EDITOR: After being a longtime subscriber to the Morgan Hill
Times (more than 20 years), I have serious doubts today about
continuing my subscription to a newspaper that does not have a true
read on the pulse of its citizens, or in what is best and fair for
our sleepy, beautiful community.
EDITOR:
After being a longtime subscriber to the Morgan Hill Times (more than 20 years), I have serious doubts today about continuing my subscription to a newspaper that does not have a true read on the pulse of its citizens, or in what is best and fair for our sleepy, beautiful community. Either that, or the newspaper is deliberately trying to invoke a confrontation between citizens, the Morgan Hill Planning Commission and City Hall in order to sell newspapers.
In the recent editorial regarding auto dealerships, the newspaper presents a biased argument in favor of bringing three to four dealers to vacant land located behind the Courtesy Chevrolet dealership on the northwest corner of Dunne and Highway 101. For at least 21 years the Planning commission and the General Plan has placed R2 zoning on this property to provide a “buffer/transition” area between commercial and the current homes located near and around this lot. To say that these residents should “expect commercial development on this land” is not only an injustice to the residents, but indicates that the Planning Commission and City Hall lied to home buying customers when planning to settle in and around this area.
Residents (including myself) certainly inquired about the zoning of this area when investing in a home and a development similar to Creekside (at the corner of Dunne and Butterfield) is a good fit. Not only would this provide additional affordable housing in Morgan Hill, but these new residents also provide city income in the form of property taxes and in giving an additional customer base to local businesses.
The estimated tax revenue from proposed dealerships of $250,000 is a high price to pay for something so unwelcome and unwanted by local residents. Also, $250,000 only represents about 1.5 percent of General Fund revenues as projected in the 2003/04 City of Morgan Hill Budget. For the newspaper to indicate that “the best use of this land for the entire city is commercial” is not only incorrect, but would lead one to think that the best use of the Morgan Hill Times building downtown is to tear it down and build and In and Out Burger.
The Planning Commission and City Hall have designated a major portion of this lot to be zoned R2. The citizens of Morgan Hill, especially those with homes, children and property investment bordering this area, expect the city and the Planning Commission to live up to their promise and keep it as planned.
“Audi, Lexus, Infiniti, BMW, Acura, Volvo and Mercedes” can go to Gilroy. I am sure Morgan Hill residents can stop at these dealerships on their way to Costco and the Super Wal-Mart. Of course, we want additional revenues for our city … of course we want commercial activity, but where it is properly designated. Area residents are not anti-construction, they simply want the city to live up to what was promised and agreed upon. R2 not smog certifications, children playing instead of car alarms, families instead of PA systems. There are many areas, including Cochrane Road, that are much better suited for these dealerships.
When the Chevy dealership was constructed, of which I thought was an acceptable idea because it is zoned commercial, promises were made about landscaping, lighting and audio systems that have not been kept and are not enforced. The buffer of R2 between this dealership and current homes is correctly planned.
The newspaper is right on one count. “Morgan Hill leaders have a duty to make decisions that are best for the entire city.” I can assure the newspaper that if the city took a vote it is highly likely that the majority would want to place auto dealerships on Cochrane Road or completely outside of Morgan Hill.
Anita Woodson,
Morgan Hill
