Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The Transportation/Planning Committee met on October 6, 2026, with only Supervisor David Haubert present, resulting in a non-quorum discussion-only session. No formal votes or actions were taken. The committee reviewed three informational items: the Alameda County Resource Conservation District Wildlife Connectivity Project, the status of ordinance adoption for solar and battery storage projects, and a general plan amendment for the Vallecitos Nuclear Center.
Courtney Kuhn and Farley Connolly (Alameda County Resource Conservation District) presented an update on designing four priority wildlife crossings across I-580 and I-680. The project uses a $7.9 million Wildlife Conservation Board grant to reach 65% design by 2027. Two crossings (Schaefer Ranch Road undercrossing and a large overcrossing east of Greenville Road) are prioritized, with estimated construction costs of $70–80 million. Supervisor Haubert asked about funding sources (likely combination of state and private), public input (three stakeholder meetings with 20–25 attendees), and economic benefits (potential tourism). The project aligns with Assembly Bill 1889 requirements for analyzing wildlife corridors in general plan updates.
Albert Lopez (Planning Director) reported that draft general plan amendment and zoning code ordinances are complete, but still require County Counsel review, CEQA consultant work ($200,000 budgeted), and road show presentations to the Agricultural Advisory Committee and Planning Commission. The existing 2022 policy sets a 1,000-acre cap for solar and a 300-acre cap for battery storage. One project (Potentia Veridi, ~100 acres) was approved via the state AB 205 process. Supervisor Haubert expressed concern that if applicants use the state process, the county loses control over acreage limits, and urged expediting the local ordinance. He noted that without an ordinance, he would advise applicants to use the state process, which he wants to avoid. Staff indicated the ordinance could be completed within six months.
Albert Lopez described a mapping error in the East County Area Plan (ECAP) where only 105 acres of the 600-acre Vallecitos site received the industrial designation, despite the entire footprint being zoned M-2 heavy industrial since the 1990s. North Star, the current owner, seeks a technical correction to restore the full footprint (about 400 acres, excluding undeveloped portions) to the industrial land use designation to allow continued decommissioning and existing tenant operations. Supervisor Haubert directed staff to determine the minimal CEQA required to fix the map error within one month, separate from any future development proposals. The amendment will go to the Planning Commission and full Board, but not to community advisory councils. North Star representatives confirmed they are not currently pursuing new development, just correcting the error.
Good morning everyone. I'd like to call this meeting to order. However, I have an announcement to make Supervisor Miley cannot be with us today. So therefore we don't have a quorum. We will have a non-meeting meeting, which will be discussion. This is being recorded. And Nate Miley will Supervisor Milo will be able to see the discussion that we have. I note that our agenda is full of three informational items. So we're gonna get all the information out, staff reports, discussion, public comment. We just won't be taking any action. It's a small distinction, but it's a legal one. And so we can probably even dispense with roll call. We don't have a roll call. We're just gonna have a meet a discussion. Okay. Any questions about that? We're all good. It is being recorded. And we'll have our legal counsel weigh in just to make clear what we're doing today. Good morning, supervisor. If you could just take roll call just to establish that you're the only uh supervisor present for this meeting. Very good. Would the clerk please call the roll? Supervisor Miley, excused Supervisor Howard. I'm present. Very good. Thank you much. We'll proceed then with the first item. It's an informational item. This is the Alameda County Resource Conservation District, A C R C D Wildlife Connectivity Project. We'll have a presentation by Marilyn Harvey, the CEO of the Alameda County Resources and Conservation District. We'll have a staff report first. Just a brief introduction. Good morning, Supervisor Halbert, Ali Abbers with the planning department. I'm happy to introduce in place of Director Harvey, Courtney Kuhn and Farley Connolly from the Alameda County Resource Conservation District. They're going to be presenting an update today on the Wildlife Connectivity Project, which is an initiative focused on improving safe and sustainable wildlife movement across key transportation and development corridors in Alameda County. And I wanted to note that their work supports requirements that are established under Assembly Bill 1889, which now mandates that the county analyze wildlife movement, passage features, and barriers to habitat connectivity in upcoming general plan updates. And this project's findings are likely to help Alameda County prepare for these obligations and ensure responsible planning that protects wildlife corridors. So Courtney, go ahead. Welcome. Okay. Thank you. Thank you for having me for this discussion today. And as Allie said, we're gonna talk about our wildlife connectivity work we've been working