The council’s decision to purchase 43 acres of land south of
town for $4.45 million is a good idea and meets the city’s criteria
defined by the council earlier this year. Parks are a benefit to
any community, and this adds to the acreage of the city.
Council unanimously approves purchase
The council’s decision to purchase 43 acres of land south of town for $4.45 million is a good idea and meets the city’s criteria defined by the council earlier this year. Parks are a benefit to any community, and this adds to the acreage of the city.
But, to approve the purchase on the consent calendar, without public discussion and just five days after it was first posted on the city council agenda, was wrong.
More discussion needed to determine best use
The council unanimously approved the purchase of the land – currently leased by Uesugi Farms, which operates the popular Pumpkin Patch every year – from William Mock Wednesday night for future use as a park.
The money comes from the Park Development Fund and comes out to about $100,000 an acre, a price City Manager Ed Tewes called “consistent with the values of (other, nearby) restricted land.” Without discussion and further study, how do we know this was the best idea, and what the community ultimately wants?
More needs to be done
Sure, nothing will change in the short term, according to Mayor Steve Tate, who said it was a straightforward decision and development isn’t likely to occur in the next two years. So, couldn’t the city have scheduled a public hearing to gather input?
The soccer complex in southwest Morgan Hill was intended to include baseball and softball fields at some point. What happened to that idea? What type of development does the city foresee? Will it be similar to the 60-acre Twin Creeks Sports Complex in Sunnyvale that has 10 lighted softball fields, batting cages, volleyball courts, a fast food restaurant, banquet facility and full sports bar, and barbecue area? Is that the idea?
Let’s hope there will be discussion as the time to develop the land draws near.
