While catching up on last week's news, two items caught my eye as affecting the county's housing needs. The first was that of the National Guard possibly coming to Hollister and the second was a letter to the editor regarding EIRs for Gavilan College. Both the National Guard and Gavilan College's arrival, if they occur, would bring an increased need for housing in our community.
I would like to give praise to DMB for being an organization that could provide the needed housing in an environment that is unlike any that I've seen. One of the most significant factors in DMB's proposal for San Benito County is an "affordable housing" element, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. There is a senior housing allotment, community buildings and areas, schools, recreational areas, and much more.
On a recent tour of the Arizona development, Verrado, a DMB community, I was astounded by the thought and detail that went into the planning of the community. The homes were beautifully constructed, by builders that were local to the area, and small homes blended beautifully with homes three times their size. This is truly a community of equality, with residents, regardless of income level living harmoniously within a beautifully designed master community dotted with neighbor parks, while "green", ecologically friendly building is encouraged and used throughout the community.
DMB arranged for the president of the Buckeye Chamber of Commerce, the Economic Development director, and DMB principals to speak to us and allow us to ask questions. I feel our group, consisting of engineers, Realtors, the Business Council, the Downtown Association and Chamber representatives, along with other concerned citizens, did a pretty good job of "digging for San Benito County gold." We viewed community buildings, retail areas, schools and homes. And I think we asked some tough questions. The underlying theme expressed by the locals there was that DMB's development brought a lot of good to their area - not only in the philanthropy that DMB embraces, but also in the way that the community has revitalized a once dying area
While working on my master's degree at SJSU (go Spartans), I studied a basic business model - "if you don't grow, you die." DMB can bring sensible, balanced growth to our county. And, they have already provided a surge of capital into our community with their philanthropic giving-they sponsor just about every major event we have.
I hope that our officials will clear the way for this development to go to the voters when it's ready, and I hope that voters will get all the information they need to make an informed decision on this community. You can view the El Rancho San Benito Web site at www.elranchosanbenito.com. Please, voters, view this site, contact DMB with your questions, and let's get El Rancho San Benito on the ballot. There is an interactive map which provides a tentative layout as well as the open space plan. Click on it and see how much open space there is!
If El Rancho San Benito turns out to be as nice as Verrado, and there is no reason to believe otherwise, it will not only be a place that will offer our children a chance at home ownership, it is a place that I would like to see my children and grandchildren live (I'll be watching for pre-sale info, so they can choose a home across from one of the many parks!). I believe it will serve the needs of guardsmen and their families, teachers and students at the new Gavilan site, and give us a chance to keep our children from having to move out of the area to afford a home.
Bette Grace, Hollister
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Students warm up for school
