The passage of Measure A was just the beginning of what promises
to be a lengthy process to revitalize and redevelop Morgan Hill’s
downtown.
”
Now the hard work starts,
”
BookSmart co-owner Brad Jones said Thursday.
The passage of Measure A was just the beginning of what promises to be a lengthy process to revitalize and redevelop Morgan Hill’s downtown.
“Now the hard work starts,” BookSmart co-owner Brad Jones said Thursday.
Asked how he suggests the city should proceed with its long-term plan to encourage the construction of new homes in a market where credit has dried up and buyers are scarce, Jones said it should remove some of the “barriers” to development such as impact fees and other costly regulations.
“The people who own property (downtown) will develop their property if the city would break down some of the barriers,” said Jones, a vocal supporter of the ballot measure.
And Measure A will remove some of those obstacles, as it will amend city code to allow 500 housing units downtown without having to go through the Residential Development Control System, while maintaining the city’s population cap of 48,000 people by 2020.
It passed by a wide margin in Tuesday’s balloting, with nearly 60 percent of voters casting “yes” votes. With all 16 precincts reporting, 2,858 voted “yes,” or 58.78 percent compared to 2,004 “no” votes, or 41.22 percent.
One downtown property owner, Gary Walton, said he will likely maintain “an interest” in dipping his hands into the newly opened pot at some time in the future.
However, the developer and home builder said he doesn’t have any immediate or concrete plans to develop property in downtown Morgan Hill. Currently there is no money available for buyers or developers, and Walton, who owns the property where BookSmart is located on Depot and Second streets, doesn’t expect that to change soon.
“With the market the way it is, the best we can do now is some planning,” Walton said.
The city owns numerous properties in the area that would be affected by Measure A. Those include the block of East Second and Monterey streets which contains the Granada Theater and Downtown Mall; most of a block at Monterey and Third streets that contains Simple Beverages; and the building that houses Royal Clothiers, also near Monterey and Second streets.
City Manager Ed Tewes said the Redevelopment Agency will soon put out requests for proposals to find developers for those sites. “And we are prepared to work with other owners on mixed-use projects on their sites,” Tewes added.
The city’s Downtown Specific Plan, first published in 2003, calls for developing the city-owned properties into residential, commercial and mixed-use projects.
Walton praised that plan.
He said the 500 new housing units allowed by Measure A should be built along the edges of downtown, while some areas such as the downtown core should be strictly commercial and retail.
Such a layout would facilitate walking or biking from homes to restaurants and shops, “creating a community where people like to gather.”
Walton noted that Morgan Hill already has key features that fit in with such a community, including an industrial and business park on Cochrane Road that is close to downtown and whose abundant empty space could provide jobs for people moving into the new homes.
Having residents in a well-planned urban community is crucial to its overall success, Walton said, and Measure A assures developers, business owners, and potential employers that such a base will be there.
“Anybody who wanted to do something with the residential component is assured there will be permits available, which is important,” Walton said. “Without the ability to build residential, I don’t think any commercial would have been built.”
Dennis Kennedy, former mayor and chair of the Committee for Measure A, said the measure’s supporters have a “responsibility” to work with the city council to develop the downtown plan.
He said first, the city should continue to educate the public about the intent of Measure A and the downtown plan, and try to get as many community members involved as it can.
“We’re going to continue to stay involved, and work with the community, and make sure it’s done properly,” Kennedy said.
