The Arizona-based company still intends to maintain ownership of some property it owns where DMB planned to build the development. If supervisors had approved it, the 6,800-unit development proposal would have gone before voters.
For a timeline of events and story archive on DMB's pursuit of El Rancho San Benito, go here.
HOLLISTER
DMB informed San Benito County officials today the company has officially withdrawn its proposal for the 6,800-unit El Rancho San Benito development northwest of Hollister off Highway 25, a planning official confirmed to the Free Lance.
DMB representatives submitted the withdrawal letter to the county today and attributed the decision to the ailing economy, said Art Henriques, county planning director.
"They indicated in the letter, clearly, there's a lot more going on in the world than just this project in San Benito County," Henriques said. "They have a significant company that is dealing with a global economy."
He went on: "I think as a private developer they have to make decisions for the good of their company."
The Arizona-based company, however, intends to maintain ownership of some property it owns where DMB planned to build the development, Henriques said. The company also plans to maintain some level of corporate presence here, he said.
Supervisor Margie Barrios said she is "disheartened" because the decision will lead to job losses and a building owner possibly losing a tenant. She also noted how DMB has been supportive of area nonprofit organizations.
"Those are things that are real," she said.
Barrios recalled how residents during her campaign for office often asked her opinion on El Rancho San Benito. She said she answered "that I supported their approach."
"They always engaged the community every step of the way," she said.
Barrios said she believes county officials were fair with the company and did what they could to assist DMB with the proposal.
"I feel we did everything we could to help them through the process as they were going through it," she said. "The community will never have the opportunity to make the choice."
DMB's Mike Roberts, a vice president with the company who has overseen the El Rancho San Benito project, did not immediately return a phone call before publication.
The four other county supervisors also did not immediately return phone calls before publication.
Look back for more on this breaking story.
Kollin Kosmicki Kollin Kosmicki is editor of the Free Lance and Pinnacle. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 337 or editor@freelancenews.com.
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