A majority of public speakers at today’s San Benito County Board
of Supervisors meeting opposed the current 1 percent growth
ordinance as officials started an examination of its merits.
HOLLISTER
A majority of public speakers at today’s San Benito County Board of Supervisors meeting opposed the current 1 percent growth ordinance as officials started an examination of its merits.
After a brief presentation about the ordinance’s status by County Planning Director Art Henriques, the board opened the floor to the public.
Tres Pinos resident Jason Noble, recently appointed to the general plan advisory commission, pointed out that there is an “overload of land and empty housing” while contending that housing costs are high and there is lack of jobs in the area.
Tres Pinos resident Joe Thompson echoed that sentiment.
“This ordinance does not exist in a vacuum,” Thompson said. “Government should keep their hands off of business.”
Supervisors approved the ordinance in 2001, officials argued at the time, so services such as those for water and sewer could keep up with the population size. They created a point system to help hand out building allocations relative to the population.
As of Aug. 8, there were 235 requests for the 49 available allocations currently on the table, Henriques noted.
Supervisor Reb Monaco was outspoken at the meeting against the 1 percent cap, thought he indicated officials at the time had a “noble intent.”
“There is not enough economic development in the county,” Monaco said after the meeting. “This program is not working.”
The board of supervisors will meet at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 7 to further discuss this issue.
Look for an expanded version of this story in Friday’s Free Lance.
