Fairview Municipal Advisory Council Meeting - October 7, 2026

The Fairview Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) held a regular meeting on October 7, 2026, at the Castro Valley Library, with Chair Sally Philbin presiding. The agenda included informational updates on the countywide Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Trails Master Plan and the Second Street Sidewalk Project, as well as an action item on a fence variance. Councilmembers present: Philbin, Vice Chair Vanessa Rhodes, Beth Farmer, and Chris Higgins. Public comments covered traffic safety, trail planning, and neighborhood concerns.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The council approved the minutes of June 4, 2026 (3-0-1, with Vice Chair Rhodes abstaining as she was absent) and September 1, 2026 (4-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• CHP Officer Pabst reported for September: 42 traffic citations, 9 non-injury crashes, 1 injury crash, 1 DUI arrest, 1 stolen vehicle recovered; announced upcoming Halloween pedestrian enforcement and a Start Smart class on October 14.
• Bruce King (Friends of San Lorenzo Creek) provided an informational announcement about the planned San Lorenzo Creekway multi-use trail from the bay to Don Castro; encouraged attendance at a community workshop on October 14 and noted potential connections to Fairview.
• Mimi Dean (Save Sky West Open Space) reported on efforts to preserve at least 50 acres of Sky West Open Space (126 acres total), the top overwintering site for Western Monarch Butterflies in the East Bay; urged public participation in a November/December walk.
• Rolando Gonzalez (East Bay MUD) notified the council of planned water service interruptions on October 7 (Fairview Avenue) and October 8 (Gillensick Drive and Arena Corps) for the Zorel Pipeline Replacement project.
• Bobby urged the council to take public comments on agenda items before their own deliberation to incorporate community input, referencing the Brown Act.
• Tarek Jalili (Fairview Avenue resident) requested that a 700-foot sidewalk gap along Lone Tree Cemetery frontage on Fairview Avenue be listed as a priority in the master plan update, noting safety hazards and lack of lighting.

Discussion Items

1. Alameda County Public Works – Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Trails Master Plan Update (Informational)

• Presentation: Lauren Pepe (Tool Design Group) presented the update to the 2019 plan, covering unincorporated areas including Fairview. Key data: limited existing bicycle facilities (one disconnected north-south route), pedestrian gaps between neighborhoods, and crash data from March 2021 to March 2026 showing no serious or fatal crashes in Fairview. Councilmember Higgins disputed this, citing multiple serious crashes (head-ons, hit-and-run) that he said were not reflected in the data. Chair Philbin and others emphasized the need to account for horse traffic, e-bikes, and emergency egress routes. Public comments echoed safety concerns, and Dale Silva noted the impact of e-bikes on the hilly terrain. The plan will continue with community engagement through interactive maps and surveys, with the next MAC presentation in spring 2027.
• Note: The council took no action; item was informational.

2. Second Street Sidewalk Project Update (Informational)

• Presentation: Jingna Zhang (Deputy Director, Alameda County Public Works) reported that construction is approximately halfway complete on the 4,500-foot project from Silvan Glencourt to Wintfeld Road. Completion is expected in early 2027, weather permitting. Issues raised by Chair Philbin and public speakers include: steep driveway slopes causing scraping; cracks in new sidewalks; the sidewalk extension into the street at Bland (creating a single-lane pinch); lack of red-painted curbs to prevent parking; insufficient notice to residents on Uvis Court; and a dangerous hole at the corner of Second and Wintfeld. Staff stated that punch-list repairs will address cracks and that driveway slope issues are being reviewed.
• Next Steps: Public Works will inspect and follow up on specific driveway and pavement concerns.

3. PLN2025-00169 – Variance for Fence and Gates at 3850 Arbutus Court (Action Item)

• Staff Presentation: Christine Green (Planning Department) recommended denial of the variance, which would allow (1) a 6-foot-tall solid fence within the 30-foot front setback (max 4 ft, 50% see-through), (2) a solid fence in the setback, and (3) driveway gates 2 feet from the property line (min 20 ft). The fence encroaches into the public easement (private road) and narrows the roadway. Staff cited opposition from a neighbor and recommended removal within 90 days.
• Applicant Testimony: Co-owner Whitney Spanner argued that the fence is necessary for pool safety (pool is in the front yard, permitted in 1968), privacy, and security due to a neighbor’s history of harassment. She noted the topography and limited flat land make moving the fence back impractical. Several neighbors spoke in support, citing the fence’s effectiveness for containing horses and its consistency with the rural character of Fairview.
• Council Discussion: Councilmembers debated the encroachment into the easement versus the unique topography and safety needs. Chair Philbin raised concerns about precedent, but after clarification that no prior variance existed on the parcel, the council moved to vote.
• Vote: Motion to grant the variance passed 3-1 (Councilmember Higgins opposed).

Key Outcomes

• Minutes approved (June 4 with one abstention; September 1 unanimously).
• Variance granted for fence and gates at 3850 Arbutus Court (3-1).
• Master Plan Update – No action taken; staff will continue engagement and return in spring 2027.
• Second Street Sidewalk – Staff will address cracks, driveway slopes, and red-curb markings; residents with specific concerns (e.g., Uvis Court) should contact the project team.
• Chair’s Report: Announced a Veterans Day event on November 8 at Lone Tree Cemetery.
• Councilmember Comments: Higgins requested a future agenda item on the status of the Office of Unincorporated Services; Rhodes thanked CHP for school zone enforcement and encouraged voter participation in November.
• Next Meeting: Thursday, November 5, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the Castro Valley Library.