With optimistic economic forecasts for 2010, the San Jose
Earthquakes requested and received an extension on their use permit
for the Golden Oaks Restaurant site.
With optimistic economic forecasts for 2010, the San Jose Earthquakes requested and received an extension on their use permit for the Golden Oaks Restaurant site.
The soccer team secured the permits in February 2009 and planned to use the 4.5-acre site as a training facility. Those efforts were put on hold when the economy hit bottom; but since things are looking up in that arena the Earthquakes extended their permits so they can pick up where they left off at some point in the next few years.
The permits were scheduled to expire in late March. The expiration date was extended to March 2012. The city’s extension fee was $2,850.
“Unfortunately due to the very difficult economy, the planned expenditures for an exclusive training facility for the Earthquakes were temporarily placed on hold by our ownership group subsequent to the original approval of our application,” team partner Keith Wolff wrote in the request letter, dated Nov. 16. “As the economy has stabilized and appears to be recovering, the Earthquakes ownership group has authorized the continued exploration of a permanent professional training facility for the Earthquakes.”
The letter goes on to say that talks have begun again with the ownership group of the property, located at 16695 Condit Road.
Plans included two and a half acres of professional-quality natural turf for practice, and converting the former restaurant into a weight and cardio facility, treatment rooms and personnel offices.
By March, the Earthquakes had spent about $60,000 in assessments and city fees for the site, according to Wolff.
The Earthquakes are one of only 16 Major League Soccer clubs in America, and this may be the first training center like it in Northern California.
The Morgan Hill City Council approved the extension with the approval of the consent agenda Dec. 16, in a 4-0 vote with Councilman Greg Sellers absent.
The Golden Oaks Restaurant, a Morgan Hill institution for more than 20 years, closed in late 2008.
