Rose Garden Resident

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Planning commission again delays vote on future of the BAREC site

By Mary Gottschalk

The Santa Clara City Planing Commission voted again on April 25 to delay discussion on the former Bay Area Research and Extension Center (BAREC) until a special meeting on May 14.

Earlier, the commission continued the hearing from April 11 to April 25.

The continuance at the April 25 meeting was a courtesy to residents who wanted to attend the final EIR meeting for the expansion of Westfield Valley Fair, which was being held the same evening. Both projects affect the same neighborhoods.

Gloria Sciara, planning project manager for Santa Clara, says staff recommends the issue be delayed, not going before city council until June 19.

At issue is the fate of the 17-acre parcel on the west side of Winchester Boulevard, bordered by residences along Forest Avenue, Dorcich Street and Henry Avenue.

Summerhill Homes wants to build 110 single-family homes and up to 165 affordable senior housing units on the land.

Opponents of development, calling themselves Save BAREC, want to see the land remain open space for use as a park and an urban educational farm.