Dual jurisdictions, zoning plague Jesuits' application

By Nathan R. Huff

When the focus of the California Province of the Society of Jesus (CPSJ) changed from winemaking to caring for its aging members, it became clear that some changes would have to be made in its facilities at 300 College Ave. What wasn't very clear two years ago when the Jesuits first approached the town with plans to add a second story to their former infirmary was how complicated the procedure would be.

During the application process, the society first discovered that its 112-year-old property lies partly on county land and partly within town limits. Hence, the town must annex the Jesuit's building, which literally straddled the town line.

But that was not all. Next, CPSJ must get the town to make a zone change from Hillside Residential to Resource Conservation--so named because the CPSJ has agreed not to build any more in that area. Then, a General Plan amendment is required to set in stone the new zoning. Finally, the project itself must be approved.

"There's a whole lot of paperwork that has to be done," the Rev. Tom Smolich, CPSJ provincial, said, "and it has to be coordinated so it all happens at once."

Smolich said the society's offices are on the fourth floor of the main building, a building not designed for offices. The offices will be converted into meeting halls and recreational areas. The secondary building slated to be remodeled and expanded will hold new offices, storage and a small chapel.

The secondary building was originally built as an infirmary in 1950. In 1989, the infirmary had become "obsolete" according to Smolich, and the society elected to remodel the main building and move the infirmary there. Since then, the building has been used mainly as a conference center.

The planning department has raised some concerns over the height of the remodel, which will be visible from the valley floor. However, planning staff has recommended the project be approved, and the commission appears supportive, especially since CPSJ plans to set aside more than half an acre as open space.

"I would love to see that happen more often," commissioner Sandy Decker said. "I'm excited about what we'll have."

CPSJ's private open-space dedication is proving to be much less controversial than the last time such proposals were made. In the late '70s, the town attempted to contact CPSJ to talk about permanently protecting some of the society's land, according to former council member Pete Siemens. When the brothers who ran the society's Novitiate winery failed to return the town's phone calls, the Town Council, in conjunction with the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (MROSD), voted to begin eminent domain proceedings.

The society fought back, and, eventually, a settlement was reached. The town and MROSD paid $3.7 million to buy some of the land and create an open-space easement covering another portion.

"Ultimately," Siemens said, "we all became friends."

Two years later, CPSJ began leasing its wine cellars to the Mirassou company. Smolich, who picked grapes at the Novitiate Winery as part of his Jesuit training, said the wine business wasn't profitable for the society any longer. Mirassou now uses the winery for champagne tasting, storage and banquets.

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