ABOUT US

Photo of a group of people meeting around a table.

Background

  • Alameda County launched the Eden Area Livability Initiative (EALI) in December of 2004, spearheaded by Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley, with the goal of improving the livability of the community of the western part of the unincorporated areas of Alameda County (referred to hereafter as the "Eden Area").
  • The western part of unincorporated Alameda County is comprised of several community-identified communities, such as Ashland, Cherryland, Castro Valley, Fairview, and San Lorenzo, along with several community-identified neighborhoods within the larger communities such as Fairmont Terrace, El Portal Ridge, Hillcrest Knolls, San Lorenzo Village, Five Canyons, and others. These communities are located within very close proximity to each other, share borders and contain approximately 130, 000 residents.
  • EALI developed from the formulation of the Livability Principles, based on the Ahwahnee Principles, which identify regional and local beliefs that will be used to guide the development of an integrated approach for future planning, development, land use and all aspects of service delivery (including education, infrastructure, fire, recreation, public health, public safety, and public works) decisions within the Eden Area. It is anticipated that these Livability Principles and later developed "Livability Elements" will serve to encourage integration throughout the departments of Alameda County governed by the Board of Supervisors, and as a basis to improve cross-jurisdictional coordination among the various agencies serving the residents of the unincorporated area, but not governed by the Board of Supervisors.
  • Throughout the life of the Initiative, community members have played a vital role in the development and the direction of the process. Several community based leadership committees have been formed to provide input and guidance, while increasing the capacity of community based leadership.

Structure

  • EALI is managed by the Office of Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley, District Four with administrative and technical support from the County Administrator's Office, Public Works Agency, Community Development Agency, Alameda County Fire, Sherriff Office, Alameda County Library and the Public Health Department. EALI is co-sponsored by Alameda County Supervisors Miley and Lai-Bitker, and has secured funding from the California State Department of Transportation. Activities include managing the coordination of all activities in support of this project by partners representing the Eden Area. The Office of Alameda County Supervisor Miley monitors all consultant work, county department partnerships, and project deliverables.
  • EALI has included several different levels of community based participation including the Blue Ribbon Steering Committee which provided preliminary oversight and guided the development of a planning process; the Joint Leadership Committee on Livability, which has continued to guide the process and is a sounding board for all decisions; and seven topic-related Task Forces which are open to anyone in the community interested in actively participating in the Initiative process.
  • A Technical Advisory Committee offers input to Leadership Committees, Task Forces and the Supervisor's office on existing and future challenges and opportunities facing the Initiatives target areas. The Technical Advisory Committee includes key staff persons from County and other public agencies, non-profit organizations and others who have direct knowledge and influence in the Initiative topic areas.

Funding Support provided by:

  • California Department of Transportation = $150,000 Ashland & Cherryland Environmental Justice Grant
  • Office of Supervisor Nate Miley