Eden Area Municipal Advisory Council Meeting - September 10, 2026
Eden Area Municipal Advisory Council Meeting - September 10, 2026
Note: The agenda and transcript indicate the meeting was held on September 8, 2026; however, per user instruction the date is given as September 10, 2026.
The Eden Area Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) met on the evening of September 10, 2026 (as specified) at the San Lorenzo Library Green House Community Room. The meeting included informational updates on fire station construction and transit-oriented development planning, plus two action items: a subdivision application and a conditional use permit for an EV charging station. The council also heard extensive public comment on Hunger Action Month and on preserving the Sky West Golf Course open space. All action items were recommended for approval to the Board of Supervisors.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Hunger Action Month (non-agenda item): Several youth speakers from SLAM and local students urged the council to proclaim September 2026 as Hunger Action Month, citing food insecurity, rising costs, and the need for basic food access. An adult speaker noted this is a multi-city initiative and asked the council to relay the request to the Board of Supervisors.
- Save Sky West Golf Course (non-agenda item): Two speakers requested the council's support to preserve 126 acres of open space at the Sky West Golf Course, emphasizing its habitat for the largest monarch butterfly population in the Bay Area and native turtles. They expressed concern over the Hayward Executive Airport's maintenance failures and expansion plans.
- Fire Station Update (Item 1): One public speaker asked about soil mitigation at Station 22, specifically the plastic sheeting and vapor barrier; Deputy Chief Moore clarified that both mercury and PCE contamination issues are being addressed.
- Subdivision (Item 3) and Conditional Use Permit (Item 4): No public comments were received on these items during their respective portions.
Discussion Items
- Approval of Minutes (August 11, 2026): Councilmember Wydler noted that the minutes incorrectly listed Stanley as absent; a correction was mentioned. Councilmember Marumahoko abstained because he had been absent. The minutes were approved with one abstention (Marumahoko) and five in favor.
- 1. Update on Fire Station Rebuilding Projects (Measure X Bond): Deputy Chief Eric Moore presented progress on three fire stations. Station 7 (Palomares Hills) is nearly complete with roofing and utilities; occupancy expected mid-January 2027. Station 25 (Castro Valley) slab pour is imminent; vertical construction begins October 2026. Station 22 (San Lorenzo) interior signage and permits are underway; utility trenching begins October 2026; soil remediation for former gas station/dry cleaner site will include vapor mitigation. Construction completion targeted for June 2028. Council members expressed excitement and asked about lessons learned, community tours, public art (artist David Burke selected), and the longer timeline due to environmental work. The update was informational.
- 2. Bay Fair Priority Sites Technical Assistance (PSTA): Angelica González (Planning) and Kirsten Dishinger (consultant) presented pre-development work for transit-oriented development (TOD) on the 7.2-acre county portion of the Bay Fair BART property in Ashland. Carly Payne (BART TOD program manager) explained BART's process: ground lease, developer selection, and community engagement. Key constraints include ADA access to the BART station (currently stairs only), undergrounding power lines, and coordination with the City of San Leandro (which controls the other half, approx. 7+ acres). Community input (135 survey responses) favored housing, affordability, improved bike/pedestrian safety, and neighborhood-serving commercial uses. BART's aspirational goal is 35% affordable housing across its portfolio; minimum 20% per site. The site will likely be phased; developer solicitation is 15-18 months out. Council members asked about funding gaps, interjurisdictional complexity, and timelines. The item was informational.
- 3. PLN2026-00020, Subdivision (Mario Clamar): William Chin presented a tentative parcel map to divide an 18,720 sq ft lot into three parcels with two new single-family dwellings at 18449 Standish Ave., Cherryland. The existing home will be partially demolished to provide a 20-ft fire lane. The project is CEQA-exempt (Class 15). Council members asked about landscaping (to be addressed at building permit stage) and demolition. No public comment. The council voted unanimously (6-0) to recommend approval to the Board of Supervisors.
- 4. PLN2026-00065, Conditional Use Permit (Ionna EV Charging Station): William Chin presented a proposal by Dewberry Engineers for a 24-hour EV charging facility with 10 stalls, five canopies, a picnic area, restrooms, and vending machines at 19895 Mission Blvd., Ashland. The amenity building makes the project require a CUP; without amenities, it would be a by-right use. The existing car lot structures and a 36-ft sign will be demolished. The applicant (Jack from Ionna) confirmed the restrooms and amenities are open to the public, with 24/7 security monitoring and daily cleaning. Council member Wydler expressed disappointment that no solar panels or additional landscaping were included, given climate goals. The council supported the project as an improvement. One public comment welcomed the neighbor. The council voted unanimously (6-0) to recommend approval to the West County Board of Zoning Adjustments.
Key Outcomes
- Minutes (August 11, 2026): Approved (5-0-1, Marumahoko abstaining).
- Subdivision (PLN2026-00020): Council recommended approval (6-0) to the Board of Supervisors.
- Conditional Use Permit (PLN2026-00065): Council recommended approval (6-0) to the West County Board of Zoning Adjustments.
- Next Meeting: Scheduled for Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
Meeting Transcript
You ready, Zanaida? Yes, we're ready. All right. Hello, everybody. Uh, we are going to call the Eden Area Municipal Advisory Council to order. And we are going at uh what time? 603, maybe? I'm not looking at the clock. 602 close. All right. So with that, we will move to our agenda. First item on the agenda, which is call to order and roll call. If we could have the sonata, if you could call the roll, please. Councilmember Marmahoco. Present. Council Member Roll. Present. Council Member Stanley. President Councilmember Widler. President. Councilmember Aston Nielsen. Here. Chair Cushman. I'm here. We have a quorum. Wonderful. Everybody's here. And with that, we will all rise and do the Pledge of Allegiance. And make sure we turn off those cell phones. Alright, here we go. A Pledge of Allegiance to the United States, America. And to the Republican Liberty Access for all. All right. Get settled here. Okay. Zanata, do we have any public comment on the pledge and roll call and such? We have public comment on non-agendized items. Okay, with that, we'll go to non-on-agenda items. And we will, since there are a number of speakers tonight on this item on non-agenda items, we will ask for two minutes, please, and we will have Zanaida uh call the first speaker. One moment, I will be getting the um timer up. Speaker, Matias Miana Lena. Good evening, Mayor and City Council members. My name is Matias Michelena, and I'm a high school student from Hayward, California. I'm here because many families struggle to afford food, and some students don't always have access to healthy meals. Food insecurity affects people in our community, and high food prices make things harder. I asked the city council to proclaim September 2026 as hunger action month. Thank you. Aidan Ameskua. I am a student who lives and studies in my community. I am here today because hunger and food insecurity affects people in our community.
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