PORC

In a 4-1 vote San Benito County Board of Supervisors disagreed with appeals against the Betabel project. Photo by John Chadwell.

Housing / Land Use

Appeals on Betabel project unsuccessful

Opponents of the commercial development in unincorporated San Benito County have 30 days to file a lawsuit in an effort to stop the project.

Community members are invited to share their opinions on BenitoLink. Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

Opinion

COMMUNITY OPINION: Undisclosed money infiltrating San Benito’s politics to try to pass Measure Q

John Ferreira writes to express frustration about lack of transparency in Measure Q financial info.

A map is shown from the General Plan laying out the 16 nodes that are intended for commercial development. Photo provided.

Government / Politics

Elections Office unofficially verifies signatures for growth Initiative

The Board of Supervisors will consider June 14 whether to adopt the initiative or place it on the ballot of the November election.

Bob Tiffany. Photo provided.

Government / Politics

Bob Tiffany calls for more commercial revenue and opposes slow-growth initiative

The District 4 supervisor says understanding basic financial issues will help residents make good decisions about San Benito County’s financial future.

Government / Politics

Slow growth or no growth would be up to voters under proposed initiative

A citizens’ group returns with a new name but the same mission: to change the county’s General Plan by eliminating most commercial nodes and putting voters in charge of approving developments.

Due to COVID restrictions, San Benito County Assistant Clerk Francisco Diaz explained to proponents Margaret Rebecchi (left) and Jim Leap (right) that only four proponents could enter the elections office to submit the initiative. Other volunteers remained outside the office with their signs. Photo by Jenny Mendolla Arbizu.

Housing / Land Use

Protect San Benito coalition submits initiative to control county growth

Petition signature drive will get underway soon.

Protest over the Y road and Betabel Road overpass. Photo by Noe Magaña.

Housing / Land Use

Over 30 people protest the Betabel Road project

Activists object to the commercial project saying the county is ignoring their concerns.

Superior Court of San Benito County on Fourth Street in Hollister. Photo by Noe Magaña.

Housing / Land Use

Court blocks attempt to stop rezoning of Hwy 129 node

Judge Omar Rodriguez says PORC could have collected signatures for a referendum but chose to not do so.

Superior Court of San Benito County. Photo by Noe Magaña.

Justice

San Benito County faces lawsuits related to controversial land use projects

County also takes steps to recoup costs from landslides on Southside Road in 2018.

Members of Preserve Our Rural Communities and Protect San Benito held a mock funeral procession from San Benito County Superior Court to the county administration building on Jan. 5. Photo by John Chadwell.

Housing / Land Use

Environmentalists protest development moves

Land use group says supervisors and developers have eroded their success with the No on Measure K initiative from the March primary election.

The proposed Betabel commercial node location off Highway 101. File photo by Robert Eliason.

Housing / Land Use

Betabel project keeps commercial designation following lawsuit

Judge says the ordinances that rezoned the property were not included in Measure K.

A map is shown from the General Plan laying out the 16 nodes that are intended for commercial development. Photo provided.

Community Opinions

COLUMN: Suspending growth initiative campaign was right move

District 2 Supervisor candidate Kollin Kosmicki writes about the initiative's upside and why he urged Preserve Our Rural Communities to suspend the campaign after the pandemic struck.

The Betabel node off Highway 101. File photo by Robert Eliason.

Government / Politics

PORC misses filing deadline for referendum petition against Betabel Project

29 acres are now zoned commercial thoroughfare (C-1).

Betabel Project Drawing, from R. McDowell. Provided by Mia Casey.

Opinion

COMMUNITY OPINION: The Betabel Project: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

San Benito Citizens for a Brighter Future co-founder Mia Casey writes about a virtual town hall put on by Betabel Project owner Rider McDowell.

A group called San Benito Citizens for Brighter Future Protested out in front of San Benito Superior Court during the May 19 hearing, demonstrating in favor of the Betabel development. Photo by Robert Eliason.

Housing / Land Use

Court stops Betabel rezoning until after state shelter order is lifted

Judge Breen gives PORC 30 additional days to pursue land use referendum.

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