Business / Economy

Protesters rally against Hwy. 101 commercial node development

Group aims to preserve ag lands and natural beauty.
Protesters form a circle before marching toward the San Juan Road overpass at a July 19 demonstration over proposed development along Highway 101. Photo by Noe Magaña.
Protesters form a circle before marching toward the San Juan Road overpass at a July 19 demonstration over proposed development along Highway 101. Photo by Noe Magaña.
Two protestors walk toward the Highway 101 overpass during a July demonstration against the rezoning of four commercial nodes. Photo by Noe Magaña.
Two protestors walk toward the Highway 101 overpass during a July demonstration against the rezoning of four commercial nodes. Photo by Noe Magaña.
Protestors holding signs against commercial nodes on San Juan Road overpass. Photo by Noe Magaña.
Protestors holding signs against commercial nodes on San Juan Road overpass. Photo by Noe Magaña.
Aromas resident Liz Wyrsch holds an emoji sign toward the overpass traffic. Photo by Noe Magaña.
Aromas resident Liz Wyrsch holds an emoji sign toward the overpass traffic. Photo by Noe Magaña.
Ann-Marie Sayers hugs with another demonstrator while holding a sign on the San Juan Road overpass. Photo by Noe Magaña.
Ann-Marie Sayers hugs with another demonstrator while holding a sign on the San Juan Road overpass. Photo by Noe Magaña.
Ann-Marie Sayers speaks at a PORC demonstration in July against the Highway 101 commercial nodes. Photo by Noe Magaña.
Ann-Marie Sayers speaks at a PORC demonstration in July against the Highway 101 commercial nodes. Photo by Noe Magaña.

Dozens of people marched across the San Juan Road overpass on July 19 carrying signs and banners in a protest over rezoning to allow development of four commercial nodes along Highway 101.

“We can’t afford to take any more agricultural lands away. That’s why I’m here,” said Aromas resident Sally Diggory.

The protest stemmed from the San Benito County Planning Commission’s decision on May 15 to change the zoning of four nodes along Highway 101 to Regional Commercial (C-3). The nodes are known as Betabel, Route 129/Searle Road, Rocks Ranch and Livestock 101.

Supporters argue that development will increase the county’s tax revenue by offering services to the thousands of motorists travelling on Highway 101, while opponents say development will impact local water supply, change the landscape and add to traffic. 

Prunedale resident Gaye Ragan said the issue is also important because development can create visual pollution.

“The main thing that I keep thinking of is how good it is for our soul to have this beautiful, peaceful area,” she said. 

Preserve Our Rural Communities (PORC), a nonprofit organization based in Aromas, organized the Friday protest. Andy Hsia-Coron, PORC’s spokesperson, led a short press conference that included an open mic portion that offered any member a chance to speak to the crowd. Hsan-Coron urged the group to attend local board meetings to raise awareness of the issue. 

Before heading to the overpass and getting honks from motorists passing under the bridge, local Ohlone leader Ann-Marie Sayers said it was important for the landscape to “stay as natural as it can.” She then led a ritual in which protesters faced West, North, East and South as she said a prayer in each direction.

“Get your thoughts out there so that the wind that is blowing, it will connect with the trees and all the life that surrounds us,” Sayers said. 

Members of PORC spoke against the rezoning at the San Benito County Planning Commission meeting on May 15.

After failing to stop the commission’s approval of the zoning changes, PORC urged the San Juan Bautista City Council to stand against the rezoning. The council approved sending a three-page letter opposing development to the San Benito County Board of Supervisors on July 16.

PORC member Mary Hsia-Coron said the group plans to voice its objections at the supervisors’ August meeting, where the board is expected to approve the rezoning.

 

Other related BenitoLink articles:

County Planning Commission approves Highway 101 commercial nodes

San Juan Council opposes Highway 101 commercial nodes

Noe Magaña

Noe Magaña is BenitoLink Co-Editor and Content Manager. He joined BenitoLink as reporter intern and was soon brought on staff as a BenitoLink reporter. He also experiments with videography and photography. He is a San Benito High School alumnus with a bachelor's in journalism from San Jose State and a Liberal Arts Associate's Degree from Gavilan College. Noe also attended San Jose City College and was the managing editor for the City College Times, the school's newspaper. He was a reporter and later a copy editor for San Jose State's Spartan Daily. He is a USC Center for Health Journalism 2020 California Fellow.