Our group is inclusive of citizens that want to help protect and preserve the distinct qualities of the canyonlands with lawful development through advocacy and monetary means
FAQ’s
Our mission is to advocate for the protection and preservation of the agricultural character and unique qualities of Alameda County Canyonlands
Our group is currently working to preserve a parcel of land in Cull Canyon, Castro Valley from development of a non-agricultural project that was unanimously voted down by the CVMAC (Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Committee) and the WBZA (Western Board of Zoning Adjustment), and denied by Castro Valley’s own District Supervisor, Nate Miley, however the ALCO Board of Supervisors in other Districts granted the group’s appeal.
If you care about the law, voted for Measure D, and care about small farms and ranches, you should be concerned that a non-agricultural project won an appeal to the Board of Supervisors of the lower bodies’ decision. The Mosaic project sets a dangerous precedent and opens up interpretation of the laws in place that govern agricultural properties. If one group can build a school/camp on Ag land, then other groups will certainly challenge the law and, soon, the agricultural land that our laws are supposed to protect and preserve will all be developed.
Land owners should be allowed to lawfully develop their land. If they lease their land to others, the lease holder should abide by the same laws that govern the land.
The members of the Friends of Castro Valley Canyonlands, along with other concerned Alameda County residents, have specifically articulated their concerns in public forums and through letters they have written to the county over the past nine plus years. Their main concerns are land use issues and include, but are not limited to: inadequate and incomplete EIR; the land for their project site is agricultural in nature and is under a California State Land Conservation Contract, however the Mosaic Project is not primarily agriculture which is a requirement; the project does not meet all the conditions under Alameda County’s Measure D; the availability of enough water from the project site’s wells to support such a large development have not been adequately tested per the data they have provided to know whether the large demand might affect neighboring home owners and Cull Creek; the significant fire danger increase by having a large number of school children and teachers and counselors present on land that is located in a box canyon and a level 3 (high) fire risk puts all Cull Canyon residents, Crow Canyon, Columbia Home Owners and Briar Ridge Home Owners at higher risk should evacuation be necessary; the presence of abundant wild animals, including mountain lions, wild pigs, rattlesnakes, etc., could endanger the school children; the fact that the project is really a school and not a recreational camp as their application states; and the fact that their project does not meet all the requirements for the current zoning of the land.
Please email us at: [email protected]
If you would like to support the efforts of the group monetarily, you may send a check made out to Friends of Castro Valley Canyonlands at: 15282 Cull Canyon Rd., Castro Valley, CA 94552 or contact us via email for details on submitting a tax-deductible donation to a 501 (c) (3) organization that supports our work. If you are passionate about helping our cause through volunteer/advocacy efforts, please email us.
If you would like FCVC to consider supporting a cause that is important to you, please email us at [email protected] and give us your name, your issue, how it aligns with our mission and we will be happy to consider supporting your efforts.