The East Bay Regional Park District’s (EBRPD) proposed modernization project [previously covered by Castro Valley Matters] comes before the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) on Monday, January 11, 2016.

The MAC will consider a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) that would allow EBRPD to expand its administrative and support service facilities. EPRPD’s plan includes new buildings for vehicle maintenance ( 7,700 sq. ft.), public safety (3- story, 32,000 sq. ft.), and park maintenance (2 buildings, 1500 and 2000 sq. ft.). This project is an expansion of services for all of EBRPD, not just Lake Chabot Regional Park.  The staff for this site will be serving Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.

Prior to the usual 6 p.m. meeting, there will be a special “field trip” to the site at 4 p.m. to see the story poles and grasp the true scale.  On the field trip, participants can get a sense of the height and dimensions of the building by viewing the “story poles” and flags that have been installed at the site.  The public is invited to participate in this field trip. At the regular 6 p.m. MAC meeting, EBRPD will make a presentation at the meeting, followed by community comments, and the MAC will then offer their own comments and recommendations.

Many residents I have spoken to oppose this project.  We have held community meetings, canvassed neighborhoods, met with public officials and local committees and Boards, engaged hikers, bikers and visitors of the park, and even posted flyers at businesses around town trying to increase people’s awareness about this issue.  I encourage you to reach out to the EBRPD Board of Directors with your thoughts on this project and attend Monday’s field trip at 4:00 pm and MAC meeting at 6:00 pm on Monday, January 11, 2016.

These images help, but to fully understand the impact, you should see it for yourself.  I urge you to see for yourself what is being proposed before the storypoles and the flags are taken down.  The MAC board will be touring the site on Monday, January 11, at 4pm, and you are welcome to join the tour.   The scale of this is astounding.  For more details on this project, read my previous post on the proposed EBRPD modernization project,  or my neighbor’s website  SAVEOURLAKECHABOT.COM.

The address of the proposed site is 17930 Lake Chabot Road.  To get to the site, take Lake Chabot Road north, turn right at the first driveway after passing Arcadian Drive, and go all the way to the top of the hill, park in the parking lot and get out and walk around to see for yourself.  (Note that this parking lot is to be eliminated from public access if the project goes through.)