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 …
Sales Tax and Castro Valley: Fireworks that Fizzle
If you thought that the addition of T.J.Maxx would bring lots of sales tax money into Castro Valley, well, you’d be wrong. If you thought that a renovated and bustling Daughtrey’s Building would bring in lots of sales tax revenue into Castro Valley, well, you’d still be wrong. The truth …
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 …
A Perspective on Bike Lanes for Somerset Avenue
Guest Post by Bruce Dughi, Castro Valley resident. Alameda County plans to completely remake Somerset Ave. between Stanton Ave. and Redwood Road soon, including sidewalks, curbs, and painted bicycle route signs. Following Table 3-8 of the Alameda County Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan for Unincorporated Areas [pdf] from 2012, Somerset …
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 …
Alameda County Public Health: Discussion on Health Outcomes in District 4
On Tuesday, July 29, I went to a discussion on health outcomes for Alameda County District 4. The goal of meeting was the accreditation of our county public health department with the Public Health Accreditation Board. This accreditation will provide guidance on project prioritization, leadership, and stakeholder engagement, as well …
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 …
Update on the Grovenor Gate
There has been informal access to East Bay Regional Parks (EBRPD) “Ten Hills Trails” at the end of Grovenor Drive for several decades. After a series of complaints, some local voices began questioning if this loose chain that effectively granted access to the park was appropriate for the neighborhood. Due …
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. …