The regular meeting of the San Lorenzo Village Homes Association Board of Directors was held Thursday, March 17, 2005.

1.1 CALL TO ORDER -- President Kathie Ready called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

1.2 SALUTE TO THE FLAG -- President Ready led the Board and the audience in the pledge of allegiance.

1.3 ROLL CALL -- Directors Kathie Ready, Jim Sherman, Pat Pebelier, and Patrick Ledesma were present. Peggy Sheridan was absent due to illness.

2.O MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING -- Director Pebelier moved to approve the Sherman seconds the motion. The minutes are approved unanimously.

3.0 COMMENTS FROM PUBLIC AGENCIES

3.1 Alameda County Sheriffs Dept. -- Deputy Peterson provided statistics with the codes only -- will update when we get the actual "crime" stats with the name of codes:

[Following statistics were made available after the meeting.]

Statistics for Alameda County Sheriff's Office Feb./March 2005

                                             Change from
Crime                        Number          last month        Affected Streets

Stolen vehicles                    15             +6           Times, Perkins, Arbor, Dunn, via Conejo,
                                                               via Lacqua, via El Cerrito, via Flores, 
                                                               via Vecinos, Boxer Ct., Hesperian, via 
                                                               Barrett, Grant
Attempted Stolen Vehicles          n/a            n/a
Recovered Stolen Vehicles           4             -3           Gribben, Florence, Hathaway, Nielson 
Residential Burglary                5             +1           Via del Reye, Channel, via Piedras, 
                                                               Ginger  
Commercial Burglary                 3             +1           Hesperian
Auto Burglary                       8             -4           Ginger, via Arriba, via Paro, Paseo del 
                                                               Rio, Paseo Largavista, via Mirabel, 
                                                               Keller, via Piedras
Grand Theft                         4             -3           Via Melina, Grant, Keller, via Ventana
Graffiti                            2              0           Bockman, Sunset
Robbery                             2             -3           Hesperian, A St./Victory

Peterson reported on the shooting at San Lorenzo Park on March 6, 2005. He stated that they have interviewed the victim and sketches are being developed. They have arrested one suspect who lived in Modesto. He noted that gang crimes have increased in the East Bay Area. He said that the gangs known as the "Nortenos" and the "Sorenos" are young Hispanic men that wear either red or blue. They represent southern and northern California groups. He asked that any resident who sees suspicious behavior with groups of men fitting this description, get the identifying information, including any vehicles they are driving, and report it to the Copp Shop.

Director Ready and Director Ledesma thanked the sheriffs for all their hard work.

A resident asked if the sheriffs are still publishing their crime statistics in the local newspapers. Peterson stated that this is not readily done but is available through the Sheriff's department for all interested individuals. He announced that the Citizens Academy would be coming up at the first of April and that they would be having a Sheriff's Accreditation Meeting at the end of April.

8.1 (Timed Agenda Item @7:45 pm) Speed limit on Grant Avenue between Channel St and Industrial Areas -- Alameda County Traffic Engineer, Bob Preston reported on the proposal to change the speed limit from 25 mph to 35 mph on Grant at the Westerly end between Channel and the Industrial area. He stated that the first part of Grant is a Residential area between Hesperian and Via Alamitos and is posted at 25 mph. The second area of Grant is between Via Alamitos and Channel Ave and is posted 25 mph due to the fact that is considered a school zone area. The third of Grant is from Channel to the westerly end. It is not considered residential due to the backyards which abut the street and are over 40 feet from curb to curb which does not meet the "residential" definition for traffic standards.

Preston had requested that this area increase its speed limit from 25 mph to 35 mph so that radar can be used. He said currently radar cannot be used and most of the traffic citations are being thrown out of court because of this. The other ways to monitor traffic are guesstimated by the officer who initiates the ticket. Preston stated that in order for enforcement to be implemented effectively, radar must be used in this area.

Director Ledesma asked Preston why the speed limit could not be increased to 30 mph rather than 35 mph. The fear from residents and others in the community is that by raising the speed limit it will encourage higher speeds in an area that is already heavily traveled by industrial trucks and close to schools in the area.

Preston stated that if you downzone the speed limit then you would have to have an accident rate that delegated it. Even though there is a 25 mile per hour speed limit in this one area of Grant, no one seems to be driving at that speed. The average speed limit is 37 to 41 mph. The 30 mph speed limit would have to be set by this accident rate, which it does not.

Board members questioned Preston as to why the speed limit for 25 mph was not set in the past and who was pushing to increase this limit. Preston said that the request to increase the limit came from the CHP and the sheriffs' office due to a number of tickets being dismissed. Preston said that if the community wanted to use radar as a tool on this edge of the roadway then you would need to increase the limit. He stated that he would like to see that the conviction rate is error free. However, it is up to the community and the Supervisors to change the speed limit and that the community needs to understand this.

Resident Keith Barros stated that he felt that radar was not being used as an effective tool in school zones now and that before any speed limit is changed on Grant that the following points be considered:

1) That radar is fully utilized from Nielsen to Channel.

2) To investigate how to reclassify the area at Grant and Bockman as a school zone due to the fact that it is near the Charter School and Bay Elementary.

3) Install stop signs at the intersection of Grant and Via Nueva as some residents have requested.

Barros pointed out that the quality of life for the residents at that end of Grant needs to be considered. The noise and the amount of traffic is already a problem at 25 mph.

Director Ready asked that the county investigate why the county could not reclassify that area of Grant as a school zone and enforce radar ther without increasing the speed limit.

Director Sherman made a motion to deny the increase of the speed limit at end of Grant between Channel and the westerly end but to consider reclassifying some of the area into a school zone so that radar could be enforced. Director Ledesma seconded, the motion carried unanimously.

8.2 (Timed Agenda Item at 8 pm) Alameda County Planning Staff: Housing Element, Reasonable Accommodations, Catering Vehicles, and Definition of Restaurants -- Supervisor Lai Bitker was present to also address concerns and issues that residents had about this issue.

Staff member Lou Andrade, from county planning, wanted to clarify that there have been no applications and no designations for any shelters in the targeted areas of R3 (tri-plex units) and R4 (apartment building complexes) designations. The housing element (see Attachment A) is a proposal that is being considered. Within this document is a plan to "designate" where shelters can be zoned. The county is looking at R3 and R4 zoned areas in all the unincorporated areas. He noted that the county needs to devise its own housing element due to State requirements. If it does not meet certain State requirements for housing, it would not be eligible for certain grants that need state approval.

Andrade noted that there are currently seven (7) areas on Hesperian that are within this R3-R4 designation in San Lorenzo. There are also some areas on Via Arriba and Lorenzo Ave in San Lorenzo. If approved, these sites would be zoned to allow for homeless, battered women's shelters or other types of shelters. If designated, these sites would not immediately turn into shelters, but current or new owners would have the option to change the units into shelters. Andrade noted that in other communities, there was a CUP (Conditional Use Permit) process reviewed by the local Planning Commission to approve this change. He stated that there are currently 14 meetings that will be held to review this issue, and the Housing Element proposals. County Staff would be requesting a CUP process for any shelter if R3 and R4 sites are re-zoned to allow for these types of shelters.

Director Ready noted that there are currently 371 units that are zoned as R3 or R4 in the unincorporated areas of Castro Valley , Cherryland, Ashland, Hayward Acres and San Lorenzo. She was concerned with the Housing Element's wording that would "permit" the re-zoning of these areas to allow for shelters. She stated that there needs to be a conditional use permit process for any changes regardless of the zoned area. Ready noted that the Board wrote a letter to the Planning Department about these changes as to where it felt these shelters should be placed with the consideration of access to transportation, food and medical facilities. (See Attachment B) . She urged residents to write to the Planning Commission and to the Supervisor Alice Lai Bitker with their concerns.

Director Ready also pointed out that within this Housing Element proposal there is high density residential being slated for areas in San Lorenzo that are now businesses . She noted that we are being asked to take 15 % of the low and very low income housing in San Lorenzo, when other areas are not even being asked to take half of that percentage. Ready stated that many of the transportation funds are being used in other areas, when in fact we get very little funding for our roads and sidewalks. The funds we need to maintain our roadways are less than those communities who are being asked to support less housing and persons per acre. This can be seen in many of our unincorporated residential communities that still do not have adequate sidewalks or roads.

Director Ledesma asked if the Housing Element applies to cities. Andrade stated that it does not. The Administrator noted that the county does receive Grant money for all of its unincorporated areas, including city projects. She further pointed out that the County needs to provide low income housing regulations under ABAG regulations. However, the unincorporated area is being targeted to fill the need. In Hayward 18% of their population is targeted low income. In San Leandro it is 6%, in Berkeley it is 2%. The unincorporated area of Castro Valley, Ashland, Cherryland, Hayward Acres and San Lorenzo area are carrying more of their fair share of this obligation. It is important to ask why we also need to carry a majority of the shelter sites within our area. Out of the 371 sitesthat would be re-zoned to allow for shelters, three (3) to eight (8) of these sites would be designated as shelters. If passed, these sites could be re-negotiated for a four year period. Gayle Garcia -Lorenzo Ave Several residents spoke to the issue of rezoning these areas for shelters. There points were as follows: Although homeless shelters area needed, it would not be good for our residential area. Many of these sites that are targeted in the San Lorenzo area are near schools. This is not a good place for shelters.

It does not do any good for the residents or for those who are in the shelter itself. Shelters need to have access to transportation, food and medical areas to benefit the persons who utilize this facility. Access to schools, residential areas and liquor establishments should be discouraged.

Residents in and around the Lorenzo Ave and Via Enrico Area pointed out that if the "designated sites" in their area were approved, the shelter would be too near a high school and a preschool that uses its facilities during the week for a Pre-School classroom and a day-care facility.

Residents also voiced there concern what appeared to be a disproportionate of shelters and other high density housing proposed for the unincorporated communities with respect to the other communities under the County's jurisdiction.

Residents who had utilized shelter facilities in the past (whether it be for battered women or other reasons) voiced there concerns about the danger posed to the community when its residents (who are "sheltered" ) are found wandering the neighborhoods or are soliciting on the street or whose violent "partners" locate their whereabouts and cause a civil nuisance.

Many residents encouraged a "hearing process" to determine whether there is opposition to the proposed changes. This would be sent out to all homeowners who apply for a change in the R3 or R4 designation.

Other residents on Via Madeline, Via Bregani, Via Enrico and Business Persons whose establishments were on or near Lorenzo Avenue were concerned that these shelters would create a potential for more crime, garbage and noise. They questioned the location near schools, markets and or bars that offer liquor and the proximity to a residential neighborhood.

The Principal of Calvary Lutheran School, Trudy Packard, stated that she was concerned with the one of the locations that has been sited near her school. She noted that shelters are needed for homeless and other individuals, however, she questioned whether some of the specific locations were a "good fit" for the people in these shelters as well as the surrounding community.

Many of the residents had concerns about why this information about the housing element was not brought to their attention sooner. Director Ready pointed out that the Association Board and many community members have been following the Housing Element for years. However, the county had assured them that there was nothing to be concerned about. It was not until the recent negative declaration that the Board knew about some of the specifics being discussed.

Supervisor Lai Bitker thanked the residents in attendance for voicing their concerns. She pointed out that there are no sites at this point in time that will be re-zoned in the R3 and R4 area. This is merely a proposal. She understands the concerns of the residents about the location of some of these sites in the R3 and R4 areas. The county needs shelters for many of its residents. She questioned staff why there was a need to identify these shelters in the R3 and R4 areas. Could we take these designations out of the equation? Andrade pointed out that if the county took shelters out of the R4 and R3 areas it would still need to compensate some other way. Lai-Bitker asked county staff to look at where the shelters are presently in the unincorporated areas. What are they zoned under now? Staff could come back at the next Association Board meeting and report on its findings to see if re- zoning these areas is needed.

Director Ready asked that all community residents and business who have concerns about this proposal write to the Planning Commission and Supervisor Lai-Bitker about their stance on this issue. (A list of phone numbers and fax numbers was available for residents.)

The Administrator pointed out that this issue goes before the Supervisors for a final vote on May 5, 2005 in downtown Oakland. There will be several meetings prior to that vote where residents can give their input. (A list of the meeting times and dates was made available.)

Betty Kraun from Via Enrico stated that there was some communication that she handed out to neighbors which was factual about tonight's meeting. She encouraged more residents to attend the monthly Board meetings to find out what was going on in our community. She noted that Supervisor Lai-Bitker has an office in the area and that residents have a right to complaint to the Supervisor or the Association office if they have concerns.

Director Ledesma said that this is "our" community and that these Association meetings are resident's community meeting. These meetings are where some important decisions are being made for this community. If residents want to be part of that they must attend the meetings and voice their input or concerns. The issues discussed at these meetings are the community's issues. He welcomed the many in attendance and encouraged them to review the monthly agenda for these meetings and attend on a regular basis to find out what is going on in the San Lorenzo area and the Unincorporated areas it surrounds.

The Administrator stated that the Board and County staff need to seriously review where the shelters would be zoned. She suggested that county staff be invited back to the April 21, 2005 Association Board meeting and report back as to whether shelters need to be re-zoned into the R3 R4 areas. The Board and the community need more information. County staff could come back with an overlay of where these shelters are now and why they need to re-zone them into certain districts. It is also necessary to further discuss the density issue in the Housing Element and the issue of catering groups, reasonable accommodations and definition of restaurants which were not addressed at this meeting do to time.

The consensus of the Board was to re-visit this issue at its April 21, 2005 meeting with more information from county staff.

3.2 CHP -- The CHP left the statistics for the month of February (See Attachment C).

CHP Statistics for February 2005

Infraction               San Lorenzo     Total Unincorp. area
Collisions                       14                 161     
Tickets                         208               2,010    
Parking Tickets                  65                 262     
Storage/Impounds                  6                 124   
Stolen Recoveries                 0                  13   
Parking Complaints               37                 228     
DUI Arrests                                          34   

3.4 Zoning Enforcement Report -- Tona Henninger stated that the county's NPO is dealing with more overgrown weeds and vegetation with the last weeks rain followed by sunny days. She handed the zoning report for the past month (See attachment D).

The Administrator stated that the Association staff worked with county zoning staff on over 300 cases last year. She thanked Henninger and her staff for all their hard work and professionalism.

3.5 Public Comment - Items not on the Agenda -- The Administrator stated that it is important that all residents who are concerned about the marijuana medical clinics in the unincorporated area attend the upcoming Unincorporated Services Meeting on this issue. She noted that the Board would like to limit the amount in the unincorporated area to three (3) where there are currently eight (8) clinics. She said that when she researched how many clinics were in other surrounding cities she found the following statistics: Oakland has four (4) clinics; San Leandro has none; Hayward has two (2) and Berkeley has two (2). The unincorporated areas currently have a total of eight (8) which is out of proportion with the rest of the surrounding communities.

The Administrator stated that these clinics are not money-making businesses for the community, in fact a lot of their "business" is done "under the table" which is illegal, against both federal and state laws. She noted that Sheriff Plummer would not fight the community in its effort to reduce these clinics to three (3).

Director Ready reported that she was concerned after the shooting at the San Lorenzo Community Park and went out the day after the shooting and photographed 34 areas where there was graffiti present. She presented these to HARD Board members at their meeting and the HARD employees are now making a concerted effort to get rid of the graffiti immediately whenever it is tagged at the park.

4.0 FINANCIAL REPORT

4.1 Approval of Expenditures and Discussion of Significant Variances -- The Administrator reported that a draft budget will be sent out in the next newsletter outlining any variances. She stated that the Assessment for 2006 would not go up, but would remain at $75.00. Director Sherman makes a motion to approve the February 2005 expenditures, including payroll, Director Ledesma seconds. The motion carries unanimously.

5.0 LIEN AND VIOLATION REPORT -- The Administrator reported that there were no liens released this past month. She reported that there have been over 1,200 violation letters, attorney and county referrals sent for this past year of CC&R infractions.

February 2005 Violation Report

Number  Violation                              # of Letters

1/19    Inoperable Vehicles in driveway                  19
2/22    Recreational veh/trailer in driveway              7
6       Lack of Gen Maintenance                           9
10      Lawn Height                                       7
11      Dead Trees                                        0
12      Overgrown Vegetation                              0
13      Holiday Lights                                   45
15      Building Exterior                                 1
16      Dirt Accumulation                                 9
17      Attractive Nuisances                              0
18      Lean/miss fence                                   0
20/7    Unpaved parking                                   2
21      Working on vehicles                               1
23      Dogs/Cats more than 2                             0
24      Barking dogs                                      3
25      Prohibited animals                                2
26      Excess noise                                      5
27      No Home Business                                  0
28/99   Other/ comments                                   9
99      Multiple violations                               1
Total                                                   122

6.0 ZONING AND VARIANCE ISSUES

6.1 Hearings

a) 16020 Via Cordoba -- No plans for paint. Board agreed to revisit in 60 days to allow for paint to "fade".
b) 2173 Bockman Rd -- Stored Vehicles/Business from home. Refer to county, fine and send to attorney.
c) 1429 Bockman -- Lack of General Maintenance, debris in driveway. Violations corrected.
d) 933 Via Manzanas -- Stored vehicles in driveway. Fine and refer to attorney.
e) 16053 Via Pinale -- Lack of general maintenance, debris on lawn, trailer, lawn tall, stored vehicles, vehicle on lawn. Fine and refer to attorney.
f) 1617 Via Lacqua -- Lack of General Maint., stored vehicle in driveway. Continued for 30 days for owner to get registration.
g) 862 Hacienda -- Lack of Gen. Maint., trailer on lawn and debris on lawn. Fine and refer to attorney.
h) 1996 Bockman -- Lack of Gen. Maint., debris in driveway and lawn tall. Violation resolved.
i) 17165 Via Toledo -- Lack of Gen. Maint., lawn tall/vegetation overgrown. Continued for 30 days for owner to make further "beautification" to front yard area.
j)1367 Via Madera -- Vehicle stored in driveway. Continued for 30 days for owner to get registration and to obtain car cover.
k) 15857 Paseo Largavista -- Lack of Gen. Maint., items stored in driveway, lawn tall, trailer stored at residence. Violations cleared.
l) 17392 Via Chiquita -- Lack of Gen. Maint., cars stored in driveway, lawn/vegetation overgrown. Lawn/vegetation violation cleared; owner to provide registration information or will be fined and referred to attorney.
m)15923 Via Pinale -- Lack of Gen. Maint., lawn tall. Violation cleared.
n) 17019 Via Tomar -- Lack of Gen. Maint., lawn tall, weeds tall, gutter falling off of residence. Owner to be fined and referred to attorney.
o) 690 Via Mirabel -- All violations cleared; owner to be asked to have additional items removed from porch.
p) 16047 Via Paro -- Vehicle stored driveway/debris in vehicle and in and around residence. Owner asked to provide information on registration of vehicle being deemed as "stored" within 30 days and to maintain front yard or will be referred to attorney.
q) 16124 Via Lupine -- Lack of Gen. Maint., lawn tall/construction of residence ongoing for 12 months. Owner given extension to continue to renovate residence. If no progress is seen resident will be fined and referred to attorney. Will revisit in 60 days.

6.2 Variances/Approved, Disapproved or Continued at Work Session

A. 1414 Via Coralla -- Driveway widening. Denied. Owner agreed to replant grass within the next 30 days.

B. 17005 Ganley -- Shed variance 2 feet from one fence line and in line with other fenceline. Approved.

C. 1015 Via Bregani -- Shed variance 2 feet from back fence that abuts canal. Approved.

D. 1030 Via Palma -- Room addition with 10 foot setback from street line on corner side, 15 foot setback from front yard street side (corner lot). Approved.

E. 16042 Via Primero -- Owner applied for sign for daycare business at front of residence. Denied.

F. 18768 Times Ave. -- Room addition with 2 ft setback from deck, which is connected to fence and near existing shed which has 0 set back from fenceline. Owner was to be present to discuss but did not show due to work schedule. Continued until 4/21/05 work session.

Director Pebelier moved to approve the hearing and variance decisions, Director Sherman seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

7.0 ADMINISTRATORS REPORT -- The Administrator announced that on June 5, 2005 the Association will be celebrating its 60th Anniversary. She invited everyone to come and asked them to look for more information in the upcoming newsletters.

8.0 OTHER BUSINESS

8.1 Speed Limit on Grant Avenue between Channel St. and the industrial area (set item for 7:45 pm) -- see above report.

8.2 Alameda County Planning Staff: Housing Element, Reasonable accommodations, catering vehicles and definition of restaurants (set item for 8 pm) -- See above report.

9.0 PUBLIC COMMENT -- Resident Keith Barros thanked the Board members for their concern and their dedication to the community.

10.0 COMMITTEE REPORTS

10.1 Airport Committee -- The Administrator Reported that there was no report this month. The Board's representative, Ernie Delli gatti is still working with the Hayward Airport to cut down the noise in our neighborhoods.

10.2 Library Committee -- There was no meeting this month.

Director Ledesma did give a brief report on the status of the EBMUD Groundwater Project. He stated that the EBMUD Board has scaled down the project and is offering what he believes is a smart solution to the proposal. He stated that ground subsidence is still an issue and he will bring back a full report to the board at a future meeting.

11.0 COMMENTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS -- The Board members thanked all the residents who were in attendance and asked that more attend regularly.

12.0 ADJOURNMENT -- President Ready adjourned the meeting at 10:37 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Pat Pebelier
Secretary-Treasurer

Recorded & Transcribed By: Kathleen Harrigan, Sr. Admin. Assistant
Reviewed By: Nancy Van Huffel, Administrator , Kathie Ready, Board President