Hollister
– Pulte homes will host two community forums next week aimed at
telling Hollister voters about a November ballot initiative that
would allow the firm to pursue a 4,400-home senior community on the
northern outskirts of town.
Hollister – Pulte homes will host two community forums next week aimed at telling Hollister voters about a November ballot initiative that would allow the firm to pursue a 4,400-home senior community on the northern outskirts of town.
The meetings will be at 6:30pm July 18 and 20 in the Hollister Community Center.
This marks the latest effort by Pulte Homes and its subsidiary, Del Webb, to make the Sun City Hollister project more attractive to the community. Pulte is also sponsoring a summer concert series in Hollister and is a platinum member of the Hollister Downtown Association – a $3,500 annual membership. The company recently brought on Hollister resident Annette Giacomazzi to run its ballot initiative campaign.
“Of course a successful campaign would mean a win, but also education” Mike Serpa of Del Webb said. “I think people misunderstand what this project is about.”
Sun City Hollister would stretch across 1,300 acres near the Hollister Municipal Airport. It includes plans for walking trails and a golf course.
But in its current form, the project would violate Measure U, a voter-approved initiative limiting new residential units to 244 per year. It also conflicts with the city’s outward growth regulations, which were enacted after a period of sprawl in the 1990s.
Pulte’s ballot initiative would exempt its project from the growth ordinance and also create a new “mixed-use residential growth” land-use designation in the city’s general plan. It has some city officials concerned.
“Like everything, there’s good and bad,” City Councilwoman Monica Johnson said. “We’re talking about 4,400 homes in less than 10 years – that’s a lot. If the community wants it, the city needs to make sure it is set up correctly.”
City staff is looking at how the project would affect traffic, the economy and the environment, Johnson said. The city plans to compare this report with Pulte’s own assessment of the same factors. Both are set for release sometime before the Nov. 7 election.
After that, the project faces an environmental impact study and a hearing before the Local Agency Formation Commission, which will either approve or disapprove the land’s annexation into the city from San Benito County.
Banks Albach covers local government for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 335, or ba****@fr***********.com.
