MAC Approves New Housing Near Library
At their Monday night meeting, the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) approved a plan for a large mixed-use residential and commercial multi-building development at 3765 and 3789 Castro Valley Boulevard at the corner of the Boulevard and Norbridge Avenue.
Developer City Ventures plans to build 47 townhomes and 4,890-square-feet of retail space on the former site of a mobile home park, and within walking distance of the Castro Valley Library.
Adjustments to the proposed project recommended by the MAC included turning a fence into a wall that matches the surrounding area, moving the trash enclosure, including office space, and moving and adjusting a grass and games area.
“We really appreciate all the effort you guys have put into this project and we look forward to something different in the area than what we’ve had,” said MAC Chair Ken Carbone.
On Monday, the MAC also heard an update on a new state law that will make it easier for people to subdivide and build on their single-family properties while removing some local controls.
State Senate Bill 9 (SB9) was signed into law in Fall 2021 and applies to most single-family urban and suburban properties should the property owner choose to develop additional units. Depending on the size of the lot, up to four units could be built where only one was permitted before.
Increased density in residential zones is the bottom line, but stands do remain for things like parking, setbacks, and landscaping.
“The state has changed some of the rules on us,” said Rodrigo Orduna, assistant planning director with the county. “If someone proposed an additional unit of 800-square-feet or less, there is very little we can impose.”
SB9 projects come down to a simple yes or no as to whether they comply. There will be no Environmental Quality requirement (CEQA), no public hearings, not notifying neighbors, though in some cases there will be HOA (homeowners association) approval necessary.
MAC member Chuck Moore said he felt this new law could be beneficial in the Castro Valley’s agricultural areas where there is more land to build, and owners would have to deal with less red tape on their own properties.
Also at Monday’s meeting, the MAC unanimously approved an application to operate an equestrian facility/ riding academy at 24977 Palomares Road
Old Castro Valley Library
In other MAC news, the council met on Tuesday, February 22 (following the President’s Day holiday) and held an informational meeting featuring an update on the old Castro Valley Library.
Just what should be done with the library site has been a hot topic for years- the building at 20555 Redwood Road has been vacant since 2009.
In March of 2020, the county Board of Supervisors transferred responsibility for the site from the General Services Agency to the Community Development Agency (CDA) and directed the CDA to consider using the location for affordable housing for veterans.
In the interim two years, the CDA engaged an architecture firm to assess the site, hired an economics firm to see if mixed-use was feasible for the site, and hired a separate historic architecture firm to prepare a historic resource evaluation of the old library site.
The result of the initial study showed that a mixed-use development was possible, but it would have to be very dense and tall.
Additionally, the historic architecture firm found that the site is eligible for the California Historic Register. To demolish the old library would trigger a need to prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and various complications. The cost of the EIR would typically go to the housing developer, which may make the project less appealing to potential developers.
Also, the property is currently zoned for “public facilities” so re-use as a residential development would trigger a rezoning and General Plan Amendment.
The CDA has met with Castro Valley Veterans groups throughout the process and the group has indicated to the CDA that they would at least like use of the existing building for veterans’ services.
The next steps in the process will be to have the CDA share this information with the Unincorporated Services Committee, the county Transportation and Planning Commissions, and finally the Board of Supervisors.