An Update on AB 3 and the Plight of Isla Vista
What if unincorporated communities could get more local control without having to incorporate? Assembly Bill 3 (AB 3), working its way through the California Assembly, would give Isla Vista, an unincorporated community next to the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) campus, an enhanced version of a community service district (CSD), …
Miley to name two new MAC members, third spot undecided
Castro Valley Matters has learned that Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley will name Graceland Equestrian Center owner Chuck Moore and trial attorney Janet Everson to the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC). Miley has not decided which candidate will fill a third seat; however, the runner-ups for that seat are …
As redevelopment dissolution wraps up, Daughtrey’s back on MAC agenda
The Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) meets on Monday, April 20, 2015 to hear an update from David Greensfelder on his plans for the long-vacant Daughtrey’s building. The former Alameda County Redevelopment Agency purchased the building for $2.7 million in 2011. In June 2014, Alameda County entered into a Disposition and …
Cityhood Lost: California keeps Castro Valley unincorporated, new cities struggling
Back in 2012, as I passionately argued for an incorporated Castro Valley before a packed audience at the “Great Castro Valley Debate,” I had to concede that despite my dream for Castro Valley home rule, achieving municipal independence for our community was unlikely…all because of something called the “Vehicle License Fee …
Vehicle License Fee Timeline
This timeline is based on information from the California Local Government Finance Almanac and the bill analysis for Senate Bill 25. 1935: VLF created “Established in 1935 as a uniform statewide tax, the VLF is a tax on the ownership of a registered vehicle in place of taxing vehicles as personal …
“Virtual City” Proposal for Isla Vista Possible Solution for Castro Valley
Recently introduced California State Assembly Bill 3 (AB 3) could fundamentally change the way unincorporated Isla Vista governs itself and provide a road map for other unincorporated communities to gain more local control. I’ve been studying many different ways that unincorporated communities could govern themselves, and the Eden Area Liveability Initiative (EALI) has …
Proctor Court Project Gets Postponed by the BOS
On Tuesday, March 10, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors discussed the 17 home Proctor Court development at their Planning Committee meeting. The project had already passed through and been approved of by the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) and the Alameda County Planning Commission, and it was up for …
What’s your vision for new Castro Valley park?
Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (HARD) hosts a meeting on Thursday, February 26 at 6:30 p.m. at the Castro Valley Community Center (18988 Lake Chabot Road) to start the process in developing a 24-acre site into a new park for Castro Valley. Purchased for $5.6 million in 2014 from …
EALI Economic Development Working Group to Meet This Thursday
UPDATE: You can listen to an archived recording of this meeting here. The Eden Area Livability Initiative (EALI) will have its next EALI Economic Development Working group meeting on Thursday, February 5 at the San Lorenzo Village Homes Association, 377 Paseo Grande, San Lorenzo. The meeting starts at 6:30pm and …
Local and Regional Governance Vacancies: January 2015
There are many advisory and watchdog committees whose jurisdiction includes Castro Valley, Alameda County, or the broader Bay Area. As of January 2015, the following have vacancies, and we encourage you to learn more about each of these and consider applying for a position! Castro Valley The Castro Valley Municipal …