Proposed Palomares Hills Housing Development Goes to MAC

Economic Development
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At the Monday January 26th Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) meeting a proposal will be up for review that has sparked a loud protest from Palomares Hills residents.

The proposed site is the only site in the Palomares Hills development zoned for potential commercial uses
The proposed site is the only site in the Palomares Hills development zoned for potential commercial uses

The plan calls for development of the vacant parcel between the Palomares Hills Community Center and Fire Station #7 on Villareal Drive. Currently zoned as a commercial site, and originally envisioned as a neighborhood shopping center, the current owners are attempting to build it out as a “planned development” (PD) consisting of eight new homes.

The proposed 8 unit development
The proposed 8 unit development

The status of PD would mean that the development could be granted modifications to the existing county codes with regards to parking, spacing and building dimensions when built, and they would be carried on within the development forever.

You can read the entire proposal by clicking here.

The public notice for the hearing before the MAC posted at the site
The public notice for the hearing before the MAC posted at the site

Many local residents have sent notes to the MAC listing many concerns with the new proposal.  Concerns include:

  • The high density design is out of character with the community
  • The new buildings and fencing will create visibility problems for drivers by creating a “blind curve”
  • The “blind curve” will create serious safety concerns for pedestrians headed for Jensen Ranch Elementary School
  • The new residents could consider the adjacent community center and clubhouse a nuisance since it will only be a few feet away from the new homes
  • The property has always been designated for commercial or open space uses, and should remain that way

The MAC will be hearing from the developer and giving a yes or no recommendation to the county on approving the new project.  Although only advisory, the MAC recommendations carry a lot of weight in influencing the decisions of the county.  Public comments on the project will be heard at the meeting, and concerns of the public in attendance are always considered by the MAC.

The meeting will be held on Monday, January 26th, at 6PM in the Castro Valley Library on Norbridge Avenue.

Possibly the most controversial vacant piece of land in our town. Folks in Palomares have been fighting any type of development there for well over 20 years.

I’d say any vacant scrap of land in CV is controversial. Proctor Ct? The whole Redwood Christian High flap? Daughtrey’s? The Measure Q land? Remember the battle over BART station location? Take your pick-

I am bothered by the decision to rezone this property. The community zoned this Neighborhood Commercial with the Intent that a few Local Businesses could be located here once the development crossed the threshold to justify Commercial establishments. Neighborhood commercial businesses go a long way towards reducing the community footprint by reducing the number of car trips down the hill to the nearest shopping. The small commercial development in Hayward at Civic and Hayward Boulevard above CSUEB performs a similar function as does the Bay Hills Market in Fairview on East Avenue. A lot of thought and community input went into the zoning decision for that property.

I agree, Chris. Palomares could definitely support a nice little Bonfaire-type market there like the one above CSU. A Bronco Billy’s there might be nice, too…

Hi Michael,
Our office took a survey, regarding the lot, a number of years ago. Residents said they did not want to see homes there and the property has sat vacant for years. No commercial developers have wanted the property.

Recently the property was offered to the Palomares Homeowners Association for possible purchase. Both the County and the Homeowners Association had appraisals done.

The Palomares Homeowners Association surveyed the residents to see if the Association should buy the property for expansion of their recreation center.

The community decided they did not want to purchase the property, therefore the owners of the property have submitted this proposal for review.
Bob

Thanks for bringing this up Bob. I just finished reading the staff report. The HOA did put the purchase up to a vote and it failed. Several other attempts to Amend the General Plan and rezone the property have failed since 2000 in fact the BOS even denied an appeal to allow a development on this site. The owner purchased this site knowing how it was zoned and knowing how the General Plan affected development on this site. The community spent more than 6 years reworking the Castro Valley General Plan. That was the time to suggest General Plan and zoning changes. I submit that this proposal shows a callous disregard for the entire community engagement model.

Thanks, Chris! Also, there is a link to that same report in the blog pos. (although I referred to it as “the proposal.”)

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