Supervisors will consider Pajaro farmworker housing project after owner appeals previous decision.

A proposed farmworker housing project in Pajaro is once again up for consideration after months of delays and deadlocks by decision-making boards.

The Monterey County Board of Supervisors will consider approving a project on Tuesday, Sept. 10 that would house up to 250 farmworkers on a 1.3-acre site at 124 Gonda St. The board previously looked at the project on July 9, but it was a member short whose vote would have broken a tie. It decided to push its decision to Sept. 10.

The planning commission’s 3-3 tie vote on April 10 essentially denied the project, prompting property owner Anthony Nicola to appeal the decision to the supervisors.

County staff recommend the supervisors approve the project.

During the July meeting, the supervisors requested more information on how removing the farmworker requirement would impact the project, with Supervisor Glenn Church saying he would support the project if it was open to people who live in Pajaro and not restricted to seasonal farmworkers.

According to a county staff report, such a move could increase the need for more parking on site. Water usage, the report noted, would remain about the same annually.

On a request from Supervisor Wendy Root-Askew during the July meeting to aid in recreation improvements in the Pajaro area, the property owner has agreed to donate $12,918 to the Pajaro Sunny Mesa Community Services District annually for five years.