This community opinion was contributed by Tres Pinos resident Jason Noble. The opinions expressed do not necessarily represent BenitoLink or other affiliated contributors. BenitoLink invites all community members to share their ideas and opinions. By registering as a BenitoLink user in the top right corner of our home page and agreeing to follow our Terms of Use, you can write counter opinions or share your insights on current issues. Lea este artículo en español aquí.
For those of you who may not know me, I’m Jason Noble, a real estate broker in San Benito County. I’ve heard some remarks suggesting that, as a Realtor, I can’t be trusted to understand the best interests of our community. On the contrary, my career is built on finding solutions and bringing people together, even when they don’t always agree.
Measure A presents several fundamental issues. One of its core proposals is to
eliminate the commercial nodes along Highway 101. To provide some
background, I, along with many other dedicated community members, served on
the County General Plan Update committee. Our county is home to four major
highways, which aren’t going anywhere. Neighboring counties have wisely zoned
for development along their highways—building hotels, truck stops, and service
businesses that create jobs and generate tax revenue for their communities. Our
goal in San Benito County was to create similar opportunities, ensuring that the
benefits remain local. Public meetings were held, the General Plan was adopted,
and these ideas went uncontested— until now.
Second, some proponents of Measure A argue that we should emulate the policies of counties like Sonoma and Napa. However, those regions enjoy a strong economic base thanks to tourism and the wine industry. San Benito County, on the other hand, remains largely agricultural, and our General Plan’s mission reflects that reality. We are simply not in the same position to adopt the same rules at this time.
Third, the idea that every General Plan Amendment should go to a public vote—often referred to as “ballot-box planning”—suggests a lack of trust in our County staff, Planning Commission, and Board of Supervisors. These bodies are tasked with reviewing proposed changes and acting in the best interests of the entire county. For years, our system has functioned effectively without external influence dictating how we manage local planning.
Consider this: How many gas stations face a highway in San Benito County? Our county has only ONE gas station fronting on a highway—Tres Pinos Country Market. If someone wanted to open another, they would first need to navigate the lengthy approval process and then spend an additional $200,000 just to put it to a vote. Is this the future we want for San Benito County? Such regulations would deter businesses from considering San Benito as a viable location for their ventures.
The system we have may not always yield decisions that everyone likes, but it works. If you’re dissatisfied with the outcomes, I encourage you to get involved—run for office, research agenda items, or attend meetings. If it passes, who will have to live with the consequences of Measure A? We will. The economic health of San Benito County is at stake. If Measure A passes, where will the funding come from to improve our community? If you don’t want to take my word for it, I urge you to conduct your own research. Reach out to people you trust and explore how Measure A could negatively impact our future. It’s not worth the risk.
I strongly encourage you to vote NO on Measure A.
Sincerely,
Jason Noble
Tres Pinos
President-elect 2024, San Benito County Association of Realtors Note: This statement is endorsed by the San Benito County Association of Realtors, which opposes Measure A on the grounds of property rights. Funding for the “No on Measure A” campaign has been provided by the local, state, and national Realtor Associations, all of whom advocate for property rights.
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