March 3, 2020 Referendum (NO on Measure K)
On September 24, 2019, the San Benito County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the C-3 rezone of 4 locations ("nodes") along Highway 101. In response, local residents collected over 4,400 signatures in less than 30 days for a Referendum petition to overturn the Supervisors' decision. The Referendum was placed on the March 3, 2020 ballot. Almost 60% of Benito County voters supported the Referendum (NO on Measure K). Click on the PDF file below to read the complete Referendum petition.
On April 7, 2020, the Supervisors retaliated against the voters by approving a C-1 rezone of the Betabel node to allow commercial development. PORC filed a lawsuit to defend the will of voters. A Superior Court judge has granted a temporary restraining order to halt the Supervisors' illegal action.
In less than 30 days, 82 volunteers collected 4,426 signatures for the Referendum petition to overturn the Supervisors' rezone of Hwy 101 nodes. On October 23, 2019, members of Preserve Our Rural Communities delivered the petitions to the San Benito County Clerk and Election Office.
