Governance
31

Recap of the MAC Land Use Meeting

On Monday night, a capacity crowd jammed into the Castro Valley Library to attend the latest Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) meeting. The “Public Comment” section was very diverse.  Topics covered the entire Valley spectrum and included the ongoing garbage situation in the Canyonlands, as well as a downed …

Governance
1

MACs and “MAC Equivalents” Serve 1.4 Million Californians

In a blog post from last month, I asked “What is the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC), Anyway?” After a recent Eden Area Livability Initiative Governance Planning Group Meeting, where Alameda County presented a short list of other Municipal Advisory Councils (MACs) around California, I started asking “How many …

Governance
13

What is the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC), Anyway?

What is the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC)? Many locals have been mystified about this group.  Rumors abound as to their powers, motives, and how they come to power.  What’s the real truth? But first, what exactly IS a Municipal Advisory Council (MAC)?  The State Legislature passed a law …

Economic Development

Castro Valley Billboards Become Outdoor Museum Galleries

A new project is fighting billboard blight on Castro Valley Boulevard with art…at least temporarily. The Art Everywhere US Project aims to make art more accessible and “is the first of its kind in the US and follows a successful 2013 version in the UK, with plans to be repeated this summer. It affords …

Economic Development
3

MAC Land Use Meeting Recap

On Monday, July 28, a small crowd gathered at the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) meeting to hear the MAC consider 3 issues. Here is a brief summary of the night. Item One: The MAC considered the issuance of a conditional use permit to Verizon Wireless, allowing them to …

Economic Development
6

What is the Alameda County Community Development Agency up to?

Chris Bazar, Director for the Alameda County Community Development Agency (CDA), presented on the goals and accomplishments of his agency at last night’s Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) meeting. According to CDA’s Financial Statement in the 2014-2015 Alameda County budget, CDA’s appropriation for the 2014-2015 fiscal year is $69,264,745. …

Local Control
16

Waste Management vs. the Canyonlands

A large and unexpected rate increase by Waste Management for garbage collection is hitting rural Castro Valley.

Economic Development
4

Daughtrey Building Development Timeline outlined in Contract

The Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA) has been released regarding the purchase of the Daughtrey’s building from the County which purchased it in 2011. The building has not had a permanent tenant in over ten years. The DDA is comprehensive in its scope, but has some very definite time deadlines. …

Economic Development

CVMAC Requests Changes Before Approving Burger King Facelift

Last night at the Castro Valley MAC (CVMAC) meeting, a remodeling project was approved for the existing Burger King restaurant at 2757 Castro Valley Blvd. The franchise owner had previously submitted plans to the CVMAC at both the April and May MAC meetings, but the CVMAC requested extensive changes to …

Education
1

Alma Pre-School Move to Marshall Causes Uproar

Tonight (Thursday, May 22) at 7:00 the Castro Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) Board of Education will discuss the school district’s plan to relocate the Alma Pre-School from its current location on Seven Hills Road to a new location on the Marshall Elementary campus, next to the baseball fields on Omega Avenue. Marshall …