Your Morgan Hill Weekly 411
News for the Week of November 23, 2020
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Happy Thanksgiving Morgan Hill!
On behalf of the City of Morgan Hill we would like to wish everyone a safe, happy, and very blessed Thanksgiving. We understand that the holidays can be a stressful and emotional time especially this year during COVID-19. We encourage you to reach out to loved ones, stick to healthy habits and be creative with how you can safely celebrate and bring joy to each other.
A reminder that the City of Morgan Hill will be observing the Thanksgiving Day Holiday and the day after, on Thursday and Friday November 26th and the virtual call center will not be answered. All messages will be returned on Monday, November 30, 2020.
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Phase 1 of the Hale Avenue Extension Project Awarded
Over 50 years in the making, the first phase of the Hale Avenue Extension project was awarded by the City Council this past Wednesday.
The Project is a significant and long planned transportation improvement for the City of Morgan Hill. It has been included and identified in the City’s General Plan since 1969 as a north/south arterial street for the west side of the community. The limits of the Hale Avenue Extension project are West Main Avenue at the north end and Spring Avenue at the south end.
The Hale Avenue Project is intended to accomplish several goals for the City, including:
- Create a two-lane multi-modal arterial street in line with the “Complete Streets” approach to roadway planning identified in the Morgan Hill General Plan
- Provide a continuous direct north/south route for the west side of the City, reducing through traffic on neighborhood street
- Provide an alternate north/south road option on the west side of US Hwy 101 to relieve congestion on Monterey Road
- Provide a Class 1 Bike and Pedestrian facility separating bicyclists from the roadway
- Reduce energy consumption by providing an efficient multi-modal roadway configuration within the City of Morgan Hill
Although many have been involved in bringing this important project to fruition, most recently Chris Chione, Public Services Director, is to be credited for his immense effort in making this a reality. Chris worked diligently and tirelessly to secure $16.5 million in funding from VTA under Measure B. Without that funding the project would not be moving forward at this time.
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The City Council takes actions to prohibit heavy distribution and in partnership with Lillian Commons applicant, to limit housing in the Lillian Commons project
The City Council has recently taken actions to prohibit Heavy Distribution within the City of Morgan Hill, as well as made changes to the City's zoning amending the definition for Heavy Distribution and reducing the thresholds at which certain projects are considered significant.
Additionally, the City Council has taken action, in partnership with the project applicant for the Lillian Commons project, to put in place measures ensuring that the intended use of the site as a Medical Campus and/or Hospital cannot change and limiting housing within the project.
Industrial Ordinance Background:
On October 28, 2020, the City Council introduced an ordinance updating the City's zoning code specific to industrial uses. Listed below are some of the changes the ordinance makes to the City's zoning code:
- Prohibit Heavy Distribution
- Prohibit Sorting Centers
- Lowered the square foot threshold to determine which projects qualify as significant projects
In addition to the changes above, the City Council added the following changes:
- Prohibit both small and large parcel hubs ("Last Mile" facilities)
- Further lowering the square foot threshold to determine which projects qualify as significant projects
- Amend the proposed definition for heavy Distribution to 100,000 square feet or greater
- Lower the residential significant threshold to 100 units of more
For more information, please contact Development Services Director
Lillian Commons Background:
After reviewing the applicant's request for a General Plan change from Commercial to Mixed-Use Flex and the creation of a Planned Development zoning district and associated Master Plan, the Council voted to approve the project incorporating the Planning Commission recommendations of limiting housing to only the northern portion of the site (parcel C) and requiring medical uses on the remainder of the site, and added a requirement to the ordinance to delay housing development on the northern portion of the site until progress towards a medical campus/hospital is achieved.
Details about the individual permit applications, plans, and environmental analysis information can be located on the project page.
For more information, please contact Principal Planner
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Stay Updated on the Coronavirus and
Local Sheltering in Place
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If everyone does their part to stop the spread, we will prevent maxing out California's hospital systems, ensure health care workers can come to work safely, and protect the most vulnerable.
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The State has moved Santa Clara County to the Purple Tier under California’s “Blueprint for a Safer Economy”. Certain activities that were open under Orange Tier will no longer be allowed. We’ve outlined the changes that will be effective on November 17 below.
Daily cases have doubled in the last ten days within California, which is the fastest increase that California has seen since the beginning of the pandemic. Remember that the key to fewer restrictions is following public health measures. Continue to wear a mask, limit your contact with others, keep your distance from anyone outside your household, and get tested.
The County Health Officer urges residents to follow strict adherence to safety protocols, including:
- Refrain from all travel, including over the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday
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Stay home when possible
- Minimize interaction with people outside one’s household
- If choosing to gather with those outside one's household, do so ONLY OUTDOORS
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Maintain social distance (6 feet minimum)
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Wear face coverings
- Move as many activities outdoors as possible
- GET TESTED regularly
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California, Oregon & Washington Issue Travel Advisories
As COVID-19 cases continue to increase across the country, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Oregon Governor Kate Brown and Washington Governor Jay Inslee issued travel advisories urging visitors entering their states or returning home from travel outside these states to self-quarantine to slow the spread of the virus.
The travel advisories urge against non-essential out-of-state travel, ask people to self-quarantine for 14 days after arriving from another state or country and encourage residents to stay local.
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Celebrate the Holidays Without Gathering
Last week 10 local counties, including Santa Clara County, issued joint recommendations and guidelines for staying safe during the holidays. Most significant is the recommendation not to gather or travel for the holidays if possible.
Here are a few ideas and recommendations to celebrate the holidays safely with loved ones without gathering:
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Enjoy holiday traditions at home with your household
- Decorate your home and/or yard
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Share a virtual meal with family and friends
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Host online parties and/or contests
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Attend holiday movie nights at drive-in venues
- Prepare meals using traditional recipes and deliver to family and neighbors
- Visit holiday-themed outdoor art installations
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Participate in drive-by events where everyone stays in their vehicles
Further recommendations for staying safe from Covid-19 during the holidays can be viewed HERE.
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Free Influenza Testing with COVID Testing
Free COVID-19 testing facilities at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds and the rotating city-based sites now include a test for influenza, offering an added benefit with no additional cost, inconvenience, or additional procedure.
For more information and a list of available sites visit the SCC Public Health Department website HERE.
Remember, flu shots are free. Every person aged 6 months and older needs the flu vaccine. Protect your family. The Fairgrounds is offering free flu shots every Saturday until mid-December.
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Meetings and Opportunities to Engage |
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Saturday, November 21, 2020 |
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Sidewalk Saturdays
South Sidewalk of East 3rd Street
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Please join us on the south sidewalk of E 3rd St downtown Morgan Hill for a fun, free, family friendly outdoor retail marketplace featuring local shops.
Our Saturday, November 21st Vendors Are:
- Fifth St Market
- Ivori Boutique
- Steph's Scrubs & Stuff
- Mainstream Boutique
- Klay by Kristina
- Willow & Magnolia Floral
- Blingy Sips
- Crafty Hill Moms
- Curbside Craze
- Agnes & Dora by Crystal Jewell
- Moody Designs in Wood
- Miss Cate Designs
- OT Park
- Pink Carnation Curbside Boutique
- Studio 38 Designs
HEALTH PROTOCOLS:
- Face Masks / Coverings Required
- Hand Sanitizing Stations
- Hand Sanitizer at Vendor Tables
- 6ft Physical Distancing
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Tuesday, November 24, 2020 |
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Free COVID-19 Testing
Council Chamber Building
9:30 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.
Testing will be by appointment only. This testing site is not designed to test individuals with symptoms of COVID-19. Individuals with symptoms should contact their healthcare provider for evaluation and testing.
To make an appointment:
Once all appointments are filled, this location will no longer appear for scheduling on the website. You can schedule from your phone or from a computer using a web browser other than Internet Explorer.
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Planning Commission Meeting
7:00 P.M.
The City Council Meeting will be live-streamed on Channel 17 and on the City’s website.
Those members of the public wishing to participate remotely may do so via the electronic meeting at: http://bit.ly/112420PlanningCommissionMtg or by calling in to: (669) 900-9128, then enter the meeting id: 827 0901 9929.
Public comment for this meeting will be accepted via email to pcpubliccomment@morganhill.ca.gov. Members of the public participating in the electronic meeting wishing to speak may do so during public comment.
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Wednesday, November 25, 2020 |
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City Council Meeting
Cancelled
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Public Project and Maintenance Updates
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The Santa Clara County Library District is offering Lobby Service. Patrons are welcome to enter to pick up holds and browse limited book and movie collections. For more information view the flyer.
PLEASE NOTE: Libraries fit into the state's retail category for COVID. The move from orange to purple tier does not impact the services they are offering, it does impact how many people that can be let into the space at once. They can only allow 6 people into the lobby at a time so patrons may have to wait a bit longer to get into the building.
The Santa Clara County Library District just set up a Free Online Tutoring Program. For more information view the flyer.
View all services available at the Morgan Hill Library for Fall 2020. (English/Spanish)
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VTA News
Check out the most recent news from Valley Transportation Authority (VTA)
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Morgan Hill City Hall
Office Hours
City of Morgan Hill offices are closed due to the County shelter-in-place order.
If you have questions or concerns during this time please call our virtual call center.
408.767.6404
Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm
Messages will be returned within 24 hours.
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Elected Officials
County Supervisor
District 1:
California State Assembly District 30:
Robert Rivas
California State Senate District 17:
U.S. Congressional District 19:
City of Morgan Hill
Advisory Commissions:
City of Morgan Hill Advisory Committees:
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