Alameda County Transportation & Planning Committee Meeting - October 6, 2025

This meeting focused on three major items concerning unincorporated area governance: a proposal to eliminate the Site Development Review (SDR) requirement for horse boarding and riding academies, a review of progress on the Baker Tilly Development Process Review, and a status report on the proposed Office of Unincorporated Services. Supervisors David Haubert (Chair) and Nate Miley presided, with significant public participation. The committee provided direction to streamline equine facility permitting, initiated steps to create an Office of Unincorporated Services, and discussed ongoing challenges with county permit processes.

Public Comments & Testimony

• On SDR for Equine Activities:
  • Dan DeVinny (Castro Valley MAC/Ag Committee member) argued the SDR process is too costly, time-consuming, and redundant given existing oversight from other agencies. He expressed support for eliminating the SDR requirement for horse boarding and riding academies to support agriculture.
  • Larry Gostin (Equine Technical Advisory Committee member) supported DeVinny's position, detailing a 20-year history of stalled efforts to streamline equine facility permitting and expressing frustration with the county's process.
  • Bobby Britting (horse owner/operator) spoke in favor of eliminating the SDR, citing economic and community health benefits of horse facilities and stating that excessive regulation is causing the horse community to dwindle in Alameda County.
  • Jeanette Baldwin (ranch owner) expressed support for the change, stating the distinction between "training" and "boarding" facilities is arbitrary and the financial burden of the SDR process is "astronomical."
  • Remote commenters Andrew Turnbull and Mark Crawford (Planning Commission Chair) also voiced support for the initiative. Crawford explained the item was brought directly to the committee to circumvent perceived staff inaction.
• On Baker Tilly Report & General Governance:
  • Kelly (remote caller) expressed concern that permit streamlining could hamstring planning department revenue and opposed making Environmental Health a standalone department, citing a 2015 Grand Jury report warning against political interference.
  • Several speakers during the Office of Unincorporated Services item (Alina Farouk, Sandra Archuletta, Leo Esclamado, Warren Cushman, Juliana Weiser Leon, Bruce King) voiced strong support for creating the office to improve coordination, transparency, and equity in service delivery for unincorporated residents.
  • Matt (remote caller) supported the office but emphasized the critical need for accountability mechanisms within its structure.
  • Mark Crawford argued the office must be placed under the County Administrator's Office, not the Community Development Agency, to have real authority over department heads.

Discussion Items

1. Elimination of Site Development Review for Equine Activities:

   • Presentation: Dan DeVinny presented the case, arguing that horse boarding and riding academies are agricultural uses, are already heavily regulated by other agencies (Environmental Health, Public Works), and are unfairly singled out for a costly and renewable SDR when similar or more impactful agricultural uses are not.
   • Staff Response: Planning staff (Albert) confirmed the item originated from the Castro Valley MAC and Planning Commission. They noted complexities, including the need to ensure any change complies with state law and that other agencies' permit requirements (e.g., for septic systems) would remain.
   • Committee Debate: Supervisor Miley expressed frustration with the irregular process of a community member presenting but acknowledged the longstanding issue. Both supervisors agreed on the goal of eliminating the SDR if legally permissible. They discussed the need to also address burdensome requirements from other departments (e.g., Environmental Health).

2. Planning Commission Recommendations on Baker Tilly Report Implementation:

   • Presentation: Planning Commission Chair Mark Crawford reported that only 37 of 51 Baker Tilly recommendations have been completed after over two years. He highlighted stalled "big ticket" items, including creating a cross-departmental project manager role and implementing a true appeal process for applicants during permit review. He criticized staff for over-relying on the new permit portal as a solution and for providing inconsistent progress reports.
   • Committee Debate: Supervisors agreed on the need for a dedicated project manager or "ombudsman" to guide applicants and break logjams. They directed staff to prepare an item for the full Board of Supervisors to direct the County Administrator to resolve this staffing need, rather than waiting for a future Office of Unincorporated Services.

3. Office of Unincorporated Services Status Report:

   • Presentation: Claudia Albano (Supervisor Miley's office) detailed a 20-year history of building civic infrastructure in unincorporated areas (MACs, community groups) and argued a dedicated county office is the next logical step to provide administrative continuity, inter-agency coordination, and a home for issues like the Baker Tilly implementation. Three potential locations for the office were outlined: status quo (in Supervisors' offices), in the County Administrator's Office, or in the Community Development Agency.
   • Committee Debate: Supervisors Haubert and Miley agreed the office should serve the entire unincorporated area, both urban and rural. Supervisor Miley committed $50,000 from his office budget to hire a consultant for a 6-month design phase.

Key Outcomes

1. SDR for Equine Facilities: The committee directed planning staff to proceed with the goal of eliminating the Site Development Review requirement for horse boarding and riding academies. The next step is for staff to analyze state law compliance and then bring the issue to the Agricultural Advisory Committee for a consolidated review, inviting all MACs and interested parties, before proceeding to the Planning Commission and ultimately the full Board.
2. Baker Tilly Implementation: The committee approved a motion to recommend the full Board of Supervisors direct the County Administrator to secure a project manager (via hire or reassignment) to oversee and implement the Baker Tilly recommendations, serving as an ombudsman for permit applicants.
3. Office of Unincorporated Services: The committee approved a motion to recommend the full Board of Supervisors support the creation of an Office of Unincorporated Services and authorize Phase One: a 6-month consultant-led design study, funded by Supervisor Miley's office, to determine the office's structure, location, and functions.
4. Other Directives: Supervisor Haubert indicated a future discussion is needed regarding Environmental Health Department processes and the perception of "gotcha" enforcement, possibly including its reorganization.