- Greenbelt worries
Prompted by concerns that they’ll be on the “wrong” side of a greenbelt line, many owners of property southeast of the city limits are urging officials to annex their land, which is currently in unincorporated Santa Clara County.
They’re worried that if their property is in the greenbelt, they won’t be able to sell it for top development dollar.
That has prompted a flood of ideas as to how to develop the acreage – much of which is currently zoned for and devoted to agriculture – if it joins the city limits. Ideas have ranged from cricket fields to golf courses to flea markets to RV parks.
We think this is all premature.
- Fold issue into general plan update
The city’s general plan update is due in a few years. That’s the ideal time to assess the city’s current inventory of developable land, projected growth, and needs.
Infill development needs to be encouraged before the city expands its boundaries. Additional land equals additional costs in the form of responsibility for roads, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, sewers, water pipes, police, fire and recreational services.
Because the land in the southeast quadrant are in the county, it has limited development opportunities under county zoning ordinances.
- Landowners have other options
But building homes or recreational facilities aren’t the only options for these landowners. They could sell development rights to open space preservation groups like the Nature Conservancy, the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority or similar organizations.
Land ownership is a highly speculative investment. While it would greatly boost their land’s potential value to be included in the city limits, city leaders must keep the best interests of the city as a whole as their top priority.Â
The best way to determine what’s best for the city is during a full general plan update.
ACT NOW
Contact the Morgan Hill City Council to let them know your feelings on the issue. (408) 779-7271 or via their Web site: www.morgan_hill.ca.gov.
