San Benito County supervisors this week approved a reimbursement agreement with developers on a proposed 1,092-unit affordable housing development east of Fairview Road, a project most recently called the Santana Ranch Development that first arose in the 1980s and returned to the board in 2006.
The board of supervisors accepted the reimbursement agreement at Tuesday's meeting, which was the next step for the project. The agreement states that the applicant will reimburse the county for all consultant, planning professionals, and general staff costs and expenses incurred by the county to complete the project review process. County officials did not have an estimate for those costs.
The proposal on 292 acres near Hillcrest and Sunnyslope roads calls for 1,092 affordable housing units, commercial space, a park and an 8-acre elementary school.
Developers backed out for the first time in the 1990s when the economy slowed and then again in 2003, after it had cropped up again three years earlier due to water supply issues, said county Planning Director Art Henriques.
This time around, developers are attempting to use the environmental impact report that was certified in 2000 and another supplemental EIR, he said. A description for the development is under works.
Henriques said the reimbursement would cover at least three months of costs. The developers would inform the board of supervisors when they need more money, he said. The spending of the funds is overseen by the county, and its officials will make sure the dollars are used for the project, he said.
Henriques said there isn't an estimated cost for the project until permits would be granted after an environmental review.
Renee Kunz, president of San Benito County Association of Realtors, said the real estate market has improved in recent months.
She thinks a development such as Santana Ranch is a good idea and would create jobs. She also noted how there are phases that the developers would have to go through, so not all 1,092 units would be built at once.
Kristen Tolleson Kristen Tolleson covers San Benito County and education for the Free Lance. Contact her at ktolleson@freelancenews.com or (831) 637-5566, ext. 335.
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