Eden Area MAC Meeting – April 15, 2026

The Eden Area Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) met on April 15, 2026, at 2:00 PM to discuss and vote on four major agenda items: zoning ordinance updates for housing element implementation, a parcel subdivision for new housing, renewal of a conditional use permit for a cell tower, and a report and recommendations for creating an Office of Unincorporated Communities. The meeting included public comment and unanimous or near-unanimous votes on most items.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The council approved the minutes from the January 13, 2026, meeting (moved by Councilmember Elizabeth, seconded by Ray, unanimous roll call) and the February 10, 2026, meeting (moved by Megan, seconded by Elizabeth, unanimous roll call). Minutes are now action-only format as per county practice.

Public Comments & Testimony

• CHP Officer Jen Pepst reported enforcement statistics for March 2026: 226 traffic citations, 26 vehicles towed, 12 DUI arrests, 3 felony arrests, 8 misdemeanor arrests, 57 non-injury and 22 injury crash reports. Upcoming enforcement events include distracted driving and speeding operations.
• Randy Wage spoke in support of Sky West negotiations between Hayward Rec and City of Hayward, advocated to preserve the clubhouse with its commercial kitchen for community use, urged renewal of the Flock camera contract (coming to Board of Supervisors April 21), and promoted Earth Day cleanup and market.
• Public on Office of Unincorporated Communities: Multiple speakers expressed strong support, emphasizing the need for representation, transparency, budget input, language access, and a central point of contact. Speakers included youth leaders (Romero, Raimundo Archuletta, Aidan Matias, Oscar G.), community organizers (Juliana Weiser Leon, Kimberly Victorio, Dave Thompson), and Spanish-speaking residents (Gladys Validez, Esperanza). Many urged that the office have independence or strong authority, and prioritize multilingual staff and community engagement.

Discussion Items

1. Zoning Ordinance Updates for Multifamily Residential Development Standards (PLN 2025-00167):

   • Presentation by Rodrigo Arduña (Planning) and Tom Ford (M Group) on minor zoning code and objective design standards amendments to facilitate densities already adopted in the six-cycle housing element. Key changes: reduced setbacks, increased FAR, and modified open space requirements for housing element opportunity sites. For the Bayfair BART site (the only site affected by SB 79), an incentive allows developers to exceed 75 feet (up to 12 stories) if they limit height to three stories within 45 feet of single-family property lines.
   • Councilmembers discussed impact on greenery, community outreach, and the incentive rationale. A motion to recommend approval to the Board of Supervisors passed 6-1 (Chair Weidler dissenting, expressing discomfort with approving changes to a housing element she did not originally support).

2. Parcel Subdivision for New Housing Units (PLN 2025-00167):

   • Proposed vesting tentative parcel map to divide 21164 Garden Avenue into three lots, allowing one existing home plus two new single-family homes and two attached ADUs. Staff recommended approval. Councilmembers expressed general support for infill housing. Some discussion about ADU regulations and state mandates. Motion to recommend approval passed unanimously.

3. Conditional Use Permit Renewal – Cell Tower (PLN 2025-00217):

   • Renewal of an existing expired permit for a T-Mobile monopole at 2114 Mission Boulevard. No physical changes proposed. Staff recommended approval. Concerns raised about RF emissions near a YMCA child care center and the tower operating without a permit since August 2022. Staff noted the applicant is late but catching up, and a new telecom ordinance with penalties is being developed. Motion to recommend approval to Board of Zoning Adjustments passed 6-1 (Councilmember Stanley opposed).

4. Report and Recommendations for Office of Unincorporated Communities:

   • Consultant Brienne Gala presented extensive research, proposing a three-year pilot office housed in the County Administrator’s Office with three staff (director, project manager, administrator) focused on coordination, communication hub, MAC support, and budget engagement. Key findings: fragmented governance, coordination challenges, lack of centralized communication, and decoupled policy/budget processes.
   • Councilmembers and public broadly supported moving forward. Some preferred amendments for independence or stronger authority, but the motion to recommend approval of the proposal (Option 1) to the Board of Supervisors and advance to Phase 2 planning passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Zoning Ordinance Updates: Recommended approval to Board of Supervisors (6-1 vote).
• Parcel Subdivision: Recommended approval to Planning Director (unanimous).
• Cell Tower CUP Renewal: Recommended approval to Board of Zoning Adjustments (6-1 vote).
• Office of Unincorporated Communities: Recommended approval to Board of Supervisors to advance to Phase 2 planning (unanimous). Staff will incorporate feedback from all MACs before final presentation.
• Next meeting will include subcommittee reports.