Board delays its decision on Pajaro farmworker housing plans after supervisors are split on the project.

For the second time in three months, a government body deadlocked on a proposed farmworker housing project in Pajaro.

This time, it was the Monterey County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, July 9, who were a board member short with Supervisor Luis Alejo absent. During discussions, it became clear that the four supervisors present were split on the project—Supervisors Chris Lopez and Wendy Root-Askew were in support, while Glenn Church and Mary Adams opposed it.

The board was unanimous in pushing its decision to the Sept. 10 meeting, when all supervisors are expected to be present to prevent a tie vote.

The supervisors were hearing the project after property owner Anthony Nicola, Inc. appealed the planning commission’s 3-3 tie vote on April 10, which essentially denied the plan.

The plans call for two three-story buildings to house up to 250 farmworkers on a 1.3-acre site at 124 Gonda St. The workers are expected to be housed at the site during the planting and harvesting season from March through November.

Workers have moved into a similar project recently completed next door on Susan Street, which can house 360 seasonal farmworkers.

Church said he’s heard “quite a few complaints” about the Susan Street project, including the narrow street making it difficult for shuttles and neighbors to pass through, as well as an influx of street vendors who have popped up on private property. Data from the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office shows calls for service have increased since the workers moved in, he added.

Church noted he would support the Gonda Street project if it was open to people who live in Pajaro and not restricted to seasonal farmworkers.

“It’s hard to justify increasing the population like this and not utilizing the limited amount of space for people in the community who are in dire need of housing,” he said.

Lopez rejected the notion that the project wouldn’t have any benefit on the local community. Many homes are already being used to house seasonal workers, he said, and by providing them with another place to live, it would open up those homes for Pajaro residents. The Gonda Street development would also bring in funds for schools, he added.

“It still provides a benefit to the community in that context,” Lopez said.

The project will come back for the supervisors’ consideration on Sept. 10, where more information, including the feasibility of removing the farmworker requirement, will be presented.