(Last updated on August 23, 2018)
Bayside members, sorry for not getting out an update sooner but here is where we are now.
The city has our application for a use permit but is holding it until they get notification that Alameda county has no objection to our activities at the site. As far as we know, this is the only obstacle to our permit to fly.
We have engaged two qualified individuals to work with the county to obtain that release.
We remain optimistic that we can open up the field but don’t have a firm idea of when exactly that will be.
On the negotiation front, we should have more information next week and hope that news will be more encouraging.
The county is involved because the property had been a dump which closed fifty years ago and have been doing quarterly inspections for the past twenty. Recently they noted a few things that we should take care of including removing the derelict BBQ and the pile of scrap lumber near the shed and repairing the bottom of a fence section where it is pulled up enough that a person could crawl under. We need to get these things done this month so contact the board if you can help.
(Updated on June 30, 2018)
Message from the president,
Here is an update on the Bayside RC Club flying site at the end of Mowry.
At the Thursday night (June 28) City council meeting, they approved the changes to their zoning ordinances which included our area of concern; allowing small unmanned aerial systems to be flown on lands zoned as ‘Park’. The changes take effect 30 days later. A minor use permit application needs to be filed by us and then be approved by the planning department. In addition we will be applying for a business license from Newark as part of their requirements.
The board is in the process of completing the applications and expect to have them in the city’s hands soon in the hope that this will give them time to review and approve as soon as that 30 period has past.
We are doing everything we can to comply with the Newark City requirements so that we can get back to enjoying our hobby. Credit needs to go to our treasurer Vance who has been bird dogging every step of the process on our end.
In anticipation of receiving approval of our applications and getting back to flying at the end of the month, we are planning our next club meeting, work party, and barbecue to be out at the field on Sunday July 8th. Dave O. has done some mowing recently but there are many weeds that the mower can’t get to that we should clean up as well. Plan a couple of hours in the morning to join us. It will be great to get everyone back together again once we are cleared up with the city and their permits.
(Updated on May 21, 2018)
Message from the Bayside board to all members,
We’d like to update the members on where we are now with the field closure. At the planning commission meeting 5/8 they voted to recommend to City Council several changes to the zoning in Newark including to allow model aircraft to operate on property zoned as ‘Park’. Those changes now go to the City Council for their approval on 6/28. To clarify, there were 17 changes recommended and the one that applies to us is “Require a MUP(minor use permit) for unmanned aircraft activity in PK and OS Districts”. Some of the other changes deal with building height limits, limiting accessory structures, fences, storage, sign ordinances, tree planting, etc., etc. We are lucky that our interests were on the list and that Planning approved all the changes including ours.
Assuming City Council approves the recommended changes on the 28th, those changes will take affect 30 days later; July 28th, at which time we can apply for the minor use permit. The board has been working on that application so we’ll be ready to hand it in soon after 7/28. How long it will take to get approved if they will require more information we don’t know.
Now for the next glitch in the process. We may need to have clearance from Alameda County Department of Environmental Health. Are you ready for this? Turns out we are on land that had been used as a landfill and as such we need to be approved for a post-closure activity. We were just recently informed about this new additional requirement and are digging in to what this will take. We won’t say this is a deal breaker yet but it could be an even more major hurdle to clear.
The board is working on all this but if you think you have what it takes to help out in a positive way then by all means, please let us know. Also, if you’d like to attend the City Council meeting it will be Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in the City Council Chamber, 37101 Newark Boulevard.
We will send out future updates as new information comes available.
Please stay tuned to the regular information sources (this website, Facebook official page, club email updates) for further news.
(Updated on April 24, 2018)
Message from the Bayside board to all members,
Previously we let everyone know that flying was shut down, that we were going to have a meeting with the Planning Dept., and the advice we were given was to contact the Mayor. With our recent communication with the Mayor over the last couple of days he has found that we can streamline the process somewhat. It will still be some time for the folks at the city to work out the issues, but we feel positive for the outcome.
Unfortunately, it will take approximately two to three months for the business to run its course before we can get back to flying in Newark. We need a minor use permit and changes to the zoning code. The Mayor told us that these items will go to the Planning Commission on May 8th and then to the City Council on May 24th then changes will take effect June 24th. After June 24th the club can apply for the Minor Use Permit which includes minor fees. He also mentioned at this point that there isn’t too much he needs from us until we apply for the Minor Use Permit. None of this is guaranteed but we will remain in contact with the Mayor and monitor the process.
In the meantime, we will plan on our regular BBQ and club meeting for Sunday May 6th.
We will update you as more information becomes available. Please stay tuned to the regular information sources (this website, Facebook official page, club email updates) for further news.
(From the April 18, 2018 update)
Message from the Bayside board to all members.
First: the reason the city asked us to stop operations at the field comes down to permission. City officials saw that we were operating out there and looked up whether we had permits to operate at that location. We didn’t. The city controls what is allowed and not allowed based on zoning restrictions. Frankly speaking, our zoning sucks and there was nothing they could do to grant us permission to continue operating at the field. The planning commission and permits department cannot make exceptions. How the land was zoned dictates what activities are permitted.
After our meeting with the city planning official this week, it is clear that we have some lengthy and expensive challenges ahead to get our field back in operation. According to the official, our best hope is to approach the city council to see if they would even consider letting us operate at the site. If they think there is a chance, we would have to present our request at a city council meeting. If this were approved, then things move on to the next step. Through the planning department we would have to create an overlay district through application for a Planned Unit Development and get a conditional use permit. The process to clear that includes approval by several entities including planning, the city’s engineering, and fire departments. There is a non-refundable $4,000 fee to file the application. We were told it could be a three month process to complete the process and there would be no guarantee that it would end up in our favor.
We are working a couple of different angles to see if there is any other way around this and hope we can share better news soon. This is the latest information on where we stand with the city of Newark. We have a really good site and have put in the improvements needed. We’ve also built up great group of people. With a membership of 225, we should have the skills to proceed on this challenge, so we’ll be looking for any help we can stir up. Let’s focus on moving forward and not why we were shut down. And with some time and effort we’ll get this done.
The field is still currently closed to flying but the club is still alive.
Mike, Joey, Alex, Vance
P.S. If you know Newark city officials that potentially could help us please let us know.