South County leaders must seize the opportunity to shape Coyote
Valley development
Now that the Coyote Valley Specific Plan’s $2-million Environmental Impact Report is available to the public, it’s imperative that those mostly impacted by its future development take time to review it and properly comment before the Coyote Valley Taskforce and the ultimate decision makers, new San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed and his colleagues on the San Jose City Council.
Everyone in South County is directly impacted. Even though we’re not represented on the task force or by the Coyote Valley decision makers, we have an opportunity, with the EIR, to influence the project’s direction.
The EIR, prepared in accordance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act, was drafted to analyze the plan or project area which comprises approximately 7,000 acres of primarily undeveloped flat land north of Morgan Hill and west of U.S. 101, just 12 miles south of downtown San Jose. At full build-out, it could be a community of 80,000 people, 25,000 homes and 50,000 jobs right at our doorstep.
If it’s poorly planned, development of Coyote Valley could clog our roads, reduce farmland, pollute our air, drain our water supply and overload our schools.
If it’s well planned, those impacts will be minimal or non-existent and, instead, our economy and schools could thrive. A population boost in Coyote Valley might even drive restoration of medical services at Morgan Hill’s long-shuttered hospital.
Given the lack of representation for South County on the Coyote Valley Taskforce, we urge Santa Clara County Supervisor Don Gage to look out for South County’s interests. The task force will need to pay close attention to the EIR’s recommended mitigation measures.
To make sure that happens, South County leaders – including, especially, those from the City of Morgan Hill and the Morgan Hill Unified School district – must begin now to maximize the benefits and minimize the problems associated with the development of Coyote Valley, whether it happens in 10 years or 25 years. The first step is studying and commenting on the EIR.
Of course, the work doesn’t stop there. MHUSD officials, especially, must come to grips quickly with the impact of tens of thousands of new students and voters. Should the district be split? What are the financial consequences of keeping Coyote Valley and of separating it? If Coyote Valley stays in MHUSD, should the district move to trustees who represent geographic districts? Much study and decision making, with far-reaching impacts, must be done by the district, and post-haste.
But for now, we have a unique opportunity – starting with careful study and response to the EIR by those with specialized knowledge of traffic, air and water quality, public education, economic development, and more – to shape the development in Coyote Valley to South County’s benefit.
Let’s not miss the chance.
