ultimatum.”
Commissioner Ignacio Velazquez said the panel is “not opposed to the project.”
“We just feel another location would benefit the community in a more positive manner,” he said, contending that the proposed site could impede views for current homeowners. “If he’s willing to move, then we’re willing to work with him on it.”
It might end up being the county supervisors who make the ultimate decision, though.
“We’re considering appealing it,” Alex Kehriotis said, “because we think it would be good for the Ridgemark community as well as San Benito County.”
