The EIR is the next major step toward the potential building of
El Rancho San Benito
– a proposed development off of Highway 25 near the Santa Clara
County border. The development is proposed to include 6,800
residential dwellings and 127 acres of commercial use on
approximately 5,792 acres, according to a staff report from the
county.
HOLLISTER
The San Benito County Board of Supervisors will consider moving forward on an environmental impact report for DMB’s 6,800-unit El Rancho San Benito project.
The EIR is the next major step toward the potential building of El Rancho San Benito – a proposed development off of Highway 25 near the Santa Clara County border. The development is proposed to include 6,800 residential dwellings and 127 acres of commercial use on approximately 5,792 acres, according to a staff report from the county. The project also calls for a central park, a sports park, bike paths and schools.
County Administrative Officer Susan Thompson said that the EIR process certainly is not going to be quick – that it should take about a year.
“There are a lot of steps and a lot of opportunity for public involvement,” she said.
Another topic will be the staff’s recommendation of approval of Denise Duffy and Associates Inc. for planning and project management services for the development project. The contract will not exceed $200,000, according to the staff report. The consultant also would assist in the preparation of the EIR.
Thompson said that the $200,000 will be repaid to the county as part of the contract. She added that this is the biggest project the county has ever processed and officials want to ensure that it is done well.
Supervisors will hold a public hearing on both topics at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the County Administration Building.
Also on the agenda
Adoption of the new county service area coordinator’s job specifications and salary are up for review. The current management and monitoring of each CSA requires a full-time coordinator, according to the staff report. This position will be the contact between the 29 county service areas and the public works department staff.
Supervisors will discuss the current planning fee schedule, which has not been changed since 1992 and does not include any other county department fees collected during an application process. The proposed change to the ordinance provides 100 percent cost recovery, according to the report, “based upon fully burdened hourly rates of employees involved in providing a service.” Also, it is proposed that these fees be increased on a yearly basis by the percentage increase of the Consumer Price Index, rounded to the nearest dollar.
The first part of Tuesday’s board meeting will start at 9 a.m.
