Four of five supervisors today rejected a proposal that would have postponed anymore work on DMB's 6,800-unit El Rancho San Benito project until a new general plan gets finished.
Supervisor Pat Loe's idea for a moratorium on major developments, if approved, would have shelved the community-planned project off Highway 25 for an estimated two to three years, or however long it takes officials to complete the new general plan.
"I don't understand then why we're going to move forward with a new general plan," Loe said.
Her proposal also would have forced DMB to start the application processing - two to three years of that as well - from the beginning once supervisors approve a new general plan, noted Ray Becker, representing DMB in arguing against Loe's idea.
Facing a crowd of many residents on both sides of the debate, Loe argued that it doesn't make sense to follow the current general plan when, she contended, the county's planning guide would be outdated by the time El Rancho San Benito gets built. Becker and others supported its continued progress in the planning process under the current general plan to see the already completed work to fruition before voters presumably approve or reject it.
Becker noted to supervisors how DMB, more than other developers, has been engaged with the community since coming four years ago.
Becker, referring to Loe's argument, said a general plan should not be "worshiped" and that it should be a constantly adapted document. Becker compared it to a business plan in its openness for flexibility.
Without that ability for change, he said: "Then it's not a business plan anymore. It's that set of stone tablets sitting on the shelf."
Supervisors Anthony Botelho, Jaime De La Cruz, Don Marcus and Reb Monaco sided to direct staff to continue on the project after listening to 15 residents speak, eight in favor of Loe's proposal and seven against it.
Many advocates of the postponement spoke about why they dislike El Rancho San Benito while contending it would harm the area's beauty and lead to sprawl. Some argued it's unfeasible considering the high number of foreclosures among existing homes here.
Shooting back some criticism to those critics, though, Hollister resident Marty Richman told supervisors many of the project opponents at today's meeting have their own interests in mind in fighting against its ultimate approval.
"They want the development that suits them," said Richman, a Free Lance columnist.
For an expanded version of this story and an editorial on the issue, see Friday's Free Lance.
Kollin Kosmicki Kollin Kosmicki is editor of the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 337 or editor@freelancenews.com.
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