(This stretch of land, formerly an auto wrecking yard in Watsonville behind Ramsay Park between Harkins Slough Road and Ohlone Parkway, is where 150 units of stand alone homes and apartments are proposed. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/Pajaronian)
WATSONVILLE — The Watsonville City Council shelved its decision Tuesday on a 150-unit housing project.
The project will be brought back to the council on Aug. 28.
California Sunshine Development is looking to build 23 single-family homes, 40 duplex-style townhouse units and 87 row-style townhouse units on a 13-acre site at 511 Ohlone Parkway.
The developer is currently constructing the 87-unit Sunshine Gardens project adjacent to the property.
The site formerly housed a junkyard, which had been operating there since the 1960s. According to Principal Planner Justin Meek, the area was cleared of vehicles and structures in early 2017.
The Watsonville Planning Commission unanimously recommended the project on June 6.
A large group of neighbors attended Tuesday’s meeting, many of whom expressed concern over traffic and safety for children who play in the area.
Del Rio Court resident Briana Bane said 18 of her fellow neighbors attended the meeting. She said the development’s entrance should be reconfigured through the adjacent Errington Road, rather than through her neighborhood.
“We feel we have been blindsided by these development plans,” she said. “My neighbors and I have had only six days to voice our almost-too-late opinions.”
Paraiso Court resident John Hanson said he and his wife purchased their home in December, with the goal of being long-term residents.
“But now we are questioning how wise is this development,” he said. “I can’t imagine adding 150 homes worth of traffic when you figure at least two cars per home. If this goes through, I think we would be leaving sooner than we’d like.”
Assistant City Manager Matt Huffaker thanked the residents for attending the meeting.
“We know this is personal for you,” he said. “Part of the decision to continue final action to August is to allow staff time to work with the developer and you all over the next couple of months to try to resolve some of the concerns that were raised tonight.”
Also during Tuesday’s meeting, the council approved the city’s budget for the next fiscal year.
