SAN MARTIN PLANNING — STAY INFORMED & GET INVOLVED

luna802
17 hours ago
4 min read

Today's planning and development decisions can shape San Martin for generations. Residents are encouraged to stay informed, attend meetings, review projects, ask questions, and provide public comment.

San Martin is unique, with the Santa Clara County General Plan including special land-use policies specifically for the San Martin Planning Area that supplement the County's broader rural land-use policies.

SAN MARTIN PLANNING ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SMPAC)

The San Martin Planning Advisory Committee (SMPAC) advises the Santa Clara County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors on important land-use matters affecting San Martin.

SMPAC reviews and provides recommendations on:

Land-use applications requiring Planning Commission or Board of Supervisors approval
Proposed General Plan amendments affecting San Martin
Proposed County ordinance changes affecting San Martin
Major County projects and public facilities within the San Martin Planning Area
Other important planning and land-use issues affecting our community

SMPAC Information, Meetings & Agendas: https://plandev.santaclaracounty.gov/commissions-other-meetings/smpac

ATTEND AN SMPAC MEETING

Residents are encouraged to attend SMPAC meetings and hear directly about projects and policies that may affect San Martin.

Current meetings are held at:

County of Santa Clara Animal Services Center12425 Monterey Road San Martin, CA 95046

Meeting dates, times and locations can change, so residents should always check the County's website before attending.

Upcoming County Planning Meetings: https://plandev.santaclaracounty.gov/events

The County's current page specifically provides the Agenda Portal and, for meetings where available, a virtual meeting link. The County confirms that SMPAC advises the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors on land-use applications, General Plan/ordinance changes, and major County projects affecting San Martin. (Santa Clara County Planning)

Visit the SMPAC webpage and select “Go to Agenda Portal.” The County's meeting information provides access to agendas, supporting documents and available meeting information.

For upcoming meetings, the County also provides a link identified as “View Agenda and Get Virtual Meeting Link” when applicable.

SMPAC Meeting Information & Agenda Portal: HTTPs://plandev.santaclaracounty.gov/commissions-other-meetings/smpac

Check the meeting's individual agenda page for the available options for that particular meeting. Currently SMPAC meetings are not virtual [Zoom] but has been requested.

PROVIDE PUBLIC COMMENT

You don't have to simply watch — residents have a voice.

The County provides opportunities for written public comments to be submitted to SMPAC. Residents attending in person may also provide spoken public comment by completing a Request to Speak form.

Public participation is especially important when projects or policy changes could affect San Martin's rural character, agriculture, roads, neighborhoods, environment, or quality of life.

SANTA CLARA COUNTY PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT

The County Planning & Development Department provides information about planning applications, zoning, permits, development projects, County planning policies and other land-use matters.

Santa Clara County Planning & Development: https://plandev.santaclaracounty.gov/

SAN MARTIN PLANNING AREA

San Martin is a rural unincorporated community located between Morgan Hill and Gilroy.

The County has established special land-use policies for the San Martin Planning Area. These policies supplement the underlying County land-use designations and help guide development and planning decisions affecting our community.

Learn More About the San Martin Planning Area: https://plandev.santaclaracounty.gov/codes-and-policies/zoning-ordinance/san-martin-planning-area

GENERAL PLAN — BOOK B

Residents should become familiar with the Santa Clara County General Plan, Book B — Rural Unincorporated Area Issues and Policies.

Book B contains the special land-use policies governing the San Martin Planning Area, including policies addressing San Martin's rural character, community participation, development, agriculture, residential density, environmental concerns and other important land-use issues.

Santa Clara County General Plan — Book B: https://stgenpln.blob.core.windows.net/document/GP_Book_B.pdf

SAN MARTIN'S SPECIAL LAND-USE POLICIES

The San Martin section of Book B contains policies beginning with R-LU 113.

These policies address important issues such as:

San Martin's boundaries and planning area
Preservation of San Martin's rural identity and character
The San Martin village core
Community participation
The role of SMPAC
Residential development and density
Non-residential development
Agricultural uses and compatibility
Environmental resources
Flood hazards
Groundwater and water-quality concerns
Scenic resources

One particularly important policy is R-LU 116, which addresses community participation by San Martin residents and property owners and the role of the San Martin Planning Advisory Committee.

These policies are important tools for residents when reviewing development proposals and participating in County planning decisions.

WHY YOUR PARTICIPATION MATTERS

San Martin does not have its own city council. Decisions affecting our unincorporated community are ultimately made through Santa Clara County.

That makes resident participation especially important.

Read the agenda. Learn about proposed projects. Attend SMPAC meetings when you can. Submit written comments when you cannot. Ask questions and make your concerns known.

GET INFORMED • GET INVOLVED • HAVE A VOICE

San Martin's rural character and future belong to all of us. Staying informed is one of the most important ways residents can help shape the future of our community.