Gonzales planners begin EIR scoping for 501‑acre Puente del Monte specific plan amid runoff, traffic and service capacity concerns

GONZALES, Calif. — The Gonzales Planning Commission on Jan. 26 opened scoping for the Puente del Monte specific plan EIR, a project proposed on about 501 acres by Jackson Family Investments that would add roughly 2,492 homes and accompanying parks, civic space and circulation improvements east of the existing city limits.

"We have the Puente del Monte environmental impact report scoping meeting," the chair said as staff from EMC Planning described the session’s purpose: to gather public and commission input on what environmental topics should be studied in the draft Environmental Impact Report. "This is about getting feedback from planning commission and members of the public to know what should be considered," said Troy Austin, an associate planner with EMC Planning.

Why it matters: The specific plan envisions new neighborhoods, roughly 311.4 acres of residential land, two school sites, 54.6 acres of parks and trails and about 61.6 acres of agricultural buffers. Staff estimated buildout could add about 8,971 people and about 307 jobs; commissioners and residents said the EIR must analyze whether local infrastructure and services can absorb that growth.

Public concerns and applicant…