San Benito County supervisors Tuesday are set to pick up
consideration of the flea market proposed for an area near the
airport
– months after a rejection by the planning commission due to its
proximity to a runway.
San Benito County supervisors Tuesday are set to pick up consideration of the flea market proposed for an area near the airport – months after a rejection by the planning commission due to its proximity to a runway.
Supervisors are discussing the consideration again at the 1:30 p.m. session of Tuesday’s meeting. Last month, they delayed a decision on the appeal to the planning commission’s earlier decision. Now, with the changeover on the board last week, there will be two new supervisors – leaving prospects for the proposal unclear.
Robert Rodriguez is proposing to open a flea market at 1771 San Felipe Road. Being near the airport, the land in question has drawn concerns from airport and city officials about the potential dangers, as officials have noted that studies show more aviation accidents occur in that area near an airport than any others.
“The city’s concerns are, putting a bunch of people in the approach path of the airport,” said Airport Director Mike Chambless, adding that he plans to speak at Tuesday’s meeting and that it will be “more about answering questions than giving them anymore information”.
The San Benito County Planning Commission in October rejected Rodriguez’s application for the flea market. It was denied in a 3-0 vote – with Commissioner Dan DeVries absent and Commissioner Robert Scattini recusing himself from consideration. Commissioners Gordon Machado, Richard Bettencourt and Jeff Culler opposed it, with the two primary concerns being its proximity to the Hollister Municipal Airport and traffic on San Felipe Road.
Although it’s unclear where the board will ultimately fall, Supervisor Anthony Botelho has a good idea how he will vote.
“We have new board members. I’m not sure what’s going to happen,” he said. “I certainly feel that I would love to see a better location for a flea market.”
Botelho said he had suggested using the Brigantino Park location on the city’s west side, but he got little interest from the city or Rodriguez.
“I think that would be a great location for a flea market,” said Botelho, noting how the area is on the “outskirts” of Hollister.
The Rodriguez proposal is for a weekend operation with 100 vending booths, parking for 350 or more cars, portable concession areas, chemical toilets, and live and recorded music.
The same applicant’s idea for a flea market on Shore Road – denied by supervisors in February largely due to traffic issues – would have included 50 vendors, toilets, a food truck and a beverage stand.
