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MINUTES
SAN LORENZO VILLAGE HOMES ASSOCIATION
MEETING NO. 1065
April 18, 2002
The regular meeting of the San Lorenzo Village Homes Association Board of Directors was held Thursday, April 18, 2002.
1.1 CALL TO ORDER -- President Kathie Ready called the meeting to order at. 7:38 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 Enrique Barboza were present, Director Sloan was absent.
2.O MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING -- Director Sherman moved to approve the minutes from the March 21, 2002 , meeting number, 1064, Director Pebelier seconds the motion. The minutes were approved unanimously.
3.0 COMMENTS FROM PUBLIC AGENCIES
3.1 Alameda County Sheriff's Dept -- Deputy Frazer reported that San Lorenzo was down in several of its statistics as compared to last month. Some of these statistics were as follows: Down by 1 residential burglary, down by 3 in auto burglaries, down by 4 in commercial burglaries, down by 5 in stolen vehicles. Down by 1 in grand theft. San Lorenzo had a robbery on Paseo Grande in which the subject is now in custody. There were 3 reports of graffiti, one was at Edendale Middle School and one at Arroyo High School where both of the subjects were caught and are in custody, one report was at the San Lorenzo Village Homes Association.
Frazer stated that the Sheriff's department has also been investigating juveniles that attempt to buy cigarettes from Liquor and Convenience Markets. In the last two months there were 47 stores who were in compliance and 11 that were selling to minors.
Frazer thanked the Homes Association for honoring Deputy Gibson in a Memorial earlier in the month.
Technician Langdon announced that the Community Police will be putting together a meeting dealing with concerns the community has about the neighborhoods. The meeting will be held May 9th at Bay Elementary. Langdon stated that the Special Olympics Torch Run will go down Hesperian Blvd in San Lorenzo this year and the Cop Shop Flea Market will be held in the old Mervyn's parking lot on June 2nd.
3.2 CHP - Officer Doule reported the following statistics for March 2002 (See attachment B).
# of tickets for entire
Type of Ticket unincorporated area # in San Lorenzo
Parking Tickets 461 94
Fix-It Tickets N/A N/A
Moving violations 753 114
Traffic Collisions N/A 27
DUI N/A N/A
Telephone complaints 41 3
Vehicle Towed or impounded N/A N/A
A resident asked the CHP to patrol Via Milos where teenagers are spinning donuts and racing down the street on weekdays after and after work between 3 pm to 4 pm. Doule stated that he would patrol this area.
3.3 Supervisor Lai-Bitker - Nick Aragon, aide to Supervisor Lai-Bitker, announced that the pilot tree policy is going to the Board of Supervisors to become an ordinance. The first reading of the ordinance will be next Tuesday before the Board of Supervisors. He stated that if residents want more information, please contact him.
Aragon stated that the 2nd Annual Leadership Academy is underway where citizens get top notch experience about what Alameda County provides. He also said that at the last BCDC (Business and Community Development Committee) a community clean up of San Lorenzo was discussed. He stated that he is trying to work on a committee to get the business community cleaned up in San Lorenzo, especially the area on Hesperian to A street.
A resident asked whether something could be done about the Lorenzo Manor Shopping Center. Aragon stated that Supervisor Lai-Biker had spoken to the property owner Lisa Lo and they are hoping to get it cleaned up soon.
3.4 Youth Advisory Commission - A representative from the Youth Commission announced that at the April 8th meeting the group adopted by-laws and brain-stormed ideas for future projects. He stated that they are planning to have a car wash where half of the funds collected would be donated for community projects. They are also planning a youth dance and will help with the community clean up project that Supervisor Lai-Bitker and the San Lorenzo community is planning.
3.5 Public Comment -- Resident Howard Beckman announced that there is a meeting being held on May 1st at 6:15 at the San Leandro Library regarding the San Francisco Bay Crossings Study. The meeting is being put on by Cal Trans and the MTC (Metropolitan Transportation Commission). There are currently five or six proposals for a new Bay crossing. One of these proposals will affect San Lorenzo and would involve an extension of 238 down Lewelling Blvd to connect with 580. He urged residents to attend this meeting and pass the word around about this proposal and how it could impact San Lorenzo.
Sara Matlin, with the Safe Ashland Organization reported that crime has gone down in the Ashland area in the past two years. She stated that in the year 2000 her organization was able to get a grant that allowed for a community police officer dedicated to the Ashland area. Funds for this grant expire in 2002 and Ashland may be without a community policing officer dedicated to its area. Matlin said she is going around to community meetings in Castro Valley and Cherryland, asking for letters of support for the officer to remain in the Ashland area. She asked the Association Board for its support as well. Matlin pointed out that having an officer dedicated to the Ashland area has allowed San Lorenzo to have its own deputy dedicated to its area.
The board concurred that the Administrator draft a letter for the Association in support of keeping this community policing position dedicated to the Ashland community.
Director Sherman asked that the statistics on the crime decrease in Ashland be forwarded to the Association office. Matlin said she would forward the facts to the Association, she also asked that some of the Directors be present during the May Unincorporated meeting to urge the Supervisors of the need for this community policing deputy in Ashland. Matlin stated that she would drop off postcards for residents to sign which support keeping the deputy in Ashland. These post cards will be presented to the Board of Supervisors.
4.0 FINANCIAL REPORT
4.1 Approval of March 2002 Expenditures (including payroll) -- Director Sherman made a motion to accept the March 2002 expenditures including payroll, Director Barboza seconds the motion, the motion carries unanimously.
4.2 Discussion of Significant Variances -- There have been no variances since the last Board meeting.
5.0 LIEN AND VIOLATION REPORT -- The Administrator reported that there have been no liens released since the last Board meeting.
Number Violation # of Letters 1/19 Inoperable Vehicles in driveway 16 2/22 Recreational veh/trailer in driveway 7 6 Lack of Gen Maintenance 1 10 Lawn Height 13 11 Dead Trees 0 12 Overgrown Vegetation 1 13 Holiday Lights 23 15 Building Exterior 5 16 Dirt Accumulation 3 17 Attractive Nuisances 4 18 Lean/miss fence 0 20/7 Unpaved parking 3 21 Working on vehicles 1 23 Dogs/Cats more than 2 0 24 Barking dogs 0 25 Prohibited animals 0 26 Excess noise 0 27 No Home Business 1 28/99 Other comments 4 Total 82
7.0 ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
7.1 Specific Plan Update -- The Administrator reported that Association Board had its first meeting with the developer outlining some of its concerns with the plan. The developer was receptive to the concerns and was taking the issues under advisement.
A San Lorenzo resident stated that he had read the flyer that had been forwarded to all homeowners regarding the proposed development. He was concerned with the amount of housing that was slated for the area. He stated that with over 800 units there would be approximately 1200 or more cars in the area. He wanted residents to consider the amount of traffic that would be generated by these cars and questioned where all these cars would go. He questioned whether the retail spaces would then be in competition with the residential parking. He was also concerned with the height of the buildings-some which would be four stories high and would change the look of the area. He stated that residents should be cautious about who purchases the land from Bohannon because it is unclear as to what they would do with the land or how long they would be vested in the proposed development.
Resident Keith Barros asked when the Specific Plan was going to be approved by the county for the San Lorenzo area. The Administrator stated that at the end of June the Board of Supervisors would hear the issue. She said that the issue of height limitations and other concerns would be addressed by county staff person Lou Andrade who would bring this before the Association prior the plan being presented to the Board of Supervisors.
7.2 County Budget -- The Administrator said she went to the county meeting regarding its budget for the fiscal 2002/2003 year. She stated that due to State cuts the County needs to cut approximately 46 million from its budget. The county has not been in this much of a financial deficit since 1997. She stated that at the next committee meeting each County Department will outline its mandated programs so that the county can determine where these cuts can come from.
Resident Howard Beckman asked if the county budget would be discussed at the next Unincorporated Services meeting at the end of this month. Aragon stated that it was currently not on the agenda, but he would have this changed so that it would be included. Beckman said that it is essential that the unincorporated residents voice their concerns about where these cuts might go.
The Administrator pointed out that the county is waiting for input from the State as to actual amount of funds it will need to cut in the next fiscal year.
8.0 OTHER BUSINESS
8.1 (Time agenda item 7:45 pm) Housing Report for San Lorenzo -- County staff reported that the county and all jurisdictions in the state are required to adopt and updated housing element. The state mandates this to all its jurisdictions to meet the housing needs of the people who live in California. The county must adopt a policy for housing which would fit into its General plan and would allow a fair allocation of housing for families. The last housing element that the county completed was in 1990, the State had a requirement for an updated element for the years 1999 to 2006. The county has asked the State for several extensions to outline a new housing element for this time period. The county was allocated by the State through the Association of Bay Area Governments to develop 5310 new dwelling units to be designated in the county's official policy that would be built from 1999 to 2006. If the county was able to reach that goal from 1999 to 2006, the county would have had to build 708 new housing units each year. The last few years which have been peek years in terms of development, but still never reached that goal, averaging 300 dwelling units a year. The last time the county met this goal was in the 1940's when the San Lorenzo Village was being developed. The goal designated for unincorporated county is only 10% of the goal for all Alameda county and is a very ambitious goal. This is the first problem that the county has with trying to develop this housing element into its Specific Plan. The county does not have to meet the goal but it must designate sights for building, outlining density of the development which would show an effort towards reaching this goal.
The second problem the county has had in meeting this housing element is with the Measure D initiative which limited urban growth development. This affected the north part of Livermore which prior to this initiative was allocated for a large part of this housing element. The county is being watched by those opponents of Measure D to prove that they cannot meet the housing element and thus challenge the initiative in court. Those proponents of Measure D are urging the county to come up with a policy inside the current urban limit line.
The housing element also must allocate a fair portion of new development to low to moderate income families. The county was designated a number of affordable units by ABAG. It was told to develop 1785 very low income units, 767 low income units, 1395 moderate income units and 1363 market rate or above rate units. It is nearly impossible to develop the very low income units without a large amount of subsidy. Density issues have been looked at in order to meet these requirements. The county currently designated 3500 new development sights. The county is further studying the idea of higher density and re-zoning of areas to help with the current shortfall for the housing allocation. The new plan presented for the Village Square would help with some of the housing allocation, but most of the development would occur in Castro Valley and in the Ashland and Cherryland areas.
In May of last year they started focus groups to study this issue and review the master program for this housing element. They are also trying to seek direction from the Board of Supervisors on how to address this short fall and will update the plan before them in May of this year. The county's final plan would go back to the community for input prior to any passage of the plan by the Board of Supervisors.
Resident Barros what sights have been identified in San Lorenzo. County staff stated that the bulk of housing in San Lorenzo would be in the new development of the Village Square, which currently shows over 800 new units for that area. There could be some re-zoning of other areas which would provide additional housing. Barros asked if the end of Grant Ave was considered. The county is currently looking at this area for consideration.
8.2 (Time agenda item 8:15 p.m.) EBMUD Activites -- Mike Wallace -- Wallace stated that EBMUD has been serving residents with drinking water fore several years and with waste water for over 50 years. They are now looking at public power for its customers. Three models were presented to the residents which would allow EBMUD to provide electricity to customers (see Attachment A). Wallace noted that the EBMUD board has made no decision on this proposal, but is going out to the community with this idea to get its input. Aragon stated that working for the Supervisor, he would be concerned about the loss of taxes should EBMUD take over power. He asked if there has been discussion by EBMUD as to how to generate those funds back into the community. Wallace stated that EBMUD is not under any obligation, but would be willing to fold this issue into the negotiating process.
Resident Howard Beckman asked that EBMUD narrow down its preferences as to how it would provide electricity to the public and encouraged EBMUD to educate the community about its preference. Wallace stated that they would be handing out a survey to residents at community meetings.
Resident Dorothy Partridge questioned how, other than the survey, does EBMUD mean to get the word out about its proposal to provide power to its customers. Wallace stated that the EBMUD Board is sending out staff to community meetings to see how the public responds should there be a lot of public support for one or several of the proposals it would consider sending out a survey to all customers and formulate focus groups.
8.3 Approval of Budget for FY 2002-03 -- The Administrator stated that the draft budget had been published in the last Association newsletter and she had no comments from residents about the proposed budget.
Resident Howard Beckman asked whether the two (2) part-time employees had helped to actually increase CC&R enforcement. The Administrator stated that CC&R enforcement had increased and that the part-time employees had assisted with other office duties, plus CC&R entries into the computer.
Director Sherman makes a motion to approve the proposed Budget for the Association for its 2002-2003 fiscal year. Director Pebelier seconds the motion. The motion carries unanimously.
9.0 PUBLIC COMMENT -- Resident Barros stated that more residents should look at the proposed development of the Village Square area. He was happy to see a resident ask questions about parts of the plan. He stated that it is important that the development fit in with the community and that the housing proposed for it be in the Association with its own set of CC&Rs.
10.0 COMMITTEE REPORTS
10.1 Airport Committees -- Resident Howard Beckman announced that the Hayward City Council is now discussing the Hayward Airport Master Plan. He said that the Airport Master Plan is now a done deed and he is concerned with the private corporation which is currently constructing a building at the Hayward Airport for 10 (ten) corporate jets.
Beckman said that last night he was at the Oakland Airport Noise Forum where Fed Ex was put on the spot. Fed Ex planes are those jets you hear mostly after 10 pm and they have some of the oldest airplanes in flight. Beckman stated that Fed Ex was asked to answer some specific questions about its operations at this meeting. This is a good thing for the public. Beckman said that air cargo growth is on the rise and it can only get worse unless something is done. He was encouraged that Fed Ex was put on the spot and asked to answer questions related to its operations.
10.2 Council on the Prevention of Drinking and Driving -- None.
10.3 Youth Resources -- Dorothy Partridge, Chair of the Committee announced that the group is at a cross road with respect to how it should continue. The group had representatives from Supervisors offices assist in trying to pool resources from other meetings in other communities. They hope to set up a collaborative group which would include the Cherryland and Ashland communities as well as the San Lorenzo area. They will continue to meet with the Supervisor's staff members from these districts to work on this collaborative which would cut down on the duplication of efforts by other groups and meetings in these communites.
11.0 COMMENTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS -- Director Sherman announced that on April 30th the Alameda County Sheriff's Department has an accreditation hearing starting at 7 pm in the Community Hall and invited all residents to come and give their input as to how the Sheriff's department is doing with respect to the service in our community.
12.0 ADJOURNMENT -- President Ready adjourned the meeting at 9:27 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Pat Pebelier
Secretary-Treasurer
Recorded & Transcribed By: Kathleen Harrigan, Sr. Admin. Assistant
Reviewed By: Nancy Van Huffel, Administrator and Director Kathie Ready
Variances from CC&Rs considered at board workshop meeting 4/18:
(A)788 Via Manzanas -- Addition without lower window (item revisited from March). Approved.
(B) 17450 Via Melina - Back yard shed with 3 ft set back. Approved.
(C) 17236 Via Primero -- Garage with 1'6" set back from property line. Approved.
(D) 1069 Via Manzanas -- Front yard fence, 3'3" high with 9' set back. Denied.
(E) 648 Via Manzanas -- Extension of driveway/front yard fence with another driveway. One driveway extension approved, additional driveway with fence denied.
(F) 576 Via Manzanas -- Addition and back yard shed with 4 ft set back. Denied.
(G) 2074 Via Rancho -- Front yard step fence 5'4" to 3'. Approved.
(H) 16049 Via Nueva -- Second story addition. Continued.
(I) 729 Paseo Grande -- Back yard shed with 3' set back. Approved.