Location, Location, Location…

Location, Location, Location: That’s the point most people are missing regarding the Mosaic School Outdoor Project.

A previous Forum letter from the neighboring business brought up Fire, Septic, Water, Right to Farm and Safety for the student/staff and residents of Cull Canyon.

These are very important issues.   The fact that the Mosaic Project’s Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) did Not adequately address these issues is why the unanimous Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) and a number of Cull Canyon residents found the DEIR deplorable.

I’ve lived in Cull Canyon most of my life.  Water and wells, even in non-drought years have always been significant issue.  Since I was a child, we’ve taken what is called a Navy shower: get wet, turn off water, soap down, then rinse.   Water is scarce.  The idea of doubling the population in the canyon is nuts.

The 36-acre property where Mosaic wants to build has a creek running through it very close to Cull Canyon road.   The only moderately flat ground to build on is next to Cull Creek.   It will require cutting down a large number of Costal Live Oak Trees, including many on the steep 30% slope going straight up the canyon wall.  They plan to build retaining walls to construct 12 cabins for 4th and 5th grade school children.  The dining hall consists of a large commercial-scale kitchen, large meeting space, showers, restrooms, laundry room, office, infirmary, storage room, elevator and outdoor deck.  This single building alone can accommodate 516 people.  Also proposed is a 1,025 sq-ft toilet/shower building, a 2600 sq-ft permanent residence hall for teachers living on site and a 1,200 sq-ft caretakers residence.  There is no city water or sewer!

As to Fire and Emergency Exit, Cull Canyon is a box canyon with only one way out. Three-fourths of the canyon residents live beyond the Mosaic site.   If a fire occurs and heavy equipment/fire trucks coming in to fight the fire and frantic parents are trying to rescue their children, it will be a disaster.

No school buses will be left on the Mosaic site.  School children are bused in on Monday and picked up on Friday.  In theory, Castro Valley School District buses will try to reach the Mosaic site, but drivers may not be available or let into the canyon since school bus drivers are not likely certified for emergency rescue operations.

For the Safety of the children and Cull Canyon residents, pick another location.

–Diana Hanna, Castro Valley