Hayward GAD board accepts Parcel Group 3 annexation petition, directs public hearing

The Hayward Geological Hazard Abatement District board unanimously accepted Resolution 25-02 on Oct. 28 to accept the petition for annexation of the Parcel Group 3 development and directed staff to set a public hearing on the annexation.

Haley Ralston, GAD manager, told the board the annexation is tied to "City of Hayward's infill checklist item number 48 for the parcel group 3 development [which] required the development to annex into the Hayward GAD for the protection of the development from potential geologic hazards." Ralston said the development includes a multifamily residential building, an educational building and related drainage and retaining-wall improvements, and that the petition contains a plan of control specific to Parcel Group 3 separate from plans for other developments within the district.

The petition packet indicates two property owners in the proposed annexation area. Ralston said the copy in the packet does not include signatures but that the GAD manager and clerk have an executed copy on file. She also explained that state and GAD rules require the public hearing to be placed on a future agenda at least 20 days after notice is sent to affected property owners.

Board members pressed staff on the project timing and assessment mechanics. Board Member Roach asked whether annexation typically occurs during grading or development and whether tenants would be living in the multifamily units by the time assessments are charged. Ralston said annexations commonly occur during grading and development but before final completion and move-ins, and confirmed the assessment for this development will be placed on the property tax bills for the buildings themselves rather than billed individually to tenants.

On the question of cost and reserves, Ralston said assessment calculations account for routine maintenance, capital improvements and reserve funding for large-scale repairs, and that it takes time for the GAD to build reserves sufficient to respond to major geologic hazard events. She said that when staff return with the assessment schedule at a later public hearing they will present square-foot-based levies for each building and explain reserve assumptions.

Board Member Goldstein asked about alternatives if owners declined annexation; Ralston replied that property owners outside the GAD would be responsible on their own for geologic-hazard–related damage because the special benefit and levy applies only to included properties.

Board Member Andrews moved the item and Board Member Roach seconded. The clerk conducted a roll call and the board voted unanimously to accept the petition and direct staff to place the public hearing on a future agenda.

Staff next steps: schedule and notice the public hearing, present the assessment methodology and plan-of-control details to the board at that hearing, and continue the monitoring and homeowner-education outreach Ralston described.