A proposal for a planned housing development and commercial
center in San Juan Bautista received approval, but with major
alterations.
A proposal for a planned housing development and commercial center in San Juan Bautista received approval, but with major alterations.
Developers for the San Juan Vista Estates Project had earlier agreed to downsize the project to 18 homes from 42 and eliminate the commercial aspect to help win approval.
The San Benito County Planning Commission passed a draft resolution last week to certify the environmental impact report and approved a tentative map to divide the 195-acre lot located on Searle Road and Highway 129. The resolution will return to commissioners on May 7 for approval.
Commissioners also discussed off-site road improvements, which were incorporated when the project was first presented as 42 housing units, including the commercial aspect that would have generated more than 7,000 trips per day.
However, since the project was reduced to 18 housing units and eliminated the commercial portion March 19, it reduced the trips to 180 trips per day.
Bradley Torgan, representing the project, said based on the proportion of traffic, there was no need for a left-turn channelization lane, which would have added an additional $75,000 to the costs. The commission agreed the applicant needed only to pay their fair share.
As for the size and height of the homes, the applicants voluntarily agreed to reduce the height from 28 feet to 25 feet to minimize grading impacts. The commission said up to 28 feet would be allowed for a stepped foundation to give some flexibility to build a split level.
However, the commission did not want separate senior units built, but would allow granny units to be part of the main house. Any additional accessory structures such as hay barns and sheds were restricted to 1,000 feet while garages were limited to 1,500.
