The decision followed two days of public hearings to review rezoning proposals for dozens of county parcels as part of the general plan revision process.
Supervisors voted 4-1 to deny a rezoning request by Anthony F. Souza to rezone 179.76 acres east of Mountain House between Bethany and Byron roads from agriculture to industrial.
It’s unclear if Souza owns the property or is representing a land owner.
The only vote in favor of the change was from 5th District Supervisor Bob Elliott.
Elliott said in a telephone interview Wednesday, Feb. 27, he believes economic growth near Mountain House would benefit the community.
“I want Mountain House to be successful, so what’s the best way to do that?” he said. “Economic activity in one area encourages, and is complementary, to economic activity to the surrounding area — that’s the philosophy I take on this. It’s like the old saying, ‘a rising tide raises all ships.’”
But Mountain House Community Services District Director Jim Lamb said in a telephone interview Wednesday that any changes to the area would contradict the current county general plan for Mountain House, which includes a greenbelt zoned for agricultural land around the community.
“Give our project (Mountain House) a chance to succeed,” Lamb said. “Then once it’s developed, and then you know it’s viable and sustainable, then entertain additional development.”
Lamb said he was disappointed Elliott voted in favor of rezoning that seemed to conflict with the Mountain House Master Plan, the document that spells out how Mountain House will develop over time.
“Don’t disregard the master plan,” Lamb said. “We’re following it, and we expect the county to do it, too.”
Community Services District President Celeste Farron called the supervisors’ denial vote a “good day for Mountain House.”
A separate motion to rezone seven parcels of land at the corner of Mountain House Parkway and Interstate 205 that was set aside for a future meeting.
Property representatives Lucia Albers, A. Michael Souza and Mario Jaques have asked the supervisors to rezone 188.11 acres from agriculture to uses that would include commercial, industrial and mixed-use.
Mountain House Development Manager Morgan Groover said the county definition for mixed use is a zoning designed for an activity center with a mix of compatible uses. He said this would be similar to a downtown shopping area with residential.
According to the board of supervisors’ clerk, Mimi Duzenski, the three property representatives were unable to attend either of the hearings Feb. 19 and 26, which prompted supervisors to postpone the hearing, which as of Wednesday had not been scheduled.
Farron and Lamb feel optimistic that the supervisors will deny the request.
Elliott said he wouldn’t cast his vote in advance, but noted that even if the supervisors did approve the rezoning, it wouldn’t mean developers would break ground immediately.
However, Elliott did say his “philosophy on the matter” was not likely to change.
• Contact Denise Ellen Rizzo at 830-4225 or drizzo@tracypress.com.
At a glance
• WHAT: San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors meeting
• WHEN: 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26
• WHERE: San Joaquin County administration building, 44 N. San Joaquin St.
• DETAILS: Chairman Ken Vogel, Vice Chairman Bob Elliott, supervisors Steve Bestolarides, Larry Rhustaller and Carlos Villapudua were all present.
A skyscraper next to a resident may look ridiculous to you but, as you stated, this is America and it may not look ridiculous to the guy with the resident. He may LIKE having the skyscraper next to him. Or are you one of those liberals who thinks that if someone doesn't think the same way you do they are wrong? Maybe the guy was asking too much for his plot of land and they just built around him (has happened MANY times before!).
Yea, this is America and , after 20 years in the Navy, I'm damn proud of it! Don't like living next to the sky scraper? Well, you can MOVE, because THIS IS AMERICA!!!
After a year or two in paradise the owner of the surrounding land uses your belief and convinces whoever, they should be able to do whatever the heck they want with their land, damn those pesky and invasive communist zoning laws.
Presto, approval is granted and next thing you know you're surrounded by high density housing with windows where people can look into your property, an amusement park with lots of noise, and maybe an airport within ear shot so you and your family can listen to the power of those jet engines during take off & landing. Oops, paradise lost.
Can't happen? Sure it can if we all shared your current belief. Even in a free society certain regulations are needed, zoning laws are one of them.
Funny, I don't read in Sneaky's comment anywhere that he says do away with all regulation and laws. I'm not sure but I don't believe he's advocating anarchy. Because he questioned one area of the law you sterotyped him as wanting to do away with all laws and regulations. But then I guess this is a good example of what they say about assuming making an ass out of you....
Although the other four supervisors voted against the proposal Elliott voted for it how come? Maybe it was the thousands of dollars in campaign contributions Anthony Sousa threw Elliott's way in the election.
http://nf4.netfile.com/pub2/AllFilingsByCandidate.aspx?id=128619317&candidate=Robert Elliott