Ridgemark boundary. From DEIR.

Lea este artículo en español aquí.

A public review and comment period for the Ridgemark expansion project draft Environmental Impact Report will remain open until 5 p.m. on June 24.

Released on May 9 for a 45-day public review period, the draft EIR addresses the impacts of the proposed six-phase expansion, which includes 160 market-rate single family homes and 30 below market-rate duplex or duet residential units, along with a 154-room hotel, 45,000 square feet of commercial space, a four-acre park, an open space reserve, and a redesign of the golf course.

Site plan. From DEIR.

The project also includes widening of Ridgemark Drive to three lanes with two lanes heading into the community from Hwy 25 to Donald Drive and one lane heading out, and a relocated guard kiosk. 

Proposed Ridgemark Drive widening. From DEIR.

The draft EIR categorizes 26 areas of Significant Impact with 25 listed as Less than Significant following mitigation and one as Significant and Unavoidable following mitigation. One area is categorized as Potentially Significant and Potentially Less than Significant following mitigation.

Project impacts include air quality, biological resources, cultural and tribal cultural resources, geology and soils, greenhouse gas emissions, hydrology and water quality, noise, and transportation and traffic. 

See summary PDF at bottom. 

According to San Benito County project manager Michael Kelly, if no changes are needed to the draft EIR it is expected the final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) will be completed by the fall. 

Kelly noted the project was originally proposed in 2017 but following modifications the current proposal was presented in 2021.  

Comments should be sent to: 

San Benito County Resource Management Agency 

Attn: Michael Kelly, Senior Planner, 2301 Technology Parkway, Hollister, California, 95023-2513, mkelly@sanbenitocountyca.gov

County project website

Notice of Availability for Public Comment

Draft Environmental Impact Report 

Summary PDF 

We need your help. Support local, nonprofit news! BenitoLink is a nonprofit news website that reports on San Benito County. Our team is committed to this community and providing essential, accurate information to our fellow residents. Producing local news is expensive, and community support keeps the news flowing. Please consider supporting BenitoLink, San Benito County’s public service nonprofit news.

Carmel has a BA in Natural Sciences/Biodiversity Stewardship from San Jose State University and an AA in Communications Studies from West Valley Community College and she reports on science and the environment....