The regular meeting of the San Lorenzo Village Homes Association Board of Directors was held Thursday, January 17, 2002.

1.1 CALL TO ORDER - President Jim Sherman called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.

1.2 SALUTE TO THE FLAG - President Sherman led the audience in the pledge of allegiance.

1.3 ROLL CALL - Directors Jim Sherman, Pat Pebelier, David Sloan, Kathie Ready Enrique Barboza were all present.

1.4 Presentation by the Civic Developers regarding Village Square - James Sorenson from Alameda County Planning gave a history of the Village Square area and the Specific Plan process. He noted that there were some issues of concern with the height of the proposed development for the area as well as the issue of rental versus ownership of the "housing" that would be included in the plan. Representatives from Civic Partners presented their plan for the Square area. Drawings were shown which moved the Homes Association building and the Library to the Village Square area-making a 'civic-type' center, with a clock tower as its center piece, Senior housing, the post office, live-to-work-spaces, retail shops and underground parking. The area where the Homes Association, library and fire station would be a retail shopping area which would extend to the where the current Albertsons' shopping area is now located.

The representative from Civic Partners noted that there were areas addressed in the new plan that were consistent with the recommendations outlined by the Specific Task Force Committee and requested by residents in the last two (2) community meetings. One of these areas was the maximum height of the buildings which would be no more than 55 feet in height.

The Floor was opened to questions from the audience:

Staff from Supervisor Lai Bitker's office asked residents to call one of her offices at 278-0367 or 276-6693, to give input on what they felt about the plan. One resident asked how many residential apartments would be in the development. Civic partners stated that there would be more than 800 residential apartments which would be mixed-income units. Some would be lower to moderate rate income units with some current market rate units.

Another resident asked how long it would take before breaking ground on the development. The representative from Civic Partners stated that there is a public process that needs to take place. The development would occur in three (3) phases, starting with the Mervyns Square area initially and then building the other areas. He did not see the building of the development starting for at least two (2) years. It was questioned as to who would own the land. Civic Partners stated that the land would be owned by the Homes Association, the Bohannon Organization and the developer.

Resident Harry Gin questioned whether the plan presented would be what the community actually got . He noted that the planned development for the Green House Market area in San Leandro was approved without some of the stores and fast food restaurants which appeared in the final plans. He also questioned what type of building materials would be used which could be maintained easily yet hold up in appearance for a long time.

Civic Partners representative stated that the plan may have some elements that would be changed as it goes through the community process, but its intention is develop something that the community wants and has asked for. He stated that it is very important in a mixed-use development to have quality construction and building material in order to attract the capital needed for the long life cycle of the development.

Another resident asked where the capital would come from and what the financial risks to the San Lorenzo residents are for this development. Civic Partners representative stated that he does not see any risk to San Lorenzo residents but rather a benefit to residents wherein property values will be enhanced by this development. The market conditions are strong for this type of mixed-use development, especially in the Bay Area.

Resident Howard Beckman asked whether the master plan includes small businesses and whether Civic Partners plans to turn the development over to other developers. How are small businesses guaranteed to remain in the plan. The representative from Civic Partners stated that they intend to economically motivate retail for the development and if the retail is priced right it can be eventually be brought up to market value as it is turned over.

It was questioned where the fire department would be located. Civic Partners stated that the location of the fire department is independent of the plan and would need to be worked out with county personnel who has already noted that it is looking for a new building and location for the fire house in San Lorenzo.

It was questioned how live-work spaces would be different from the retail. Civic Partners stated that 'live-work' spaces are business that include art supply stores, insurance brokerages and the like- versus actual retail, grocery stores which would be located in another area apart from the live-work units.

Resident Keith Barros questioned the accountability of the multiple owners in the development. Will the homeowners be subject to Association CC&Rs? What about the retail businesses? The representative stated that he is assuming that the housing will be part of the Homes Association, it is unclear how the businesses will be worked out in the process. Barros asked what the minimum and maximum square footage of the town homes would be. The representative stated that no minimum or maximum has been established at this time.

Resident Dorothy Partridge asked which buildings would be the highest and where they would be located. Civic Partners stated that the highest building would be the senior housing unit which would be located next to the Lorenzo Theater and 55 feet. This is four levels over the retail. The next highest building would 3 levels over retail and the clock tower would be 60 feet high. He noted that the businesses displaced by the development would be offered a place in the development. The representative stated that he felt confident they would be able to attract new businesses to the project.

It was questioned as to how many of the units would be low income. The representative from Civic Partners stated that with redevelopment funds involved in the project area -a minimum of 15 percent of the units would need to accommodate low income housing.

A resident questioned what the developer saw as potential obstacles in getting the project started. The representative stated that time would be a major obstacle. The Bohannon Organization is very supportive of the project and has been since Civic Partners introduced the idea to them. The development needs to move as quickly as possible, the risk is that time will affect the market for the project. Director Sherman questioned whether there would be space for a youth center. The representative stated that there would be a community hall in the civic area which could accommodate a youth facility.

Director Ready asked who is going to pay for the new "civic building" that would house the Homes Association office and the Community Hall. The representative from Civic stated that the land where the office, the library, cabin and firehouse stand would be traded for the same acreage area in the "new town square area". The developer would construct the buildings as part of the trade for the Homes Association.

Director Barboza questioned the size of the post office. The space would be smaller in the proposed development and he questioned where all the post office vehicles would park. The representative stated that there would be underground parking, however the developer has had very limited contact with the post office to discuss the details. This is something they would be doing in the very near future if the community was receptive to the proposed development.

2.O MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING - Director Ready moved to approve the minutes from the December 2001, meeting number 1058, Director Sloan seconds the motion. The minutes are approved unanimously.

3.0 COMMENTS FROM PUBLIC AGENCIES

3.1 Alameda County Sheriffs Dept. - Technician Langdon stated that the crime report would be forwarded to the Association. She reported that the crime prevention unit of the Sheriff's department was able to provide for 14 families with gift baskets this holiday season. Langdon said that the past few Community Policing meetings have been very successful at Bay Elementary. She announced the next meeting would be held on Thursday, February 14th. The topic would be on personal safety and weaponless defense techniques.

Langdon stated that her department has been active in the Special Olympcis Torch Run which be held on June 7, 2002. She is trying to get this event publicized in San Lorenzo. She is also trying to locate a restaurant in or near San Lorenzo to have another fundraiser which they normally have had in Castro Valley that fundraiser is "tip a cop" where officers serve food at a local restaurant and keep the tips they collect from patrons. Langdon announced that the Sheriff's Department will hold another Citizen's Academy in the Spring.

She reported that her department had received complaints about drunk persons hanging out in the Community Park in San Lorenzo at the end of Via Buena Vista. She encouraged residents to call the Sheriff's office. She stated that there are deputies who are assigned to that area and any suspicious activity should be reported. The number to call is their non-emergency number 510-667-7721. 3.2 CHP - Officer Dowle reported the following statistics for December 2001:

CHP Traffic Statistics for December 2001

Type of Ticket            # of tickets entire  # tickets in 
                          unincorp. area       San Lorenzo

Parking Tickets                                    47
Fix-It Tickets,                 N/A               N/A
Moving violations                                 115
Traffic Collisions                                 30
DUI                             N/A               N/A
Vehicle Towed or impounded                         15

3.3 Supervisor Lai Bitker - The Administrator announced that there would be a candidates night for the County Supervisor election on Monday, February 4, 2002 at 7 p.m. in the community hall.

3.4 Public Comments

Mr. Peterson, a resident on Via Marlin questioned what is being done about the chain link fence that is up around the area where the Mervyns store used to stand. He suggested that the Board consider asking the owner to put up a wood facade on the chain link and have local artists paint the wood to make it look aesthetically more pleasing. Peterson stated that something should be done about the condition of that area and he felt that painting the fence would help improve the look. Director Ready said that the Board has been fighting with the Bohannon Organization for years and nothing has been resolved. The owners need the fence there for insurance reasons. She pointed out that the Board's concern about painting the fence is the fact that there is recurring graffiti in the area. Resident Keith Barros stated that the Homes Association has set a tone for the area with upkeep of yards and the condition of how the residential area looks. He would like to see the Association govern any new residential development in the same manner that it does now.

4.0 FINANCIAL REPORT

4.1 Approval of December 2001 Expenditures - Director Sloan makes a motion to approve the December 2001 expenditures, including payroll and Director Pebelier seconds the motion. The motion passes unanimously.

4.2 Discussion of Significant Variances - The Administrator reported that the transfer fees continue to be bringing in more funds than projected.

5.0 LIEN AND VIOLATION REPORT - The Administrator reported that there have been no liens released since the December 2001 Board meeting. She suggested that the Board waive the violations report due to the time taken by the Village Square report. The Board had been given a copy of the Violations report-see attachment A. There were no objections to waiving the report.

6.0 BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REPORT - There was no meeting in December 2001 - No report.

7.0 ADMINISTRATORS REPORT

7.1 Follow up on Gas Station Proposal of Washington/Grant - The Administrator gave a history on the proposed development. She reported that the Association Board had given approval for the sight to house a mini mart/gas station for the entire sight at a previous Board meeting.. At a recent county zoning hearing the developer proposed a gas station/car wash for the sight but stated that only 4/10ths of the acre would be developed for the mart/gas station. This would leave the remaining area open for subdivision and/or development. It was pointed out that the plans the developer showed the Association Board for the gas station/mini mart included the entire sight.

Director Ready makes a motion to reject the new proposal presented to county zoning which showed only a portion of the sight to be developed with the mini mart/gas station. Director Sloan seconds the motion. The motion is approved unanimously.

7.2 Other - The Administrator reported that there will be an AC Transit redistricting meeting held at the San Leandro Library on Thursday, January 31st from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

8.0 OTHER BUSINESS

8.1 Alameda County - Discussion of garage conversions - Daryl Gray, County Zoning Administrator, discussed the garage conversion policy the county has had since its adoption in 1969. The policy discourages removing the parking from the front of the residence and requires that there be at least 20 feet of area which is free of parking in front of the garage area. Gray stated that the county is taking another look at the policy due to the fact that there are residents who live in the unincorporated area who purchased homes with an illegal conversion and/or residents who have converted illegally who were unaware of the policy, and now want it reviewed and possibly changed. He stated that the county will be having community groups discuss this issue and get their input prior to taking it to the County Board of Supervisors. He requested that the Association Board have this item as a regular item on its agenda for the next few months so that the county can update the Association on the status of any changes or discussions regarding the current policy. There were no objections from the Board to adding this item onto the next several Board agendas.

Director Ready questioned why the county needs to rewrite this law for a handful of people who are dissatisfied. She also asked whether this policy will be considered by all the unincorporated community groups. Gray stated that the Board of Supervisors has asked staff to get community input from all unincorporated groups prior to making a recommendation.

Resident Howard Beckman stated that changing the policy because some people have violated it, is not a good reason to alter the policy. He pointed out that when a buyer is in the process of purchasing a house he or she needs to be cognizant about the way the residence is built and the real estate agent has a duty to tell the potential buyers what has been done to change the existing residence which does not conform with county policies and/or laws.

Resident Keith Barros stated that he agreed with Ready and Beckman, the law should not be changed just because a few people have chosen to break it.

The Administrator concurred that changing the policy because some residents have violated it is not a good reason to alter the law. She asked Gray if there are any garage conversions that can be done legally. Gray stated that you can convert a garage if you have adequate parking. This requires 20 feet of space be left open in front of your garage. He stated that most of the homes in San Lorenzo do not have enough space for this type of conversion.

8.2 Smart Corridor Project - The Administrator reported that this project will be presented to the County Board of Supervisors in a week or two. Nothing has been discussed or presented to the San Lorenzo Association . The project is sponsored by the Congestion Management Area (CMA), the Contra Costa County Transportation Authority (CCTA) and other local agencies. Its purpose is to improve the flow of traffic in and around local freeways, thus improving safety, and efficiency and to disseminate information about traffic flow on freeways to local roadways which connect to freeways. One of the concerns of some of the communities who have reviewed this project are the signs which would be placed on local roadways which would have information about freeway conditions. The size of the signs has not been clear, nor as to the number of signs needed on local roadways.

Resident Howard Beckman noted that this program is a Bay Area Wide program which will install sensors and cameras on local streets as well as message signs. He is concerned about the project due to the fact that none of the communities involved have gotten together to discuss the project and review what is being done. He would be concerned if the program diverted traffic off the I-80 freeway onto Hesperian Blvd. He stated that both the city of Berkeley and the city of Hayward have objected to the signs because there have been no details of what they will say. Any signs in the area should be reviewed by the Association and the community prior to approval.

The Administrator agreed that if there were any signs to be placed in San Lorenzo, they should come through the Association Board for review and approval. Director Sloan made a motion to approve the Smart Corridor Project with the stipulation that any signs which would be placed on San Lorenzo roadways, would first come to the Association Board for approval. Director Pebelier seconds the motion. The motion carries uananimously.

9.0 PUBLIC COMMENT - Resident Howard Beckman stated that the county now has staff that addresses the issue of improper removal or cutting of the trees in the Village. When a resident removes a tree they must get approval from the county and then are required to replant a tree in their yard within a specified amount of time.

10.0 COMMITTEE REPORTS

10.1 Airport Committees - No report.

10.2 Council on the Prevention of Drinking and Driving - There was no report due to no meeting being held in the past month.

11.0 COMMENTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS - Director Sherman thanked the audience for staying for the entire meeting. Director Sloan questioned whether residents in the village would like to consider the Association trimming the trees again if assessments were raised to accommodate the fees for the service. One resident said that he was against this due to the fact that his tree had been taken out by PG&E years ago and he does not need the trimming that other trees need.

12.0 ADJOURNMENT - President Sherman adjourned the meeting at 10:15 pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Pat Pebelier, Secretary-Treasurer

Recorded & Transcribed By: Kathleen Harrigan, Sr. Admin. Assistant

Variances from Jan. 2002 board workshop meeting:

1613 Via Lucas -- Back yard shed. Approved with conditions.