The San Benito Blueprint

1. Before You Begin
2. Planning Commission to Review Urban Zoning Reform
3. Rural Livestock Rule Changes on the Table

Before You Begin

The San Benito County Planning Commission will hold a special meeting on Wednesday June 4th at 6:00PM. On the agenda is a public hearing to discuss zoning reform and rural livestock rules for unincorporated county.

Agenda, full lists of changes and instructions to join can be found here.

Planning Commission to Review Urban Zoning Reform

The San Benito County Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing Wednesday June 4th to discuss reforming zoning code for unincorporated areas. Major changes include removing R1 or single family zoning altogether and modifying what is allowed in RM zoned districts or Residential Mixed.

These changes would eliminate any new density of below 8 dwelling units per acre and set a limit of 25% single family dwellings per new development. This change would require that 75% of new development in Residential Mixed/Multiple zones be apartments, condos, townhomes, duets, or duplexes.

Further the new regulations or changes would require developments built within .5 miles of a US highway, State Highway, or major county arterial road include a commercial component equivalent to at least 5% of the total development space.

The map above represents the land that this could potentially impact. It is important to not that current county zoning does not reflect the above general plan map. This also does not reflect future zoning changes coming due to the housing elements required upzoning of 20-45 dwelling units per acre.

Rural Livestock Rule Changes on the Table

Also to be discussed at the special meeting is revisions to rural livestock rules. These rules apply to non-commercial agriculture livestock only. The new rules define different types of livestock as small (under 150 lbs) and large (over 150 lbs). Poultry, rabbits, and household pets are exempt but new restrictions on the amount of dogs and cats are also in place. Most notably the rule revisions require a minimum setback of 1200 feet from any commercial agriculture. That setback is reducible up to 400 feet given a permanent barrier (i.e. fence or shrubbery) is erected.

The new rules also establish density limits to no more than 2 large livestock animals per acre and no more than 25 small livestock animals per acre. Details of the rule changes can be found here.

Both items are set for debate via a public hearing this Wednesday June 4th at 6:00pm