The San Benito County Planning Commission Wednesday approved the
first major subdivision in more than five years with the acceptance
of an 18-home development in the western portion of the county.
The San Benito County Planning Commission Wednesday approved the first major subdivision in more than five years with the acceptance of an 18-home development in the western portion of the county.
Commissioners, by a 4-0 vote, approved the San Juan Vista Estates project, to be built on 159 acres along Searle Road and Highway 129.
A major subdivision is considered any project with more than five homes. However, approval came with a condition aimed at preserving the ridgeline in the area, and commissioners had earlier eliminated a commercial element from the project.
Though the commission previously placed conditions protecting the visual quality by restricting ridgeline development, Commissioner Gordon Machado said that it was not enough and wanted to make sure homes were kept from infringing on the hillside.
Executive Planning Director Rob Mendiola said that in the past, similar language placed on developments with vested rights has often been challenged.
“The argument will not take place here, it will take place in my office with me, with the applicant’s attorney and county counsel,” he said.
Mendiola said the ridgeline conditions were vague and that through experience officials will have to negotiate where the homes can be built.
“I am only suggesting, that you, as a commission, do not have a picture of what this is once you approve,” he said. “You will not have what you are envisioning right now.”
Commissioner Dennis Madigan motioned to approved the resolution of the vested map with the direction adding to the ridgeline preservation condition that building would be kept away from the horizon. Machado seconded the motion. Commissioner Murrill Conley was absent.
Last month the commission certified the environmental impact report.
