Constituents complaining that roosters, rodeos and dirt bikes
don’t make for good neighbors have some supervisors ready to
regulate how owners of five-acre parcels in San Benito County can
use their land.
Hollister – Constituents complaining that roosters, rodeos and dirt bikes don’t make for good neighbors have some supervisors ready to regulate how owners of five-acre parcels in San Benito County can use their land.
Supervisor Anthony Botelho, who represents San Juan Bautista, says he sees the complaints as an indication that the county is becoming more urban.
“I feel it’s a major issue,” said Botelho, who said that in the past he has received complaints about a rodeo and dirt bike tracks on five-acre parcels in his district. “It’s a critical issue that needs urgent attention.”
County regulations allow owners of land zoned for agriculture to divide their property into parcels that are five-acres or larger and sell the individual parcels. Though zoned for agriculture, many people who purchase the parcels use them as home sites and for purposes other than agriculture.
Though that’s perfectly legal, there have been some unintended consequences.
Last month Ava Morgan complained to supervisors about a rodeo put on by her neighbor on Riverside Road. She said It’s been going on for years.
“The noise is outrageous,” she said, adding that people drink at the rodeo and then drive intoxicated.
For Botelho, the mounting conflict over how people use their property is a sign that parts of the county are becoming more urban.
“There’s no question, as our urban and rural kind (of property) interface together we need to address land use,” he said. “I’m a property rights guy. But when it interferes with property rights of a neighbor, that’s the point we need to look at it.”
Botelho hopes that when the county’s planning department is adequately staffed and a new full-time director hired the board will address the issue at the same time it considers amending or revising the county’s general plan.
“People who buy a parcel should have a good idea about what they can do with it,” Botelho said.
“It only takes one neighbor to degrade a whole area,” he added.
Board Chair Reb Monaco agreed with Botelho, saying he wasn’t opposed to looking at how people use their five-acre parcels – and how it affects neighbors – once the planning department is better staffed.
“I’m advocating to explore and look at reaching some resolution,” he said. “Now we have nothing.”
Monaco said he is sensitive to the rights of landowners, but when the way they use their property impinges on the ability of others to use and enjoy their own property something must be done.
Earlier this year, Supervisor Don Marcus received several complaints about the noise created by a rooster ranch on the corner Lone Tree and Pan Tempo roads. There are some 500 roosters on the property.
Marcus, who is focusing on noise nuisance, said he’s not waiting for the planning department to be staffed. He’s looking into what other counties have done to control noise from private property. He said he has asked the county administration to help him craft a noise ordinance.
Marcus said he envisions a strict, well-enforced noise ordinance with fines.
“If you can maintain an activity and not violate another person’s sanctity, it’s okay,” he said.
Luke Roney covers politics and the environment for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or at [email protected].
