Historic Building Could Get Cafe
An unused historical building on A Street, west of Ruby Street may get a new lease on life as a trendy neighborhood cafe if the parcel can be rezoned to allow commercial use.
It was one of several items the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory (MAC) Council heard an informational item about the possible development at 1446 A Street at their Monday night land use meeting.
Developers with Lakeside Green LP seek to amend current zoning from residential low density to neighborhood commercial and they also seek a variance to lower the number of required parking spaces.
The current building is a large brick two-story structure that was constructed in 1939. Once upon a time, it was a piano store on the ground floor with two residential units on the second story.
The developers are asking to remodel the building, retain the existing masonry, and turn it into a restaurant or cafe with office space on the upper floor and the possibility of a rooftop outdoor dining area.
MAC member Ken Carbone said the proposal is good but wants further “conversation” about the history of the site.
A potential hiccup preventing the café from opening could be the parking. Current regulations dictate a certain number of parking spaces per size of the building and its use. Right now, one parking space is required for every 60 square feet of floor area for restaurants and one parking space is required for every 250 square feet of floor space for offices.
This would mean the new proposed development would need a total of 52 parking spaces—a number required under a parking space policy that county staff called “outdated.” The developers are asking for a variance to have just 18 spaces.
MAC member Chuck Moore agreed that a café would be nice for the neighborhood but said that the parking situation required further discussion.
“Parking guidelines might be outdated, but until they are revised, they are our guidelines,” said Moore.
The MAC also expressed a preference for a local business, rather than a chain, to occupy the spot. The matter now goes back to the county Planning Department, with the rezoning to be discussed again in the future.
Also at Monday night’s meeting, the MAC received preliminary background info on a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) which would allow an agriculturally zoned parcel at 13575 Lake Chabot Road (near Bay-O-Vista Swim Club) to be filled with trench soils that were created when the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) replaced pipelines.
The 60-acre quarry site is currently privately-owned, and it abuts Lake Chabot parkland. EBMUD proposes to acquire the site and fill it with soil, then eventually restore the property over a period of several years to create an open space for recreation.
“This (proposal) is asking us to consider the impact for future generations, as this one may have a 40-year window,” said MAC chair Bill Mulgrew.
Additionally, the MAC unanimously approved a CUP that allows the continued operation of an existing cell phone tower on private property in the agriculturally zoned area at 10410 Crow Canyon Road along Bolinas Creek. Verizon will continue to operate the wireless telecommunication facility, which has been authorized under various operators at the location since 1989.
County staff recommended a few modifications for the CUP to be approved, including the replacement of antennas and the installation of new hybrid cables and other modernized equipment.
Also, of note—in the open public comment section of the meeting, Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (HARD) Director Peter Rosen let everyone know that Fairmont Terrace Park (2103 Manchester Road) recently reopened after renovations. The park has been expanded and facilities have been upgraded. Rosen said that HARD eventually hopes the park will connect to local trails and Lake Chabot.