HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2026-03 | Farmland Security Zone Resolution | Adopted 01/26/2026
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-03
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF GILROY SUPPORTING
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A FARMLAND SECURITY
ZONE (FSZ) FOR A 570-ACRE AGRICULTURAL PARCEL
LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY’S SPHERE OF INFLUENCE
WHEREAS, the City of Gilroy (“City”) is a municipal corporation duly organized as a
Charter City under the California Constitution and laws of the State of California; and
WHEREAS, on August 19th, 2025, John Mazzei submitted an application to the City
requesting support for the establishment of a Farmland Security Zone (FSZ) for approximately
570 acres of irrigated row crop farmland located within the Sphere of Influence (SOI) of the City
of Gilroy and unincorporated Santa Clara County: and
WHEREAS, the California Land Conservation Act of 1965, also known as the Williamson
Act, authorizes counties to establish FSZs to preserve agricultural land and open space; and
WHEREAS, the County of Santa Clara administers the FSZ program and, pursuant to
County Code §C13-51(a)(2), requires express approval by resolution from any city when a
proposed Farmland Security Zone is located within that city's Sphere of Influence (SOI); and
WHEREAS, the Farmland Security Zone (FSZ) program was established by the County
of Santa Clara pursuant to the California Land Conservation Act for the purpose of preserving
agricultural lands and discouraging premature and unnecessary conversion to urban uses, thereby
supporting long-term agricultural viability and open space conservation; and
WHEREAS, John Mazzei, on behalf of Bruce Taylor, the property owner of Assessor’s
Parcel Number 841-36-012, has submitted an application to the County of Santa Clara requesting
the establishment of a Farmland Security Zone for approximately 570 acres of irrigated row crop
farmland located within the Sphere of Influence (SOI) of the City of Gilroy; and
WHEREAS, the subject property is located within the City of Gilroy’s SOI, as designated
by the Santa Clara County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO). The SOI identifies
areas where the City may logically expand and provide services in the future. The proposed FSZ
designation is consistent with the intent and purpose of the SOI; and
WHEREAS, the proposed FSZ designation is consistent with the City of Gilroy’s General
Plan, which designates the subject property as “Rural County,” and supports the City’s long-term
vision for agricultural preservation and land use within its Sphere of Influence. Furthermore, the
designation aligns with the intent of General Plan policies LU 6.1 (Economic Viability of
Agriculture), LU 6.3 (Agricultural Uses within the Planning Area), and LU 6.6 (Interagency
Cooperation for Agricultural Protection), all of which promote the continued viability of
agriculture and interagency coordination to protect agricultural lands within the Planning Area and
SOI, including those under County jurisdiction; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the proposed FSZ designation aligns with the City
of Gilroy’s General Plan and Agricultural Mitigation Policy, does not conflict with the City’s
planning efforts or future development goals, and supports the preservation of agricultural land in
Docusign Envelope ID: 185FB601-9BD4-420B-A6C4-15774736924B
Resolution No. 2026-03
FSZ for APN 841-36-012
City Council Regular Meeting | January 26, 2026
Page 2 of 3
the region. Additionally, City staff has identified no conflicts that would limit the ability of the site
to be encumbered by the FSZ designation.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Gilroy
hereby:
1. Supports the establishment of a Farmland Security Zone (FSZ) for the 570-acre parcel
located within the City’s Sphere of Influence, as described in the application submitted to
the City of Gilroy; and
2. Acknowledges that the County of Santa Clara retains full authority to execute and
administer the FSZ contract in accordance with the California Land Conservation Act; and
3. Directs city staff to send a copy of this resolution to the County of Santa Clara for inclusion
in the FSZ application record.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Gilroy this 26th day of
January 2026, by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: BRACCO, CLINE, FUGAZZI, HILTON,
RAMIREZ, BOZZO
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NONE
ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: MARQUES
APPROVED:
Greg Bozzo, Mayor
ATTEST:
___________________________
Kim Mancera, City Clerk
Docusign Envelope ID: 185FB601-9BD4-420B-A6C4-15774736924B
Resolution No. 2026-03
FSZ for APN 841-36-012
City Council Regular Meeting | January 26, 2026
Page 3 of 3
CERTIFICATE OF THE CLERK
I, KIM MANCERA, City Clerk of the City of Gilroy, do hereby certify that the attached
Resolution No. 2026-03 is an original resolution, or true and correct copy of a City Resolution,
duly adopted by the Council of the City of Gilroy at a Regular Meeting of said Council held
Monday, January 26, 2026 with a quorum present.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Official Seal of
the City of Gilroy this Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
____________________________________
Kim Mancera
City Clerk of the City of Gilroy
Docusign Envelope ID: 185FB601-9BD4-420B-A6C4-15774736924B
Gilroy City Limits
Gilroy SOI
Project Site
The above map shows the Parcel in green, the City of Gilroy Sphere of influence (SOI)
boundary is indicated in blue, and the Gilroy City limits are shown in red. The project site
is located approximately 6 miles from downtown Gilroy and 2 miles from the outer edge
of Gilroy City Limits.
Vicinity Map
Docusign Envelope ID: 185FB601-9BD4-420B-A6C4-15774736924B