In one of the final steps before a potential full approval of
the Santana Ranch housing project, the San Benito County Board of
Supervisors this week unanimously adopted the project’s final
environmental impact report and its mitigation measures.
In one of the final steps before a potential full approval of the Santana Ranch housing project, the San Benito County Board of Supervisors this week unanimously adopted the project’s final environmental impact report and its mitigation measures.
The 1,092-home development will be built across 292 acres near the intersections of Fairview, Hillcrest and Sunnyslope roads. The development’s plan also includes a commercial center, elementary school and more than 18 acres of parks.
Homes would be divided out in two types, single and multi-family, according to its plans. Out of the 1,092 homes, 774 would be single family and 318 multi-family – while 10 percent of the homes would be for low-income housing.
The project plans detail a build-out of between 10 to 12 years. Michael Anderson, who is a partner in the project, said the developers hope to begin construction sometime next year – depending how long it takes to finalize the projects maps.
The next step for the project will be a public hearing during the Oct. 26 supervisors’ meeting that will go over the project’s general plan amendment, specific plan, zone change and development agreement.
Anderson didn’t give an exact date when the project could break ground.
The EIR, which spans two volumes, was up for deliberation from the board and the public during the Tuesday meeting. Previously, the San Benito County Planning Commission recommended the board to move forward with the document and the project’s timeline.
More supporters than detractors of the project spoke in front of the board Tuesday, but some questions did arise during the meeting, mostly regarding the development’s impact on local roads and schools. In the development’s plans, an elementary school, which could span from kindergarten to eighth grade, would be large enough for 700 students.
Supervisor Pat Loe questioned the impact on the roads near San Benito High School, while the project listed the impact as low.
“I live by the area, and when school gets out the street is backed up for five to six blocks,” She said. “There will be an impact with 200 more cars.”
San Benito High School English Teacher Tom Rooth offered his concern that the additional students would break the tipping point for the already overcrowded school, he said.
“The district owns the land to build but no funds to build,” he said. “You cannot certify a short-sighted document.”
For the full story, see the Pinnacle on Friday.
