The Santana Ranch development proposal off Fairview Road is
headed to the board of supervisors early next month for
consideration to approve a slate of measures that act as the last
major step for the long-planned project.
The Santana Ranch development proposal off Fairview Road is headed to the board of supervisors early next month for consideration to approve a slate of measures that act as the last major step for the long-planned project.
Supervisors are set to weigh five recommendations on the 1,100-unit proposal for nearly 300 acres off Fairview Road outside Hollister in a set of decisions that ultimately acts as an approval or rejection on the project as a whole.
Some of the more significant matters addressed in the series of recommendations include a development agreement negotiated between Santana Ranch and county that would add some additional benefits as allocating 10 percent of the units as affordable, providing more park space than required, and offering 10 percent of the lot sales to local builders.
The agreements also include a provision that exempts the Santana Ranch allocations from the county growth cap, meaning it won’t count against the 50 to 60 units awarded annually. As far as its timing goes, that would remain largely unclear if the proposal goes forward. Santana Ranch estimates a 10- to 15-year buildout, but the builder has expressed how a groundbreaking time frame is up in the air due to the down economy.
If it does get built out, and there is little reason to believe it won’t gain an approval, Santana Ranch would change the physical landscape of Hollister’s east side.
“This is a good direction for the county to grow,” said Frank Guerra, a project developer.
Last week, the San Benito County Planning Commission recommended approvals on the items, which include the development agreement, an environmental review, a general plan ammendment, a specific plan adoption, and zoning alterations, according to the documents provided to commissioners before their approval.
Supervisors are set to first consider the environmental impact report Oct. 5 after planning commissioners Sept. 15 voted 4-0 in favor of recommending approvals to the Santana Ranch items.
“I think it’s a good thing,” said Planning Commissioner Robert Scattini. “They put a lot of work into it. It’s been going on for at least 18 years. Few people were in opposition.”
It was the biggest step in recent years for the Santana Ranch proposal, on the table in the county for about 21 years, and clears the stage for the final set of decisions by supervisors. Before making their recomendation, planning officials heard from many supporters, largely in the business community, who touted the benefits to the local community and economy. Commissioner Jeff Culler abstained from voting, citing how he didn’t have enough time to read the thick, attached packet.
Pending approval of the economic impact review up for consideration in early October, supervisors would make decisions on the remaining items at a later date, said county planner Lisette Knight. She noted how supervisors will have a lot of information to absorb on the EIR.
“One of the game plans we had was to make sure they get their packets with a significant amount of advance,” she said, “so they have a lot of time to consider everything.”
In the EIR in particular, Santana Ranch addressed such issues as noise, traffic and dust concerns.
The development agreement, though, is where the two sides are addressing much of the potential effect on the economy and infrastructure needs. Santana Ranch’s agreement has such additions to the proposal, above what is required, as reserving eight to 12 acres on the site for use of a school serving about 700 students. It also includes a stipulation that leaves open the possibility of the county using eminent domain to acquire off-site land for project needs.
“It spells out exactly what we are doing and what the county is doing,” Guerra said. “What we are doing is going above and beyond what we need to do.”
Connor Ramey contributed to this report.
