Planning commission approves Hippo Harvest greenhouse and processing project with phased road and mitigation conditions

The San Benito County Planning Commission voted unanimously on May 12 to approve a multi‑phase conditional‑use permit and the associated mitigated negative declaration for Hippo Harvest’s proposed indoor/outdoor leafy‑green operation at 2370 Shore Road, northwest of Hollister.

Staff and EMC planners described the project as a phased development that would ultimately include a 45,000‑square‑foot processing building, roughly 25–30 acres of hoop‑house greenhouses, three 1‑megawatt combined heat‑and‑power microturbine units, and on‑site solar between greenhouse rows. Phase one is described as four acres of greenhouses with 10 employees per shift (two shifts) and limited infrastructure; full buildout was presented as supporting approximately 60 employees per day across shifts. Staff said the project uses private groundwater wells initially and would require a public water system permit when staff exceeds 25 employees; wastewater would be handled by an on‑site septic/leach field and stormwater managed…