City Council tried, at Wednesday
’s council meeting, to allay some property owners’ fears about
the future of their land as they approved a new task for the Urban
Limit Line Committee.
City Council tried, at Wednesday’s council meeting, to allay some property owners’ fears about the future of their land as they approved a new task for the Urban Limit Line Committee.
Misinformation over who would be affected – and when – and what the council was deciding about the Urban Limit Line placing some land in a greenbelt became clear during the evening’s discussion.
Greenbelt land outside the city limits would not be brought in – precluding any significant development – for decades. If city water, sewer and utility services will not reach property, it becomes unlikely that developers would want to purchase the property.
And, as several speakers pointed out, many property owner are elderly and planned to use their land to sponsor a comfortable retirement.
Both city and county are working together on the greenbelt idea – the ULL committee has representatives from both – since land outside Morgan Hill’s city limits is under county jurisdiction. Both plan to develop greenbelt program details together.
Council did approve extending the committee’s job to investigate the nitty gritty details of setting up a greenbelt plan and how many tools there are to underwrite its costs.
Council looked favorably on a subcommittee of five ULL members to tackle how to set a line in the southeast quadrant, generally south of San Pedro and east to Carey Avenue, past Foothill Avenue.
One hot topic Wednesday and anytime the ULL is mentioned, is the possibility of setting up a benefit assessment district, essentially charging land owners in the greenbelt area a tax or fee that would be available to buy the land or the land’s development rights.
ULL committee member Jan Guglielmo was vocal Wednesday in her support of the largely elderly property owners in the southeast quadrant where the limit line placement remains contentious, as she has been since the idea arose. She suggested that a fee placed on everyone who would enjoy looking at the greenbelt – usually the hillside area – is the way to go.
“If Morgan Hill wants a greenbelt, let’s all work together to find a way to pay for it,” Guglielmo said to rousing applause.
David Bischoff, director of community development (planning), said he received a disturbing call during the afternoon.
“I had a call from a property owner who said she had received a flyer encouraging people from that area (the southeast quadrant) to attend this meeting,” Bischoff said. “The flyer suggests that council would consider approval of a benefit assessment district for that area. That is really not on the agenda tonight.”
The council will consider, probably late this year, a number of different alternatives to pay for the southeast greenbelt lands, one of which could be a benefit assessment district. But on Wednesday the council was deciding on the Urban Limit Line Advisory Committee’s scope of work and not about possibly charging landowners a tax or fee.
Phyllis Pedrizzetti, whose family owns land north of San Pedro – the Pedrizzetti Winery – said she had heard nothing at all about any Urban Limit Line committee meetings or any threat to her property.
“This is the first time I’ve ever heard of it,” Pedrizzetti said. “How will this involve us? What will it cost us? Will we be able to sell our property?”
She insisted that she be notified. Bischoff assured her that her land was not under consideration for greenbelt at all.
Several others voiced displeasure with the city’s efforts to notify land owners in the area. Councilwoman Hedy Chang said the parcels involved number about 200.
“Can we make up one schedule (of meetings) and send it out to all property owners,” Chang asked.
Bischoff said that if the city notifies owners in one segment, why not notify everyone who will possibly be affected by the limit line/greenbelt. City Attorney Helene Leichter said that, if even one property owner is missed, the city could be liable for a lawsuit.
Bischoff said land owners in affected areas were notified by mail and that meetings are noticed in the calendar listings of The Morgan Hill Times and the city’s website. ULL meetings usually attract at least 30 members of the public. Council asked him to do better.
Committee member Alex Kennett, an Open Space Authority elected representative summed up the general feeling. “No deal is a good deal unless it’s a good deal for all,” Kennett said.
A more complete description of the Urban Limit Line program appeared in the Tuesday, April 6 edition of The Times and can be read at www.morganhilltimes.com
