Board approves San Juan Oaks Phase 5 final map; supervisor recuses and developer defends timeline

The San Juan Oaks Phase 5 final map was approved by the San Benito County Board of Supervisors on April 14 after planning staff and the project developer presented the parcel map and related conditions.

Supervisor Curro announced a recusal under Government Code 84308, saying they had received more than $500 from the developer and would not participate in deliberations on the item. With Curro recused, the remaining supervisors considered the staff report describing the project's history: the San Juan Oaks specific plan and development agreement were adopted in 2015, several phases have already recorded lots and issued building permits, and Phase 5 will create 67 non‑age‑restricted single‑family lots alongside previously recorded active‑adult units and commercial parcels.

Planning staff recommended approval, acceptance of dedications, certification on the final map and authorization to record the map with the county recorder. A developer representative, Dustin Bowe, told the board the project's county park work was about 85% complete and expected to be finished in May or June.

During questioning, one supervisor raised a separate concern alleging a developer contribution related to a recall campaign and said the practice undermined confidence; the developer offered to discuss the matter privately. Counsel and staff confirmed the developer was in compliance with the development agreement for the phase proposed. The board voted 4–0 to approve the final map with one recusal.

The board directed staff to follow the ordinary map-recording procedures, accept dedications subject to the county not incurring costs unless separately authorized, and certify the final map as required.