A Perspective on MACs From Another MAC
A Brief Comparison of Two Unincorporated Communities: Castro Valley and Salida Guest Post by Katherine Borges, Salida Municipal Advisory Council Chair When I tell people that Castro Valley is unincorporated, they are shocked. Its locality, its amenities, and especially its size, all lend to the appearance of an incorporated city. …
The History of “Castro Valley Tan”
“Why is Castro Valley Boulevard so tan?” Many people have spoken up complaining about the overall drabness in our Downtown business district. How did this come to be? Why is colorfulness discouraged, and remodeled buildings are awash in “50 Shades of Beige?” Lets take a look at the history. Castro …
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 …
Where to Save on Sales Tax
Note: This is the second post in a series about sales taxes and how they apply to unincorporated areas like Castro Valley. Click here for the first post. How far would you travel to save $20 when you purchase your next flat screen TV? If you’re like me, you’re looking forward to football …
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 …
Proctor Court and Neighborhood Concerns
UPDATE: The Proctor Court Development will be addressed at the MAC Meeting on Monday, September 8. This Monday, August 25, the Castro Valley community will hear the latest plan for the “Proctor Court” Development. The project has come before the MAC two previous times and each MAC meeting resulted in …
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 …
A Perspective on the Willow Park Golf Course Situation
Guest Post by Steve Falzone, President, Willow Park Golf Club As President for the Willow Park Golf Club, I am concerned about the timeline provided by East Bay Regional Parks District (EBRPD) for the golf course lease Request for Proposals (RFP) at Willow Park. Why? Our golf club, Willow Park Golf Club, …
EALI Joint Leadership Meeting Report
On Wednesday, July 29, the Eden Area Livability Initiative (EALI) Joint Leadership met to give the community an update on the progress of each working group. Each update was followed by a chance for Q&A with the attendees. There were also updates on a few of the Phase I EALI …
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 …