RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AGENCY - A. PRADO, DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND BUILDING -
Review the landscaping plan for Hippo Harvest, pursuant to Condition of Approval #12 for County Planning File PLN250009 under Resolution 2026-5.
SBC FILE NUMBER: 790.
Planning Commission's Resolution 2026-5, passed at the Regular Planning Commission meeting of April 15, 2026, includes the following Conditions of Approval:
4. Conformity with Plan: The development and use of the site shall conform substantially to the proposed project description, site plan, and conditions of approval as approved by the Planning Commission. Any increase in the nature or intensity of land use on the site beyond that already analyzed shall be subject to further Planning review and approval. Approved plans and specifications shall not be changed, modified or altered without written authorization from the Planning Department. All work shall be in accordance with the approved plans and with San Benito County Code. [Planning]
12. Landscaping: Prior to the issuance of a building permit, the property owner shall submit a landscaping plan to the County Resource Management Agency for review. This landscaping plan shall be approved by the Planning Commission and installed prior to final occupancy. The landscaping buffer shall act as a visual screen for surrounding properties. The landscaping buffer shall be maintained at all times by the owner of the property. [Planning]
In October 2025, the applicant for County Planning File PLN250009, submitted the application for the accompanying building permit, BLD25-00476. With respect to Item 8.2 of the Regular Planning Commission meeting of October 21, 2026, Planning Staff requested revisions for the landscaping plans within BLD25-00476's plans to be in conformance with the landscaping plans within PLN250009. The landscaping plans for PLN250009 contained the following for the entire built out parking lot and driveway area:
1. Three (3) tree species (Olive, Chinese Pistache, and Coast Live Oak trees) for 35 trees total,
2. three (3) shrub species (Green Shrub Daisy, Pacific Wax Myrtle, and Mexican Sage) for 132 shrubs total, and
3. one (1) species of 105 Carmel Creeper ground cover plants.
In accordance with Condition of Approval #12 and in response to Planning's comments regarding landscaping on BLD25-00476, the applicant submitted an updated landscaping plan for Staff review and approval by Planning Commission. The submission dated August 28, 2026, is the first submission to include the landscaping buffer for surrounding properties; however, it does not include the landscaping for the eastern half of the parking lot or driveway, which is denoted as "future parking lot expansion area." The landscaping for the parking lot and driveway area that is included in the submittal consists of the following:
1. Three (3) tree species (Olive, Chinese Pistache, and Coast Live Oak trees) for 18 trees total,
2. two (2) shrub species (Green Shrub Daisy and Mexican Sage) for 92 shrubs total, and
3. one (1) species of 55 Carmel Creeper ground cover plants.
N/A
Staff recommend Planning Commission approve the provided landscaping plans submitted by the applicant dated August 28, 2026, in conformance with Condition of Approval #12 from Resolution 2026-5, passed at the Regular Planning Commission meeting of April 15, 2026. Additionally, Staff recommend that when the remaining landscaping is proposed, it be brought back to Planning Commission.