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On Feb. 17, the Morgan Hill City Council once again displayed a lack of foresight and financial wisdom in handling Ordinance 2131. You might recall that last spring, voters signed a petition to suspend the ordinance that would change the zoning for a three-acre parcel of land on Lightpost Way and Madrone Parkway from “light industrial” to “general commercial.” The petition required the zoning change to be approved by the voters before it could be enacted. Instead of following the California Constitution, the city terminated the petition in an attempt to aid an out-of-town developer who bought the land cheaply. That developer will now make a windfall with the city council rezoning the land to commercial, which is worth more. Now the city is being sued by the Hotel Coalition for failing to abide by the requirements of the Constitution. Who will pay the bill to defend the city? You, the taxpayer.
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The Hotel Coalition asked voters to sign this petition because the out-of-town developer wants to build another hotel when the supply of hotel rooms will already increase by 20 percent this year. The existing hotels will suffer financially if 300 rooms other than the La Quinta are added to the market in such a short period of time. There has already been a decline in business for the existing hotels. Why would the city council contribute to a further decline in business for our town?
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At the Feb. 17 meeting, the city council had another opportunity to right their wrong, but only Councilwoman Librers had the vision to see it. The Hotel Coalition told the council that rather than spend money on a special election and legal fees, there was a simple way out: Repeal Ordinance 2131, and consider another zoning option that would be consistent with the general plan. In fact, the Hotel Coalition suggested that the land be zoned “office/administrative” because the voters only specifically rejected general commercial, and this would allow for more businesses to come to Morgan Hill and contribute to our economy in a positive way. And a rezoning to “office/administrative” would not allow for construction of another hotel. Such a rezoning would not cost city any more in legal fees or electoral expenses.
Unfortunately, the city council moved to place the measure on the ballot, which will now cost the taxpayers approximately $75,000. Then the city council attempted to remove the measure from the ballot by way of a lawsuit. When the City incurs over $100,000 in expenses for placing the measure on the ballot and then tries to remove it, who will pay for it? You. What will be the cost to the city? The simple answer is too much.
Asit Panwala is a spokesperson and attorney for the Morgan Hill Hotel Coalition.
