Approved ordinance for future commercial building in San Benito County likely turning to public vote

The controversy continues in San Benito County over future commercial growth that some residents say will lead to more traffic and take away from the beauty of the area.

In September, the board of supervisors unanimously approved an ordinance rezoning parts of the county near Highway 101. The county says allowing future building will improve the economy of San Benito County and still maintain control on just who can build.

“San Benito county needs some sales tax revenue. We need to fix our roads we need to have livable wages for our employees,” District 3 County Supervisor Anthony Botelho said.

However following the vote, the opposition, led by Preserve of Rural Communities, launched a citizen’s referendum and say they’ve gathered enough signatures to get this on the ballot for San Benito County voters as soon as March.

“It’s really clear there’s a deep anger frustration about how decisions are made in this county and the impact on peoples lives and the environment,” Aromas resident Andy Hsia-Coron said.

Those opposed worry the growth will come at a cost to them by making traffic along 101 even worse and soak up a shrinking water supply.

“I’m concerned about a livable future for our children and grand children and great grandchildren,” Hollister resident Natasha West said.

In less than 30 days, the grass roots petition snagged up thousands of signatures, but Botelho says in the process they spread misinformation about what the ordinance really means and rumors that hotels and businesses will start being built right away is completely false.

“I made a point this is my district an area that I love and wanted this to be protected, so we identified this as a higher level of review process,” Botelho said.

With the signatures turned in, the county will have a month to verify them. They’ll need just over 2,000 to get this on the ballot. The county says that would likely be in the march election.

KION 2019