Masons propose development on protected lands
October 30, 2014
Tensions have been building in Union City over the fate of 63 acres of land northeast of Mission Boulevard.
If passed by voters on Nov. 4, Measure KK will adjust the boundaries of the city’s Hillside Area Plan to remove the flatlands area at the foot of the hills from protection and allow the Masons of California to develop it.
Development is currently prohibited on the flatlands because it is designated prime agricultural land, it lies along the Hayward Fault and it would diminish the visual setting of the 166-year-old Masonic Homes, according to the Hillside Area Plan.
The language of the measure does not state clearly what exactly will happen to the land, only a general list of what might be developed after the boundaries are moved.
“By design there is not a specific plan in front of the voters,” said Union City Mayor Carol Dutra-Vernaci. “The depiction in all of the [Yes on KK] materials is only a depiction, that’s not what’s on the ballot.”
Possible development could include: senior housing and health facilities, low-density housing, retail space, open space, trails and a community garden, among other things.
Any development that took place would still have to be approved by the city and would be subject to environmental review.
In 1995 the city adopted the Hillside Area Plan as a result of the voter-approved Measure B in 1989.
The measure amended the city’s General Plan and restricted development on 6,100 acres of land in the eastern foothills.
The following year voters approved Measure II, requiring that Union City voters, instead of the city council, approve all future changes to the plan.
Robert Garfinkle, spokesperson for local grassroots organization Save Our Hills and former Union City council member, said there were several problems with the measure and campaign practices employed by the opposing side.
The original paperwork submitted to the city labeled the project the Union City Hillside View Protection, Parks and Senior Services Initiative.
City Attorney Benjamin Reyes changed the title to The Union City Flatlands Development Initiative to be more accurate and clear.
Dutra-Vernaci said she cannot take an official position as mayor, but as a private citizen she was opposed to the measure.
“I believe the information voters have been given has been spun in such a way that there is confusion about the project itself,” Dutra-Vernaci said.
Virginia Cummins, Save Our Hills assistant treasurer, said all donations to No on Measure KK were from local community members, amounting to about $16,000 while the largest contributor to Yes on KK, which received about $560,000, was the Masonic Homes of California.
On Oct. 16 Alameda County Supervisor Richard Valle, supporter of Measure KK and former Union City council member, presented Dutra-Vernaci and Cummins with a compromise proposing the Masons sell about 30 acres of the northern parcel of land to the East Bay Regional Parks District, dedicating the southern 30-acre parcel to senior services, senior housing and an event center.
Dutra-Vernaci said neither she nor any other city council member could make a decision that bound the city without going through the proper processes and procedures.
