Though a ground-breaking date has yet to be determined, a local
couple with plans to build a hotel in Tres Pinos anticipate opening
the county’s newest house of lodging sometime next year.
Hollister – Though a ground-breaking date has yet to be determined, a local couple with plans to build a hotel in Tres Pinos anticipate opening the county’s newest house of lodging sometime next year.
In 2005, Hollister residents John and Jae Eade bought a few acres in Tres Pinos at the intersection of Southside Road and Highway 25 with plans to build a two-story, 44-room boutique hotel called The Spur, which would include a small conference room that can accommodate about 40 people.
Most recently, the Eades have been looking for possible water sources on the Tres Pinos property, though they haven’t yet drilled a well, Jae Eade said. She said they are also still working on plans for the hotel, which they plan to open in 2007.
“Things are quiet right now,” she said. “Everybody is hunkered down for winter.”
But some who live near the proposed hotel site fear the project will bring increased traffic and congestion into their rural neighborhood, and don’t want it anywhere near their home.
“Plain and simple, it’s a stupid place for a hotel,” said Robert Frusetta, who lives adjacent to the proposed hotel site. “Building a 44-room hotel in residential zoning surrounded by single family homes with the kid bike path around it is not good planning. It’s bad planning.”
However, Jae Eade said The Spur will provide jobs for county residents and that the county needs more places for visitors to stay.
Many in the county, including politicians and Tres Pinos business owners agree, saying that they are eager to see the new hotel open because it will draw tourists – and their money – into San Benito County.
And some business owners even believe a hotel could jump-start local wine tourism.
“It looks great. We need more lodging in San Benito County,” Leal Vineyards owner Frank Leal said. “Now we can go from day trippers to weekend trippers.”
Leal is not alone in his support. Many Tres Pinos business owners submitted letters last year supporting the project to the San Benito County Board of Supervisors.
Supervisor Jaime De La Cruz said he supports The Spur because it will increase county tax revenue, encourage tourism in the county and create jobs.
“Who doesn’t want economic improvement?” he asked.
But some Tres Pinos residents say a hotel just doesn’t fit in their neighborhood, and more important, that it will create a public safety hazard.
Neighbors worry that increased traffic will make it dangerous for children to walk and ride their bicycles in the area.
De La Cruz said he understands the concerns, but doesn’t think they will kill the deal.
“All those issues can be mitigated to an extent that is acceptable to the community,” he said.
Jae Eade has said that she and her husband will try to work with neighbors to address their concerns.
Luke Roney covers local government and the environment for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or at lr****@fr***********.com.
